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The World Of Free Music Videos

2010-06-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

Music has become an integral part of our lives. Whatever the occasion, music can add a different dimension to it. Whether you are driving alone on a long stretch, or partying or even simply relaxing, music can be your perfect partner. Music videos go one step ahead of the conventional CDs in that they also play to our optical senses. This gives us a much more complete experience since you now have a person who is performing in front of you rather than just a voice playing back.

There are plenty of options available in music videos. You can choose from your titles available as VCDs and DVDs. However, thanks to the Internet, you can now access music videos online as well. To top it off, if you love music but don't like spending a lot of money on CD's or fee-based music download sites, you also have an option of accessing a music download service that offers you free music videos! These free music videos could be a trailer to a new release or a complete song.

Nowadays, even the record companies are uploading the videos of their artists to promote the CD sales. These include the sites from the Big Five i.e. Sony, EMI, BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Then there are regular sites like yahoo (http://music.yahoo.com), msn(http://music.msn.com) or http://music.aol.cm etc. that offer free music videos on demand.

Most of these sites are very well organized and make your quest for a particular song easy. You can search by the name of the artist, the name of the album, the genre of the music or even top 100 music videos! The sites also have a 'help' section so if you are experiencing any problems with your search or any other technical difficulty, you have all the answers at the click of your mouse.

The sites also let you download of the latest playback software for free. There are also plenty of other sites like http://www.findvideos.com or http://www.artistdirect.com that compile music from various providers and make it accessible on their websites. These sites have titles from almost all the artists, covering all the genres.

So whether you are looking at checking out songs or albums before you actually go ahead and purchase it, or you need to play back some good music while you are surfing, there are plenty of free music video sites for help. So, play on!

Source: Free Articles

Are Free File Download Services Really Safe

2008-12-01T19:42:00.001-08:00

by: Drew Straub
On Monday June 27, 2005 the Supreme Court ruled that Grokster and
Streamsoft, two free file download services, were operating
illegally because they were allegedly encouraging illegal
downloads of copyrighted material.

Encouraging it...that was what the Supreme Court said. These
were free services that were encouraging illegal activity.

Would this have happened if they had had paying customers? In
other words, would a paid file download service be better than a
free download service?

I think so, and here's my reasoning why...

If you consider that every dollar paid is like a vote, then it
becomes clear the paid file downloading services are much more
accountable than free file downloading services.

If you follow my metaphor so far, then you may see how a paid
file download service is like an elected official, and a free
file download service is like a dictator.

Here's how they differ:

1. If an elected official doesn't get enough votes, the elected
official doesn't get re-elected and is "out of there".

2. A dictator doesn't care about votes. A dictator does
whatever they want. And, if you get hurt by what they do....
well, it's YOUR problem.

Basically, it's all about accountability.

A legitimate business has to make money to survive. If a
business hurts people, customers will stop buying from that
business and go elsewhere. And, if people stop buying from that
business, then that business is "out of there" (just like the
elected official which loses votes).

But a free file sharing service can "do what it wants", just like
a dictator, and if they even go to the level of encouraging you
to do things that are illegal, even lying to you by telling you
that it's perfectly legal... well it's no skin off their nose.
It's your problem!

Or so they thought...up to now.

For the first time, the Supreme Court has made these shady liars
legally responsible for their bad behavior.

They got away with it in the past by "advising" people to do
things that were potentially illegal. They rationalized it by
saying "Hey, we aren't the ones actually doing it, so we
shouldn't be held responsible."

But the Supreme Court has finally cleared this up. They are
responsible, and can now be sued for their actions. Even if they
did it for "FREE".

"FREE"... that was the draw that got so many innocent kids
downloading songs, videos, movies, games, etc. illegally without
knowing it. The "FREE" file downloading services were just
exploiting these kids' ignorance.

Paid download services can't afford this kind of behavior. They
look at this as a business. If they start getting their
customers in trouble, word gets around pretty fast on the
internet, and their business will become toast!

Think of this like NetFlix, who doesn't sell download services,
but sends out CDs and DVDs through the mail. What would happen
to them if they "encouraged" purchasing illegally copied movies
or music from them? Yeah you got it... toast!

But the "FREE" file sharing services that are encouraging kids to
do this thought they could get away with this indefinitely
because "they weren't making any money off of it, and after all,
they weren't the actual people doing the downloading."

Nice legal trickery... good thing it won't work anymore!

So... the question still begging to be asked is:

"Are paid file download services better than free file download
services?"

I'll let you take it from here... ;^)

About the author:
=================================================================
Drew Straub invites you check out his new site which he built to
help people find the best reviews on MP3 players and the best
paid membership services to use to find the music, videos,
movies, and games you want legally at: http://mp3.wowshoppe.com
=================================================================

Booking Gigs

2008-12-01T19:41:00.002-08:00

by: Bruce Prokopets
Divide and Conquer: The secret to booking gigs
Most everything you are told about booking gigs is wrong. An average band hears so much advice from so-called experts they can write a book about it. Most misconceptions are harmless.

The ones that cause the most damage are the ones that are the most popular. Popular opinion should almost ALWAYS be avoided when dealing with the music business. This report is meant to deprogram you and tell you what no one will share about really booking better gigs.

It is important to attack the root of misconception fast. Therefore I will take a stab at it now. If you are a good band playing horrible gigs it is most likely because you have a skewed perspective of "time line". This article will be littered with the term "maintaining time line". This is not some trendy "industry term". This is simply the best way to describe your main priority in the quest to tour on your own 4 wheels.

What is "time line"?

Time line is a concept. It doesn't really exist. You have to think of it as rule that governs your music business habits. If your time line is too short, your success at gigs will be sporadic. If your time line is too long you will remain stagnant. You have to handle your gigging schedule with precision and thought. You must tweak your time line in order to correct what ails your band.

LESS IS MORE

This may be a cliché you hear tossed around a lot in the music business, but it is seldom followed. Playing too often in any market will kill your draw. That is the bottom line. Don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise. I will spare you all the metrics and sterile accounting speak that proves this point. You must break free of the shackles of saturation if you are going to maintain time line and reach booking zen.

THE WAR

You want to think of booking your band like a war. There are territories you must win. From here on out we will refer to these as markets.

You have to find a way into each market and begin your campaign. For the remainder of the report these will be referred to as gigs.

You must find allies that align with your intentions and best interests. In other words, bands.

You must find a marketplace that has something to gain from your war. This report will refer to them as promoters.

WHO WILL HELP YOU THE MOST

The one thing that will probably surprise you the most is where to start getting better gigs. Many of you started out "cold calling" clubs out of the phone book or local rag and ask for a gig. Although this smash and grab attempt can create some lucky opportunities here and there, it will destroy your time line. The truth is, bands that are already successful in that venue will be your greatest ally. If already have some "cherry popping" gigs under your belt, or a demo, this will be crucial in forging a relationship with bands.

Many good drawing bands will have very strong connections with local promoters. Promoters are drawn to them because these bands are a vital commodity in their industry. Club owners and promoters plan to have these bands a certain many times in the year and account for so much business. Usually, in this type of relationship the band can book virtually at will and many times can create bills, or cards. Your best bet is to align with such a band. If you can do this it will launch your time line correctly.

WHEN TO DO IT YOURSELF

Assuming your first gig at a venue was under the circumstance outlined above you should make sure you meet the promoter and/or club owner that night. You want to make an impact. When a promoter feels like giving you a bone he doesn't want to throw it. Your initial gig at a venue via another band is the best time to see if the promoter was even paying attention. If they were they might need you for another bill, but you have to come to them.

LEVERAGE

Your draw in your home market will determine your leverage against other markets. In other words, a following in your market will create opportunities in others. This does NOT mean "create buzz here and then everyone will beg for us elsewhere". This means you can now find other bands in other markets that are successful and trade shows, or "swap gigs". Other bands that want to break into your market will want to align themselves with you. Repeating this across multiple markets, and applying a solid time line, will create success. You will also always have a good show supporting locals who draw at least as much as you do on other markets. Creating this leverage, by raising your draw, will be the key to routing better gigs across markets. How does one do this? Simple. Maintaining time line.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GIG IN ONE MARKET

When you are fist starting out, it is important to play whatever gigs you can to get the hang of how it works. Think of those early gigs as practice. Think of the gigs you do supporting better drawing bands as where you really iron out your craft. Eventually you are going to want to test the waters and see what you are really worth. A band will, at some point, have to go out on its own and try to "headline", or put their own bill together as the "biggest" band. The first couple of times you do this it should be no more than once every 6 weeks. When your time line is ready to be set at optimum performance you should not headline any one market more than 4 or 5 times a year, or once per season. That's right, your time line gets longer, not shorter. When everything is working properly you will play less gigs, but with significantly more draw at each.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT VENUE

You want to fight battle you know you can win (we will talk more about battles in a moment). You want to play where you are confident you can draw. If you know a certain venue is famous for having death metal bands, and your name is DECAYING FLESH, you should probably put that club high in the running to become your home venue.The venue you draw the most at should be the one you concentrate on in the market.

WAR IS MADE UP OF BATTLES

As General, it is important to have a keen sense of delegation. You must be aware that the entire campaign is on your shoulders, but you have resources and a team of people to help you. Your band may not seem like an awesome war machine now, but you have to think logically. You have to delegate.

The easiest way to start creating a draw is to first hit your friends via your band mates. Delegate a realistic amount of responsibility to the other players in your band with a real value. You should start with "heads", or people they bring. Every member of your band should feel they are responsible to bring 20 heads that pay to get in. Instead of looking at your promotional campaign as a daunting war you will gain more ground with your band fighting smaller battles at once.

Some of the members of your band will have 20 cousins who will love to come. Some of your band members will have to resort to begging ex-girlfriends they dumped. Most of you will go the traditional route and hand out fliers at shows. No matter how, you each must meet your goal of 20 heads.

The PR and marketing front is a whole other battle. The Internet has made it possible to have your music heard, gigs found, and pictures seen across the world in hyper-speed. Properly presenting your image will be very important on this front. If you feel you need help in presenting your image you should refer to my previous article "The Truth Behind Press Kits, Bios, and Controlling Your Image". Remember, there are bands in other markets looking for bands to swap with, so make sure you are easy to find on the Internet.

OPTIMIMIZING YOUR TIME LINE

At first, you might be surprised that you do not meet our goal of 20 heads per member. Do not be discouraged. But when you finally create that watermark you are ready to begin stretching your time line and playing less gigs. You should reserve your headlining events for once a season and only break that rule for an opening slot for a national act or a great promotional opportunity like a benefit.

GROWTH

At this point you should be concentrating only on creating new fans. Think of the first wave of friends as your new soldiers. Delegate some task to them with a real value. A good starting point is having all your friends get at least 2 people to the next show or to at least sign up for the mailing list on your website. You have a website with a mailing list don't you?

You should not neglect historical methods of creating interest. Giving away free tickets to people who sign up to your list always gets some response. Promoting the fact you are giving away something for free at the next gig works too.

The actual venue that you play is often overlooked as a great place to promote. Not just by handing out fliers to patrons, but perhaps posters and banners. Most clubs will not have a problem with you putting up promotional materials around the venue. Always get a professional artist or art student to create your posters and fliers. This is the first thing many people will see promoting your band, make sure it counts.

MERCH

If you can afford merchandise, or "merch", like apparel and stickers, it can be a great revenue stream for your band. But again, you have to apply time line to your stocking habits. You want to be able to create and sell a new item at every couple of shows. Even if all you can afford are some new stickers or a new style button, do it. So if you really want to get those expensive glow-in-the-dark sweaters that say your band's name when you press a button make sure you have enough to get some more new merch soon.

New merch is a great way to train your fanbase. You have to train your fanbase to bring money to your gigs. When your fans are expecting new merch they are more likely to come prepared, or "armed with dough". Go to Scenejumper.com for more info

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Use your newfound leverage to repeat success across multiple markets. Trade shows wisely and always do your research. Always make sure a gig swap is really worth it. Choose your markets carefully. It should be practical and affordable to gig other markets. You want to move out from your home base logically. Eventually you will be able to easily route yourself across your surrounding markets. Applying the proper time line and work ethic you can do mini-tours every season.

About the author:
Bruce Prokopets is co-founder and editor of music news blog http://www.scenejumper.comBruce had his first live gig at 15 and has had various jobs in the industry since. He spent years as a guitar tech, tour manager, endorsement liaison, bassist in a national act, and promoter in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

Burton Gaar Releases Track “Hurricane Trouble” To Organize Relief Effort

2008-12-01T19:41:00.001-08:00

by: Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
New Orleans, LA--October 20, 2005—Burton Gaar has been singing and playing the blues for many years now. Recent events have shaken our country and brought us together to help our fellow man. Now, never have the blues been more true to life than in Louisiana.

Gaar is feeling the effects of the devastation of hurricane Katrina just like his brothers and sisters that call the delta their home. He decided to make a step in the right direction by recording and releasing “Hurricane Trouble,” a rockin’ blues number to get all of that feeling across to the world in his music. Gaar encapsulates whom he is by saying- “I play the crap out of the blues.” Indeed, he does, as the track is literal hurricane of blues guitar licks.

The objective of Gaar is to raise awareness of the need for aid in Louisiana. He wants to organize a benefit concert to assist musicians and their families that have lost everything due to the storm. The hope is that “Hurricane Trouble” will circulate quickly and jump-start the entire process of getting people together for the cause.

Gaar invites everyone to send an e-mail to him @ burtongaar@webtv.net and request a MP3 of the song, he will send it to you with hopes that you will pass it on to spread the word carried in the song. Louisiana and the victims of the hurricane need you and music is the best way to reach out and touch the masses. Acknowledge his efforts by sending him an e-mail and requesting the song today. In the spirit of brotherhood and good will listen to the song and then send it to as many people as you can.

Contact Person:
George Hollinshead
Sound Ventures Records
P.O. Box 290
Evergreen, LA 71333
Tel: 318-613-5194
Email:georgea@kricket.net
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gaar/from/tromo1
Website: http://www.burtongaar.com
Email: burtongaar@webtv.net

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites.
Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

Downloading MP3's made easy

2008-12-01T19:40:00.002-08:00

by: Keith Kingston
The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of music enthusiasts on the internet. The MP3 digital music format has had, and will continue to have, a huge impart on how people, gather, listen to and share music.

The MP3 format is a compression system for digital music that helps reduce the size of a digitized song without disturbing the sound quality. Digital music is converted to MP3 format and made available for use, usually via the web. MP3 files can be downloaded onto your computer from the internet and special software, either commercial or freeware. Using your computer and software you can convert digital music from a CD into MP3 format.

MP3 files can be played in three different ways:
1. They can be played directly onto your computer.
2. They can be decompressed and recorded onto a CD.
3. These files can be played on a portable MP3 player.

