Why You Should Be Careful About Using Guitar Tutorials Online

There's a real danger with using guitar tutorials online. Don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic guitar video tutorials available, many of which have been produced by some of the leading guitarists within the music industry. The trouble is that there are also many guitar videos which have been produced by people who would like to become one of the leading guitarists in the industry, but who at the moment are only a few steps up from playing the air guitar.

The other problem is that for those people who are hoping to move on from learning a few basic guitar chords to being able to read and play guitar tabs and guitar sheet music, learning from poorly made guitar tutorials can easily result in bad habits forming. Guitarists can very easily pick up bad habits, and whilst for some people this isn't really much of a problem, for those people who are more serious about learning to play guitar these bad habits can become real obstacles later on.

If you were wanting to learn to play the piano then you would expect that right from the very first lesson you would be taught not only how to physically play the notes, hold your hands and move your fingers, but also how to read the musical notation correctly. The two would go hand in hand, and you would be expected to apply a certain degree of discipline, practising both the technique and the theory week by week.

The same is true for learning to play almost any instrument, except, that is, for the guitar. Strangely the guitar is an instrument set aside from most other instruments. It's one of the only popular musical instruments not to feature in a classic orchestra, and it is one of the only instruments which can be picked up and learned by almost anyone very quickly indeed, without any real professional help or training.

There are very few guitarist teachers compared to piano teachers, despite the popularity of the instrument. The reason for this is that demand is very low, because most people who want to learn to play guitar are self taught, or learn with or from their friends.

Today the internet has introduced the opportunity learn to play guitar by watching guitar tutorials, and with many hundreds of thousands of guitar video tutorials getting the information you need is just a matter of a couple of mouse clicks. But just because information is easy to access and readily available doesn't necessarily mean that it is advised or recommend. Or even right.

Many tutorials are likely to encourage you to apply bad habits or poor techniques, and very few will encourage you to be more disciplined or to learn the theory of playing as well as the physical technique. If you're happy continuing to just be a casual strummer then this isn't really a problem, but if you're hoping to take your guitar playing to a new level in the future, perhaps playing solo or playing in a band, then you will need to understand more about how professional, experienced and accomplished guitarists do what they do.

Even rock guitarists will need to have a sound understanding of how to read guitar tabs, and you can learn a very great deal about how to improve your playing by learning from people like this. Of course if you don't happen to have an address book stuffed full of rock guitarists then you could head over to one of the specialist guitar video tutorials sites where professional, high quality and recommended tutorials and training is available which will help you to learn the basics in a way that won't encourage bad habits, and will more easily enable you to move on with your playing when you feel the time is right.

For high quality guitar tutorials by professional and accomplished guitarists visit Allaxess.com where you can browse a growing library of free guitar video tutorials.

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Why Beginners Should Not Rely On YouTube For Guitar Tutorials

Although it is very tempting to pop online and do a quick search for guitar tutorials, you need to be very wary of what you'll find. You may be looking for guitar instructional videos, tab charts, chord charts or other instructional material, and the great thing about the web is that it offers an almost limitless supply of instructional material. Unfortunately there's a problem, because the web isn't owned by anyone, no one runs it, no one looks after it and no one trawls the net weeding out information or advice which is incorrect or sub standard.

It might be very nice if this was the case, but as it is, anyone can post anything they like and claim it as being instructional. What you may find though is that you're being instructed to play your guitar the wrong way. Playing a guitar isn't easy, as it requires a good deal of perseverance. If you can get through the first few days without giving up then there's a good chance you'll make it. A number of people quit quite early on in the process because they find that it's just too difficult or too uncomfortable.

Certainly to begin with most people find it hard to stretch their fingers around the fret board and hold down the right strings on the right frets, making a sound that is pure and pleasant. Moving from one chord to another is also very difficult, and it can be easy for people to give up. But some people move to the net and start looking for guitar tutorials, assuming that since they're struggling with working out how to make their guitar sound less like a pigeon gargling there must be plenty of other people struggling too, and that as a result someone somewhere will have provided some help.

