Jimmy Buffett's First Album

When you hear the name Jimmy Buffett, you probably think of the upbeat, carefree songs for which he's famous. These will certainly put a smile on your face and they include songs like "Margaritaville" and "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitude." These songs are famous but Jimmy Buffett's first album had a completely different style than what his later music reflected in these songs.

If you listen closely to the lyrics, you'll discover that most of Buffett's songs tell some kind of story. It could be about having fun, relaxing in the sun, revolve around some adventure or it could be a story about love. Whatever the case may be, there is usually a story in there somewhere.

Jimmy Buffett started writing and performing songs in the late 1960s from his home in Nashville Tennessee where he sang country songs. In 1970, he recorded his first full album "Down To Earth". Travis Turk produced this album and it was backed by the Barnaby Record label.

Jimmy Buffett's first album had a total of 11 songs that consisted of the following titles:

Side A- The Christian, Ellis Dee (He Ain't Free), The Missionary, A Mile High In Denver, The Captain and the Kid

Side B- Captain America, Ain't He a Genius, Turnabout, There's Nothin' Soft about Hard Times, I Can't be Your Hero Today, Truck Stop Salvation

These songs capture a side of Buffett before his change in style got the attention of all types of music lovers. Jimmy Buffett's first album has him playing the acoustic guitar and features more serious lyrics than his later works. His music has a more somber tone as he sang about social awareness and life.

Since this was the very first album he recorded and because it reflects a different side of Buffett, "Down to Earth" can be considered a rare collector's item. This is not something that you'll usually find in your best friend's music collection. There are many Buffett fans that don't know he recorded this and one other album called "High Cumberland Jubilee", before he became famous for his remote humor and carefree attitude portrayed in his later albums.

If you've never heard any of the songs recorded on his first album, you're missing out. Even if you're not a huge Buffett fan, you're sure to find them interesting. Jimmy Buffett's first album did reflect his passion for music and it helped to jumpstart his career, making him the well-known and loved artist he is today.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Elements Which Make a Great Acoustic Song

A lot of times there is more than just one element which makes a great acoustic song. The best acoustic songs have multiple things working for them which makes them great. Below are just a few of those elements that can turn a middle of the road acoustic song into one of those songs that potentially can live on forever.

Probably the most important element in any acoustic guitar song is how well the guitar is played. Now I do not mean how difficult and intricate the guitar is played, but is it played well. It does not matter how technically difficult a song is to play, if it is played poorly, the song as a whole is going to suffer. Some of the best acoustic songs are nothing more than strummed chord transitions. But the chords are played well enough and crisp enough that the simplicity is over shadowed by the skill.

Next, at least for me, is the lyrical content of a song. No matter how great the music is, if the lyrics are cliche or just plain bad, the song loses any ground it gained, even if the music is out of this world. Being a song writer is probably one of the most demanding forms of art. A song writer has to portray an emotion or a thought for an extended period of time and the words have to flow together perfectly. It is a daunting to task. But this is what separates decent acoustic songs from the best acoustic songs. Lyrics are an essential piece of the puzzle.

Melody ranks right up there with lyrics in my book. It is what draws the listener in and usually what they hum after hearing the song. The melody, and I am referring to the vocal melody here, has to flow effortlessly with what the acoustic guitar is doing. If one is good, but the other lacks, the song is doomed from the start. This combination is one of the most difficult parts of song writing and requires a good ear to be able to hear what works, and what doesn't. A great melody can make a song stand out against all the rest.

Well what I just gave is the basic break up of a song, all the elements, and how they work together. When these three elements combine, they summon a great acoustic song. But remember, when writing your own music, it is important to be overly critical. Never settle for second best. Because if you do, that is all you will ever be.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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4 Easy Steps to Make a Beat Selling Website

If you are music producer or beat maker, you know that having your own website to showcase your beats and instrumentals is essential. Often times upcoming producers are strapped for cash and on a strict budget. The following will offer you instructions on how to make your own beat selling website.

1. Create A Free Blog

Creating a blog is one of the simplest ways to sell beats online. There are plenty of free websites available where you can create a blog. Blogger, WordPress, and Tumblr are some of the most popular ones. You could also just Google "Free blog" and you will find plenty of resources online. If you aren't tech savvy and don't know much about HTML code, try Blogger. If you have a little more experience with HTML code and are interested in more customization of your website, start a WordPress blog. If you are interested in being more social with other bloggers, try Tumblr.

Once you've chosen your blog platform and set up your online profile. You will likely want to customize the look and feel of your website. If possible, use a white background or something similar to make the information posted on your site pop out (i.e text, pictures, videos, beats, etc). There a literally thousands of free blog templates and themes available online to customize your site. Google search them and follow their installation instructions.

2. Choose a Domain Name & Hosting

You will want to come up a with a name for your website. By default you will usually get a domain name from your blog platform that is self-hosted. It will look something like this:

so and so beats dot blogspot dot com

or

super hot instrumentals dot wordpress dot com

or

i make dope beats dot tumblr dot com

Try to come up with about 3 different domain names that you like just in case the domain name you choose is already in use.

Once you pick your domain name(s), you can visit a website like GoDaddy.com to purchase a custom domain name. If you need help call the customer support line. GoDaddy will typically try to sell you some extra stuff with your domain name. Ignore the sales offers and just get your domain.

You can get by without changing your default domain name, but it is highly recommended that you buy a custom one. This will help customers easily recognize your brand. In any case, make sure your site ends in dot com. You should also try to avoid hyphens in your domain name.

If you want to use your own blog hosting you can buy it through a website such as HostGator.com or GoDaddy.com. Having your own hosting will allow you more control and customization of your site, but again if the budget is tight you will be fine for now. Call the customer support lines if you are in need of help getting things setup.

3. Create a PayPal Account

You will need to create a PayPal Account to start collecting money from the beats you plan to sell. This is very simple. Just visit PayPal.com and enter in your information.

4. Upload your Beats and Instrumentals

One of the best ways to get your beats uploaded to your blog is to have them hosted via a flash store. It is super easy,convenient AND best of all its free to get started!

Visit Myflashstore.com or isellbetternow.com and create a free profile. Once you've completed that upload your hottest beats or instrumentals for sale. You will be able to only upload a limited number of instrumentals on the free profiles. These beats will be hosted on their web servers which is great! When someone buys a beat they will be emailed a download link to the beat. This completely automates the sales process so customers can download beats instantly!

Be sure to go in the settings section in Myflashstore or the user details section of isellbetternow.com and list your Paypal email address to begin receiving payments.

Next, you will want to post the embedded code for the flash player on your blog.

On isellbetternow.com the embedded code will be in the user details section.

Myflashstore will have the embedded code listed under the members tab in the players link. You will click the get code button to access the html code.

You will finally want to copy this entire code and past it inside of one of your blog pages or posts. Put this code in the html section of your page or post.

YOU ARE NOW READY TO SELL BEATS ONLINE!

For free beats and more tips on how to sell beats online visit http://www.almostfreebeats.com/

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Learn to Play Piano - 5 Elements of Music to Learn Before Taking Lessons

Learning to play piano or any musical instrument needs knowledge of the code that allows music to be read and to make sense.

1. Music is played at a speed depending on the type of music it is. To achieve this two things are written on the music. The first is to split the ledger lines (also known as the staff or stave) into sections with vertical lines. These are called bars or measures. Local to the clef on the left of the ledger lines, a time signature is placed there to show the timing of the music. This could be 4/4 or 3/4 or other such numbers. In the case of 4/4 this would mean that each section between the bars would have 4 beats or counts in each section. The other 4 would indicate the type of note that each of the beats would be. In this example the beats are quarter notes so are short notes meaning that the music would be of an average speed. If the time signature had been 4/2 there would still be 4 beats in each section but the number 2 represents a 1/2 note which is slower than a 1/4 note resulting in a slower speed.

2. The pitch between notes can have half pitch notes. These are called sharp notes or flat notes. They are represented on the music by the sign # for sharp and b for flat. Sharps and flats can be confusing as the same half note can be called sharp or flat. For example the half note above G is G# the whole note above G is A. The half note below A is exactly the same note as G#. This time we call it Ab.

3. Understanding where the half pitch notes on piano are is very easy. All you do at this stage is either go to the next black key to left or right of a white key this is counting up in half notes, Progressing from left to right the black notes will be called sharp and if progressing from right to left the black notes will be called flat.

4. Music can be played in a number of ways. Bright, sad, soft, loud, aggressively, to name just a few. In addition to the notes and timing the music has comments written on it. These can be whole words but are generally shortened to a single letter. An example would be (f) meaning fortissimo or loudly, or (p) meaning pianissimo or softly. There are many more that will need to be learned as your learning increases.

5. Not all music is suitable to be played by all instruments. The piano cannot bend strings as a guitar can or other such things. A guitar cannot play 5 bass notes and 5 upper pitch notes at the same time such as a piano can. A violin cannot play three or four notes at the same time to form a chord which flat string instruments can. The choice of music needs care to ensure it is suitable for your instrument.