The advantage of MP3 players is that they are small, lightweight and rugged. They are a great way to carry your MP3 files with you!
With a portable MP3 player, a personal computer, and the appropriate software, you can do the following:
1. Obtain free or low-cost music from the web.
2. Create your own mix of music by downloading MP3 files from the web and converting the tracks from CDs.
3. Listen to near-CD quality music wherever you go.
4. Listen to more music (up to 10 hours' worth).
If you want to convert your songs from your CDs into MP3 files, you can use ripper and encoder software. A ripper copies a song's file from the CD onto your hard disk. The encoder compresses the song into the MP3 format. By encoding songs, you can play them on your computer or take them with you on your MP3 player. The ripper and encoder software may come with your MP3 player.
The specific instructions will vary with the individual software programs, but the following steps will definitely take place:
1. Place the CD from which you want to convert songs into your drive.
2. Select the track(s) that you want to convert to MP3 format.
3. Convert the selected track(s).
4. Copy the new MP3 files on to your computer's hard disk.
Now you are ready to download these MP3 files into your portable MP3 player.
Once you have MP3 files on your computer, you can use the software that came with your MP3 player to download the files into your MP3 player. Again, the specific instructions will vary depending upon your software program and player, but you will:

1. Create a playlist from your MP3 files.
2. Plug the player into your computer's parallel of USB port.
3. Transfer the MP3 files according to the instructions.
Once you have downloaded the MP3 files into your portable MP3 player, you are ready to take your music anywhere. Most MP3 players are small, lightweight, and solid-state. Because most players are solid-state, there are no moving parts to break down or skip, so the sound quality is uninterrupted regardless of your physical activity. MP3 players are equipped with various types of headphones or earpieces.

Portable MP3 players can play music longer than a portable CD player. The length of play for a CD player is about 74 minutes, the length of one CD. However, the length of play for an MP3 player depends upon its memory capacity, which can be upgraded on some models. A standard MP3 player can play for about half an hour (32 MB) to a few weeks (40 GB)! Some models can be upgraded with additional memory devices.

About the author:
Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher, offering information on mp3 downloads and mp3 players. You can visit his website at http://www.4-mp3-downloads.com/

Downloading Music!

2008-12-01T19:40:00.001-08:00

by: Mike Yeager

MP3 technology was the catalyst to one of the biggest revolutions in the
media business in nearly 30 years.
When cassette tapes became popular in the late 1970's and early 1980's,
the music industry did the now-familiar Chicken Little dance about its
way of life being destroyed.

The industry quickly co-opted that threat,

turning albums on cassettes into a very lucrative business. In the

mid-80's, CDs promised superior quality at lower prices, but we wound up

only getting the better quality. Consumers never got the promised price

break—album prices continued to climb. Those chickens would come home to

roost soon enough.

It's taken the music industry the better part of ten years to finally

devise some legal alternatives to the P2P file-sharing networks, and now

there are well over a dozen online music services legally offering a

wide range of genres to satisfy most musical palettes. Aside from one

service's downloads being three cents cheaper than the next, what sets
them apart? Which one gives you most flexibility about how you enjoy your music? And which one really gives you the most of what you want for

your money?
About the author:

http://www.a1-music-download-4u.info/

Download Mp3 Music Safely

2008-12-01T19:39:00.001-08:00

by: Anne Spencer
DON'T Download JUNK! Make sure your download mp3 music is a quality mp3 and that your music download doesn't have hidden downloads that will not only ruin your search for great music but will annoy you and invade your privacy.

Here are the four hidden downloads most free music sites install on your computer when you download mp3‘s.

1.Spyware is almost always contained in mp3 freeware and shareware downloads. The spyware gathers information and monitors the activities you perform, unbeknown to you.
2.Adware is also contained in these mp3 download networks. Your computer can and probably will be stuffed with a huge amount of intrusive advertising.
3.Pornography is very prevalent on the Internet. Be very aware that porn peddlers disguise their software as the latest free mp3 download or game demo to redirect your modem to porn sites.
4.Spoofing is when download mp3 networks are filled with fake files. For example, if you download what you think is a popular mp3 song, you will get the same ten seconds of the song over and over again.
So in your hunt to download mp3 ‘s and create your own library of music, be selective of which music download site you use. There are many to choose from but few that offer privacy protection, online service, tech help, spyware-free and adware-free downloads, as well as a large library of quality mp3’s.

Things have come a long way with regards of how we listen to our favorite music. It's as easy as a push of a button with digital music.

Knowing where to start, how you want to listen to your music and what you want to do with it, is the first step. When you download mp3 files from online music services, you need to know what they allow you to do. Some songs are just for listening to, some can be downloaded, and some can be burned to a CD or a portable music player.

A few owners of certain artists publishing rights will not grant the license rights, which means some mp3's are not available for downloading.

The majority of the time, you'll find what you're looking for because the larger download MP3 subscription music web sites have access to the catalog of the Five Big Labels – Sony, Warner, Universal, EMI, and BMG, which account for about 80% of recorded music.

So now that you have the facts on how to download mp3 ‘s, do some research for quality music download sites, take advantage of any Free Trials, download lot’s of music, turn up the volume and don’t forget to Sing Along!

Do you know what a didgeridoo is? Do you want to do or learn something different? Find out about it and do it on the Web.

2008-12-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

by: Jesse S. Somer
Do you know what a didgeridoo is? There are so many things in this life that are unknown to us. I bet you could find out about something outside your normal sphere of vision and experience everyday for the rest of your life and still not get close to knowing about everything out there.

Not to mention the number of things we don’t know about our own internal selves-physical, emotional, spiritual and mental realities that are still unaware to us. That’s another story however, let’s stick to the external in this article.

I play the didgeridoo. It’s a sacred Australian Aborigine instrument, arguably one of the oldest instruments in humankind’s long history. If you type didgeridoo into your search engine you will see hundreds of sites about this thing that you’ve never even heard of. You don’t know how many people I’ve mentioned it to around the world that never have even heard the word.

One site I found to be quite thorough and useful was: http://www.echotree.com.au/index.htm

This retail site explains in detail how a didgeridoo is made (it is a termite-hollowed branch or tree trunk), how to choose the right one for you, and of course instruction on how to play. It explains how to recognize a quality piece and they say that they can even custom make one to your desires. Each didj has a key or root note, and they can be made of several types of wood, some better than others. Placed on the mouthpiece is bee’s wax which makes for an airtight seal against the face as well as protecting one’s mouth from getting cut by sharp edges.

To give you an idea of the incredible feat it was for the first Aborigines to make this music 40-60,000 years ago I’ll give you a perspective on how it is played. You place your mouth in the whole at the top of the hollowed wood upon the bees wax coating. Then you vibrate your lips against the edge of the wood, filling your cheeks with air at the same time to keep the sound constant. The sound never stops and this is because you circular breathe-in through the nose and out through your mouth at the same time. Sounds difficult, and it is for some like myself, it took me 9 months to get my mind around it. A friend of mine however did it in a couple of days, and babies breathe this way naturally! Pretty cool.

On this site as others you can look at a gallery of instruments, clicking on the ones that interest you. They are all individual (like snowflakes and humans) and characteristics such as key, wood type, length and artist are given. Echo Tree specifically mentions that all their artwork is individually hand-painted by Aborigine artists and no two are alike. So unlike many Western musical instruments that are ubiquitously constructed, you can have one that is different to all others.

The didgeridoo is just another example of how the Internet or World Wide Web can be the medium of discovery in our lives. It is a collective source for all the ideas, creations and beliefs in our world. Anyone that connects can add to the rich melting pot of consciousness. This ‘virtual’ space that we all feed and digest from is truly the next step in the evolution of humanity. Do you want to do or learn something different? You know where to go.

About the author:
Jesse S. Somer
M6.Net
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a sacred didgeridoo player learning more about life everyday. Send him a message at www.thepowerofeverythingthatis.com

Free, Legal Music Online

2008-12-01T19:37:00.002-08:00

by: Daniel Punch
Almost everyone has heard about the massive crack down on Internet music piracy that has been occurring over the past few years. Napster was taken down (although it has now returned as a pay service), other file sharing programs now require users to pay for a license and the

RIAA and other similar organizations are doing their best to hunt down copyright offenders and put an end to their crime sprees. The consumers on the other hand argue that their actions hurt nobody, that there is no damage done to anyone by their not buying an album. Furthermore, they claim, MP3s allow them to sample a CD before purchasing it, thus actually helping sales.

I'm not here to argue the pros and cons. Basically it's not worth it, as neither side of the argument will ever see the opposition's point of view. What I'd like to do is take a look at the completely free and legal alternative to 'stealing' music. Those wonderfully talented musicians who are willing to put their creations online to download for free, solely for the joy of spreading their creations to the masses.

Free music is surprisingly easy to come by, even music by famous bands. Sometimes it needs to be 'streamed' from the Internet, meaning that you can only listen to a song while you're online, but with the ever-growing popularity of broadband Internet this is really no longer a problem. Sites such as MP3.com and purevolume.com provide free music by almost any band you can think of, although there is a large amount of it that has to be streamed and not downloaded. A search for 'free legal MP3 downloads' will reveal a huge number of pages to visit.

For something specific, try visiting the artist's website, or the site of their record label. These will often offer a few sample tracks to download for free. It's not quite as convenient as having access to every song that you want, but it's not a bad alternative.

But how about we forget about the mainstream for just a while and move towards the alternative? Towards the hopefuls, the talented bands that have yet been 'noticed'. There are a huge number of these smaller bands out there that are sticking their stuff online for any and all to listen to, just so that they can be heard. These can be easier to find, because most MP3 sites will be filled with these smaller acts. A great place to start is http://www.garageband.com/ or the aforementioned http://purevolume.com

The great thing about smaller bands is that you can often find bands that come from your local area and then go and see them play live. Being able to see a favourite band live more than once a year (or lifetime) without expending huge amounts of money and time is pretty cool. Many music search engines will let you search for bands of a particular genre in a particular area, which makes it all quite easy.

A fairly major contributor to the online music scene is the remixer. These people take other tunes and redo them, usually in a techno style because one person can do this competently. Chief among the tunes selected to be remixed are those old ditties that used to play through the simplest of sound chips on aging consoles: the video game theme songs. People now go and grab the main tune line from an old favourite and fill it out, making real the work our imaginations used to do for us to turn the single tone melodies into orchestral masterpieces. A few good places to start are http://remix.kwed.org and http://remix.overclocked.org as well as a personal favourite band http://machinaesupremacy.com

I hope this has given you something to think about. It's not hard to come across illegal MP3 rips, in fact it's often hard to avoid them, but if you give the free music scene a look you may find something completely different and new that will really do it for you. With web hosts already being penalized hugely for illegal content being stored on their servers (having an entire server taken down because of one inconsiderate user is damaging and irritating beyond belief) and moves being made to charge ISPs for the content being accessed by their users, it makes more sense than ever to get out there and grab yourself an awesomely original and completely legal music collection.

About the author:
Daniel Punch
M6.Net Web Hosting
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Free Music Video Downloads

2008-12-01T19:37:00.001-08:00

by: Jeff Schuman
Listening to all of your favorite songs whenever you want is
always exciting. No more having to wait for it to be played on
the radio or have to go out and buy the whole CD for just one
particular song.

When you can download all of your favorite
songs for free it just makes it that much better. What if you
could download the music videos to all of your favorite songs
for free and add to the excitement every time you listen to the
song? In this article I’ll discuss some of the best places to
find free music video downloads and why some free music video
download sites are better than others.

As mentioned in a previous article I wrote, Music Video
Downloads, not all sites are going to be capable of good quality
free music video downloads. Some are going to allow you to
preview the first 30 seconds of a song, while other sites allow
you to watch only one song, then you must become a member to
view more. However, there are sites out there that allow you to
download good quality videos for free.

One of the bigger downsides to free video downloads, though, is
that most places only allow you to watch the video and not save
it to a file to view later. Yes, you can view it anytime you
want by simply clicking on the video and having it load in about
15 seconds. However, if there is a certain list of songs you
would like to observe, then you’ll have to search through the
site to find them as oppose to having them all saved in a
library.

Another downside to free music video downloads is the fact that
most sites contain only popular artists and songs, so the
unknown bands may be harder to find videos for. This is not to
say that the selection is small, but it is limited to more of
the current hot hits.

One of the better sites that I have found for downloading music
videos for free is www.artistdirect.com. Once you get to the
home page at the top is a button for movies and videos, this is
where you will find all of the free music video downloads. On
this page you will find the top music videos for various
categories such as hip-hop, pop, rock, and so on. Plus they
have the top 5 music videos currently, with a button away from
getting the top 600 music videos. I have found this site to be
very quick and efficient with downloading videos, but as
mentioned earlier you are only capable of viewing the videos and
can not save them to a library or folder.

One of the more common and well known sites to find free music
video downloads is at www.mtv.com. For this site they have it
set up with six different categories that you can click on. As
you click on one of the categories it brings up the top six
videos under that category currently, then you are able to
browse all the videos for that category if you please. Or to
make things easier, they have a place where you can simply
search for a specific video.

I have listed two of the more popular sites to find free music
video downloads, and two of the easier sites to search through.
If you were to conduct a search for free music video download
sites on google, there are about 131 million different sites or
pages connected to this phrase. So as you can see there are
several different places to look for the videos, it’s just up to
you to find them. The two I have provided would be good ones to
start at, but feel free to broaden your horizon and begin
searching for the sites to find your favorite music videos for
free.

About the author:
Best MP3 Music Downloads is a site that contains information, articles, and resources on all genres and styles of music. You can download music and videos, and find links to the best places to download music here:
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Getting On the Music Industry Radar Screen

2008-12-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

by: Ty Cohen
How to Get Noticed By Those
Who Can REALLY Help Your Music Career!
As you or your band performs, be it from club to club around town or nationally, there is usually one thing lingering in the back of your mind

..

How do you go about getting that one big break that will push you ahead toward greater recognition and success artistically?

You know it happens to artist and bands all the time. That time could come soon for your group to break out of the local scene and land that recording contract or national tour that will get you on your way to greater success.

You know there are tried and true methods. Having a great demo or being interviewed on the local radio shows at once seemed like a good idea. But times have changed in the music industry. In this article, we will discuss some up-to-date information and inside tips on how to get noticed in this tough business, in short Iï¿½ll give you some info that will literally place on the music industry radar screen. The knowledge that Iï¿½m about to share with you will work for any and everyone: Songwriters, Singers, Musicians, Rappers and for all genres of music: Pop, Rock, Rap, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Grunge, Country and everything in between!

Where are the Scouts?

You have had the thought run through your mind as you perform for an enthusiastic crowd in a club or bar. Are there music industry scouts in this crowd? Maybe you just laugh it off but you have heard that they are out there watching bands like yours and signing the talented ones to develop into stars.

What you have heard is true. Industry insiders tell us that now more than ever, scouts are everywhere. You may worry that you are not living in one of the big ï¿½music industry townsï¿½ like New York, Chicago, L.A. and Nashville but that isnï¿½t important. Remember, Seattle wasnï¿½t on the map before grunge hit and they found Sir Mix A-Lot and for you Rock Heads, Kurt and Eddie.

But what if you donï¿½t always have the biggest audience in town. Well, some of the biggest acts in the music business were ï¿½discoveredï¿½ playing to a small and intimate crowd. If your performance is strong and you are getting good word of mouth, the music industry scouts will find you and check you out. So perform every night like they are out there because there is no reason to believe that they are not.

Go Get Them

But you donï¿½t have to sit around and wait for them to come to you. The new ï¿½hunting groundsï¿½ for bands and talent are well known to the insiders. Once you know who it is that is feeding the information to music industry scouts and agents, you can learn the tricks of the trade to feed information about you or your band into that system. Here are a few of the newest methods and venues you can use to get yourself noticed:

* Perform, Perform, Perform. These days the local club scene is the most important way to get noticed. Donï¿½t wear yourself out chasing agents or scouts. If your performances are strong, that will create a buzz and the word of mouth will get you noticed. Then the scouts will come to see you rather than you having to go and chase them.