Whether you're looking at mending a cuckoo clock, painting golf balls or tracking down the Lesser Spotted Purple Warbler, you'll find that there will be a group of people somewhere with the same interest, providing help and support to those likeminded individuals. The online community of guitar enthusiasts is massive, and with broadband now so widely available online videos have become the biggest way in which people now search for information.

In fact if you base the statistics just on the number of searches carried out per month you'll find that YouTube is actually the second biggest search engine, beaten only by Google (who of course own YouTube anyway!) This means that if you start looking for video guitar tutorials you will find them. But if you're just starting out learning to play guitar how are you going to be able to identify which are the good ones and which aren't?

If you knew nothing at all about the Lesser Spotted Purple Warbler and you looked online and found a website informing you confidently that in order to find this delightful creature you would need to lie in wait at 3am in the middle of a snowy moor you might well find yourself shivering unnecessarily, oblivious to the fact that you ought to be up a tree in the middle of summer.

So the real problem is that the availability of guitar instructional videos is itself not enough. Beginners looking for guitar tutorials need to be given some form of help, not just in playing the guitar, but in identifying which guitar video tutorials are good, and recommended, and which are likely to be offering the wrong advice, or encouraging poor techniques. One of the best ways of overcoming this problem is not to rely on massive video sites such as YouTube, but to go to a specialist video tutorials site where all of the video guitar tutorials have been created to a high standard. YouTube might be big, but it may not necessarily be the best option for guitar tutorials.

If you're looking for high quality guitar tutorials then visit Allaxess.com where you can browse a free library of guitar instructional videos.

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Piano Bench Basics - What Every Buyer Should Know Before Purchasing

When it comes to buying a bench for pianos there are many available options. So, choosing the right bench will depend on personal likes, the usage, your home and the piano. In this article, you will find some piano bench basics that will highlight what every buyer should know before purchasing. The key factor to consider is the quality, as this will guarantee risk-free, comfortable seating for many years.

If you are planning to buy a new bench, it is very important to think about the person who will use the piano. When you are buying a bench for a younger pupil, you definitely should get the adjustable bench style. These styles can maintain the bodyweight of your child properly and will be more comfortable.

The regular piano bench will be ideal for any older player, but if you are over 5 feet, six inches, you need to get an adjustable bench as they are available with varying height sizes. Ensure that you add no less than two inches in order to align properly with the piano.

A good bench might be constructed entirely from wood or perhaps with upholstered padding. But, it's important to note that the upholstered padding benches are generally a bit more costly. If you are not looking to buy one of the benches with upholstered foam, there are other options available with cushions or pads to use with solid wood benches. In any other case, you can make your own coverings and pads for the seat. Some people who are shopping for a bench to use at public institutions, educational facilities and chapels will opt for the regular unpadded top since the hardwood is stronger and cannot be torn.

Yet another factor to consider before choosing to a bench for your piano would be a storage compartment. Adjustable styles generally come with storage that you might consider small, but it's still a good feature to look for as this will help you to store items like music sheets. The standard benches normally have larger storage area, but there are certain deluxe adjustable models with a small storage underneath the seats as well.

You need to examine your piano style before you buy a bench. The final decision could be depended on whether you have an old/console, modern, upright, spinet or a baby grand piano. Furthermore, it's also a good idea to think about the design and color of your piano room. In the end, ensure that any piano bench that you decide on is of the highest quality, with a style and design that is best suited for your piano.

To learn more about the basics, I highly recommend visiting the highly informative piano bench blogs for more details. They will guide you toward the proper piano bench for your circumstances.

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Top 5 Bob Dylan Songs That You Should Know About

Who doesn't know Bob Dylan? Even if you are not a music aficionado, you know him too well. He is an iconic songwriter-singer who made America's greatest songs for nearly four decades. He depicted America's rich and highly-faceted culture through his piano, guitar and harmonica. Best known for his nasal voice, Bob Dylan songs derived his early influence in Woody Guthrie.
This iconic figure has written hundreds of songs. While his song list goes on and on, here are the top 5 Bob Dylan songs of all time:

1. Desolation Row - this came from his album "Highway Revisited" and was the final track on this album; featuring an electric guitar. According to Dylan, this song has a minstrel tone that gained its inspiration from the carnival singers in blackface.

2. Masters of War - came from the album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." This song has an endless appeal because of its versatility and was considered as his greatest social commentary.