Should you be interested in learning more try this link http://www.free.jackieclarkmusic.com/

Jackie Clark has been teaching piano, keyboard and guitar for over 30 years in several countries. She has a 100% success rate with pupils taking exams in traditional teaching methods and also has on line courses of instruction

http://www.jackieclarkmusic.com/

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Tips for Selling Vinyl Records on eBay

Many people use eBay to sell and buy items new and used. It's an excellent way to make money off something that's been sitting around collecting dust or to find something that you've been searching for that is no longer sold in retail stores.

Selling vinyl records on eBay is a big business and you can get in on some of the action, too. It's easy to get started. Just pull out those albums stored in your closet or basement and start going through them to see which ones you're ready to part with.

Once you get a stack of albums ready, here are a few tips for selling vinyl records on eBay to help you get the most from your collection.

· Do some research to determine what is in high demand so you can get an idea of the value of the albums you have.

· Evaluate their condition because this will affect the price as well.

· Set up your account and review the rules so you can compile with them completely. You don't want to get in trouble for breaking the rules.

· List your albums individually with a detailed description. This should include each track and the length of time they play. It should also include the record size, rotation speed and vinyl grade if known.

· Provide a photo of the cover and add this in the description along with any extras that come with the album.

· Give an accurate account of the condition of each album. If it's in excellent condition, that's great and by all means list it as such but if it's in good condition, don't exaggerate. Include any damage to the cover as well if any.

Selling vinyl records on eBay is not difficult but it's important that you know as much about the albums up for sale as you can. This will make it easier for you to set a fair price for the records that you sell. Just because you consider something to be very valuable, doesn't mean that everyone else will.

Value is determined by a variety of things besides the condition of the album. For example, supply and demand plays a major role in how valuable records are. The ones that were mass-produced are not as valuable as the ones that had only a few copies made. The ones recorded on high grade vinyl will also be more valuable than the ones recorded on low grade vinyl. Be aware that records can sell for as little as a $1.00 or they can go for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

After you gain some experience selling on eBay, you'll pick up a few tips of your own that'll help you along the way. It's a learning process so the more you do it, the easier it'll become. Selling vinyl records on eBay can be quite profitable once you get the hang of it.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Vinyl Records Have Stood the Test of Time

Vinyl records have stood the test of time throughout the years for several reasons and they will most likely continue to be the favorite of many music fanatics for a long time to come. CDs, MP3s and MP4s may be the cutting-edge technology but nothing can compare to classic songs recorded on an original vinyl record.

Vinyl records have several benefits over other types of music formats, with the most important being the sound. Records produce a pure and true sound, whereas the new music formats are compressed and compromised. Records are recorded in analog instead of digital and that is one of the most important things to remember when looking for a true sound that is incomparable.

Another benefit vinyl records have to offer is being able to listen to music in groups. You can gather around and socialize while playing records in the background and everyone gets to enjoy the crisp, clean sound they produce at once. It makes music a social thing once more. In addition, the unique and colorful album covers that accompany many records are an added bonus.

If you want to experience the unique and beautiful sounds created by records again or even for the first time, finding them is not hard. One of the best places to search for them is the Internet where you'll see firsthand that vinyl records have stood the test of time.

There are many die-hard fans that sell, trade and buy albums online. These sites offer options to buy used or new records that have been kept in good to pristine condition. Sometimes, these sites will have resources listed where you can buy albums from places found right in your own hometown or at least close by. Checking thrift shops, flea markets and garage sales are also a great option when you're first starting a vinyl record collection.

When searching the Internet, you may also run across sites offering you the chance to take part in projects designed to restore some of the classic albums of yesteryear. This is a rare and wonderful opportunity to be a part of restoring classic albums to be released back into the media for sale. Many times, you can be one of the first to collect these albums at a discounted rate for a small donation.

These projects also prove that vinyl records have stood the test of time and it's the perfect way to help keep them available for future generations to enjoy. Who knows, with your support these reproductions could become more common and one day, we could all be listening to newly produced vinyl records again instead of music downloads.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Create A Unique DJ Sound And Style - Get DJ Gigs!

Part of being a successful DJ is creating your unique DJ sound. Anything is possible in the DJ world. For you to have a chance at real success, locally, nationally or internationally, you'll need to stand out from the rest and create your own unique style.

What is a unique DJ sound?

Many DJs you'll see and hear when you go out in bars and clubs play similar music to each other. There is not much really wrong with this, as long as they are making people happy and as long as people are dancing.

But if you want to be better than them and rise above the average deejay, get real, better paid club DJ gigs and keep on getting them every weekend, then creating your unique DJ sound is essential.

Your music selection, the order of your tracks, the style of mixing and the blend should all be in your style or DJ sound. Your style needs to be so unique to you that you could copyright it. No one else can play in the way you do. DJs may try to copy you, but they'll never do it, because only you know how to react and surprise people with your unique style.

This is how you do it.

1. Find Rare Gems

First up, you need to get busy searching. Whether it's seeking out quiet record shops where the crates have dust on them, finding random websites with solo artists, contacting bloggers that few others know of or digging into your own collection, you need tunes no one else has got.

The ideal way to creating your sound is to find the best combination of least known but most catchy and memorable tunes. What you find should be rare and unknown but also very memorable and catchy. It should have the music freaks on the floor staring at you and crowding around you to find out what it is.

Someone will fail miserably in an attempt to recognise your tunes with Shazam, because Shazam doesn't recognise who this track is by. You need to have tunes that people know but you need rare gems too. These are what make you stand out. How to get ahead of DJ Shazam stealing your tunes

2. Create DJ Remixes

Look at any successful DJ nowadays and you'll see they have a ton of remixes and some of their own tunes to their name. The likes of Soulwax, Boys Noize and Laidback Luke are just a few examples.

With some luck, your great remix you could end up getting you lots of attention on DJ forums and on youtube. With this kind of viral success, getting gigs should be a breeze for you.

I've DJed with a group called Jolie Cherie. Since they got signed to Kitsune records, they get huge DJ gigs in the best clubs in London and Paris. And they're not even DJs, they're musicians. A good tune or remix can let you leapfrog masses of other DJs.

3. Be a punk

By being a punk I mean go against the grain. You're there so that people can enjoy themselves, but there's nothing wrong with being a rebel and shocking people with your DJ sound style.

This doesn't mean you playing a set for yourself and then dancing away in your booth while everyone else looks at you in bewildered silence and disappointment. It means you play against the grain. Drop surprises. Be a bit crazy. How do you do that?

Vary your style and drop the last tune they would expect. Ask yourself a question: what is the last possible tune anyone would expect me to play right now? Then play that track.

Many more other DJ tips, reviews, advice and a free guide to getting DJ gigs can be found at The Total DJ Site

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Soothing Qualities of Relaxing Piano Music

It's incredible how a piece of music can elevate one's soul. Whether it's playing in the background or in the fore-front, it is always there for us to grasp. Many have correlated their feelings and expressions and coined them to paper or straight to an instrument for all to hear.

What pleasure the mind, body, and soul takes you through as you hear a beautiful version of a relaxing piano music piece. The essence of the timbres as they hit the strings resonating thoughts of elegance and beauty. It is the mere fact that these sounds are given you a feeling of relaxation and pleasure.

Throughout the years as we grow through this journey of life, we find ourselves striving for the peace and tranquility we know we deserve. Can it not be that these artist who we listen to feel, and have felt the same way? Bringing out what we hold deep down inside us, and captivating us with the mystique of utter brilliance.

Did you ever just sit and listen to a relaxing piano piece? The soothing qualities relax you mind, body, and soul. Nurturing the soul and giving you thoughts that you have encompassed throughout your existence, shedding the dark and encompassing the light, surely what we possess deep down inside.

So why then do we choose the piano? Why do we listen to it for relaxing music? The piano is like an orchestra. There is no other instrument that has been given to us that can do the work of the piano. Sure all instruments can convey sound, but when it comes to composition, it cannot be out matched. Many who study an instrument while learning their craft, whether it be trumpet, woodwinds or guitar, if serious with their craft, know they have to study the piano in one way or another to grasp the full essence of composition. A great jazz trumpeter by the name of Dizzy Gillespie once said, if you don't know the piano, then you don't know composition.

The soothing qualities of the piano are like a warm night's summer breeze. It has been heard in many areas of our life. From television to movies we listen to it in the background, waiting for the next scene to arrive. Anticipating what would come next.

It is said that music holds the key to our hearts and soul. Soothing qualities of relaxing piano music plays a large part and forever shall stay in our lives.

For soul soothing and relaxing piano music visit us here

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Brian May's Handmade Electric Guitar - All the Facts

I have always admired the electric guitar that has been owned and played by Brian May since the 60's. It has a different look compared to the bulk of Strat or Les Paul style guitars presently around, and it sounds fantastic too. So I thought I'd dig a bit deeper to understand more about this fascinating electric guitar.

Frequently known as The Red Special, the majority of keen guitarists will at least know that this unique was hand-built by May and his father Harold from an ancient fire place structure - 18th century to be exact. The guitar was formed from this sizable slab of old oak into the stunning shape we know so well. In my honest opinion this was an extremely balanced and appealing shape, superior to a lot of production guitars that can be spotted in High St music shops.