* Build your relationship with your audience. Insiders tell us that scouts will come to a show for a musical venue they donï¿½t even understand. If you are doing something bold and new that they are not able to evaluate musically, they will go by the crowd. If your audience responds with excitement and enthusiasm, that is what gets the eyes and ears of music executives. So pour yourself into the people for whom you are performing. Thatï¿½s what you love to do anyway so itï¿½s an easy way to get noticed and the right way too.

* Build your local network. Industry agents know club owners and booking agents for local events very well. If you have a strong reputation with them, they will pass that information along to the scouts who are looking for new talent.

* Indie (independent) labels are also a rich source of information for the larger recording houses to find out about up and coming bands. You may have indie labels near by so get to know them and get them to your shows so when they have a chance to connect you to a scout, your band is on their list of hot new acts.

* Never miss a chance to network but look for innovative ways to advertise yourself as well. The internet has lots of new and interesting sites that scouts are starting to watch for new talent. If you have the resources, get a web page up and get some MP3 samples of your performances out there. You can easily set up a website using a service like http://www.MyWebSiteMyMusic.com and you can also easily put your music on your site or anywhere else online, even in emails in MP3 format using a service like the one offered at http://www.ListenToMyMusicOnline.com .

The services offered by these two websites are extremely inexpensive and so simple to use, a 5 year old could do it, yet they will have you looking like a music industry professional in no time at all.

Is the Demo Dead?

From what we have learned so far, you would think the demo is ready to go into the hall of fame as an out-of-date tool. But the demo tape still has some real value to you. The best demo is one that showcases not only your musical skill but the personality and the performance skill of you or your band. If you can have someone put a demo together from one of your performances, that gives an agent or scout a bit of a feel for what to expect from you when he comes to see you.

So treat the demo as part of your bag of tricks but it isnï¿½t the thing that is going to seal the deal. If a scout likes what he hears or at least his curiosity is peaked, he will then seek out ways to see you live. Then we are back to the club atmosphere, your relationship with your crowd and your performance. Those are the things that will get you noticed in a way that will lead to bigger breaks. Look at the demo as just the hook with a little bit of bait on it. You can also use your demo on your web page along with some video footage of your live performance to showcase the excitement of your shows. Remember both http://www.ListenToMyMusicOnline.com and http://www.MyWebSiteMyMusic.com offer some of the best services in the industry for doing this.

Video Didnï¿½t Kill the Radio Star

Radio used to be the primary medium for distributing information about new acts and for getting your music played and noticed. But changes in ownership of radio stations and in how they are programmed have changed that too. The radio station is no longer a significant communication channel for you to use to get on the music industry radar screen.

A lot of factors have dropped radio off the radar screen for getting noticed. Airplay is not as much of a factor as it used to be when there was a lot of diversity in radio. Radio is nearly a monopoly with all of the play list decisions made by one central national firm. So if you think that any one individual at your area radio stations makes airplay decisions, you should revise that opinion because they do not. This little insider tip alone can save you huge amounts of wasted energy and frustration when trying to get noticed.

But donï¿½t worry, scouts and music industry agents know they will not find the new, the innovative and the creative music on radio. They have turned from it to use local networking and club performances as their radar screen for new talent.

You do the same. Do not concern yourself a great deal with local radio coverage. Even college radio is virtually a dead venue for getting noticed in this new market. Focus on where the real contacts are being made today, through local contacts, word of mouth and above all club and local festival performances. Other good habits include using music industry contact directories like the one found at http://www.MusicBizPhoneBook.com which list contact information to over 20,000 important people in the music industry.

Itï¿½s all in your network and what is happening on the street that will make the difference between you getting noticed or not. In a way, thatï¿½s the way it always should have been, having the focus placed on your band talent, performance skill and live shows. That is where your strength is anyway. Be a savvy marketer and use this knowledge to raise the awareness of your band, your talent, your songs and your performances.
About the author:

This article was written by Ty Cohen, the music industry's most recognizable voice! Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium Publishing and Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of: http://www.MusicContractsOnline.comand http://www.MusicBusinesSuccess.com

To find out more about Ty Cohen, his services, products and how he may be able to help you succeed in the music industry go to: http://www.MusicBusinesSuccess.comand sign up for his free limited edition music industry success 10-part "Mini-Course", it will work wonders for you and best of all, it's FREE, but EXTREMELY VALUABLE!

iRiver leaders in mp3players

2008-12-01T19:35:00.000-08:00

by: Eddie Miller
The first multi-codec MP3 CD player was released by iRiver in 2000. Since this time iRiver has become a household name with their portable digital products and markets throughout the world.

The very first portable digital device that was released by iRiver was the SlimX. This was known as the thinnest MP3 CD player in the entire world. From that time, forward iRiver has created many new and innovative products such as flash memory MP3 players such as the iFP-300 Series and the PMP-100 Series.

iRiver is a strategic partner with Microsoft and work together to produce some of the most advanced next-generation digital portable players around. Other electronic partners include Phillips, Samsung Electronics, Hitachi and Texas Instruments.

Today, iRiver is a leader in development and manufacturing of portable digital devices and established a sister company by the name of Yurion. With this company, iRiver develops hardware and software solutions for the development and delivery of digital content. This business arraignment will bring us more quality digital portable players in the years to come.

iRiver believes in staying ahead of the competition by planning, developing, producing and marketing the reigncom products that will revitalize the world. They believe in producing products that are easy to use with easy access. Their products are created with fast and convenient interfaces for maximum use. In addition, they pride themselves on creating high quality products with the best designs to fit our busy lifestyles.

Their line of business includes portable audio, portable video, digital convergence, and multimedia content.

iRiver will go the extra mile to ensure that their customers the world over receive the best quality and most innovative portable digital devices when they shop for any products. You can trust in the name iRiver to bring you the best that technology has to offer when it comes to portable digital devices and accessories.

About the author:
UK MP3 are the UK's foremost MP3 player shop and review site. We write accurate, unbiased reviews of all the MP3 players we stock, and have a large number of customer reviews, so you can be confident you know what you are getting when you buy your MP3 player

Is it Possible to Download Music Legally Anymore?

2008-12-01T19:34:00.002-08:00

by: Jeff Schuman II
Throughout the past few years downloading music on the internet
has increased in popularity. At the same time though, it has
become illegal through many companies to download music as
musicians and artists have been losing money on their CD sales.

With many people being sued in the past couple years for
downloading music, is it really possible to download music
legally anymore? If so, at what price will it cost you to
download music?

As music sites such as Napster and Kazaa and many more have
attempted to create sites to download music for free, they have
just increased the problem that much more. Some of the users of
these programs have learned the hard way that music does not
come free, as they were sued for illegally downloading music.

Today there are many sites in which you can download music at
where they claim it is 100% legal. The latest music file
formats used are Windows® Media (WMA), Advanced Acoustic Coding
(AAC) and Atrac 3, and are very popular as it increases the
sound quality making it closer to an actual CD bought in stores.
Another great advantage is that many sites such as
SonicSelector Service on MSN allow you to preview the music
before buying it. Many sites today also offer a three-day trial
of their music downloading site, and then after that you will
have to begin paying a monthly fee. So it is possible to
download music legally online, but at what cost?

Pressplay.com offers unlimited music for a price of $9.95 per
month and then you also have to install the software from their
site. The downloaded music is non-burnable and once your
subscription runs out you no longer have access to any of your
songs. Rhapsody at listen.com also charges $9.95 per month for
non-burnable music, but instead of downloading the music you
download a music player that gives you access to the songs.

Now you can download music and you know the basic price per
month for non-burnable songs. However, most people download
music so that they can burn their favorite CD with a variety of
songs. Transferring these songs onto a CD or a personal MP3
player will cost you even more. Many sites offer packages for
songs capable of burning as oppose to a set price per song.

For example, Pressplay offers 5 burnable songs for $5.95, 10
burnable songs for $9.95, 20 burnable songs for $18.95, and then
on top of those prices you are still required to pay the monthly
fee to use the program. MusicNet offers a package for $17.95 a
month that comes with unlimited downloading music and 10
burnable songs.

There are other sites such as apple.com/itunes that is priced at
99 cents to download a song and there is no monthly fee, but you
must own a Mac in order to do this. Sites such as mp3.com,
peoplesound.com, and soundclick.com all offer free music to
download and burn. The catch is that these sites offer a
majority of unknown artists and songs.

With the exception of the last few sites I have mentioned, you
will find a relatively large selection of music to choose from
in all of these sites. Not one of the sites offers less than
300,000 songs to choose from with all of the biggest names in
the music industry such as Eminem, Britney Spears, and even
oldies such as Elvis, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra.

There are websites out there that are 100% legal for you to
download music at. The question now is how much money are you
willing to pay to download all of the hottest songs today, and
are you willing to pay extra to put those songs onto a CD?

About the author:
Jeff Schuman is the creator of Best-MP3-Music-Downloads.com
where you can buy CD’s and find all of the best free music
downloads.
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Legally Download Music and MP3's

2008-12-01T19:34:00.001-08:00

by: Charles Oakland
Downloading music is one of the greatest things about owning a computer. However, the most popular way to do it is illegal. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is trying to stop anyone from downloading music illegally and have recently been passing out hefty fines to prevent downloading.

In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, companies can be sued for encouraging illegal downloading, most notably and recently Kazaa. With the recent shutdown of the top music downloading networks, one has to ask:
Can I Still Download Music?
Yes, at plenty of Web sites, some requiring payments and some free. Pay sites that have licensing agreements with the entertainment industry -- such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Yahoo Music and others -- are panting for your business. Sites battling the industry such as Grokster and Morpheus -- which were targeted in Monday's decision -- face a cloudier future. While the Supreme Court sent their case back to a federal appeals court for trial, they are almost sure to lose. They and other file-sharing services that allow for sharing of copyrighted files -- and make money off it, through advertising and other means -- may fold or have to change their sites drastically.
Unfortunately these top profile downloading sites often charge a hefty fee for their access. Basic membership fees often cost upwards of $30 a month, while tracks start at $1 a piece. Alternatives have arisen that promise to give you the same amount of content but at a cheaper price.
These alternatives include: MP3-share, mp3downloadhq, legal music access, and online download network. Reviews of these programs can be found at http://music.webreviews.ca managed by http://webreviews.ca

About the author:
Charles Oakland is a journalist by nature who manage the popular web review site: Free Web Reviews Free MP3 Reviews

Living Life Loud

2008-12-01T19:33:00.000-08:00

by: Shannon Mott
The music industry is changing – one click at a time
Change is good. Just ask the millions of unsigned artists worldwide trying to get their music heard. Since the music industry is changing drastically, unsigned musicians are able to make their music available to listeners.

Record labels are realizing new techniques need to be created in order to promote music, and find new talent.

The result has been a surge of music-based websites. These sites allow artists to create their own websites, upload MP3s and promote music free of cost. One website which has received much attention is iSOUND.COM.

A musician himself, D.J. Burdick’s purpose has been clear from the beginning: create a website that allows unsigned artists to upload MP3s so they can share their music with the world. Burdick, the founder and creator of the music-based website iSOUND.COM, began his career in 1999, shortly after graduating from high school. At first, the main focus of iSOUND.COM was to give visitors more information about their favorite bands.

“I was looking for information about artists I liked, and I couldn’t find anything comprehensive on the Internet,” says Burdick. “So, I decided to create my own website.”

He then spent one year developing and implementing iSOUND.COM. In 2000, Burdick relocated to Dallas, Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. In Dallas, Burdick realized that it was difficult to find gigs and get his music heard. That is when he had an idea.

“I decided to expand iSOUND.COM. I wanted to make it a music community where artists could share their music with the world,” says Burdick.

While attending university, Burdick continued working on his website. In 2004, he graduated from SMU’s Cox School of Business. Along with a few college friends, he decided to make iSOUND.COM his full-time career.

“Working on my own company has allowed me to work on what I’m truly passionate about. I get to focus on what I believe in,” says Burdick. “I wanted to make iSOUND.COM my full-time job because I had so many ideas. Working for a large, established company may provide more security but that wasn’t dynamic enough for me. I needed something that would allow me to control the vision of the business and let me implement my business ideas. It is very rewarding to see over a million people visiting iSOUND per month who are sharing in this vision and desire to bring great unheard music to the masses.”

The music industry is changing drastically. MP3s are no longer just about illegal pirating and file sharing. In fact, MP3s are becoming imperative to unsigned artists wishing to promote their music on the Internet. There are tons of talented artists out there. Unfortunately, they do not have the money to push into advertising or music promotion. The solution to this problem: level the playing field by promoting on the internet.

“The [music] industry is going through a huge transitional phase. Everything is changing and the [record] labels are realizing this. They are now using many of the same avenues to promote their artists as those available to unsigned artists,” says Burdick.

In fact, a complete industry of music-based websites has developed, allowing musicians to promote their music over the Internet. The way iSOUND.COM works is that artists may sign up and upload their music for free. Staff members then listen to the songs and rate the music. Listeners visit the site, discover new music, and earn points for sharing that music with their friends. The most popular artists on iSOUND.COM receive thousands of plays per month. Musicians can literally gain thousands of new fans just by uploading their music onto popular music websites and networking via those sites.

“There is a growing group of signed bands getting a large share of radio and [music] video play that started entirely by promoting on the Internet and playing small clubs,” says Burdick. “The future of music is on the Internet. Get your music uploaded, spend a few hours a week promoting online, and you’ll be amazed at the results.”

About the author:
Shannon Mott is a freelance writer and employee of iSOUND.COM

Looking For an MP3 Player?

2008-12-01T19:32:00.002-08:00

by: Levi Bloom
If you don’t have an mp3 player, and even if you do, you should check out all the new stuff that’s going on. I’m hoping this article will give you some idea of what kind of mp3 player you want and some tips on what to look for in an mp3 player.

Maybe you work out and need something small and skip-proof for running or lifting. Maybe you have an 8 hour (or longer) plane ride when you go home and need to pass the time. Maybe you want a new one just for the sake of having a new one. Whatever it is, this article should help you choose.

First, for those of you who want something for working out: The two most important things to look for are size/weight and solid state memory, things CD players lack. You want something that you can clip to your shorts or strap to your arm that won’t interfere with your movements, and you want it to be light enough so you don’t even notice it. (Tip: Get a lithium ion battery to save even more weight.) To be sure that your player will not skip if you move too much or too fast, get one with solid state internal Flash memory, which has no moving parts so it can’t skip. These are usually available as 64 to 512 MB models, with a 64 MB model holding roughly an hour of music. Prices typically range from $100 to $300.

On the other hand, you may want to store all 16,000 songs in your collection on your mp3 player so you never hear the same one twice. In this case you need a hard drive based mp3 player, commonly known as an mp3 jukebox, for which you could pay up to $500. It will be a little bigger and heavier than and not quite as durable as a solid state mp3 player, but that isn’t a concern if you just want to sit around and listen to music. And they are still far more portable than a CD player.