3. Like a Rolling Stone - This song was first released as a single and is considered as Dylan's most recognizable songs.

4. Subterranean Homesick Blues - Dylan's very first Top Billboard Hit from the album "Bringing it All Back Home." This is one of his songs which feature the electric guitar as well.

5. Visions of Johanna - From the album "Blonde on Blonde," this song was said to be inspired by Joan Baez, who the songwriter was dating at the time the song was released. One of the Bob Dylan Songs that mirrors his life as he entered New York City.

As for Bob Dylan albums, here are my top 3 picks:

1. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - this is one of the Bob Dylan albums that is hard to forget - one of his most groundbreaking creations. Considered as the very 1st statement of Dylan's recording career, the songs on this album are mainly responsible fro putting Dylan in the map. One of the songs that stood out in this album is "Blowin' in the Wind," and this collection is distinguished by love songs such as "Girl from the North Country" and poetic protests such as "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall." On Freewheelin", Dylan catapulted from the Woodie Guthrie influence of his debut album, and showed himself to the world as the groundbreaking songwriter-singer he has since proven to become.

2. Highway 61 Revisited - most Bob Dylan albums have rock-infused songs where he grabs the rock and roll's baton. This one-of-a-kind compilation includes timeless folk-rock classics such as "Like a Rolling Stone" and "Desolation Row" both considered as one of his best songs. If you are looking for an album with some of the most distinguished rock and blues licks ever placed on vinyl, you won't be disappointed with this one.

3. Blonde on Blonde - this album was created in a studio in Nasville with musicians that are very accustomed to country music. Yes, Highway 61 has made Dylan a path forger and trendsetter in the modern folk-rock sound, however, Blonde on blonde was a more decisive compilation when it comes to Dylan's newfound relationship with the new sound. His imagery-laden loquacious poetry has become more harmonious, and his synergy with the Band has reached new heights.

These are the songs of Dylan no music collection should be without - all from one of the greatest dynamic artists in modern American music.

Jim Byrne is a musician and recording artist who has been writing songs for over 30 years. As well as writing songs for his own Folk and Country Blues albums he has written songs with other people including the pop star Marti Pellow of Wet Wet Wet and Jazz singer Carol Kidd MBE.

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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What Should I Look For In A Rock Guitar?

There are a lot of aspects of an electric guitar that make it ideal for the heavier types of rock music. Below are three of the most important points to think about if you are picking a guitar for this music genre, or maybe upgrading your current model to make it more suitable.

1. The initial thing to take into account (this applies if buying a brand new model as opposed to upgrading your existing instrument) is the wood that the guitar is constructed from. The sound resonates from the strings, through the hardware and the wood. Great quality dense wood will sustain far better than a lighter wood. Over the years popular heavy rock guitars have included the Gibson SG model also the Flying V. Both of these models were constructed of a solid mahogany body and neck, minus the Maple top that Les Pauls had. You will find other excellent woods utilised but solid mahogany is indeed a fantastic choice for sustained heavy rock.

2. The next crucial consideration is the hardware utilised in the guitars construction. The quality of the materials used for the tailpiece, bridge, nut, tuners and maybe the tremolo unit are all essential. The cheap metals used on a number of budget guitars undoubtedly will not help achieve the crunching sound required for metal. The hardware is pretty straightforward to replace and there are some great aftermarket upgrades.

3. The new upgrade that gives the most obvious sound change is one of the more easy changes. This particular boost involves changing the stock guitar pickups with aftermarket versions. The important consideration when looking for pickups that will provide you with the tone you need is not only the price, but also the pickup's overall performance specification. If heavy rock or metal guitar is the style you like to play, then you may almost certainly playing a guitar with humbucking pickups as opposed to the thinner sounding single coil designs. All guitar pickup manufacturers will have their individual take on what makes the perfect pickup for metal guitar. You will be faced with a variety of specifications including the type of magnet used, the type of coil wire used, the number of coil winds and whether or not the pickup is built wax potted. A few makers are adamant that ceramic magnets are a better choice than alnico, and a massive coil resistance of around 16 ohms is a prerequisite of a splendid rock pickup.