It appears that the guitar's fretboard was also made of oak as opposed to the ebony, maple or rosewood repeatedly used. The body has a thin mahogany top which covers routed areas, giving this unique instrument's construction a positively semi-acoustic feel. As a contrast, a Les Paul model would have utilised a maple top over a solid mahogany body. A few extra nice touches are the individual positioning of the fretboard's pearl dot markers (created from buttons) and the headstock shape which is closer to the design of a Gibson Flying V headstock than anything on the market today.

Together with the design as well as the construction materials used, utilising three Burns single coil pickups helps give this guitar that 'Brian May' sound (the Vox AC30 also plays a part). The guitar pickups were re-wound by May himself and wax potted in epoxy. Wax potting is the procedure of sealing the pickup's coils to avoid any uninvited microphonic feedback but regularly a mix of beeswax and paraffin does the trick, so this was an interesting and more long term option.

The final area to be given a custom solution was the tremolo system. This was produced out of a hard steel knife and a couple of motorbike springs. Custom made rollers were included to make it possible for the strings to move freely.

If you ever needed confirmation that this electric guitar has a unique sound, just listen to the guitar solo in 'Killer Queen'. Not only was this solo a dream but also you'd recognize that tone anywhere.

The original guitar is still alive and kicking though for safety reasons May often chooses to utilise one of the duplicate versions that his company now make. They might not be the real thing but they are seriously close.

Jim Ward is a keen guitar player and often writes about various aspects of the electric guitar. For a great blog on guitars, guitarists and excellent guitar pickups he recommends visting TubGuitarPickups.co.uk, and for a first class information on building guitars he suggests MyLesPaul.com.

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Guitar Accessories: Some Helpful Goodies

You can treat yourself to a number of other little guitar accessories, doodads, and contraptions that make guitar playing a lot more painless and convenient. In no particular order, consider some of these guitar accessories, which are often worth their weight in thumbpicks.

Batteries: Tuners, effects pedals, and even some guitars run on batteries. Stock up on a couple of nine-volts and a few AAs and store them in a sealed plastic bag.

Bridge pins: These little plastic pieces wedge your strings into the bridge of your acoustic guitar. The problem is this: If you lose one (because it goes flying off a dock or into the grass after you yank it out), you can't find anything to substitute for it. Matchsticks are the closest things, but who carries those around these days? The next time you're at the music store buying strings, make sure that you also pick up a couple of extra bridge pins.

Cords and cables: A crackling cable is no fun for either you or your audience. That nasty sound means that your connections are worn and bad - it happens. Keep extra cables on hand of both the long variety (for connecting your guitar to an effect or an amp) and the short (for interpedal connections).

Cassette recorder: Don't miss capturing a once-in-a-lifetime musical moment because you don't have a tape recorder on hand. You never know when inspiration may strike. If you play with other people - especially those who can teach you something - keep the recorder handy so that you can preserve licks, riffs, and other cool moves for later study. Microcassette recorders are great because they fit right into your guitar case. After you get good at recording your ideas, you may even consider taking along a four-track recorder (one that enables you to overdub, or add parts to, existing tracks). You can create multipart arrangements with a four-track instead of being limited to only the simple ideas that you can capture on a normal cassette recorder. You can get a four-track for as little as $200.

Cloth: This is one of the guitar accessories that are often overlooked, but essential. You should always wipe down your guitar after playing to remove body oils that can corrode strings and muck up the finish. Cotton is good, and chamois is better. At least give your fingerboard a wipe before you put it in the case, and if you're playing with short sleeves, give the top a rubdown, too.

Singer and songwriter Jim Byrne has been a guitar player all his life. His songs has a twist of bluesy folk, country, Americana and Scottish. Discover more tips to help you choose the right guitar accessories and learn valuable guitar playing tips as he offers some great all-around advice for beginner and advanced players alike. Visit Jim's website for more tips and to download two of Jim's latest songs for free => http://www.songsbyjimbyrne.com/freemp3music/index.html

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Flamenco - Where to Enjoy Spain's Soul Music

Where can you witness the best flamenco? Surprisingly, the answer often enough is: "In New York City!" That's because the best practitioners of this passionate art form spend a good part of their career performing for high pay at venues outside their home country.

And there's another aspect. Tourists visiting Spain are often lured to third-rate performances, tour operators knowing that the average visitor can't distinguish between the good and the mediocre.

There is far more to this constantly-evolving art than swirling skirts, flashy foot-stamping, and throbbing guitars. Its true home is in southern Spain, particularly in the area of Seville, Cadiz and Huelva.

If you visit that region, check out what's on at the various "penas", or flamenco clubs. These are where local enthusiasts gather and where you are likely to catch authentic flamenco song and dance. Also, particularly in summer, many towns hold flamenco festivals. Be warned: they start late and carry on until the early hours.

Much of the passion of flamenco reflects the sufferings of the gypsies and the poor of southern Spain down the centuries. Its origins are complex, with roots in the many cultures that have made their mark on Andalusia. Gypsies are believed to have started entering Spain from the eighth century, bringing with them the influences of Indian and Byzantine music. Their song and dance mixed with those of Arabs and Sephardic Jews and with Christian religious and folk music.

Jews, Moslems and gypsies had one thing in common, their persecution by the Kingdom of Castile, and this helped form flamenco, making it the voice of the oppressed.

Aficionados (enthusiasts) divide flamenco singing into three categories, cante jondo, intermedio, and chico. Cante jondo, literally deep song, has been compared with the blues of America's blacks. Singers of cante jondo seem to tear at their own entrails as they strive to express their anguish and communicate it to their listeners.

A genuine performance is a rare experience, for the truly emotional, magical moments only occur when duende (roughly, the spirit) moves the singer.

Intermedio is less profound flamenco and easier to perform. Chico (small) is happy, sensuous and frivolous.

Sadly, what you are most likely to see and hear in or out of Spain is pop flamenco, a mish-mash of the above three forms with non-flamenco pop rhythms thrown in and with little feeling or depth.

At any fiesta, however, you can enjoy the sevillana. This is a light-hearted, fast-moving dance. Purists don't take it seriously, but it's lots of fun.

For an idea of what serious flamenco is all about, listen to the earlier work of wild-living singer Camaron de la Isla, regarded as a true phenomenon of cante jondo until drugs and alcohol got to him. Or delight to the music of the great guitar maestro Paco de Lucia, on the cutting edge of modern flamenco.

Journalist and author David Baird specialises in books about Spain, fact and fiction. His book Between Two Fires - Guerrilla War in the Spanish sierras has won praise from leading historians. For a humorous insight into life in rural Spain, read Sunny Side Up. His latest books are works of fiction: Typhoon Season, a nerve-tingling thriller set in Hong Kong, and Don't Miss The Fiesta!, passion and adventure played out in southern Spain. More information at the Maroma Press website, http://maromapress.wordpress.com/

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How Online Karaoke Music Has Changed Karaoke For The Better

Online karaoke music has changed karaoke for the better. No longer do you have to get up in front of a bunch of strangers and perform a song you aren't completely prepared to play. With the advent of online karaoke music, the stressful part of karaoke has been removed. Now, you can practice as much as you want and just record or stream yourself and your performance to thousands of people when you feel ready. To achieve this dream of stress-free karaoke, you need to follow a couple steps.

The first step is to find karaoke music. You can do this for free at many websites, but I recommend the following: Love To Know, EZ Tracks, Free Karaoke, and My Music Tools. These websites allow you to try the online karaoke scene for free. If you cannot find what you are looking for available for free, the next step is to move on to paying for karaoke songs.

There are a couple options available to those who want to buy karaoke music. The first is to buy CD+G discs, a common format employed by many karaoke machines. These CD+G discs come equipped with instrumentals, lyrics, and even videos to the songs you're singing.

Another option is using an internet karaoke MP3 distribution service. There are a couple options available to consider for those who want to karaoke. The Singing Station has many high-quality songs and is available 24 hours a day. It is used by many professionals. Another option is Karaoke Island, which has MP3s available that come with instrumentals, background vocals, and lyrics. One plus of Karaoke Island is that they will turn your computer into a karaoke machine if you choose not to purchase one. Yet another service is StreamKaraoke, which has over 15,000 songs available and full-screen lyric streaming available 24 hours a day.

Once you have the songs that you want and feel confident that you want to pursue internet karaoke, the next step is to buy a karaoke machine. There are many options here, of course, and it all depends on your budget. Do you want to spend a lot of money and buy a professional machine with thousands of songs and pitch-correction technology, or do you want a budgeted machine lacking some features? The choice is yours to make depending on budgetary factors, but I would personally recommend any portable karaoke machine made by Emerson or Singing Machine. They both make quality products and you cannot go wrong buying any of the models of karaoke machines they sell.

After all these steps, you are well on your way to being an internet sensation with your karaoke skills.

Gary is a freelance graphic designer and has worked with several companies in the past. In his spare time, he likes to unwind by belting out a few tunes with his friends with some online karaoke. For more information on the topics raised, visit Sing To The World.