Torn between a small, light, solid state mp3 player and a hard drive based player that holds thousands of songs? Well, the iPod Mini may be for you! The iPod Mini is just one model in a new breed of small hard drive mp3 players. They are a little lighter and smaller than normal hard drive players, and hold more songs than the average solid state mp3 player. (Did I mention the iPod Mini comes in blue, green, gold, and pink?) That’s it for the main differences, but here are some more things you should look for when making a purchase: long battery life, an FM tuner, voice recorder, an easy to read screen, and compatibility with your computer.

If you’re looking to purchase online, I recommend www.amazon.com. But first you should check www.mp3-player-guide.com (which has a buyer’s guide and reviews) so you can make a better decision.

About the author:
Levi Bloom has been studying mp3 players for the past few years, so he knows his stuff. If you want more, check out his websites: http://mp3-player-guide.comand http://thoughtyouhadeverything.com

Media Player Shootout

2008-12-01T19:32:00.001-08:00

by: James Kendall
Whether you call them media players, jukeboxes, mp3 apps, music managers, or whatever - we all need a proggy to listen to our digital music with, so we decided it was time for the Online Music Blog ( http://www.onlinemusicblog.com ) media player shootout. For the sake of this article I am only going to discuss players you can get for free and I am not going to go into p2p apps.

So with that, lets dive right in. For my money there are are only 3 choices - Winamp, iTunes, or Windows Media Players - but I'll talk a little about RealPlayer 10 as well. All of these applications share baseline features - playing various media files, cataloging digital media, etc. We'll focus on things about them that are different.

Back in the day, we had Winamp, and it was good. Unfortunately the original Nullsoft team has all moved on and instead of the hacker cred that Winamp used to have back when Justin Frankel et all were on the job it is now just another corporate media player with a hazy future.

Winamp lost a lot of momentum that it had when it released a ( very ) bad Winamp3 - but with the release of Winamp5 they seem to be back on track - it is useable, responsive, and has a lot of plugins and skins created for it.

The major problem is that for all of it's features it is not much, if any, better then the two dominant media players that are tied to successful music stores iTunes and WMP. Additionally you have to pay $14.95 to get the pro version that add features that iTunes and WMP include for free. One of the bonuses of using Winamp is the ability to tune into all of the cool shoutcast radio stations.

iTunes is, of course, is the digital jukebox front end for the iPod and the iTunes music store from apple computer. The iTunes music store was the first to get pay for digital music downloads right and it still has the largest legal downloadable catalog on the net giving the iTunes jukebox a hefty advantage.

If you are using a Mac then it is a no brainer - you should be using iTunes as you media player, but even if you are using Windows iTunes provides an attractive alternative. The iTunes store is superior ( imho ) to the Windows Media based stores such as Napster and with the legendary Apple ease of use in full effect iTunes makes a great Windows based Jukebox. Noteworthy is the Apple Lossless codec that allows one to rip CD's to the ACC format that sound as good as the CD itself to our ears. On the negative side, the iTunes jukebox feels heavy on moderately powered PC's compared to Winamp or WMP. It runs a little slower, seems to use more resources, etc.

Last (of yea, except for RealPlayer... ) Windows Media Player 10 is one of Microsoft's best pieces of software and is some much better then the last generation of MS media players. The jukebox itself is stuffed with features such as its ability to monitor changes to your digital media files and update itself, simple sync and burn, ratings, and the auto tag features are all very nice.

One of the changes in V.10 is the ability to rip files if the format and with ( or without ) the DRM of your choice. You also get the ability to listen to Internet radio streams with WMP, and although they tend to be more corporate then the hip shoutcast radio you can still find some good music. WMP also features a lossless ripping of CD's but I was less impressed with the results then I was with Apples Lossless.

And finally there is RealPlayer. The free RealPlayer 10 is better then previous version although that is not saying much imho. It still takes over your file formats by default, tries to force you register, runs in the background (phoning home ?) unless you can find the settings to tell it not to - all of the problems that it has always have. I say stay as far away from Real as possible even if you can use "Harmony" to use your iPod with the Real store. While I may be being over critical of Real's jukebox - I do think that there are other alternatives that are less intrusive and have better feature sets.

All in all I think that either iTunes or WMP is a solid choice and far and away the best media players available. Winamp is a okay too as long as you don't need to rip music or burn it back to a CD - but it is worth the download and install just to listen to Shoutcast stations from time to time. Personally I use WMP at work and iTunes are home, so take that for what it's worth. I think that I like WMP a little better, but not so much that I would take the time to switch my iTunes set up at home.

About the author:
This article was originally posted on Online Music Blog and was written by James Kendall of Copacetix Digital Creation.

MP3 Audio File Format â€“ A new format for storing sounds

2008-12-01T19:31:00.002-08:00

by: David Chandler
MP3 is the latest and the most popular audio format that is used
now. This acronym stands for MPEG Layer 3. It is a compressed
audio format with a compression ratio of up to 12: 1. The sound
quality of the audio in this format is very high. A normal audio file,
which is 1200 KB in size, can be stored in just 100 KB if it is using
the MP3 format.

The size of the audio files is very small when
compared to other formats of audio files. This makes it easily
portable.

Where to get MP3 audio files?

MP3 audio files are widely available in CDs now. Almost any album
that is released in the world is also sold in the MP3 audio format.
These albums in the MP3 formats are also available in some
websites that are dedicated for MP3 downloads. You can also
purchase these MP3 CDs at any audio store meant for that
purpose.

MP3 downloads

Free MP3 downloads are also available in some of the websites.
You need to become a member of these sites for a fee to
download unlimited number of songs in the MP3 format. Some of
the sites charge you for each song that is downloaded. Free MP3
downloads for testing the quality of the audio is usually provided
by most of these websites. Websites like www.napster.com allow
free MP3 downloads if you have MP3 players from select
manufacturers. You can download directly to the player by using
the software provided by the website.

How to play a MP3 audio file?

To play a MP3 audio you need separate players whether it is
software or a physical player that can be carried. MP3 software
players are used in your PC to play MP3 audio. Physical players
from many branded manufacturers are available in the market to
play these MP3 audio files.

MP3 Ringtones

With the advent of the mobile phones, it has become a fashion to
make your mobile call you with your favorite songs as Ringtones.
Youngsters particularly teenagers are more interested in using
Ringtones of the songs they like. This has picked up in such a
manner that MP3 Ringtones are now being sold in websites. Many
websites sell Ringtones in the MP3 format. The mobile you are
using should be capable of playing the Ringtones in the MP3 format
to use these MP3 Ringtones. These websites provide you with an
interface to select the model of the mobile phone you have and
then download MP3 Ringtones that suit your mobile phone model.

About the author:
For more information, visit the MP3 Info Center at http://www.mp3infocenter.com

David Chandler
For your FREE Stock Market Trading Mini Course:
"What The Wall Street Hot Shots Won't Tell You!" go to: http://www.stockmarketgenie.com

MP3 Encoding Technology

2008-12-01T19:31:00.001-08:00

by: Mansi gupta
The MP3 is a complete godsend for anyone who enjoys and appreciates good music. Not only does it afford users the convenience of purchasing music online and ripping from purchased CDs, it also provides the utmost ease in portability. There are more MP3 players on the market than I can name.

These players allow you to download hundreds and in some cases thousands of MP3’s to take along with you anywhere. I create MP3 CD’s containing up to 120 of my favorite songs for my listening pleasure in my car. But how can so many audio files get stored on my 800MB (Megabyte) CD?

MP3 Encoders and MP3 converters are the software that creates MP3s by using an MP3 compression and decompression algorithm. For example, an average 3 minute WAV file can be as large as 15MB. Using MP3 encoders and MP3 converters, a large WAV file can be cut down to a much smaller and more portable MP3 file of about 3MB.

MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer 3. At layer 3, psychoacoustics principles are used to find and remove all unnecessary sound data, leaving behind only the crucial audio data. By unnecessary sound data I mean all of the stuff that we humans don’t hear anyway. Most people can’t hear sounds above 16 kHz so why would you want it hogging your disk or hard drive space? Non-music audio such as speeches, sermons, audio books and comedy albums, can be reduced even less based on this.

Compression occurs after the essential data has been separated from the redundant data. At this stage, the same amount of data can be stored using fewer bits and less space. The bit rate is the ratio of the number of bits transferred between two devices per second. The higher the bit rate, the higher the sound quality. The lower the bit rate ratio, the lower the sound quality. 192 Kb/s is the most popular bit rate used in peer-to-peer networks. For the most part, MP3 converters and encoders today use variable bit rates. This allows for much better quality audio because the bit rate conforms to the dynamics of the audio frames being stored which in turn keeps more of the important music data.

There are dozens of MP3 compressor and encoder software programs available online and at stores. Some of the main encoding engines are: LAME, Blade Enc, Fraunhofer Encoders and Xing. Deciding which MP3 encoding engine technology is right for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Blaze Media Pro is an excellent option if you're looking for a powerful, yet easy to use, all-in-one multimedia solution.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about MP3 encoder. Learn more at http://www.blazemp.com/downloads.html

MP3 Players under fire in US and European courtrooms

2008-12-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

by: Paolo d'Amato
ALEXANDRIA, Va. & TURIN, Italy - Oct., 2005 - Audio MPEG, Inc. and Sisvel, S.p.A. announced that Thomson S.A. and a number of its subsidiaries have been sued in the United States and Europe for infringement of several MPEG Audio patents by its MP3 players and digital set-top boxes.

This patented technology was developed and is owned by France Telecom, TDF (Telediffusion De France), Philips, and IRT (Institut fur Rundfunktechnik GmbH). The patents are essential to the MPEG audio compression standard used worldwide in MP3 players, TV set top boxes, digital television broadcasting, and an increasing number of consumer electronics products.

The lawsuits were filed by Sisvel S.p.A. and Audio MPEG, Inc., who have the right to license the patents. Litigations for patent infringement against Thomson are now pending and progressing in Alexandria - Virginia, Mannheim - Germany, and Milan - Italy. In this process, thousands of Thomson MP3 products have been detained by the customs authorities in Germany and continue to be detained by customs following a preliminary injunction issued by the Mannheim Court in Germany.

According to the complaints, Thomson markets and sells MP3 players, TV set top boxes, DVD players, and CD players using MPEG audio compression covered by the patents of France Telecom, TDF, Philips, and IRT, without a current license to practice those inventions. Over 250 companies are licensed under these patents and are paying royalties. Until recently, Thomson was also licensed, but failed to renew their license in 2005.

The lawsuits seek royalties for past infringement, punitive damages for willful infringement, attorney’s fees, and injunctions to permanently prohibit Thomson from selling MP3 players, TV set top boxes, DVD players, and CD players using MPEG audio compression.

"By refusing to renew their license under the MPEG Audio patents, Thomson has ignored its duty to respect intellectual property of third parties. This led to the seizure of its products by the Customs Authorities and made lawsuits necessary in both the United States and Europe," said Gen. Richard I. Neal, President of Audio MPEG, Inc. "Thomson's failure to take a license is not only unfair to the owners and the inventors of the patents, whose efforts and research have made this technology possible, but also to the over 250 competitors of Thomson who are meeting their intellectual property obligations as licensees under these patents. Our actions both in the United States and overseas are all about accountability and responsibility."

According to John Paul, a partner in the law firm of Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP, "The US litigation against Thomson is pending in one of the fastest moving Federal trial courts in the United States, a court known as the "rocket docket." Litigation in the US is focused on getting all of the facts out in the open and that process consumes a tremendous amount of time, energy, and expense. In the rocket docket the consumption of these resources is even more intense because the court requires that the litigation must be completed much faster than in other courts."

Who are Sisvel and Audio MPEG?

Società Italiana per lo Sviluppo dell'Elettronica S.p.A (Sisvel) is a patent management company that has become a leader in its field with offices in Turin, Milan, and Hong Kong. It has the rights to license a number of patent portfolios, including the non-US patents in a portfolio relating to MPEG audio compression. Originally established in 1982 as a joint venture by the Italian television producers, it later acquired the entire patent portfolio of Indesit and conducted a number of successful licensing programs in various fields of consumer electronics.

Audio MPEG, Inc. is a patent management company, located in Alexandria, Virginia. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sisvel and has the rights to license the US patents in a portfolio relating to MPEG audio compression.

About the author:
For more information about Sisvel S.p.A and Audio MPEG, Inc. please visit the following websites: http://www.sisvel.itand http://www.audiompeg.com

MP4 players - the next big thing?

2008-12-01T19:29:00.002-08:00

by: Tom
MP4 players, also called personal video players or multimedia players, are portable devices that play MP4 video files. They play movies using the mp4 file format/standard. Could they become the next big consumer gadget?

For a long time now, MP3 players have been one of the hottest selling portable music players on the market. They have changed the way we make, listen to and store music. These players use the mp3 file format (mpeg 1 layer 111).

MP4 has been heralded by some as the next big thing. This is because of the versatility and quality of the MP4 file. MP4 stands for MPEG 4. This format can be used for video and audio and it produces a very high quality sound and picture. It can be used with many wireless devices.

MP4 players play video using this file format. Many can record from a tv or dvd player or even from the internet and then play back the video or movie at the users convenience. Some can store pictures as well. A good mp4 player will come with a decent amount of memory to store the sometimes large mp4 files. They are priced around $200-300.

Though they are gaining popularity, it remains to be seen if they will one day be as well known as the super famous mp3 player.

About the author:
Learn more about the MP4 Player.

Music For A Better Life

2008-12-01T19:29:00.001-08:00

by: Steve Gillman
Would you like to pop in a CD and have a better quality of life, and even self improvement? There are three ways you can use music to accomplish this.

Music For Motivation

Put on energetic music, and even doing housework seems less like work. Using music to motivate yourself or change your mood is an area where you can trust your experience and experimentation.

When you find the msic that energizes you, relaxes you, or makes you happy, keep it ready for when you need it.

Music For Intelligence

Music creates neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies show that music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. In one study, three-year-olds were split into two groups. The first had no special training in, or exposure to music. The second group studied piano and sang daily in chorus.

Eight months later the musical three-year-olds were much better at solving puzzles. They also scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the other group. There's also anectdotal evidence that listening to music, especially from Mozart's era, can help you study and learn better.

Hopefully there will be more research. In the meantime there's no reason not to do your own experimentation. I've heard that Stephen King writes with loud rock music playing, so the benefits of music may be according to your own tastes or brain-organization.

Music For Brainwave Entrainment

Want to listen to some music, and get smarter, or have instant easy meditation? There are products now that "entrain" your brainwaves, in order to put you in a meditative state. Music is embedded with beats and pulses that entrain your brain waves to a specific frequency. Put in the right CD or MP3 for your activity, and you get better brain function. Science? Partly.

Brain wave frequencies vary with mental state. Daydreaming and light meditation take place in the "Alpha" range of frequencies, for example. So if you listen to music containing beats at a frequency of 10 Hz you will generate more brainwaves at a 10 Hz frequency and enter a relaxed Alpha mental state. Do these things really work?

Yes. I've found two products that put me in a peaceful state unlike any other music or meditative practice. Studies will prove the effects (some have already), and disprove the wilder claims. Given my results, however, I wouldn't wait for more research. Many things work long before the scientific proof arrives.

If you are skeptical, you can wait for more evidence of the benefits of brainwave entrainment. Meanwhile, why not try classical music when you study, just to see if it helps? Experiment with music - Mozart isn't dangerous.

