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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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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Finding Great Software and Vocal Samples Online

When it comes to being a musician and trying to create their own music, it's a fact that not everybody has their own recording studio with the fanciest equipment that all the professionals use. It's just not practical for most people to have this. However, this does not mean that they should not be able to have access to some great software that allows them to create some amazing music right from their very own computer. For this reason, a lot of musicians who are starting out these days are looking for how to find the right software and vocal samples to use when they are creating new music on their computer.

There are a lot of different types of software out there that can help starting musicians when it comes to recording, mixing, and creating great music right from their computer. With these different types of software, there are some things that are standard with most of them. For example, most of them allow the user to record and edit different music clips, as well as overlay them to create a rhythm or beat that they like. Aside from that, the music should be able to be edited with different special features and filters that are built into the program. However, this is not always necessarily the case, and for that reason it is important than the musician knows what they are looking for in their music software. For example, musicians that would like to work on music that needs special filters and editing, such as hip hop and rap artists, would want to make sure that they are able to find some software that has this available. One popular software available for download is called Garage Band, and it is common for use among musicians starting out because it is great at editing music and still easy to use and learn.

Another important thing when it comes to creating music is being able to have access to some good singing samples. This is important, especially if there are no real vocalists in the band or the musician does not typically sing. Even if the band does have a lead singer, however, finding vocal samples can still be important because they can be used for background singing. Some music software will have access to some singing samples, however, not all do. The good thing is that it's relatively easy to go online and find some good voice samples to use. And often times, a lot of these samples are free. However, some websites do charge for their samples. It really just depends on the website itself.

There is no denying the importance of music software and voice samples for any musician. In fact, having the right software and samples available can give any musician the ability to create a masterpiece.

Mike is a business consultant and has worked for several companies. In his spare time he enjoys experimenting with music and in particular vocal samples. For more details on any issues raised in the article visit Dance Midi Samples.

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The Great Bob Dylan Turns 70

Bob Dylan has now reached the milestone of his 70th birthday. Born on May 24th, 1941, in the scruffy city of Duluth, Minnesota, Dylan (born Robert Allen Zimmerman) has gone on to spark new genres of music (folk-rock and country-rock) and revolutionise songwriting. He first came to prominence in 1963 with his second album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan which offered such epochal songs as Blowin' In The Wind, Masters Of War and A Hard Rain's a -Gonna Fall. Inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams, his lyrics in Freewheelin' were highly political and led to Dylan being dubbed as a protest singer by many. A surge of similarly styled songs soon hit the British charts and come October 1965 there was a scattering of protest songs in the national charts. Songs such as Too many people by The Hollies which addressed the problem of over-population and It's Good News Week by Hedgehoppers Anonymous which confronted issues on nuclear war and birth control. However, his influence on protest songs was relatively short-lived compared to the impact of his lyrical styles.

In early 1964, Dylan released The Times They Are A-Changin' which showcased the work of a matured songwriter greatly inspired by poets such as Keats and Rimbaud. It was more literate and evocative than his previous offerings and had a profound effect on popular music. In 1965 came Highway 61 Revisited and the single release of Like A Rolling Stone which is widely championed as one of the best singles in the history of popular music; breaking the barrier of the traditional three minute pop single and of course, we can't forget the innovative Blonde on Blonde in 1966 which cemented Dylan's reputation as a genius of the times.

From the mid 60?s onwards there was a sizeable shift from frivolous and superficial lyrics to more contemplative, introspective and poetic offerings and this was largely down to the splendour of Dylan's lyrics. His talent influenced copious numbers of artists including musical giants The Beatles who, in 1965, released the more insightful Rubber Soul which was lyrically more complex than their previous releases. John Lennon had even started mimicking Dylan's casual delivery in songs such as You've Got to Hide Your Love Away and Yes It Is.

'Vocally and poetically, Dylan was a huge influence' Paul McCartney

As the years progressed, Dylan's lyrics became slightly more surreal and enigmatic but they never lost their potent essence and such was his refusal to be pigeon holed, Dylan consistently re-invented himself. Having already given fresh breath to the protest movement, revived folk music, re-invented the singer songwriter genre and sparked folk-rock, in the 1970?s he helped give rise to country-folk and in the 80?s and 90?s (though he occasionally floundered), he still inspired and surprised his fans. In 1989 he was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame and in 1990 Dylan was named a Commandeur dans l'Ordre des Art et des Lettres, France's highest cultural honor.

His records still sell by the truck-load, he still inspires and moves people and his concert tickets still sell like hot cakes. Happy Birthday to a legend.

Jon White is the founder of ticketola.com - a ticket exchange aimed at music fans who wish to buy or sell concert tickets.

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A Great Sad Song - Understanding

The first time I heard 'Understanding', by Evanescence, I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics but something about the song got real hold of me. There was something about the song that seemed to have this powerful magnetic force that attracted me so much that I kept listening to it over and over. I couldn't make much out of the lyrics the first few times I heard, probably because the music itself was doing wonders but later I was determined to go through the lyrics meticulously.