You will see that there are normally sound samples on the seller's website which can help to some extent. Some aftermarket pickup makers will allow you to return any pickups that you are not 100% happy with, so there is some security when making your decision.

So there are the three areas of a guitar to pay attention to if you're specially trying to achieve a splendid heavy rock sound. If you can only have the funds for one change then go with a set of after market pickups. This is going to be your fastest route to the proper sound.

The author has performed with various bands over the years and owns a variety of electric guitars. He loves to customise his instruments and highly recommends the excellent replacement humbucker pickups and single coil pickups at TubGuitarPickups.co.uk.

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Piano Benches for Sale - The Principles Every Buyer Should Understand Prior to Making the Investment

When you are looking for a piano bench, you need to bear in mind that you are not looking for a regular bench. A piano bench serves a different purpose from an ordinary bench; therefore, the demands will be different. First of all, the piano will be used while you or someone else is playing the piano; therefore, it should be comfortable at all times and in no way should it obstruct your playing.

There are times when the level of comfort that a pianist experiences will affect the quality of the music he or she plays, in addition to his or her performance. The posture of the pianist also has a great influence on the pianist's movement, as he or she plays the piano. When looking for benches for sale, you should be aware that they are available in various styles and models.

Prior to purchasing a bench, you need to determine how often you will use it, and then you should select the model that best suited for your needs. You should also determine how much money you have to spend before you start looking at benches for sale. This is important, as prices differ based on the model, size and style of the bench.

There are many models of benches available, inclusive of swivel stools, leather, double, common duet and adjustable. The adjustable model is the one that is most commonly used by pianists, and many of them also purchase piano benches that have music storage. Cheaper benches for sale are usually made from materials such as vinyl leatherette, while the more expensive ones are made from genuine leather. Acoustic pianos generally come with common duet benches with plain wood or padded top, and will also feature music storage. If you have an interest in four hand literature or if you are a music teacher, you should consider purchasing double benches for sale.

If you plan on matching the piano bench with your piano, you should take into consideration the style of the piano and the bench. Look at piano benches for sale that you know will complement your piano. The piano and the bench should complement each other in such a way that anyone would think that both were purchased together. All models of piano benches are universally used for digital and acoustic pianos including uprights, grands and baby grand pianos and usually have the uniform height and dimensions.

Once you purchase your piano bench, the assembly process will be quite simple. A majority of the online piano benches for sale come pre-assembled; as such, you will only be required to attach the legs. All you would need to do is unpack the piano bench legs, and carefully bolt them in the appropriate places on the bench.

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Some Important Options You Should Obey Before Hiring A Mobile Disco

Planning for a birthday party or celebration can be a stressful situation, whatever your occasion you would like everything to be right. Picking out a professional Mobile DJ plan to entertain your friends and relatives is an extremely essential aspect in ensuring a great party, even when anything else is ideal, if the entertainment is not just right, the entire party could be disappointed.

Listed below are some fundamental tips about employing a disco, to make certain you hire the very best mobile disco service your money can buy. Most functions is one-offs, do you want to make certain you understand it properly. The guidelines have been in no particular order worth focusing on, but all should be thought about.

First, even before you speak to a mobile disco company, it's crucial that you do not have the mind on having a disco this is the least expensive you'll find. As with the majority of things, you generally have that which you purchase. Particularly with a 1-off event just like a wedding, not need the very best you'll be able to afford?

1. Make sure the DJ you select would work

Not every DJ's are ideal for all kinds of functions or even venues. For example, if you're celebrating your 40th birthday can you want an 18 years old DJ turning up with nothing but chart songs?, or on the other hand if you are celebrating your 18th do you want a DJ in the late 40's playing Abba and the Nolan's through the night? It is also important to ensure that the DJ you're booking has sufficient equipment for the size of the venue.

2. You get what you purchase

The next thing to look at is the price of your DJ. We all know from experience the costs involved with wearing a function of any sort. For example weddings, spent a fortune on hiring the best venue, then there's the flowers, the gown, the suits, the meals, the cars, it's endless. At the conclusion of day it is time to unwind with your friends and family this will let you traditional party. That which you don't want is a few untidy bloke and his girlfriend within the corner with a handful of flashing lights and audio system that hurts your ears when he turns it up. Such a method to complete a great day.