About the author:
Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning gratitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You'll find more at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

Music software 101

2008-12-01T19:27:00.002-08:00

by: Mansi gupta
Which Music Software Programs Fit Your Needs?

Want to find out how to listen to all your favorite songs whenever you want? If so, you’ll want to learn more about music software and how you can install some programs onto your computer. Here are some descriptions of some basic music software programs you will want to learn more about:

CD Ripper

A CD Ripper program allows you to convert tracks from a compact disc to your mp3 player, or onto your computer. You can make your own mp3s from audio CDs, so that you make your own song selections. You can also convert batches of WAV decoded files at a time to mp3 files on the CD Ripper, and if you want to download this program onto your computer, you’ll need to have Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or 2000, and a CD-ROM drive. For most CD Ripper programs, you can try a free download first before purchasing the product.

Audio Editors

If you are into recording and creating your own music, an audio editor program may be a good investment. An audio editor program allows you to save your own studio sessions or songs to modify later. Most include a metronome (to keep music and vocals in rhythm) and an audio mixer. The mixer allows you to adjust different music track settings like tone, pitch or volume. On some programs you can even ‘beat match’ between tracks, thus allowing for a smoother transition between songs. One audio editing program you may want to try is Blaze Media Pro, a program which is also a CD burner and converter. And, if you’re recording a large file, most audio editors will be able to support your files with no problem at all. If you are using a multi-track editor, one thing to keep in mind is whether your sound card and memory capabilities are up to the task of handling large volumes of songs,.

Although most audio editor programs are commercial (and not freeware) and have a standard price tag, you can receive free trials for audio editor programs as well. Be aware of the memory and sound card requirements as designated by the company who produces the software. Depending on who makes the software, it may be available for Windows XP, Windows 98, ME, 2000 and even Mac OSX.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about music software. Learn more at http://www.blazemp.com/music_software.htm

Nothing But Country Music Downloads

2008-12-01T19:27:00.001-08:00

by: Jeff Schuman
Listening to country music’s greatest hits could never be easier
than it is today. All of the greatest country music songs and
today’s hottest hits are all but a couple clicks away from you.
No more having to go out and buy the CD or waiting to hear it on
the radio.

Now, with the help of this article, you’ll be able
to find which sites provide the best country music downloads
with the easiest access for you.

Don’t you hate it when you’re excited about a new CD that’s
coming out, then you buy it and there are only a couple good of
songs? With music downloads you no longer have to go through
this grueling process anymore as you can simply select the songs
or artists that interest you most and make a collaboration of
your favorite country music downloads.

At MSN Music you can find everything country that will satisfy
your needs. One of the many things they offer is the current
top selling albums such as Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban’s Be Here,
and Brooks and Dunn Greatest hits, plus many more. For a low
price of $.99 per song you can download all of the top selling
songs including alcohol by Brad Paisley, Keith Urban’s Days Go
By, Who You’d Be Today by Keney Chesney, and Hundreds more. If
that’s not enough for you, then click under the artists in
demand link and view the top 100 country music artists in demand
and view all of their accessible songs to download. All this
and more can be found here:

http://music.msn.com/genre/?genre=29441771

Another site that is very much worth mentioning is MP3.com. Here
you can find not only country music downloads, but also watch
videos of an assortment of artists. This site helps you find a
certain artist or song very quickly making it convenient. If
you simply want to browse through a certain kind of country,
they have different songs broken into different country styles
such as alternative country, country-pop, honky tonk and more.

On the side of the main page they have classic country
essentials such as Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Charlie Rich and
more. As with MSN Music, you can search by artist or song to
help find what you need quicker. Also similar to MSN Music is
the price per song at $.99. This site can be viewed here:

http://www.mp3.com/country/genre/10/summary.html

There are sites out there that allow you to get country music
downloads for “free”, but be careful with these sites. Many of
these sites say they’re free, but will sucker you into buying
other things or somehow get you signed up for buying CD’s and
more. For instance, http://www.ez-tracks.com makes you sign up
first by submitting your name, address, phone number, and more
information.

Another site found at http://www.mpfree.com has you go through
several steps to sign up. Included in the steps is personal
information such as name and address, you have to set up an
account with a password, then there are two or three pages of
advertisements that you have to go through and select if you’re
interested or not.

So while it may seem cheaper and worth the time to attempt to
find country music downloads for free, you may want to
investigate and try some things out before going into that.

There are millions of sites out there offering country music
downloads and they’re all waiting for you. I have provided a
few of the better sites in my opinion to get you started. Now
it’s your turn to go and begin putting together a list of your
favorite country music songs.

About the author:
Best MP3 Music Downloads is a site that contains information, articles, and resources on all genres and styles of music. You can download music and videos, and find links to the best places to download music here:
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Now Anyone Can Learn How To Play Guitar Easily And Effortlessly.

2008-12-01T19:26:00.000-08:00

by: Saso V.
The most important thing to know when learning how to play guitar is practice! When learning new things by doing the work, simple. By saying that, it is by playing guitar, not pulling the strings with no reason at all. And when practicing,

there is one thing one should never do and that is to never ever do it in a rush, but to take time and the results are guaranteed to come.

The next important thing is to get organized while learning new stuff. To start at the beginning and start playing simple chords and stuff like that. When playing guitar, it is recoemmended to remain as relaxed as possible, relieving the tension off. The tension in the body prevents from playing correctly and this is the wrong way.

Practicing every single day, if that is possible, and never quit for a longer period of time is important too. This is not the way to learn how to play guitar, it does no good for playing. So, getting habitual at playing guitar is the way to go.

The other important thing, when learning how to play guitar is to play the favorite music. When playing guitar, using a metronome is actually a must. It can and will improve timing and make playing sound better for sure. When finding a problem, it is recommended to overcome that problem first and only then going on to the next one. When becoming persistent and learning how to play guitar the right way, the results come quickly and playing gets better and better.

About the author:
An excellent guitar playing teacher showing how to play guitar the right way in no time, when doing things correctly from the start.

Out of Chaos Comes Great Opportunity for Music

2008-12-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

by: Chuck Brown
Recent upheaval has affected the major record labels, powered by economic fluctuation, the MP3 revolution, online music piracy, home recording technologies and the amazing growth of the personalized listening experience (iPods, etc). Radio is losing its dominance as well...

and is now just one of many forces that influence whose music one listens to. In fact, personal referrals from friends is just about the only force that remains unfazed by changes in technology... and, in fact, it's probably more important than ever.

This is great news for independent musicians (also known as "indies"). Anyone can make an album these days, and anyone can afford a web site... allowing them to take their music directly to their potential audience without interference from managers and labels. As a result, more and more talented and inspired artists are writing songs, recording albums and trotting their music out before live audiences.

Most of these artists have also discovered that it helps to make some of their music available for free (and legal) MP3 download. By picking a good, strong song or two and putting it on their web site (or another site devoted exclusively to free music downloads), these songs become evangelistic forces for their music... working for them 24/7/365. MP3 music is not hindered by geographical boundaries or time zones. In many cases (especially instrumentals), it's unaffected by language differences as well. And it's no longer even slightly unusual for an artist to record a song in their little bedroom studio and post it online... while someone downloads it and is listening to it in their car or bedroom on the other side of the world just a matter of hours later!

Of course, there's still a lot of mediocre (and even downright BAD) music out there. This is where the power of personal referral really kicks in. When someone discovers some music that really turns them on, and then shares it with their friends... the cream truly rises to the top. If they go a step further and purchase an album or pay to download more MP3 tracks, the artist is encouraged and can afford to put more time into honing their skills and creating new music. The good stuff thrives and the mediocre stuff dies off.

So...help independent music succeed. Support quality where you find it. Share it with your friends. Pick up a copy of their CD or pay to download more songs. Catch the artist in concert when you can. Send them an email telling them how much their music means to you. Everyone wins when we actively support great music!

About the author:
Chuck Brown is the webmaster of the Free Music Group, which offers a bunch of free MP3 downloads from gifted artists in genres such as children's music, solo piano, acoustic guitar, holiday music and Christian music. He also created The Free Music Directory, which offers free links to artist sites with at least one free and legal MP3 download available. And he's released several albums of his original compositions, available at HealingPiano.com, TheChuckleberries.com and GraceProjectMusic.com.

Reliving The Music Of The Seventies

2008-12-01T19:24:00.000-08:00

by: Wendy Yeager
We all associate songs and music with events in our life. Many songs hold special memories for us. We fondly remember the songs that were playing when we went to our first dance, the songs the school band attempted to play during half time at the high school football games, the songs that we heard on our first date,

or the songs we heard on the radio while driving our first car.

The music of the 1970’s is probably the most impressive and most recognized of any era. The artists of the 1970’s provided us with numerous songs we loved to dance to and sing along with. At that time most bands actually played their own instruments and didn’t need to sequence part of it.

Remember how we used to listen to the music then? At first we had eight track players in our cars, then we moved upward to cassette players. Vinyl records were the most popular way to listen to our favorite music. Every week you could go to your local variety or record store and pick up the new #1 song on a 45 record for under $1.00. Of course, there was always the radio to listen to - most of the popular channels were on am radio. We had many styles of music to listen to, including the bubble gum music of David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, soft rock of Barry Manilow, the great dance tunes of the Bee Gees and the Commodores, rock of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, the brass band sounds of Chicago, or the disco beat of Chic and Donna Summers.

The nostalgia of the 1970’s music lives on today. We can listen to it on our local 70's’radio station, on cds, on mp3, download it on our computer, and burn it onto cds. For those of us who prefer records, we can still purchase them at record stores, antique or second hand stores, or yard sales. Of course, many of us have held on to our own record collections and record players and can pull them out at any time when we need to relive those nostalgic days of the 1970’s. Some bands are still performing after more than 30 years. There’s nothing like seeing your favorite 1970’s performers live in concert!

The music of the 1970’s is still popular with people of all ages – not just those who grew up with it. It never grows old. It only gets better with each passing decade.

About the author:
Published by: Wendy Yeager
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/music

Satellite Radio: Subscription Costs

2008-12-01T19:02:00.001-08:00

by: Scott fish
XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio subscription costs vary and are changing though recent promotions.

XM Satellite Radio Subscription

If you agree to a commitment ranging from two to five years and prepay you can lower your effective monthly charge to as low as

$7.48.

XM Satellite Radio Subscription costs are a monthly service where the charge is $9.99.

Adding up to four additional receivers only costs $6.99 each, per month. Certain special channels cost a little more for your satellite radio subscription cost, for example, Playboy Radio, a premium service, is an additional $2.99 per month. Commercial and Business subscriptions cost $24.99 per month. Business subscriptions are a little more expensive due to additional royalties that must be paid when potentially more people are listening to the station.

Sirius Satellite Radio Subscription

Sirius Satellite radio subscription costs are a monthly service where the charge is $12.95. With a year or 2 year commitment, Sirius offers lower monthly rates.

Check out this hot deal going on right now! For $499.99, your radio is live for life! Sirius is currently offering a pretty good deal on a lifetime subscription that is radio-attached.

With Sirius you can activate as many as three additional radios for $6.99 each per month. Business subscriptions are $24.99 per month.

Satellite radio subscription cost is based on the number of stations that you have access to any the amount of extras that you add. Adding special services can increase your satellite radio subscription.

About the author:

Scott fish is the Owner of http://www.TopSatelliteRadio.com

Top Satellite Radio is a resource for consumers seeking the history and facts about satellite radio. We also sell electronics related to Satellite Radio. Quick Access: http://www.TopSatRadio.com

Satellite Radio: The Waves Of The Future?

2008-12-01T18:59:00.002-08:00

by: Scott fish
Satellite Radio – Its here! Satellite radio is a new service being offered by two companies, XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio. Both companies are offering over 100 channels of streaming music and entertainment. High quality sound is achieved through the use of satellites orbiting high above

. Satellite radio is commercial free and free from regulations by federal committees. The impossible, is now possible, hearing the same radio station across North America and from coast to coast. All made possible by XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio.

Normal radio has been around for decades and is part of many people’s lifestyle. This is changing. Regular radio is monitored and regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, whom has fined several radio stations and media companies within the last 3-4 years. The FCC has only fined radio stations a maximum of $27,500 per show no matter how man profanities were aired.

Recently the FCC has been upping the ante and in conjunction with Congress has decided to raise the fine up to $500,000 per incident per station (Potter). A slap on the wrist has turned into a business-changing event. “Sexually explicit comments by Bubba the Love Sponge and Howard Stern could get a station in trouble — no doubt about it. Clear Channel Radio dropped both shock jocks this year after being hit with record fines.”(Potter) Recently Howard Stern has made a move to Sirius Satellite Radio in an effort to preserve his career and free speech. Consumers are reaching towards satellite radio as a way to hear unregulated news and content.

Recently XM Satellite Radio has claimed to have over 3 million subscribers paying $9.99 per month and Sirius claims to have over 1.3 million customers paying $12.95 per month. Many of those customers pay an additional $2.99 per month for premium content such as the upcoming Howard Stern Show. Several normal radio stations and media outlets are realizing the potential to get their message across in a broad fashion. XM has launched a morning show, which is hosted by Bob Edwards, whom was fired earlier this year by National Public Radio. "The Bob Edwards Show" will air on a public satellite radio channel that also features news and programs from Public Radio International, among others. Sirius has its own public radio channel carrying NPR programs. Consumers and companies are demanding free speech and it seems that satellite radio is the vehicle.

XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio have designed satellite broadcast systems that differ but they achieve the same high quality of satellite radio. A milestone of this success is the fact that satellite radio signals that are available across the United States and into Mexico and Canada. Rock and Roll – No it’s not a genre any more! XM Satellite Radio has two satellites named Rock and Roll, which remain in parallel geostationary orbit to provide radio coverage throughout the United States. Sirius Satellite Radio has chose to use three satellites in an inclined elliptical orbit. This configuration provides 16 hours per satellite of signal, which gives a great redundancy if any satellite were to fail. Playing it smart, Sirius and XM both have spare satellites, which can be called on in a moments notice if needed.

XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio have Earth based broadcast stations that are used to send up information to the satellites, which is then dispersed through out the globe. Sirius and XM both have disk jockeys that manage, create and program music which is then sent up to the satellites. The information is then taken in by the satellites and sent through a rebroadcast of the streams to earth. The Major advantage of this is that, unlike earth-based radio stations whose signals reach listeners 150 miles away, satellite radio signals have a huge reach, and are receivable anywhere within the continental United States and hundreds of miles in each direction of the borders. Satellite Radio is growing to become a worldwide network and offerings are growing throughout the world. XM satellite radio and Sirius satellite radio are making it happen.

Unregulated Satellite Radio is the answer for free speech in a government regulated airwaves arena. Not only can listeners hear unbiased information but also they can listen to it anywhere in the United States. Media giants are jumping to get the piece of the pie regarding satellite radio, as the new wave of the future is satellite radio.

About the author:

Scott fish is the Owner of http://www.TopSatelliteRadio.com

Top Satellite Radio is a resource for consumers seeking the history and facts about satellite radio. We also sell electronics related to Satellite Radio. Quick Access: http://www.TopSatRadio.com

The Dark Side of P2P File Sharing

2008-12-01T18:59:00.001-08:00

by: Bill Paulk
P2P file sharing programs are free. Period. But there are P2P scam sites out there that want you to pay them instead. P2P scam sites are rogue companies that have set up shop to fleece unsuspecting music downloaders looking for file sharing programs by charging a fee for an otherwise free service.