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Best Songs on Acoustic Guitar - Part 6

Thus far we have covered a bunch of awesome songs that feature the acoustic guitar. Unfortunately we have only just covered the tip of the ice burg. So why not keep the list going? Here are a few more songs that have earned a much deserved spot on the list of best acoustic songs.

What's It's Like - Everlast. This song, like a few that have made this list is, at least to me, not that special. But what is special about it is the melody the acoustic guitar picks through out the song. What is great is that it opens in a minor chord, but the rest the other chords in the transition are major. It just works so well together. The lyrics are a little generic in that they just discuss people who have hard lives. But other than the amazing melody on the guitar, the other thing that makes it great is the fact that the singer, Everlast, used to be the rap group House of Pain. And to me that is cool that he can be so versed to write rap songs and cool blues songs. Again the song's topic is really nothing special, but the guitar work is simple and beautiful enough to make the song worthy of this list.

The Dance - Garth Brooks. I am not a country music fan by any means. But I love Garth Brooks. The guy can sing a song and portray an emotion like no other in his genre. The Dance is one of those amazing break up songs that anyone going through one can listen to and know exactly what he is talking about. The acoustic guitar work in the song is subtle, and that is what makes it so good. The piano leads the songs, but underneath is the beautiful finger picking of the chords the guitar is playing. It is all around an amazing song. Perfect lyrics, perfect guitar, perfect voice, perfect everything. Garth makes the list of the best acoustic songs with The Dance.

Pink Moon - Nick Drake. Nick Drake is one of the musicians who, like so many others, died way before his time. He was young and he was a genius. To pick one song of his worthy of this list was in itself a difficult task. But Pink Moon captures what he was great at. Writing amazing lyrics set to awesome guitar work. The song is a perfectly basic song, only featuring the guitar and Drakes awesome voice. I could write a book on how great Nick Drake is so I am going to stop it right there. But if you have never heard anything by Nick Drake, you should check him out.

That's it for now. Hope you have found this list helpful and perhaps maybe you'll discover some new music which you'll love. These songs are truly worthy to be mentioned on the list of best acoustic songs.

Benjamin J. Cloyd is a guitar instructor and has a website called best acoustic songs where you can find and print great songs for beginners to intermediate to advanced. He also has a humorous clothing line for musicians at Music Tshirts ETC.

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Acoustic Guitar Packages - A Great Place To Start

When you're shopping for cheap acoustic guitar packages, you'll want to go about it just as you would if you were picking a cheap acoustic guitar. Most of the same criteria will apply. You'll have to decide what brand, style, finish, size and price range you can live with. If you're shopping for a package with a kids acoustic guitar in it, you should probably consider a starter guitar package containing a smaller instrument and, and whether it will have steel strings or nylon strings. You may even be looking for a package that contains a guitar designed specifically for a young girl. Will you be looking for a pure acoustic, or an electric acoustic?

How much money are you willing to spend? All these things will need to be considered before you even begin shopping. luckily for you, there are a great number of acoustic guitar packages to choose from these days. Most of the top names in the industry offer starter packs, and one for almost any budget can be found. Most of these packages will include everything anyone would need to begin their acoustic guitar to experience. Of course you will need to do a little research on the guitar that is included in the package, as some of the packages at the lower end of the price ranges may include really, really cheap guitars that can only be considered a toy. These poorly made instruments sound awful and most are very hard to play. The combination of those two things is the quickest way to ensure that someone will just give up trying to learn to play.

Many however, we'll be a good value for the money invested, and depending upon the package, will include an electronic or digital tuner, strings, picks, a strap and a gig bag or a hard case. Some may even include learning tools such as books or CD's. Some of the name brand, higher priced packages may even have solid top guitars, although many will not. As I said, just do some research before making that final decision. 

Right off the bat, you're going to notice that there is a really big selection to choose from. You'll see that prices began at next to nothing and will range into the several hundred dollar category. At the lower end of the price scale, some of the packages will have guitars that use nylon strings, and some will have nylon and steel strings. You'll also notice that the acoustic accessories included will vary from package to package. Using your budget and the style and quality of the acoustic you are looking for, you should be able to find something that will suit just about anyone. Many, if not most of the top names will have packages to choose from in different price ranges. At about $200 Fender offers the FA-125 Acoustic pack.

This is a very highly rated package which comes with the FA - 125S acoustic, which has a smaller body, an electronic tuner, gig bag, picks, string winder and an instructional booklet. This combo has the highly desirable solid top guitar, which makes this package a very good value. Another popular package in the $100 - $200 range is the Yamaha Gigmaker Standard Acoustic package. Yamaha is another brand known for the quality of their cheap acoustic guitars and the great sound these acoustics produce. Beginner guitar packages with quality construction, and great sounding instruments in the $150- $300 range are also available from Takamine, Dean, Epiphone, Silvertone and others.

At the lower end of the price spectrum you will find just as many, or probably more, acoustic guitar packages to choose from. A package with guitar, bag or case and some accessories can be found for as little as $20 or so. Just be aware that when you drop below the $200 - $150 price range you should research descriptions, construction, etc, of the instrument that comes in that particular package. It will really be to your benefit, when choosing a package for a child, to determine if that child just wants a toy to make noise with or is seriously interested in learning to play guitar. That can be a huge factor when deciding which package to select, as well as the size of the instrument included. As in the more expensive acoustic packages, in this price range you will be able to find packs with left hand acoustic guitars in some, and several that are designed specifically for young girls. Bottom line. Common sense dictates that a $20 package will not have the same quality guitar as will be in the package you pay $300 for. Again, just do a little research before hand, so that you will have a good idea as to what to look for when you are buying cheap acoustic guitar packages

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Amy Winehouse: We Will Miss You

Heart, Soul and Anger are just a few of the emotions that can take a regular song, and make it into a great one. It takes an awesome singer to make that great song into an unforgettable one. Amy Winehouse was that singer and the music world will forever miss her. There are those few shining stars that come thru the music industry and you know that they will be a first and a last. Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Kurt Cobain are just a few of the excellent cadidates.

I recently saw an interview on PBS Masters, that featured Mary Wilson who saw him in Beglium and he played "Sexual Healing" for her for the first time and she nearly jumped out of her seat. He told her that night, that he didn't know if it would be a hit or not. Mary Wilson, felt like most of the people who still hear the song today and sing-along with it: inspired. Winehouse's music had the same intensity, reality and soulful sound. Amy Winehouse's voice was pure beauty, she had a soulful sound, and loved the style of the Girls' groups from the 60's.

This perfect mix elevated her image and music to another level. At 24, she had grammy nods and eventually took home 6 of them. She helped to introduce this new young generation to the sound of Motown and wore a beehive while doing it. If you listen to her vocals on, "Will you Still Love Me Tomorrow?," you will feel goosebumps as she goes into the first verse. With her passing this week, the music world grew a little darker. And yes, Amy, we will still love you tomorrow and forever, you will be sorely missed.

Defoncia Herndon is an Administrator of 21 Blackstreet and the Owner of Herndon Marketing. He can be reached at Defoncia76@gmail.com

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What Type of Input Is Best for Making Beats, Keyboard or Drum Pads?

With the proliferation of so many amazing technologies with which to create drum samples, the aspiring and sometimes even the professional musician may be at a loss to decide which is the best method for their music to use. If, like many musicians you are operating on a tight budget and already happen to own a keyboard, then the question of spending more for new gear may be prohibitive. While there are exciting new less expensive models of devices that create awesome drum samples, if your existing keyboard already does the job and you are happy enough for now with its results, then perhaps you can hold off for a while and be able to eat instead.

A lot may also depend of the type of musician that you are. Someone who is a total keyboard player with a limited background in percussion may be more comfortable with the familiar feel of the keys. A musician that may be more percussively oriented, like a person that started out playing the drums and has moved on to playing keyboards, might therefore be more at home creating their drum samples using real drum sticks and pads that deliver a nice feeling of impact with at least some modest rebounding capability.

It may be hard to duplicate the primal feel of pounding on a surface with a stick as opposed to pressing on plastic with your fingers. Though if you are more of a keyboard oriented musician then that still may be best for your strengths. A well financed musician can avoid this quandary by investing in both a keyboard that will perform the task as well as the drum pad sequencers.

Why not have dueling devices and let them play off of each other? Try several takes on your drum track using each method and then compare or even combine the results. Splice and dice with a few measures dedicated to each device. Most of all, remember to be creative. Don't procure all this great new technology and play the same tired old riffs. Resolve to move out of the humdrum and into the world of the elite beat makers. Find your groove by tapping your inner creativity, not retreading others' work. Of course, retreading, or interpreting someone's music is a creative act in itself. The Beatles jammed on a Buddy Holly tune for hours and wound up with 'Love Me Do'. Going beyond this mixed message to quote that ultimate of writers Erich Von Daniken, from his book 'Proof', 'Duo quum idem faciunt non est idem-When two people do the same thing, it is not the same.'

For more information on the topics mentioned in the article such as using drum samples, please visit Dance Midi Samples where they have tutorials.