What I am saying is don't think the least expensive quote you get, will be of the same standard as the higher quotes, it won't. Many DJ's are simply running a mobile disco just for fun and a bit of cash, others are professional with a lot of experience. The prices DJs charge reflects the caliber of the gear, sound quality, range of music and standard and experience of the DJ.

3. Always ask your mobile DJ if they have PLI and PAT certificates

The next point is safety, all reputable DJ's will carry public insurance, this is an insurance cover for you personally guests when there is a major accident involving the DJ or his equipment, additionally, it covers any damage to the venue caused by the DJ. A typical cover could be for around ?2 million. This really is essential for reassurance. All professional DJ's can also get their equipment PAT tested, this can be a method of making certain all of the electrical equipment used is protected and tested with a qualified electrician. Some venues may insist upon this.

4. Always get written confirmation from your DJ

Ok, that one may appear obvious, but make certain when getting a disco the company you're coping with confirms my way through writing and that they have a written Booking Agreement that you should sign.
The Booking Agreement should lay out all information on the function - date, venue, times, overtime rates etc. This agreement would be to protect both the company and the customer and really should not be heavily biased in a one party's favor.

5. Speak to your DJ

Getting asked the right questions?

Next, should you call a DJ and he/she gives you a cost without asking any queries about the event you're going to be holding, that should trigger warning lights.
Questions a professional DJ should ask include:

• Type of function - wedding, birthday, kids' party etc...
• Venue - where is your function likely to be held?
• Start and finished times - prices often depend on along service required.
• Particular music requirements - no point hiring a rock 'n' roll DJ to have an 80s theme night!

Remember a few things i produced in the beginning? The entertainment you hire is going to be the one thing that the majority these potential customers will remember most, and delay pills work both positively and adversely. Understand it properly when employing a disco, look for an expert mobile disco, and also the wonderful reminiscences can last a very long time.

Gareth Earl is a proud contributing author and writes articles on several subjects including disco/dj hiring tips. You can get several article on hiring mobile disco at http://www.funkadelicgroove.co.uk/.

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Reel Big Fish Albums - Which Should You Listen To?

In the 90's, Reel Big Fish was without a doubt one of the most well known ska bands in the biz. Their high intensity shows and catchy music set the bar for most bands out there. They were turning out albums like every other struggling musician, but their big break came when they appeared in the movie Baseketball with Matt Stone and Trey Parker, where they performed "Take On Me."

I grew up listening to Reel Big Fish albums, and it was their music that turned me on to Ska. Being the geeky band kid playing the saxophone in high school was not my ideal social path, but this music allowed me to "rebel" against the stereotypical assumptions that come with playing a classical instrument, and put a somewhat cooler spin on my reputation.

Enough about me, though, when it comes to which Reel Big Fish albums you should listen to, here's a quick run down of my two personal favorites:

1. Everything Sucks (1995, re-released in 2000)

The bands first full length album and an essential for any ska-lover. Yes, the quality of some of the recordings are lack luster, but they make up for it with their intricate horn lines and (to say the least) aggressive lyrics. Even though it is not their best stuff and was written when the band was still maturing, it gives you insight into their personality and how f***ing crazy they were. A must listen to!

2. Why Do They Rock So Hard? (1998)

It is Reel Big Fish's second ska album and third full length. You can tell they grew not only in their musical talents, but they obviously had a good producer behind them. It is personally up there as my #1 because it is amazing how they stayed consistent with their image after all those years and kept my head banging the whole time. Favorite track: "I Want Your Girlfriend To Be My Girlfriend."

People often argue that there are much better ska bands out there, and maybe there are. But Reel Big Fish did it for me. They pretty much defined my high school years, and there's no denying that when "Beer" comes on the radio, or your iPod, or wherever...you still sing along too!

Whether you agree with my picks for the top Reel Big Fish albums or not, there is no disputing that they set the bar for the ska bands that came after them.

If you like Reel Big Fish then you might also check out Urkel & The Winslows. Their high energy music, along with their 3-part horn harmonies compare to the personality of RBF, while still creating an identity of their own. But who am I...check it out for yourself:

Click here to download a copy of their latest single for free.

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