No P2P file sharing software costs money. Exceptions would be a site asking members to make a monetary donation to help pay for bandwidth, hosting costs, and other administrative costs.

Some P2P file sharing programs offer "pro" versions of their free software. But again, their basic service is free to the public. I want you to fully understand this, because paying a P2P scam site money can not only make your wallet a bit lighter, it can also make your computer vulnerable to dangerous spyware.

That's right. These scam sites are only interested in making money off you. As well as actually taking your money by fooling you into paying them, they'll make money off you by installing spyware on your PC, so that they can get paid by sharing your online habits and personal information with others.

For music download beginners, all of this can be very confusing. Why? Because these scam sites advertise all over the Internet. Search engines return results chockful of these scams alongside the real P2P file sharing programs; their banner ads riddle the Internet landscape; sites are promoting these scams to get their piece of your money.

Most real P2P programs don't advertise much on the Internet. The reason is that they're not money makers. It takes money to advertise, and who has more money--the free P2P file sharing programs or the scam artists? You guessed it. P2P relies on word of mouth. The scam sites rely primarily on advertising.

How Can I Tell a P2P Scam Site?
This is the easy part, if you know what you're looking for. P2P scam sites often use phrases like 100% Legal, which is absolutely untrue. This is a trick they use to prey on people interested in P2P file sharing programs, but who are worried (rightly) about Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) lawsuits. Keep in mind that sharing and downloading of copyrighted files is, at this moment, an illegal activity.

Another tactic is to use fake endorsements and recommendations from legitimate companies. Other cons are to use phrases like Direct Downloads!, Get Access Now!, Download Unlimited Free Music!, and other phrases that are promising you things they absolutely CANNOT deliver.

How Does It Work & How are They Doing It?
To be honest, I do not know the ins and outs of P2P scam sites. But I know this: all P2P file sharing programs are free. Think about it a moment. It is because music files are being shared free of charge (without artists receiving royalties) that organizations like the RIAA are mad and suing.

These P2P scam sites are merely taking your money, downloading a little spyware to your PC, then connecting you to one of the real P2P file sharing programs.

This is all convoluted by the nature of P2P, which is a series of servers networking files to one another. Unless you're buying your music MP3 downloads from a legitimate company, either per song/album or through a monthly subscription, you cannot be sure where your music is coming from.

The legal status of P2P file sharing programs is confusing. We know that MP3 files themselves are not illegal. For example, it's legal to possess MP3s, to rip your CDs to your hard drive, and to burn CDs for your personal use. But, by sharing and/or downloading these files, you are breaking copyright laws. To my knowledge, P2P scam sites are not actually breaking any laws. But why pay for something you don't have to?

One of the most common techniques these scam artists use is to set up sites that are misspellings or derivations of popular P2P file sharing programs. KaZaA is probably the most hijacked name being used these days.

Other sites may not actually charge you anything at all, but they'll "give you the software for free" if you give them your email address. This too is a scam. Because once again, they're just sending you along to a proper P2P program, but after collecting your email address, they're selling it to third parties. Don't give these scammers any of your personal information!

If you're on a website you trust, even this website, you may see ads by these scam artists, preaching their lies about 100% blah, blah, blah. For your own security, don't click on the links. They're still scams. (Many independent websites rely on ads to pay the bills. We don't always have full control over what advertisements appear on our sites. Keep in mind that most online advertisements are arranged and distributed by third-party companies who pair up advertisements with appropriate keywords. So a page that discusses "music downloads" is likely to have an ad from a scam site singing their own false praises.)

On this note, there are sites all over the Internet that actually promote P2P scam sites. Why? I have my opinions. First, these scam sites are paying large sums of money to affiliates who promote their sites. For example, a scam site may be charging you $29.95 for their non-service. Well, they're paying affiliates over half (I've seen the pay-out as high as 75%) of that just for getting you, the visitor, to their scam sites.

I Think I've Used One of these Scam Sites. What Do I Do Now?
Stop! Right now, stop using that service. If you've got some type of monthly payment with them, stop paying them. Cancel your "membership," contact your bank or credit card company, and stop paying them immediately! Secondly, your computer has probably have been infected by spyware, and you need to remove it right away. I recommend purchasing spyware-removal software like Pest Patrol because they do the best job at clearing out spyware parasites.

If you've been pulled into a scam site, just rack it up to experience. Their ad copy is very convincing, and you just wanted to "be legal" while downloading. Take heart in knowing that you're not alone. But you're better off now, with this information at your disposal.

In my opinion, this is another reason to consider not using P2P file sharing programs as a means to get your online music. I think that these P2P scam sites will increase in number, and will use more clever tactics to get your money and your information. Until the peer-to-peer communities are regulated in some way, I fear that these types of activities will get worse before they improve.

About the author:
A former financial advisor and NYC book editor, Bill Paulk blends these two experiences by helping people make sound buying decisions. His passion, building digital music collections through MP3 downloads, is the subject of his first website. At www.mp3-music-downloads-scout.comreaders can view MP3 tutorials, digital music service reviews, and articles discussing P2P file sharing. Find free MP3 sites and free media player information.

The Incredible Apple iPod - The World’s Most Innovative MP3 Player

2008-12-01T18:58:00.001-08:00

by: Jacco Noordhuizen
One of the greatest inventions of the 21st century is the iPod, made by apple. An iPod is a small portable, walkman-like mp3 player with a hard disk inside. Hard disk sizes vary but come up to 60 gigabyte. A 60 GB hard disk easily fits thousands of high quality full music albums.

Image having all your music at hand, no matter where you go!

Now let’s take a 60GB iPod photo, which has a lovely colour screen. It also allows you to store thousands of photos. It’s easy to use interface allows you to browse through your pictures at an impressive speed. You can connect the iPod photo to your television and use the slideshow. .Imagine what it’s like to always have say a months worth of non-stop music playing in your back pocket. Being able to play this music on your home or car stereo .Or through your headphones in the train or on your bicycle.

If you like an mp3 player at the size of a packet of chewing gum, the iPod Shuffle is the answer. At the moment they come in 512 MB or 1 GB size, and a 2 GB and 4 GB iPod shuffle have been announced. Don’t be fooled by its small size as it sounds just as impressive it’s bigger brothers. The iPod shuffle has no LCD display like the iPod, iPod mini and iPod Photo. The iPod mini is a smaller colourful version of the normal iPod and come in 4GB and 6GB at present.

Not only the iPod itself is fantastic, but there are literally tons of super cool accessories available for this device.

For instance, one accessory called Roadtrip, made by Griffin Technology, is a dock you can fit in your car. The dock has a built in FM transmitter and will send out the music being played by the iPod through an FM signal. My car radio picks up the signal and blasts it out my car speakers.. How cool is that?!! You simply get in your car, slot in your iPod and turn the ignition key and off you go. The Roadtrip draws its power from the cigarette lighter. It can also draw its power from USB. That way you can use it to route the sound of your computer to your home stereo.

Another accessory for instance is AirClick, a remote control for your iPod or iPod mini. You can even get card readers so you can transfer the photos from your digital camera directly to your iPod. How handy is it to have 60 GB of storage with you if you like photography?

Since I bought my iPod I have been enjoying music more than ever before! I would like to recommend it to any music lover, its well worth the money.

About the author:
iPodshoppers - Europe's leading iPod and accessory stores online
Please visit our website: http://www.ipodshoppers.com

"I love my iPod"

The Record Industry Continues Battle Against Free Music Downloads

2008-12-01T18:57:00.002-08:00

by: Tim Somers
Movie and record producers alike are saying file-sharing networks that permit its users the ability to make copies from other network member’s computers are infringing on the copyright laws and costing billions of dollars in lost revenue.

The recording industry claims to have lost 25% of it’s revenues since computer, so called thieves, have been using peer-to-peer file-sharing networks to obtain free music downloads.

The two latest file-sharing companies to be targeted by these copyright lawsuits are Grokster Ltd, known for its Grokster file-sharing software and StreamCast Networks Inc. from which the Morpheus free music downloading software is distributed.

Unlike Napster, Grokster and Morpheus put a spin on the popular file-sharing phenomenon. Instead of indexing the shared files like Napster did, these file-sharing products enables it’s network members to build their own indexes – thus allowing others within the network to download free music and movie files.

While some musicians are protesting they are being cheated by these illegal free music downloads – others are speaking out backing how music, movies, pictures and copy are being shared over the Internet.

Some music lovers actually use the file-sharing networks to check out an artists latest release before paying up to $18 for a CD that may only have one good song on it. You still will have those that will never make a purchase and continue to take advantage of the free music download networks.

Many file-sharing network users have said that using these networks is good for the music industry. File-sharing can bring listeners to smaller, independent bands that they may not otherwise hear on radio or in the mainstream.

With the likes of Apple’s iTunes store many have turned their backs on file-sharing networks paying 99 cents per song – Apple claims to sell more than 1 millions songs everyday. Although iTunes is limited still, thus giving file sharing networks a void to fill the unlimited access to music and movies that may otherwise not be able from iTunes.

In late 2003 record companies started suing individuals that were downloading free music. With file-sharing networks like Grokster and Morpheus it will be much harder for the recording industry to track down files that are uploaded by individual users.

With the Supreme Court now involved they are expected to make some type of ruling in June 2005 on what if any action should be taken against the makers of file-sharing network software.

The wrong decision could discourage the future development of products like the iPod or other file-sharing software programs that could be used for legal purposes.

Since Grokster and Morpheus do not monitor or have any knowledge of who or what is being downloaded, a federal judge in Los Angeles and the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the copyright infringement charges against both these file-sharing networks.

Based on the 1984 ruling of the Supreme Court that stated the use of Sony Betamax, which allowed users to make copies at home of copyrighted TV programs, was legal.

The recording industries angle last week was that the approach companies like Grokster and Morpheus are making by advertising their software will provide access to free copies of copyrighted materials should allow them to be sued and shut down.

While the jury may be out on this one for sometime – file sharing networks and free music downloads will continue with most users not really worrying about getting sued, since most do not download free music in excess of a few files per month.

Copyright 2005 - Tim Somers, 3G Enterprises, LLC

About the author:
MusicHoncho.com
Your Leader for free music downloads, MP3s, CDs, Music Movies and Electronics and many other music related products and services.
http://www.musichoncho.com

"Things Just Ain’t the Same": Hip-Hop’s Reconstruction of the Gangster Rap Identity

2008-12-01T18:57:00.001-08:00

by: Nathaniel Long
Gangster rap, or hardcore rap, is generally considered a sub genre of the larger category of rap music, which itself is a subcategory of hip-hop. Gangster rap is differentiable from other rap music in that it makes use of images of urban life associated with crime (Haugen, 2).

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica definition of gangster rap, the top four images associated with the genre are violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity.

Gangster Rappers as Defining the Hip-Hop Social Group
As the hip-hop movement has gained recognition throughout the United States, it has established itself as one of the fastest growing social groups anywhere. In the late 1990s immediately following the murders of both Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace, two nationally known gangster rappers, a propaganda campaign escalated against rap music and the hip-hop culture (Slaughter). Although gangster rap only represented a small percentage of the hip-hop culture at the time, all hip-hop and rap music was instantly stereotyped negatively as being “gangter-like”. Why? Well, this gangster version of hip-hop was the highest selling and most recognized form of hip-hop music among the majority class. And many critics have determined that this is because America is in love with sex, drugs and violence (Whaley).

Hip-Hop’s Rejection of Inferior Social Group Status
Henri Tajfel, a social psychologist who developed a theory of inter-group relations and social change, argues that members of a social group deemed inferior by a majority class can either accept or reject their inferior position in society. If a group refuses to accept its inferior position in society as just, it will attempt as a group to change things (Coates, 8-9). A large number of hip-hop artists have used their musical lyrics to reject the inferior social status placed upon them by the majority class.

The Reconstruction of the Gangster Identity
I have found that hip-hop artists use lyrics, both musical and poetic, to redefine the negatives characteristics given to their culture by the majority class, and in the process, reconstruct the gangster identity. By examining these hip-hop and gangster rap lyrics as text, I will show ways in which the lyrics attempt to reconstruct the stereotyped gangster rap identity by examining different views of violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity. In the end, one tends to wonder: Who exactly are the real gangsters?

Violence
That the hip-hop culture represents gangster-like violence is perhaps the biggest disputed claim amongst hip-hop artists. In order to disprove this claim, many hip-hop artists have pointed to the violence that exists within the majority social group, and how it leads to violence all over the world.
In “Violence”, 2 Pac demonstrates his belief that violence was prevalent long before gangster rap existed:

I told em fight back, attack on society
If this is violence, then violent's what I gotta be
If you investigate you'll find out where it's comin’ from
Look through our history, America's the violent one

Here, the poet points to American society as “the violent one” and that he has to be violent in order to “fight back.”

In “Who Knew”, Eminem showed a similar viewpoint by expressing his belief that violence is a common occurrence in American society, yet not challenged in genres outside of the urban environment:

So who's bringin’ the guns in this country?
I couldn't sneak a plastic pellet gun through customs over in London
And last week, I seen a Schwarzaneggar movie
Where he's shootin’ all sorts of these bad guys with an Uzi

Here, the poet questions the existence of violence in a country that allows firearms and violent movies.

In “Casualties of War”, Rakim blames the United States government, specifically its Head of State, as the group causing the violence in society with their war-like ways:

I'ma get back to New York in one piece
But I'm bent in the sand that is hot as the city streets
Sky lights up like fireworks blind me
Bullets, whistlin’ over my head remind me...
President Bush said attack
Flashback to Nam, I might not make it back

In this text, the poet refers to our country’s decision to go to war as an example of the violence that exists amongst the majority social class.

In “The Watcher”, Dr. Dre redefines the negative characteristic of violence by pointing to the police force as the source of violence, and therefore, referring to them as “gangster-like”:

Things just ain't the same for gangstas
Cops is anxious to put people in handcuffs
They wanna hang us, see us dead or enslave us
Keep us trapped in the same place we raised in
Then they wonder why we act so outrageous
Run around stressed out and pull out gauges
Cause everytime you let the animal out cages
It's dangerous, to people who look like strangers

Here, the poet accuses the majority class of keeping them “trapped in the same place we raised in” and that the perceived violence is only due to the introduction of “people who look like strangers.”

These are examples of how hip-hop artists redefine the image of violence by showing how it exists or was created within the majority social group.

Drugs
Another common disputed stereotype of hip-hop artists is their use and distribution of illegal drugs. In attempts to redefine this negative characteristic, many hip-hop artists have pointed at the majority social group as the facilitator of drug abuse.

In “Justify My Thug”, Jay-Z speaks directly to members of government, raising questions about who has made the availability and use of these drugs possible:

Mr. President, there's drugs in our residence
Tell me what you want me to do, come break bread with us
Mr. Governor, I swear there's a cover up
Every other corner there's a liquor store - what is up?

In this example, the poet inquires as to why there is a liquor store in “every other corner” of his community.