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The Difference Between Taking Guitar Lessons Online Versus a Private Instructor

Learning to play the guitar online is quickly catching on and reducing the number of students who enroll to take private guitar lessons from local teachers and instructors. This is nothing new of course since the Internet has been changing the way we do many things over the past decade. However when it came to visual demonstration of things such as guitar or piano lessons it took a little while for the technology to catch up.

Early attempts to provide online guitar lessons failed due to slow Internet connections, expensive video production equipment and lack of software to well make things look good.

Fast forward ahead to today and there are thousands of people who are taking guitar lessons online and more following suit every day. Whether you pay for a membership to an online guitar course or learn from free guitar lesson videos there are a few main differences that beginners should be aware of before they decide to go the route of teaching themselves via the web.

Lesson Structure

When you take private guitar lessons you don't have to worry or even think about what you're going to learn next. After all that's why you're paying $15-$20 a week for you lesson right?

There is great structure found when you take lessons from a quality teacher. Of course there are some instructors are lacking structure as well. If we compare that to online lessons you'll find that many of the membership websites available provide a ton of lesson content but they lack the structure some beginners need. This sometimes mean that beginners are left with gaps in their knowledge later on because they missed a key concept.

Practice Routines

Like lesson structure being given a practice routine means all you have to concentrate on is what you're told. Your instructor tells you to practice the C major scale until you can fluently play it 10 times without errors. So you go home that week and each day you practice the C major scale trusting that there's a good reason why your instructor has asked you do so.

With guitar lessons online you aren't always given a routine to practice. You're often left up to your own to decide what topics are important enough for you to practice each week, and how much time you should spend watching new videos versus practicing the material you've already watched.

Accountability

While lesson structure and practice routines are more a mechanical part of lessons this last difference is really about mindset.

When you take private guitar lessons you're paying another person to teach you how to play the guitar. There's a built in accountability there for most. No one wants to look like a fool in front of their teacher if they haven't even picked up their guitar all week to practice. Not to mention your weekly lesson fee begins to become a huge waste of money. This accountability helps keep beginners on track and also pushes them through the often boring and tedious beginner topics of learning notes on each string, scales and mastering scale shapes.

With online lessons it does take a special type of person to have the self motivation and discipline to teach themselves and stick to a practice schedule. After all the only person you're responsible to when you teach yourself is you.

It's a good idea to get into a routine where you maybe watch a lesson on Monday and Thursday and then schedule 20-30 minutes every other day to practice. Sticking to a routine will help you maintain structure in your learning and ensure that you make the most from your $15 or $20 bucks a month you pay the online guitar lesson site you join

Not Sure Which Online Guitar Lessons to Try?

If you've done some research but feel stuck on which guitar lessons online are best for you stop by our website where we've compared and reviewed several of the top online and DVD guitar courses available. We're actual guitar players and either own or are members of each course we review. Visit us at http://www.guitarlessonsreviewed.com/.

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Where Are the Korean Female Hip Hop Rappers At?

Female hip hop rappers have been making their mark in the USA for years. But what about abroad? Rap music is coming up in Korea and has been since the 90s. Seoul, Busan, and Daegu are hot spots for this in Korea. While many artists do their best to reproduce the music of the west, others embrace both their own roots and their love of hip hop, and combine the two. There are artists out there who use traditional Korean instruments in this art form. One is Seo Taiji.

There are also many hip hop dance units that compete. This is very popular in Japan as well.

But where are the REAL female artists? There are all-girl groups that comes up when searching for female Korean hip hop, such as the Wonder Girls, but they are clearly more of a pop group similar to the pretty boy groups of the USA, complete with snazzy outfits and all. The original messages of the original art form are completely lost here, where struggles and street life were vented and expressed. Although this can easily be debated across the board as how music heard on the radio today talks more and more about how great the artist has it with money, material goods, and women, rather than the struggles and messages of empowerment we heard of back in the 90s.

Well, I know of one Korean female rapper that clearly holds her own and maintains the true spirit of original hip hop. Not only can she rap and deliver a fierce free-style, she can sing beautifully as well. Skim is Korean rapper currently based in Los Angeles, and she is fierce. She is definitely not of the conventional mainstream (being openly queer is one of these unconventional traits), but that is what makes her all the better and extremely refreshing, in my opinion.

She incorporates Korean folk music and drumming into her performances and sings while doing this. She is all about empowering women of not only her own culture, but of others as well, and reaches out as a true activist fighting sexism, racism, homophobia, and other social ills. She collaborates with amazing musicians of various cultures and continues to redefine hip hop, especially from a woman.

Skim is an amazing poet and artist having opened for KRS One and with her ever-growing schedule of tours, shows, and amazing collaborations such as with Shin Kawasaki, Jeffrey Soulspeak, November Morris from Hawaii, and Saltation Ignite. One recent collaboration combined Hawaiian reggae, electronica, and hip hop to create a message of multicultural empowerment.

This collaboration was a song called "Dark Skin" with Saltation Ignite. Skim delivered her rapping on top of ukeleles, tablas, and various drums, including an 808, all to spread the empowering message for people to feel comfortable in the skin they were born in, rather than trying to assimilate into something else. She is truly one of the most unique female hip hop rappers out there.

"Dark Skin" can be heard at: http://saltationignite.bandcamp.com/

You can also read more about Skim at http://skimvillage.wordpress.com/about-skim/

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Benefits Audiophiles Receive By Promoting Album Restoration Projects

Are you a true audiophile who wants to keep this type of music around for many generations to come? If you answered "yes", then you need to know about the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects. These projects do more than just restore old records although, they do make having access to some of the best music ever heard a lot easier. That's just a small part of the benefits they offer.

One of the great things about promoting these projects is that you have the unique pleasure of rekindling old memories. Do you remember what it was like when you used to sit around with the one you loved listening to albums on the stereo? It was a unique feeling that you can't get with anything else and words just don't seem to describe the way it made you feel. Rekindling that feeling and bringing back those precious memories is one of the greatest benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects.

When you appreciate great music, what better way is there to show your support to the music industry than to promote these projects. Every donation that you make will help restore music that would die out if not for projects such as these. In a way, you're helping to preserve a piece of history. On top of that, you'll be helping young people hear music the way it was meant to be heard in analog form.

When it comes to the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects, you can't overlook the fact that you'll be helping the younger generations to create their own wonderful memories like the ones you had the privilege of making when you were young. Think about how your life might have been different if you'd missed out on listening to records when you were growing up.

It's important in the fast-paced society we live in today to hold on to a bit of the past and enjoy the simpler things in life like lounging around listening to your favorite Johnny Cash or Jimmy Buffett album. This is another benefit you'll receive when you promote these projects. In addition, you'll be one of these first to receive the newly restored albums and usually at a huge discount.

Take advantage of the benefits audiophiles receive by promoting album restoration projects by supporting them every chance you get. You'll be glad you did when you have the pleasure of listening to the beautiful music that you helped to bring back to life.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Find Out the Value of Old Vinyl Records

Did you know that some old vinyl records could be very valuable? Do you have a collection of records packed up somewhere in your basement or attic? If you no longer listen to them, why not find how much they're worth? It may take some time and a little work but who knows, they could bring in some extra cash and in some cases, a lot of cash. There are many people out there interested in old records and they're willing to pay for them especially if they're in good condition.

Here are a few suggestions that can help you find out the value of old vinyl records:

· Pull out your collection and check them for damage, then separate them according to condition. This will include poor, fair, good and excellent. Eliminate anything in poor condition because these will most likely not be worth anything.

· Separate them into different genres such as comedy, jazz, country, rock, classical and so forth. This will be a big factor in determine their value.

· Separate the records that are in their original jackets and lay these aside. If you don't have the jacket for some of your records, this doesn't necessarily mean they're worthless but it will lower their value.

· Make a list of your records by recording the name of the album and the artist who recorded them.

· Begin researching the vinyl records that you have. This is an important step because supply and demand is one of the main factors that determine the value of records. A rare album in good condition can be worth more than one that is easily found in mint condition.

· Look for albums online to determine the price that other dealers are selling them for and this will help you get an idea of how much they're actually worth.

The value of old vinyl records will also depend on things like, if the album is an original or a remake and on the popularity of the artist. Someone who made a huge impression on the music industry such as Jimmy Buffett, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and The Rolling Stones, will be more valuable than albums created by someone barely known.

Other factors that determine the worth of records include limited edition albums and the type of vinyl used to make them. The cheaper vinyl will not be as valuable as the ones made from virgin or good grade vinyl. Once you learn the value of the old vinyl records that you have packed away or at least an idea of their worth, you can arrange to put them up for sale.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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How To Become A DJ - Learn To Play DJ Gigs

Still wondering why you should become a DJ?

From the girl who can't keep away from the music at her friend's party to the cocktail bar DJ right through to Carl Cox and Deep Dish; any music fan who feels the need to spread the music passion is essentially a disc jockey in one form or another.

If this sounds like you, then you can become a DJ too. If you love music, you feel like you want to make people happy and have an inbuilt radar for knowing what tunes make people smile and why, and you can make them enjoy themselves then you can become a DJ. Even if your mixing and technical skills aren't as advanced as other DJs, you can still be successful.