Understanding is a ridiculous gothic anthem that was written to reflect the pain that someone holds but can't get rid of it no matter what they do. Music acts as the soundtrack of our lives that describes emotion with words that sometimes we just cannot express. We all tend to perceive the meaning of the songs we hear based on our own bias due to our own personal experiences. When I went through the lyrics of the song, I found it a truly artistic and well written that to some extent holds a degree of mystery. It's evident that the song beautifully unravels the grief of losing a loved one and nothing can be done to wipe away the pain but to live with it and deal with the harsh truth which hurts badly but can't be erased.

The meaning I perceived from the lyrics is that it's about two people who are forced to be apart. There's a lot of pain and fear in this strained relationship but ultimately she knows that they have to let go. So the girl here talks about how they know the truth deep inside and yet just ignores and when something isn't pleasant which probably is truth like they being parted, they try to forget it but the truth is it is always there which can't be removed no matter what. This is indicated by:

(Can't wash it all away)

(Can't wish it all away)

(Can't hope it all away)

(Can't cry it all away)

The first verse is about her asking him not to be afraid of them being parted because 'when the darkness fades away/the dawn will break the silence' indicating that when the melancholy and pain is over, a new day will come and they will be together again. Then in the second verse, she talks about living through the rough times, and asks him to tell her that he'll always be there and not to abandon her, because she can't afford to go through it all alone.

"Cast me not away Say you'll be with me For I know I cannot Bear it all alone"

In short, it talks about the extreme emotions of love, trying to forget the pain but it is imprinted deep inside and can't be erased and that her love for her loved one will still grow. Well, the song holds different meaning to different people based on their experience of life. It is a truly amazing sad song that can touch the heart and sooth the soul. It will always be my all time favorite.

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Great Moments In Opera, Conclusion To Puccini's "Tosca"

The conclusion to Puccini's Tosca is one of the most dramatic ever in the history of opera. It is after Mario Cavaradossi finishes singing "E Lucevan Le Stelle" that Floria Tosca comes to see him to tell him the wonderful news. Tosca telling her lover, Mario Cavaradossi that she has struck a deal with Scarpia in which his execution will be but a simulation to give the impression that he has been killed. This so Scarpia can save face but the truth is that they will only pretend to execute him. After which he is free to go with her to the boarder where the document she has received from Scarpia will guarantee her and the one who accompanies her a safe passage.

Mario, naturally rejoices at the offer which has been made as he shows his joy yet Tosca tells him that it would best if he did not smile and put on the face of somebody who is about to be executed. Mario accepts as he makes his best effort to look the part yet Tosca is feeling the elation of triumph which she unlike Mario does not have to hide or at least not to the same extent. Tosca after all has not only secured a deal which should save the love of her life but has even killed the man who was feared by practically the whole of Rome.

It had been Tosca, herself who with steak knife had stabbed Scarpia to death. After which she had the pleasure of seeing him plead for help as he looked in to her eyes which declared all too clearly that it was she and nobody else who was killing him. This was Tosca's moment as Mario is about to be executed which is her victory as she has not only been able to safe her beloved but has done away with the dreaded Scarpia. Tosca showing all the joy of those who are about to emerge triumphant yet for my part I see this as being Angela Gheorghiu. Gheorghiu best capturing the sensual passionate woman of strength; who is but one of fiction yet comes to life when interpreted by Angela Gheorghiu.

Mario Cavaradossi is taken to where a firing squad will fire upon him yet all the while we see and hear Floria Tosca as she describes the scene while the music is one of victory mixed with drama and suspense. Tosca calls it a comedy yet one which they must go through if they are to be free. This as she finds it almost too difficult to control her emotions of joy yet she must await for the ceremony to be completed before she and Mario can be off. All in the fashion of a child who is forced to look at presents, he or she can not open till Christmas and is very much aware of the fact that they will be taken away if he or she even attempts to open them prior to the day of Christmas.

The music increases in its bombastic effects as Mario is fired upon yet Tosca admires and even praises him for his acting ability which allows him to fall to the ground so convincingly when he is shot. Tosca words being "Ecco un artista!" (there is an artist) with a hint of pride that perhaps he has been influenced by seeing her on stage on so many occasions while her eyes sparkle with all their beauty as does the rest of her with the radiance which is really Angela Gheorghiu's. Angela Gheorghiu being the one to bring vigor to this character by not only providing her with a grand voice but making her come to life; as if she were transforming herself in to Floria Tosca.

The tension in the music builds as Mario is about to be fired upon while Tosca thrills in ecstasy and it is precisely at the moment that the shots finally come that there is a moment of relief. As if all is but a distant memory and Tosca and Cavaradossi are free at last. Tosca as if passing on instructions to Mario not to move which he of course can not hear yet they are perhaps more for herself. This as Spoletta goes over to check if Mario is really dead which he does with a touch upon Mario's throat; after which he turns to Tosca and smiles with a wink. This as if passing on a secrete message that their deal is completed and she and he are free to go in peace.