In “I Want to Talk to You”, Nas uses the same approach to challenge the notion of drug distribution by asking his representatives what they would do in his situation:

Why y'all made it so hard, damn
People gotta go create their own job
Mr. Mayo,r imagine if this was your backyard
Mr. Governo,r imagine if it was your kids that starved
Imagine your kids gotta sling crack to survive

Here, the poet claims that the distribution of drugs is not only an effect of the poverty that exists in his environment, but also a means of survival.

In “Manifesto”, Talib Kweli actually accuses the government of being the body which allows drugs into the country:

Like the C.I.A. be bringin’ in crack cocaine bailin’ out of planes
With the George Bush connections, I push Reflection
Like I'm sellin’ izm, like a dealer buildin’ the system
Supply and the demand it's all capitalism
People don't sell crack cause they like to see blacks smoke
People sell crack cause they broke

In this example, the poet accuses the C.I.A. of flying drugs into the country, and again reiterates the point that it is a means of survival due to the “supply and demand” of a capitalist society.

In “Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangster”, the Geto Boys fully redefine the negative characteristic of drug distribution by accusing the President of being a drug dealer, and therefore, a gangster:

And now, a word from the President!
Damn it feels good to be a gangsta
Getting’ voted into the White House
Everything lookin’ good to the people of the world
But the Mafia family is my boss
So every now and then I owe a favor gettin' down
Like lettin' a big drug shipment through
And send 'em to the poor community
So we can bust you know who

These examples show how hip-hop artists redefine the image of being drug dealers and users by again pointing to the majority class as the creator of the drug problem in this country.

Materialism
Hip-hop music is also seen by the majority class as a genre dominated by materialism. Again, artists point back to the majority class in an attempt to redefine this negative characteristic.

In “Respiration”, Black Star points to all the wealth surrounding urban areas, and how it absorbs the lower class in materialism, making them want parts of that wealth:

Where mercenaries is paid to trade hot stock tips
For profits, thirsty criminals take pockets
Hard knuckles on the second hands of workin’ class watches
Skyscrapers is colossus, the cost of living
Is preposterous, stay alive, you play or die, no options

Here, the poet talks about various materialistic aspects of the majority class, and how the lower class must “play or die” to “stay alive.”

In “All Falls Down”, Kanye West actually blames this materialism on American society:

It seems we living the American dream
But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem
The prettiest people do the ugliest things
For the road to riches and diamond rings

In this example, the poet blames the “American dream” for materialism, saying it causes people to “do the ugliest things” for “riches and diamond rings.”

In “Los Angeles Times”, Xzibit also blames this materialism on the majority class, claiming that is what the youth are taught coming up in urban environments:

Welcome to L.A.
Where you can see the whole city burning
Cause the cops got Uzis and the dealers keep serving
And your kids ain't learning it, except this
Sex power and wealth, forget everything else

Here, the poet expresses his belief that certain aspects of materialism, including “power and wealth” are taught to children through occurrences in society.

These are examples how hip-hop artists redefine the negative characteristic of being materialistic by showing examples of how this materialism is prevalent in the majority class, and often created within that class.

Sex
And the final debated stereotype of the hip-hop social class is that they are sexually promiscuous, often leading to disrespectful treatment towards women. The poets also attempt to redefine this stereotype by blaming the core of the problem on society.

In “Pussy Galore”, the Roots claim that the country’s obsession with sex is pushed by sexually-driven marketing campaigns:

Lookin' out the limo window up at the billboards
200 miles, she was the only thing I saw
Promotin' everything, from the liquor to the nicotine
Cell phones, anti-histamines, chicken wings
You gotta show a little skin to get them listening
For real yo, the world is a sex machine

In this example, the poet retells a personal experience in which he saw sex advertisements as “promotin’ everything.” And in order to “get them listening”, he claims, “you gotta show a little skin.”

In “Get By”, Talib Kweli blames this sexual obsession on what we view on television:

The TV got us reachin’ for stars
Not the ones between Venus and Mars,
The ones that be readin’ for parts
Some people get breast enhancements and penis enlargers

Here, the poet expresses his belief that television creates a misconception of what people should be sexually, and that contributes to the promiscuity that is being blamed on the hip-hop movement.

Hip-hop artists have used their lyrics and poetry to influence the rejection and reconstruction of the gangster identity that plagues their social class. This is accomplished through the redefining of negative characteristics assigned by the majority class. In most cases, these redefinitions include pointing to the majority class as the real holders of these negative characteristics. The redefining of these “gangster-like” images through hip-hop lyrics helps to reconstruct the gangster identity by questioning “gangster-like” behaviors and which social class actually has these behaviors. So the question presented is: Who exactly are the gangsters?

Works Cited / Discography
2 Pac. 2Pacalypse Now. Jive Records, 1991.
Black Star. Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star. Rawkus Records, 1998.
Coates, Jennifer. Women, Men and Language. Longman Publishing, New York: 1993.
Dr. Dre. The Chronic 2001. Interscope Records, 1999.
Eminem. The Marshall Mathers LP. Interscope Records, 2000.
Geto Boys. Uncut Dope LP. Interscope Records, 1999.
Haugen, Jason. “‘Unladylike Divas’: Language, Gender and Female Gangster Rappers.” Popular Music and Society: December, 2003.
Jay Z. The Black Album. Def Jam, 2003.
Kanye West. College Dropout. Roc-A-Fella Records, 2004.
Nas. I Am. Sony Records, 1999.
Rakim. Don’t Sweat the Technique. MCA Records, 1992.
Rawkus Records. Lyricist Lounge Volume 1. Priority Records, 1999.
Slaughter, Peter. “Attack on Rap Music.” Barutiwa Weekly News. June 14, 1997.
Talib Kweli & DJ Hi-Tek. Train of Thought. Rawkus Records, 2000.
Talib Kweli. Quality. Rawkus Records, 2003.
The Roots. Phrenology. MCA Records, 2002.
Whaley, Angela. “Hip Hop is Not for Sale.” Colorado State University’s Talking Back: Volume 3, Issue 1.
Xzibit. 40 Days and 40 Nights. Loud Records, 1998.

About the author:
Nathaniel Long is the creator and editor of Hip Hop Linguistics, a website dedicated to studying, interpreting and understanding hip-hop music, language, philosophy and culture. You can read more articles and reviews at http://www.hiphoplinguistics.com.

Video capture software for AVI and WMV

2008-12-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

by: Mansi gupta
In this age of computer technology access and manipulation of information at any point of time and in any form has become absolutely common. With invention of CD, Camcorder, MP3, digital cameras and many more gizmos like them access to audio and video files have become a commonplace affair for most of us.

Everyone just expect that if one has any sound track or any video clip they must be able to play and view it every time and at all places. But the problem is that these many diversified instruments each have their own format for storing the various audio and video clips.

It’s not certain that the audio CD that produced excellent sounds in the MP3 would perform equally well on the home theater system at the house. Problems eventually arise when you eagerly switch on the computer to view some of the pictures recorded on the handy cam or when you want to listen to some rare and favorite sound track on the computer. After all the endeavor to attach the cords and devices you find that all the efforts was to only find the computer display a message that it did not support the format in which information was supplied to it and hence could not do anything with the audio or video. Believe me its very frustrating when such incidents happen. Usually one has to just sit back, get frustrated with the technology and miss their very rare favorite sound track. One desperately wishes that if they had some thing in this world that could change the format of the file and make the file work on the device they had.

Blaze media pro is a perfect solution to all these problems and now you don’t have to miss viewing your much-loved pictures and hearing to the best of tracks just because the format in which they were stored was different. Blaze media pro is a blessing for a techno freak. Now none needs to pay a huge ransom to the technical experts for just changing formats of simply editing a little piece of information. All types of changes and inclusion or deletion of any part of the recording is only a click away. Blaze media pro has very exhaustive tutorial and extremely easy steps to perform all manipulations that are desired on video or audio files. It’s easy to follow steps enables even a novice to easily handle all the technicalities involved in the process.

Many software’s promise to provide an easy way to convert audio and video files from one format to another but with most of the services there’s a limit that they can only perform one specific task that they had assured. Now each time one requires a different type of format exchanging they have to rush and mess with another device. Blaze media pro brings an end to all these hurdles in the way to universal access of information. It offers an one stop venue for all the your digital requirements. What better can it get than, that it’s available free for trial for 15 days on net and can be downloaded easily.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about video capture. Learn more at http://www.blazemp.com/video_capture_software.htm

What are MP3 files and how do they work?

2008-12-01T18:55:00.002-08:00

by: Mike Yeager

MP3 music downoad.
If you have read How CDs Work, you understand how musical sounds can be turned into numbers and recorded on a CD. A CD stores music using 44,100 samples per second, 16 bits per sample and two channels (for stereo sound). This means that a CD stores about 10 million bytes

(megabytes) of data per minute of music on the CD. A three-minute song therefore requires 30 megabytes of data.

If you have ever tried to download files on the Internet, you know that 30 megabytes is huge. If you are using a modem to connect to the Internet, 30 megabytes of data would take several hours to download.

MPEG (The Moving Picture Experts Group) has developed compression systems used for video data. For example, DVD movies, HDTV broadcasts and DSS satellite systems use MPEG compression to fit video and movie data into smaller spaces. The MPEG compression system includes a subsystem to compress sound, called MPEG Audio Layer-3. We know it by its abbreviation, MP3.

MP3 can compress a song by a factor of 10 or 12 and still retain something close to CD quality. So a 30-megabyte sound file from a CD reduces to 3 megabytes or so in MP3. When you download the MP3 file and play it, it sounds almost as good as the original file. If you wanted to, you could download an MP3 file, expand it back to its original size and then record it on a writable CD so you can play it in a CD player. All that you are doing is converting back and forth between different formats to make downloading easier.

http://www.howstuffworks.com
About the author:

http://www.a1-music-download-4u.info/

Where To Download Music On The Internet

2008-12-01T18:55:00.001-08:00

by: Chris Fox
Virtually all of you have probably heard of the RIAA's quest to crush online music piracy. The illegal sharing of copyrighted songs via the MP3 format on top the Internet costs the music industry billions of dollars. This is conventionally done applying illegal file sharing programs like KaZaa and iMesh.

This article explores the legal ways to download and enjoy music from the Internet.

Method 1: Try out Free Music Sites

There are many free music websites which provide free music downloads. It is not the websites of your music pirates - it is completely legal. Do not expect to find full albums to download, particularly if the song is from a famous artist (only music pirate websites allow full album downloads). You'll only find a couple "teasers" intended to produce you wish to purchase the artists' Compact disc. Independent, less well-known artists are an exception - many of them will let you down their complete song catalog to promote themselves.

Just here are a couple of the free music websites which I personally recommend:

* AMPCAST.com

* Amazon.com Digital Music Downloads

* RollingStone.com

* ElectronicScene.com

* The Internet Underground Music Archive

Method 2: Purchase Music Online

An increasingly popular way to find and download music online is to head for legal online music services. The virtually all popular of these is the Apples iTune service. Now it will bring across 400,000 songs from all 5 major labels. Every song is available for a standard cost of ninety-nine cents every. Right here are the best online music services I have come across:

* EMusic.com

* iTunes

* MusicMatch Downloads

* Napster two.zero

* Rhapsody

* Weblisten.com

Conclusion

It's incredibly tempting to employ KaZaa and more file sharing programs to download music - however please do not. If you wrote a song and sold a Compact disc, would you be happy to see hundreds to thousands of people distributing that song for free? No. You do not have to break the law to find and download free MP3 music. There are many websites out there offering free music - you just want to find them.

About the author:
For more information on music downloads visit: http://www.bestmusicdownloads.ws

Where To Find Free Wedding Music Downloads!!

2008-12-01T18:52:00.002-08:00

by: Jeff Schuman
Do you have everything finalized for the wedding except for the
music? If you're one of those people then this is the article
for you to help determine where to find the music. No more
worrying about what song to play for the first dance,

or what
song to play during the father/bride dance. There are numerous
sites that have free wedding music downloads for each situation
during the ceremony and reception party.

When thinking of songs to play at a reception, people often
forget all of the events that occur during a reception. There
are certain songs that are best for cocktail hour or group dance
music and so on. It may not be the biggest deal in the world to
find a certain song for each situation, but it will definitely
help the party flow better if the songs coordinate with the
events.

At wedalert.com, you will find wedding music downloads for each
situation broken down into each category. As you click on a
category, it then brings up a list from A-Z on all the songs and
who they are by. You can watch a music video for some, download
the song, or even purchase certain ones on CD.

By going to this site,
http://www.wedalert.com/songs/cocktail/index.asp, you'll find
all the best wedding songs to keep the party running all night
long. Also on the site, there is a wedding music checklist
provided to make sure that you have a song for all the events
during the ceremony and reception. The great thing about this
site is that you can preview all the songs for free and decide
on which songs suite you best.

Most of the sites on the internet simply try to sell you their
products. There are many sites that allow you to preview
various songs and compile a list of your favorite songs. Then
after that, you can purchase songs individually or buy a whole
CD that has some of the classic wedding songs.

At Brilliant Wedding Pages, there is a list of approximately ten
sites that offer sound clips for wedding songs. This site
consists of links to the ten sites as well as a brief
description of what you will find at the sites. With the link
below, you can view all of these great websites and receive a
list of songs to be played at the joyous occasion:

http://www.bwedd.com/CEBride/CEBNewsletter_67.asp

Included in the list of sites is www.new-wedding-traditions.com
and www.amazon.com. At amazon.com you can simply type in a song
or artist that you're looking for. Or you can even type in a
few keywords such as wedding music, and you'll receive a list of
songs. The great thing about amazon.com is that this site
allows you to preview songs and find the ones you like, and then
save them to your computer after downloading them so you can
listen to them over and over. Then you can collect a list of
free wedding music downloads that fulfill your needs and make a
CD of your own.

Now that you have the tools to find the songs for you, start
searching so that you can be at peace knowing your wedding will
be filled with songs that you chose. There is no other
satisfaction then knowing that your wedding is the way that you
want it.

About the author:
Best MP3 Music Downloads is a site that contains information, articles, and resources on all genres and styles of music. You can download music and videos, and find links to the best places to download music here:
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Who is behind the iPod

2008-12-01T18:52:00.001-08:00

by: Eddie Miller
Apple Computers came out with their first computer on April 1, 1976. It was AppleI but this one did not go over very well, but when these two Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs, created Apple II, the computer became a success. Over the years they produced quality computers and computer accessories,

but began to notice less sales and public demand decreasing.

Then in October 2001, announced a non-computer product that would have them back on the top of charts once again. It was the iPod. The very first one, came with a large price tag but was a designed smart and was a great way to carry around your favorite tunes.

Apple iPod now creates some of the most popular iPod’s you can find all of which would be wonderful gifts for any occasion.

Apple has a variety of unique and original iPods to choose from and finding one that is perfect for you or a friend or even a family member will be as easy as browsing through their selection.

The iPod shuffle is one of the most unique iPods around. This is a flash MP3 player so it is great for anyone who is active and enjoys listening to music while jogging, rock climbing, or exercising. You will be listening to your own favorite tunes, but in a random order which is decided by the iPod. You never know which song will be coming up next. It can hold up to 240 songs and will play up to 3 hours of continuous music. Not only will you enjoy the great music and sound but you will also like the size. This cool iPod does not weigh any more than your car keys. Prices of the iPod Shuffle differ according to how many MB’s you prefer. For the 1GB iPod Shuffle you will find it for £99.00 and the 512MB is only £69.00.