Do you have the passion?

You have to love music, love sharing it and understand why people enjoy it. This passion will transmit itself into people's nights out. They'll feel your vibe and enthusiasm. You'll be responsible for transforming people's evenings and therefore their lives. There are few better feelings than when people dance, love the music you play and let you know about it. You'll see why if you try it.

What do I get if I become a DJ?

If you are the kind of person who gets a buzz from making other people feel good, then it's a great start because that's what many DJs are like too. First of all, you'll make people feel good. There's no price on contributing to others' happiness.

You might just lift the spirits of that cute girl who's just been dumped by her loser boyfriend or a song you play that night may get a couple together, who may then reminisce fondly on how it happened years later. Try it and see how you feel. It's the (second) best natural high.

The song 'Last Night a DJ Saved My Life' by Indeep was written for the best of reasons and inspired by a night out when a DJ injected energy and life into an otherwise dull evening.

A cool hobby at weekends?

Next up, you'll benefit from having an interesting hobby, one which you're paid to do. People dream of getting paid to do their hobby for a living. DJing for a night out can be more enjoyable than a night out with your friends, plus you get paid in money and drink, instead of paying for your own drinks and club entrance fees.

You'll feel more confident having this cool new alternative moonlighting activity. Yes and you'll cruise past that doorman who used to make you wait outside to get in with a smug look on your face.

Club DJing

Maybe you see yourself as a future club DJ, getting paid handsomely to fill dance floors in your preferred genre of house, electro, hip hop and so on. Maybe you are happy earning some pocket-money at weekends and having the local DJ status which gets you friendly respect whilst you keep up your day job. Maybe you just want to share some musical love.

I want to become a DJ, but what if I fail?

You don't have to give up your day job which pays your loans and/or rent and bills to become a DJ.
You can play in the evenings and at weekends. When you start DJing, generally the pay won't be very good anyway, you'll have to take what you get.

Where do you start?

To start with, you can be a bar DJ who does occasional parties and small dance floor gigs. Your friends think you're cool as do any new girls or boys you meet who suddenly perk up when they hear you DJ at weekends. You still have your day job though.

Where you go from right now depends on quite simply what you want to do with your life. Whatever it may be, the best advice you can get is for you to follow your dream or at least have a crack at it. The last thing you want is to arrive at 50 years old regretting the fact that you never gave your dream career a try.

Success Story

French DJ David Vendetta was working in a pharmacy and was nearly 30 years old before giving it all up for music and if he succeeded, you can if you have what it takes and you have the motivation to persevere.

Of course, you'll need to know how to make it, which is why this site exists aside from helping you understand why you may wanna become a DJ. Some tips on promoting yourself in the DJing world and some advice on how to learn to DJ won't go amiss either to help you on your way.

Many more other DJ tips, reviews, advice and a free guide to getting DJ gigs can be found at The Total DJ Site

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Best Johnny Cash Songs

Johnny Cash is a musical legend that will live on forever. Almost everyone has heard about "The Man in Black" and many of his songs are still played today. The dark attire he wore on stage earned him this nickname and his deep voice could never be mistaken for anyone else's. His personal traits enhanced his music and added to his popularity.

He had a unique personality that integrated a serious and humble manner with a rebellious side that made him stand out from all other signers in the 20th century. His songs often revolved around the less fortunate and some were very sad in nature. However, many of them reflected a dark side with a hint of humor that helped to make Jonny Cash famous.

His music reflected so many different feelings that his songs appealed to all types of listeners. Many believed that he spent much time in prison due to the content of some of his songs but he actually only spent short periods behind bars. However, he often visited prisons to sing for inmates for whom he felt compassion.

Here are a 10 of the best Johnny Cash songs that are still popular today:

1. I Walk the Line- Recorded in 1956, this song spent six weeks as number one on the country music charts and it even made number 19 on the pop music charts. In 2004, it was ranked number 30 on the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list created by the Rolling Stone magazine.

2. Folsom Prison Blues- This song was first recorded in 1955 but the famous "Live" version was recorded in California at Folsom State Prison in 1968.

3. Cry! Cry! Cry! - Released in 1955, this song entered the music charts at number 14. It sold over 100,000 copies and earned Cash a featured spot on "the Louisiana Hayride Tour", which jump-started his career.

4. So Doggone Lonesome- Recorded in 1955, Cash wrote this song as a tribute to Ernest Tubb, whom he admired greatly.

5. A Boy Named Sue- In 1962, this one spent three weeks at the number 2 spot on the "Billboard Hot 100" chart and it also made the top of the charts for "Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks" and "Hot Country Songs".

6. Get Rhythm- This song was recorded in 1956 and it's believed that it was written for Elvis Presley. It's one of his most upbeat songs that centers abound optimism.

7. Big River- Released in 1958 it hit number 4 on the Billboard Country Music charts and remained on the charts for fourteen weeks.

8. Hey Porter- Recorded in 1954 and released in 1955, Cash wrote this song as he was returning home after spending four years in the US Air Force.

9. Man In Black- In a sense, this song was an explanation of why Cash wore black when he was performing and it was released in 1971 as part of an album with the same name.

10. Ring of Fire- Recorded in 1963, it stayed on the charts for seven weeks as number one and was the biggest hit of his career.

Johnny Cash had many more hits that are memorable. Whenever he appeared before an audience he always made his introduction with the phrase "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash" and then he would go straight into a song. Johnny Cash will always be remembered as one of the most influential musicians of his time.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Lauryn Hill: A Legend of Hip-Hop

The 90's gave us some great artists: R. Kelly, Mint Condition and some other names that will forever be part of R & B history. They performed with a passion and zest, that captivated the whole world. The good thing about great music, is that it doesn't matter what genre it is, if the sound is incredible it will draw the attention of every fan of the music world. The beautiful and alluring voice of Lauryn Hill is a prime example of this effect.

She combined rap lyrics and 50's harmony on her song, "That thing," and it ruled the airwaves when it first came out. Even today, on some radio stations, they still play it and listeners will call in and ask to hear it again. That's when you know a song is powerful.

Lauryn Hill started off as a member of The Fugees and immediately made a mark in the music world. Her soulful voice and unbridled street lyrics, made even the most hardcore lyrics blush. Then, as with every great performer, something happened. Lauryn departed from The Fugees and made her solo album. The solo album is a big step for a member of any music trio. It can be a double-edged sword, a huge success or a career destroying failure.

In her case, it was a huge success, songs like "Zion" and "Lost One", captured the essence of R & B and Hip-Hop in such a matter, that made the entire music world stand still. "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" turned out to be a musical education that the whole world and industry needed.

Defoncia Herndon is an Administrator of 21 Blackstreet and the Owner of Herndon Marketing. He can be reached at Defoncia76@gmail.com

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How Buying Vinyl Box Sets Are Beneficial

When searching the internet for information on records, you're sure to run across dealers selling vinyl box sets. These are quite popular and many collectors seek them out but do you know why? What makes them so special and why is it beneficial to purchase records in sets instead of single albums.

Box sets are something that companies use as a marketing tool to encourage music lovers to buy their products but don't let that discourage you from buying them. In fact, it should encourage you even more. These sets can be very beneficial to the consumer because they offer all types of incentives to get you to buy them and these can sometimes be valuable.

The first thing that you need to know is that when you buy a box set, you're buying a collection of music from a particular musician that has been complied together. In most cases, vinyl box sets will contain most all of the hits that were previously produced by that artist, along with a few new releases that have not been heard before. This gives you the opportunity to be one of the few to hear these new releases.

They also have rare outtakes that you won't hear on other cuts and many will include live performances. These are often very interesting to listen to because you can hear as the audience gets involved as they enjoy listening to the singer and band.

Vinyl box sets often come with special offers such as posters, a picture disc or a free download. These are some of the special incentives used to get consumers to purchase the set instead of buying the albums separately. They can also be very valuable depending on who the artist is and which albums are being offered in the set.

These sets are usually released during special occasions such as anniversaries. Sometimes they're used to re-introduce a specific band to the public if they've been out of circulation for awhile. Occasionally, these sets will be sold after an artist has passed away especially if they met an untimely death.

Box sets cater to hardcore fans who want to get everything they can from their favorite artist but they're also a great way for musicians to reach out to new listeners. The extras that are included in these sets provide an insight to the band helping consumers to understand why they chose the style of music they play.

Vinyl box sets in mint condition are something that any collector will be happy to find because they can be very valuable. Of course, this will depend on the artist and the availability of the set.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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The Top 5 Cleverest Country Song Titles Of All Time

Country music has been described with a number of stereotypes over the years, some good, some not so good, some clever, and some not. No doubt you've probably heard someone mockingly describe country tunes with a variation on this idea: "My dog left me, my woman got stolen, and my truck left me for another man" (something like that). There's also the famous description (I think it was Hank Williams but I may be wrong) of country music as "3 chords and the truth" which I think is just about right.