Tosca awaits the moment for all the guards to leave the place so she can rush over to her Mario and be on their way. Tosca seeming like a child who is waiting for that moment on Christmas in which she can open her presents yet knows that it will arrive any minute. This as Tosca continues to sing out instructions to Mario that he must not move. Tosca acting much like an air traffic controller when guiding an airplane on to a runaway which is about to land. Tosca trying so hard to control both the elation she is feeling along with Mario's.

The moment does arrive when all the soldiers have gone and there is a silence which is relief that all is over. This prompting Tosca to run to Mario like that child to her Christmas presents with all her desires and hopes being as apparent as the beauty which radiates from her. Tosca runs and kneels to Mario, whom she urges to get up so they can escape yet it is at that moment that she sees that all those lovely Christmas presents were but beautifully decorated boxes which in fact are empty. This being the cruel joke which had been played upon her by Scarpia. As the truth is that Mario is truly dead and the execution had been real.

Tosca crying out "morto,morto" (dead) in despair as all her optimism has been dashed. Tosca now seeing that all had been but a trick to fool her in to making love to Scarpia; who had been no more honest in keeping his end of the bargain than she had been in keeping hers. Tosca's bitter tears are clear as she feels the rage of having her beloved lie dead at her feet yet just as she is going through the anxiety of Mario's death; she hears voices and the firing squad returning. It is apparent that Scarpia's body has been found and that this time they are coming for her.

All of which sending Floria Tosca in to a frantic run to where she might be able to jump off the top of Saint Angelo's castle which is the place where they find themselves. This being a fall which is sure to kill her yet she is Tosca, who will slay herself; for her life is hers and hers alone to end. This as the music reaches dramatic heights as Tosca runs with the freedom of those who are still in a position to decide their own fate for themselves. Tosca standing on top of the parapet as she screams "Scarpia will answer to God!" just before jumping to her demise. Thus bringing Puccini's opera Tosca to its grand conclusion which grants neither defeat nor victory to any of its main characters; as to a certain extent they have all died with a taste of both.

In conclusion, I would say there is grandness in Puccini's "Tosca" as it allows us to feel all the emotions of victory while it demonstrates the political turmoil of the time. As for the role of Tosca though many have played this particular role; I would say that there is something about Angela Gheorghiu's perhaps passion along with her perhaps at times capricious ways which make her the ideal Tosca. Angela Gheorghiu being one whose gestures and strength of personality seem ideally suited to play this woman, who adores with all of herself; in ways that do not exclude those of jealousy and possessiveness. Naturally, it also being the power of her voice which allows us to feel the pain of Floria Tosca; whose ways include not only those of a woman of strength but at times those of a delightful child.

My name is Gianni Truvianni, author of many an article to be found on the internet along with the book "New York's Opera Society". My works also include the books "What Should Not Matter", "Love Your Sister" and several others which still remain unpublished though I am presently looking to change this.

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What Makes Band Music Great

The other day, I was at a local high school football game, and I heard a song that I recognized. It was from a movie that I had seen a long time ago, but could not quite remember which. I realized at that moment how great band music was, because they play music that many of us recognize, but never really appreciated while it was actually happening.

I remember that shortly after they finished that piece they played another piece of band music that was actually a version of a classic '70s rock song. I could not ever imagine hearing "Magic Carpet Ride" as played by a high school marching band, but sure enough, they broke into that, much to the delight of the crowd, and that kind of brings me to my next point.

One of the more interesting aspects of band music to me is to hear the parts being played by horns and woodwinds that one would normally hear from guitars and basses. It just seems like there is more of an attention to detail with band music, and that each individual part is more articulated.

A few minutes later, the marching band launched into the Hey Song. I think this is an all-time classic among band music because I have yet to see a band that does not perform it at some point in their show, and usually to a great response. The thing about this song, and other band music, is a lot of it provides the opportunity for the audience to get involved, either by singing or dancing.

When the game was over, I heard two songs that are especially unique to band music, which of course were the school's fight song and Alma Mater. I always love to hear those songs because I like seeing the crowd's reaction. I still remember how my school's fight song and Alma Mater sounded and how much I loved hearing our band play them.

I think of all of the band music that I heard that night, however, my favorite had to be at the very beginning of the game when the home school's marching band played the Star-Spangled Banner. Besides being our national anthem, it is a very expressive piece of music, and does a good job of incorporating most of the instruments of the band, including the eve important cymbals, into the action. I think what I admired most was the fact that so many of the kids seemed to take such pride in playing it and playing it well.

Band music holds a very special place in my heart because it can cover so much ground. Perhaps it is just the fact that it takes me back to a simpler time in my life, but I always look forward to hearing the high school bands play at their schools' sporting events.

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