But, in spite of the seemingly shallow "good love gone bad" metaphorical aspect, there have been a number of country song titles which are not only clever, but even profound. Perhaps just because of the way the song titles highlight something obvious that hadn't been described in a certain way. It was some tough doin', what with corn shuckin, tobacco chewin, and hay pilin' all keepin me busy, but I managed to whittle my list of the cleverest country song titles down to 5:

1. She Thinks I Still Care - George Jones

This Jones classic song of heartbreak is really a great song, clever title or otherwise. This song heralded George Jones's discovery of his own unique style and was a #1 hit. But the wonderful irony, so thinly and sarcastically veiled in the title, is what really makes the song work. When George sings: "just because I saw her then fell all to pieces/ she thinks I still care" we feel that feeling because we've all felt it before.

2. I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know About Her - Various Artists

Everybody and their sister in the music world has covered this one. Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn...the list goes on. It's another absolute standard in the country music canon; and there's a reason for that. Another heartbreak song, we see in the title the voice of a spiteful scorned lover, having difficulty with the loss of his beloved. The title is almost a reassuring mantra, cutting down the new lover and consoling the speaker. "You think you know the smile on her lips/ the thrill of the touch of her fingertips/ but I forgot more than you'll ever know about her". Well said.

3. Who Walks In When I Walk Out - Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys

This is kind of an obscure number...which is too bad because it's really a terrific piece of music. It almost sounds like a New Orleans funeral march, and the Bob Wills recording is filled with all sorts of whoops and wails. Here we see the suspicious husband (or wife) wondering what's happening when he's away. It's a haunting melody, albeit an upbeat one, but the jealousy comes through in the title. It's clever, no?

4. Married By The Bible, Divorced By The Law - Hank Snow

"Divorces by the thousands/ is this human race insane?/ I always thought that marriage should be a sacred thing." Obviously this is a bit of an old song, because I don't think anyone follows the old ideas of marriage anymore. The separation of church and state carries through in the title of this song. It's a nice idea. Old Hank would be spinning in his grave if he saw the divorce rates today...I think it's now possible to get divorced before you're even married. But I need to be careful...I think I've just discovered another clever title.

5. The Man That Wrote Home Sweet Home Never Was A Married Man - Charlie Poole

"She'll meet you at the door when you wanna come in/ She'll knock you down with a rolling pin". This is a truly magnificent song (and recording if you can find it). Hilarious. Probably misogynist as well, but these are just a couple old drunks from North Carolina singing and pickin' the banjo. This song has no bearing in real life. None at all.

Ok, well that's my top 5. Agree? Disagree? Know of some better songs? I'm sure there are more out there... I believe that Country Song Titles have been clever since Adam and Eve got together, and many a starving artist has made a living off of clever wordplay with the old 3 chords and the truth. One artist I know of in particular is turning into quite a clever little songwriter. His song, "True Love Blues" takes a similar approach to love that Charlie Poole did. You can check him out here: http://www.matt-lowen.com/

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Learn to Play Piano - Musical Signs

Musical signs form part of the code needed to read music. The signs can be fun to learn and rewarding as your knowledge increases with each new sign learned. You will in effect be learning a foreign language and learning how much fun music can be to learn. You will be joining a small group of people in the world who understand music. The group that understand music is very small indeed. Think about how many people you know and how many understand music or even play a musical instrument.

Knowing the notes in music is necessary as are the various times notes are played for. These are the foundations of music; however there is more to music than basic notes. Music is played with feeling, with different volumes at different times, with vigor, with sadness, happiness and a myriad of different ways.

A number of different musical signs are associated with the music and are put into the music where necessary to represent the mood of the music, the volume to be played, aggression, joyfully or merrily, with sadness, with happiness. All of these and more are contained within the musical code that must to be learned to understand music.

The musician will have a major effect on the music being played. Some musicians are naturally quiet and subdued, some extrovert. This can affect the way that music will be played. Similarly the mood of a musician will change daily. This will affect the manner in which the music will be played. Musicians allow for this by undertaking a series of exercises before playing, clearing the mind as well as physical stresses to eliminate the wrong type of mood whilst playing. Musical signs state the manner the music should be played regardless of the musicians mood.

The musical signs used in music are derived from the Italian and Spanish languages and can be written in full or abbreviated to a single letter in some cases. The most common signs are shown below.

Pianissimo (p) = soft (pp) = very soft (ppp) = extra soft

Fortissimo (f) = loud (ff) = very loud (fff) extra loud

Giocoso (g) = joyfully or merrily

Forzando (fz) = forcefully, sudden, emphasis

Allegro = fast, lively or joyfully

Spirit = with spirit or life

Delicato = delicate

Repetizone, replica = repeat

There are hundreds of signs in music, all having their own meanings. Many are similar in meaning and many will never be seen by the average musician. The number learned by the average musician will depend on the type of music usually played. Particular types of music will favor particular signs that are used predominately.

Should you be interested in learning more try this link http://www.free.jackieclarkmusic.com/

Jackie Clark has been teaching piano, keyboard and guitar for over 30 years in several countries. She has a 100% success rate with pupils taking exams in traditional teaching methods and also has on line courses of instruction.

http://www.jackieclarkmusic.com/

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Remembering Mohammad Rafi

It's been three decades since Md. Rafi's sublime voice was silenced forever and yet for a nation whose average age is under 30 there isn't any dearth of young Rafi fans. It was in 1980 that a career spanning over 40 years and 26,000 songs ended but tune into any radio station playing classics and Rafi's voice still greets the ears.

Mohammad Rafi's Initial Years

Trained under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Rafi's first public concert was at the tender age of 13 where he sang in a concert that featured KL Saigal as well. Rafi started singing in the mid 1940's and managed to make Pandit Nehru his fan with his rendition of Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Bapuji Ki Amar Kahani in 1948 after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

One of the most respected people in Hindi cinema Rafi was a colossus who was the undisputed king of male playback singing. In its initial years Filmfare never made a distinction between male and female singers and it was during these years when it gave out only one award that Rafi won it the most number of times. He also holds the distinction of maximum nominations (23).

Rafi's Success Era & More...

While in the 1950's and 60's Rafi was unparalleled, his output decreased in the 1970's once Kishore Kumar scaled dizzying height post Aradhana. In some sense of the word Kishore Kumar, the playback singer, owes his success to Rafi more than anything. Rafi had recorded two songs for SD Burman for the Rajesh Khanna-Sharmilla Tagore starrer but while the singer was away on Haj; SD Burman fell ill. Dada Burman's son RD Burman took over the film with his favorite singer Kishore Kumar singing the remaining songs and the rest like they say is history. Prior to Aradhana Kishore Kumar, the singer, would either sing for himself or Dev Anand and an odd number like Tum Bin Jaaon Kahan (Pyar Ka Mausum) which were filmed on secondary characters. Strangely enough Rafi is the only singer who has ever sung for Kishore Kumar, the actor, in films like Raagini, Baaghi, Shehzaada and Shararat!

Unknown Facts about Rafi

With his excellent Hindi and Urdu enunciation Rafi could easily switch moods that was further highlighted thanks to great range. Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Sawere from Dosti is one shining example of Rafi's sheer genius; the song was planned as a romantic lament but ultimately used in as sad cry of a friend and Rafi's effortless change in emotion transformed the song. Besides Hindi Rafi also sang in numerous Indian languages that included Konkani, Oriya, Sindhi, and Assamese amongst others. The singer crooned many hits in English, Spanish and Dutch!

Unlike Kishore Kumar, Rafi in his death has transcended borders in a manner he'd have never imagined while he were alive. Rafi's songs have been included in the soundtracks of films like Monsoon Wedding (Aaj mausum bada beimaan hai), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Mera Mann Tera Pyasaa) and Ghost World, where the film starts with the lead character dancing to the hypnotic Jaan Pehchan Ho from Gumnaam.

A Nostalgic Evening

There are hundreds of Rafi songs that come to mind the moment you think of Rafi and each one vies for a favorite spot. The singer's 31st death anniversary will witness a nostalgic evening featuring Roop Kumar Rathod and Shahid Rafi, the maestro's son as well as Anand Raj Anand who'd be paying tribute to a singer who needs no introduction. The master of many moods some of Rafi's songs would be rendered pitch perfect in Rathod's mellifluous timbre and if gene pool is to go by Shahid wouldn't be a bad bet!

I am a Delhi-based author who writes for Buzzintown.com. To know more about music concerts mumbai 2011 or concerts bangalore 2011 please visit Buzzintown.com

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How to Buy Used Records Online

Learning how to buy used records online is easy. If you've not kept up with records through the years, your first thought may be that this is going to take some time and research since you can no longer buy them in local retail stores and record stores seem to be obsolete. In fact, it may seem like modern music players have taken the place of vinyl records at first glance.

However, when you go online and do a search, you'll find many places where you can still purchase them. In fact, you may find so many places that sell records that you're not sure where to begin your search.

Here are a few good tips and suggestions on how to buy used records online to help you get started and make finding what you're searching for a little easier:

· Make a list of the artist that produced the songs/albums you would like to have. This will help you narrow down your search so you can find what you're looking for faster.

· Go to your search engine and type in the artist name. For example, if you're searching for songs sung by Johnny Cash, you might type "where to buy Johnny Cash albums" in the search window.

· Look for the particular albums that you would like to collect and begin comparing dealers to see who has them for sale.

· Once you have several sites that offer the merchandise you're searching for, begin comparing dealers.

· Look at price, condition of records, guarantees and any other information that's available.

· Before you buy used records online, do your research on the dealers to make sure they are legitimate. You don't want to be mixed up with some type of scam artist and unfortunately, there are a few of these online as well. Look for a phone number and give them a call, find out what type of return policy they have and contact references.

· After your research is complete and you choose the dealer you want to use, you're ready to make your purchase.

The cost of the records you buy will vary greatly depending on the artist and condition of the merchandise. Therefore, don't be surprised if the same album is a lot higher on one site than it is on another. When you run across this type of situation, check out the condition of the record before simply choosing the cheaper one.

Used records have been played before and some of them may be worn and scratched to point they won't play very well. One that is in excellent condition will naturally be more expensive than one that has scratches and it would be worth the extra cost. Use these tips and suggestions on how to buy used records online and you should find the best albums at the best prices for your collection.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Virgin Vinyl Classic Albums

Virgin vinyl classic albums are a collector's dream come true for many reasons. So what makes them so special? In order to understand why these are more valuable than other types of records, you need to understand what is meant by the term "virgin vinyl." The type of vinyl used to make records has a huge impact on the sound the album produces.

When records are made, they have to go through a process called "pressing", which imprints the grooves onto the vinyl that creates the sound you hear when the record is played on a turntable. Virgin vinyl is made from 100 percent pure vinyl, which means that it has absolutely no impurities. Vinyl not classified as "virgin" has went through some type of recycling process and it normally contains some kind of impurities that can interfere with the sound the record produces.

These impurities can be anything from plastic to metal and it doesn't take much to affect the quality of the records. The impurity doesn't have the same chemical property that the virgin vinyl has and this affects the pressing process. As a result, the record can have areas that seem a little distorted and if there are lots of impurities then it can affect the whole album. That's why the ones made from pure vinyl are so special. You know you'll be receiving the very best quality and sound possible when you purchase these.

Most all of the records created today fall into the category of virgin vinyl classic albums. Not only are these made from pure vinyl but they are made from the heavyweight vinyl as well. This is important because the weight of the vinyl makes a big difference in how the music sounds. When you see "180g" on an album this means that the vinyl used to make the record weighs 180 grams and this is considered a high quality record.

This is what you want to look for when seeking out the very best. These virgin vinyl classic albums are much more durable than the thin, lightweight ones that flooded the market years ago for several reasons. They won't break or scratch as easily and they last longer. The thicker vinyl also handles the pressing process better. As a result, the grooves will keep their shape longer and better as the record is played.

The best sounding music will come from records pressed on the heavy, virgin vinyl. It's for this reason that most all audiophiles search for virgin vinyl classic albums made from 180g when expanding their collection.

About the Author:

180 Gram Records is a premier producer and distributor of collectible vinyl records from best selling music artists and other limited-run collectible merchandise. They offer select and expertly crafted items to satisfy the demands of collectors, music enthusiasts, and fans alike.

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Tips to Finding Legitimate Cheap Concert Tickets for Sale on Classified Websites

If you want to buy cheap concert tickets for sale, you are likely to visit online classified websites. These websites are the source of many great deals! With that said, recent focus has shifted to online ticket scams. While there are ticket scams to be found on classified websites, such as Craigslist, there are many, many more legitimate offers out there.

When it comes to buying legitimate cheap concert tickets or sale or tickets for other special events, please keep these helpful tips in mind:

Tip #1: Be Cautious of Too Cheap Tickets

You want a good deal. After all, you are looking for cheap tickets for sale. Be cautious of too good of a deal. Don't assume that a scammer is going to swindle you for 1000s of dollars. Even an extra $50 in their pocket is $50 more than they had before. If an event is fetching $150 for tickets, don't expect to get those same tickets for $50. This is the example of an offer that is too good to be true.

Tip #2: Avoid Buying When Desperate

Most consumers who fall victim to scammers do so because they are in desperate need of the item for sale (in this case, tickets for sale). Really want to attend a sold out show? Promised your daughter she'd be able to attend the Jonas Brothers concert, but it is sold out? Try to avoid making promises beforehand because this puts you in a vulnerable state, meaning you miss most of the warning signs.

Tip #3: Attempt to Buy Tickets Locally

If you search classified websites for cheap concert tickets for sale, you should come across local sellers. This means you can and should meet the seller in person, inspect the tickets, and then exchange cash for tickets. Do not fall for the "I am a local seller, but I am out of town on business; wire me the money and I'll mail you the tickets." This is a major red flag.

Tip #4: Know That Pictures Can Be Altered

As consumers, we tend to put more faith into an online seller who uploads a picture. A picture of a concert ticket is nice, but it does not mean that ticket is real. Images, especially those posted online, are easy to manipulate.

Tip #5: Know What to Look for with Legitimate Cheap Concert Tickets

As mentioned above, you should personally inspect all concert tickets or other event passes before agreeing to buy. Pay attention to the little things. When holding a ticket in your hand, it is easy to spot the signs of a fake ticket. Be familiar with the venue in question; know if the seats are legitimate seats. Double check the date and times of the concert to ensure you aren't being sold an out-dated ticket. Check the ticket issuer's online website to look for signs of legitimacy on a ticket, such as watermark or glossy film covering.

So there you have it! You now know what to look for to ensure you do not get scammed with trying to buy cheap concert tickets from a seller on a classified website. As a reminder, there are thousands of legitimate tickets sold daily online, so don't be afraid to snag a good deal, but do keep the above mentioned points in mind when doing so.

Search all the best classified sites and online marketplaces with Tickets for Sale for Android. Get your free ticket finder today!

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Back to School Tips for Student Musicians

Getting ready for the annual Back to School is a mixed blessing. As the Summer Vacation wears on, students become bored. They miss their friends, and secretly they miss the routine that the school year imposes.

The student musician needs a more regimented approach to returning to school than many students. Like student athletes, musicians are expected to hit the ground running. They had achieved a certain skill level before school ended, and the orchestra, band, or chorus teacher usually hopes that the students will have continued their practicing through the Summer so that there has been no deterioration in their performance. Ideally the students will have even progressed due to practice or participation in Camps at which they can interact with other student musicians and teachers.

Sadly, not every student musician has the means, the time, or the desire to work on their musical skills through the Summer.

Brush up on the grammar of music. Spend ten or fifteen minutes per day for the last three or four weeks before school resumes studying key signatures, musical terms, and basic theory. Just having the vocabulary immediately available makes the first month of school so much easier for student and teacher alike.

Check your instrument for required maintenance three or four weeks before school starts. Does your violin need new strings, your cello need a new bridge, or your clarinet need new reeds? Check your supplies. Rosin, peg compound, lubricant and the like are all required. If you don't have them available, now is the time to order what you need. And if you find that something has occurred which requires professional attention, late July and early August would be the right time to take the instrument in for repairs rather than losing it for the first two weeks of the semester.

Look at your sheet music. Do you have the lesson books that you teacher will want you to have when school begins? If the teacher didn't tell you what your next book would be at the end of the year, check to see if there is something listed on your school's website. You might even be able to e-mail your teacher to ask for suggested materials. Most teachers continue to check their e-mail throughout the Summer.

The last few weeks of Summer is the time to start developing the physical strength, stamina, quickness and flexibility you will need to play your best. Finger exercises, whether on your instruments, using some sort of exercise device, or playing your instrument are invaluable. String players frequently complain about sore fingertips when they begin playing after a long lay-off. Now is the time to start developing those calluses and prevent the soreness you've had the first weeks of prior semesters.

Finally, start practicing early. Practicing thirty minutes or an hour a day for the month before school starts can dramatically improve your performance. Trying to impress your teacher? Play your instrument! Trying to move up a stand in your section? Etudes, scales, and arpeggios will help you do that! Just wanting to feel good about your playing? The dexterity, skill, and confidence that little bit of time you put in toward the close of Summer will develop will be invaluable as the leaves start to show their Fall colors.

Read about music. Maintain your instrument. Acquire the supplies you need. Spend some time with your instrument. Do these things and the harmony between you and your instrument as school begins will be something wonderful to hear!

Arthur Haule studied violin in a traditional program for ten years. He participated in several orchestras and an opera company in the New York City area and founded a string quartet. He has taken part in several music festivals and even acted as a violin coach. He is currently webmaster of http://www.violinstudent.com/ Although Art learned violin in a traditional setting, his daughter Adriana studied with a Suzuki Violin teacher. So Art has personal experience in both traditions. And you'll often hear him say, "It Doesn't Matter How You Learned, All That Counts Is That You Play!"

A fan of classical music, Art is dedicated to promoting the violin no matter what type of music is being played. If there is a melody there, Art probably listens to it.

Art Haule lives, plays violin, and designs T-shirts for http://www.cafepress.com/violin_student in Flower Mound, Texas with his wife Kathy and his daughter Adriana.

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