About the author:
UK MP3 are the UK's foremost MP3 player shop and review site. We write accurate, unbiased reviews of all the MP3 players we stock, and have a large number of customer reviews, so you can be confident you know what you are getting when you buy your MP3 player

Xisco Poncé Jr. Releases Life Affirming Album Suite

2008-12-01T18:51:00.000-08:00

by: Barry Coffing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco, CA--October 17, 2005--Xisco Poncé Jr. was born in the Philippines, raised in Hawaii, lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, CA, and traveled around Europe, performing at an early age. After giving up a career and selling his house to record his full-length debut album,

a year and a half later in a Los Angeles studio, all of his hard work and sacrifice has reached its fruition. The album, titled Suite, was developed to be a concept of three suites consisting of major pieces of work in movements titled “Err,” “Tear” and “Calling.”

Xisco’s voice is like a cross between Seal and Sade but he adds a personal flare to his overall sound that gives him the uniqueness that makes Suite a great CD. With musicians that have played for Elton John, George Michael, Toni Braxton, Thomas Dolby and Mister Mister gracing the entire CD, Suite offers compelling and sparkling production values with crisp combinations of stinging rock guitar, beautiful melodies, and Xisco’s angelic phrasing. Even when the lyrics are serious and true to life, it all sounds beautiful.

The release of Suite is scheduled for 11/05 in a Limited Edition Digipack of 1,000 copies only, signed and numbered by the artist. It is now available from UE3 Records. Many media outlets are available online to listen to the music and interact with the artist. Digital distribution is planned for Christmas of this year with a street date of January 10, 2006 with all brand new artwork for the release.

Personal podcast on insight to his music and thoughts at:
Podcast Directory http://www.podcast.net/show/44959

Podcast Radio where Xisco’s music has been showcased at:
Indiefeed Electronica http://libsyn.com/media/indiefeed/indiefeed_xiscoponcejr_lingeron.mp3
My cup of Tea (Japanese) http://potaufeu.seesaa.net/article/4603488.html

Contact: Uprising Entertainment
Address: 322 Culver Blvd. #323, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Telephone: (425) 675-3440
E-mail: xiscoponcejr@mail.com
Fax: (831) 300-4030
Website: www.xiscoponcejr.com
CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/xiscoponcejr2

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

###

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites.
Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

The MusicForte concept

2008-11-24T01:26:00.000-08:00

is truly unprecedented and we would really love to have you with us on the success of this program. There is still plenty of time to join MusicForte as an OWL member, before corporate and leader campaigns get started in force. Remember, MusicForte is a brand new online program and as an OWL member you have the chance to get involved at the ground level.

But I'm not a musician, why should I join?

The earning potential for affiliates is tremendous for anyone, let alone for you being invited at the start as an OWL member! The interest response rate on this has been much higher than anything we've seen before. We're going to be able to recruit both people interested in earning with the affiliate program as well as musicians, music stores, music centers, radio stations and record companies. Members have already been getting high interest from folks in all of those categories!

You can earn very well in the 3x6 force fill matrix, over $4200 a month possible. You get $10 for every direct referral to the platinum plan to be an affiliate, another $10 for every upgrade and direct referral for the Musician Module, and another $10 for every upgrade and direct referral for the Customer Module. Then in addition to all that, you get a 5% commission on every single music project sale from referred Musicians and/or Customers in the state of the art reverse bidding system for music projects. We're also adding a member profit sharing plan on the compilation CD's that Music Forte will create and release containing our Musician members, all leading up to the plan to make Music Forte its own record label.

Join us now at http://www.musicforte.com/affiliate/owl

I am a musician, why should I join?

Musicians can post a page about themselves as well us uploaded samples to market yourself to the businesses, stations, customers and other musicians involved. You can submit songs for radio play time on the Music Forte Internet Radio station that will be going live. One of your songs could be selected to be included in the Music Forte compilation CD's we'll be releasing. You can bid on music projects that our Customer members will be posting, like a new jingle for their ad, a tune for their website, a band looking for a bass riff, etc. When the customer for the project selects you, you get paid for your music! Sell your old equipment through the Music Mart. You can collaborate or even form a band with fellow Musician members. Submit articles about music or your music stories for cash. You can also be paid well participating in the platinum plan as an affiliate too. Refer your musician contacts, drop flyers off about it at the club you play, drop cards off about it at the music store you frequent.

Join us now at http://www.musicforte.com/affiliate/owl

Music Forte is for Everyone!

Yes. It truly has a mass public appeal. Every platinum, musician and customer member also gets a subscription to Tracks Magazine included! And every member is offered unlimited 6-month sessions of online music instrument lessons on guitar, piano, bass, drums, violin, and much more!

Take advantage of your early invite (a big plus for you with a force fill matrix!), and join with us now at http://www.musicforte.com/affiliate/owl

About the author:
Your Colleagues,
David Platte and DR Werba
co-founders OWL

questions, comments? send to support@1worldline.com

by:

How to improve your employment prospects as a musician.

2008-11-24T01:25:00.001-08:00

How do you expand your opportunities to work in the music business? How do you improve your employment prospects? The key to doing that is developing your versatility. There are many ways of expanding what you already know how to do as a musician.

It's all about using the skills that you already possess and channeling them towards related fields.

Ask yourself what your most basic skill is. Let's say you play the guitar. You will find that there are several related instruments that you can easily adapt your skill to. Instead of limiting yourself to the guitar or one kind of guitar, why not expand your employment opportunities? Why not learn to play related instruments?

There are so many guitar related instruments. How about the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, twelve-string guitar, five-string banjo, tenor banjo, ukulele, mandolin, pedal steel guitar, and so on?

You can even learn different styles of playing. Learn to use finger picks. Learn to play both pick style and finger style. Electric guitarists should probably own both jazz and rock guitars. By doing this you increase your musical scope and you will be able to take on new projects easily. There will be more variety in the music that you play. Your arrangements will not all sound the same.

You can apply the examples mentioned above to all instruments and musical skills. Let's look at a few others.

Another example is bass players. The same can be said of them. Instead of limiting themselves to the electric bass, they can learn to use a bow, play related instruments like the upright acoustic bass, learn to play both fretted and fretless basses, and use effects pedals.

Keyboard players should own more than one synthesizer. How about learning to play related instruments like organ, harpsichord and piano? Why not learn about MIDI and hook various keyboards together, along with a PC?

I could go on and on mentioning various instruments and skills and how a musician can become more versatile. Musicians must simply start with their most basic skill and expand it. This is an excellent way of ensuring that you excel in the music business.

The world is a very competitive one and you must continue to be competitive. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Add some variety and you may be surprised at how far you can reach; and how much more money you can be making.

About the author:
Mantius Cazaubon offers lots of valuable songwriting tips, techniques, suggestions and advice on his site www.ultimatesongwriting.comVisit www.ultimatesongwriting.comfor the ultimate truth about lyric writing and songwriting.

by: Mantius Cazaubon

Living Life Loud

2008-11-24T01:24:00.002-08:00

The music industry is changing – one click at a time

Change is good. Just ask the millions of unsigned artists worldwide trying to get their music heard. Since the music industry is changing drastically, unsigned musicians are able to make their music available to listeners. Record labels are realizing new techniques need to be created in order to promote music,

and find new talent.

The result has been a surge of music-based websites. These sites allow artists to create their own websites, upload MP3s and promote music free of cost. One website which has received much attention is iSOUND.COM.

A musician himself, D.J. Burdick’s purpose has been clear from the beginning: create a website that allows unsigned artists to upload MP3s so they can share their music with the world. Burdick, the founder and creator of the music-based website iSOUND.COM, began his career in 1999, shortly after graduating from high school. At first, the main focus of iSOUND.COM was to give visitors more information about their favorite bands.

“I was looking for information about artists I liked, and I couldn’t find anything comprehensive on the Internet,” says Burdick. “So, I decided to create my own website.”

He then spent one year developing and implementing iSOUND.COM. In 2000, Burdick relocated to Dallas, Texas to attend Southern Methodist University. In Dallas, Burdick realized that it was difficult to find gigs and get his music heard. That is when he had an idea.

“I decided to expand iSOUND.COM. I wanted to make it a music community where artists could share their music with the world,” says Burdick.

While attending university, Burdick continued working on his website. In 2004, he graduated from SMU’s Cox School of Business. Along with a few college friends, he decided to make iSOUND.COM his full-time career.

“Working on my own company has allowed me to work on what I’m truly passionate about. I get to focus on what I believe in,” says Burdick. “I wanted to make iSOUND.COM my full-time job because I had so many ideas. Working for a large, established company may provide more security but that wasn’t dynamic enough for me. I needed something that would allow me to control the vision of the business and let me implement my business ideas. It is very rewarding to see over a million people visiting iSOUND per month who are sharing in this vision and desire to bring great unheard music to the masses.”

The music industry is changing drastically. MP3s are no longer just about illegal pirating and file sharing. In fact, MP3s are becoming imperative to unsigned artists wishing to promote their music on the Internet. There are tons of talented artists out there. Unfortunately, they do not have the money to push into advertising or music promotion. The solution to this problem: level the playing field by promoting on the internet.

“The [music] industry is going through a huge transitional phase. Everything is changing and the [record] labels are realizing this. They are now using many of the same avenues to promote their artists as those available to unsigned artists,” says Burdick.

In fact, a complete industry of music-based websites has developed, allowing musicians to promote their music over the Internet. The way iSOUND.COM works is that artists may sign up and upload their music for free. Staff members then listen to the songs and rate the music. Listeners visit the site, discover new music, and earn points for sharing that music with their friends. The most popular artists on iSOUND.COM receive thousands of plays per month. Musicians can literally gain thousands of new fans just by uploading their music onto popular music websites and networking via those sites.

“There is a growing group of signed bands getting a large share of radio and [music] video play that started entirely by promoting on the Internet and playing small clubs,” says Burdick. “The future of music is on the Internet. Get your music uploaded, spend a few hours a week promoting online, and you’ll be amazed at the results.”

About the author:
Shannon Mott is a freelance writer and employee of iSOUND.COM

by: Shannon Mott

The Shakuhachi: What is it? The place to find out is that fountain of knowledge called the Internet.

2008-11-24T01:24:00.001-08:00

When most people used to hear a new word the most obvious reaction was to go straight to a dictionary and find out what it meant or what the object was. These days you could go to on-line dictionaries, but even that is often unnecessary. Just type the word into your Web search engine

(E.g., Google) and see what comes up. How hard is that?

Well, fortunately I know what a shakuhachi is but I don’t think I’d be wrong to say that many of my fellow humans have no conception of what this magical instrument is. http://www.shakuhachi.com/TOC-MM.html is the first site that comes up on Google and it’s quite a good example of how extensive the knowledge of something you’ve never heard of can be, as well as how to create a thorough website. Although ‘Shakuhachi-Traditional Japanese Bamboo Flute’ is essentially a commercial site that hopes for visitors to buy its products, there is access to a stockpile of historical information as well as links to all sorts of musicians and books related to the subject.

This Tai Hei Shakuhachi site is full of photographs of this beautiful looking and of course sounding instrument. The reason I am writing this article is because the moment when I heard this instrument played by the first non-Japanese Grand Master, it simply changed my life. His name is Ryley Lee and what I witnessed at his concert was the most focused, peaceful and magical display of music that I could have ever imagined. This flute only has four holes; you should hear how many sounds could come out of it!

On this website under a section called ‘Endorsements’ (obviously they want some credibility when selling their instruments) a number of master players comment on the Tai Hei shakuhachis. Ryley Lee was on this list and what he said about their instruments was quite incredible; these guys must really know their stuff. A good sign that the site is worthy of mention is the fact that they endorse other people and their products. They’re not just one-track-minded capitalists thinking only of their own pockets.

I was able to click onto a link for Ryley Lee where it then listed thirty of his recordings for sale (with pictures) as well as his PhD thesis that looks at past and present processes of transmission within the tradition of the shakuhachi honkyoku ("original pieces"). Zen Buddhist ‘priests of nothingness’ played these songs since at least the fifteenth century who believed that playing the shakuhachi’s music was a form of meditation and a medium in which to attain enlightenment. Pretty cool huh.

So, next time you hear a new word or are told about something that is not in your field of knowledge you know where to go. If you’re searching for good websites or you want to see some examples of successful ones, look for extensive and creative examples where obvious time and effort has been put into its construction. Anyone can create a website, but do some research and you’ll see that some people have really done their homework as well as displaying aesthetically pleasing imagery for the visitor.

About the author:
Jesse S. Somer,
M6.Net,
http://www.m6.net
Somer is technophobe learning about the power of the Web that is even accessible by people like him.

by: Jesse S. Somer

Music software 101

2008-11-24T01:23:00.001-08:00

Which Music Software Programs Fit Your Needs?

Want to find out how to listen to all your favorite songs whenever you want? If so, you’ll want to learn more about music software and how you can install some programs onto your computer.

Here are some descriptions of some basic music software programs you will want to learn more about:

CD Ripper

A CD Ripper program allows you to convert tracks from a compact disc to your mp3 player, or onto your computer. You can make your own mp3s from audio CDs, so that you make your own song selections. You can also convert batches of WAV decoded files at a time to mp3 files on the CD Ripper, and if you want to download this program onto your computer, you’ll need to have Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or 2000, and a CD-ROM drive. For most CD Ripper programs, you can try a free download first before purchasing the product.

Audio Editors

If you are into recording and creating your own music, an audio editor program may be a good investment. An audio editor program allows you to save your own studio sessions or songs to modify later. Most include a metronome (to keep music and vocals in rhythm) and an audio mixer. The mixer allows you to adjust different music track settings like tone, pitch or volume. On some programs you can even ‘beat match’ between tracks, thus allowing for a smoother transition between songs. One audio editing program you may want to try is Blaze Media Pro, a program which is also a CD burner and converter. And, if you’re recording a large file, most audio editors will be able to support your files with no problem at all. If you are using a multi-track editor, one thing to keep in mind is whether your sound card and memory capabilities are up to the task of handling large volumes of songs,.

Although most audio editor programs are commercial (and not freeware) and have a standard price tag, you can receive free trials for audio editor programs as well. Be aware of the memory and sound card requirements as designated by the company who produces the software. Depending on who makes the software, it may be available for Windows XP, Windows 98, ME, 2000 and even Mac OSX.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about music software. Learn more at http://www.blazemp.com/music_software.htm

by: Mansi gupta

Gary Husband's All-Star Force Majeure New Live DVD Release

2008-11-24T01:22:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Featuring: Gary Husband (Drums/Piano/Composer & Leader) Randy Brecker (Trumpet), Jerry Goodman (Violin), Elliot Mason (Trombone/Bass Trumpet), Jim Beard (Keyboards), Matthew Garrison (Bass), and Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Percussion)

Gary Husband c/o
RSJ Groove Productions
PO Box 240
Ashford, Kent TN27 9ZB, United Kingdom
Phone: (+44) 01233 840612
e-mail: rsjgroove@btopenworld.com
Website: http://www.garyhusband.com
Phone & Fax: (+44) 20 7286 0821
Contact Gary: Garyhusband@aol.com

United Kingdom--July 25, 2005--Gary Husband is a musician with no boundaries and his music clearly follows that direction every time he steps on stage to perform or in the studio to record.

What better example of that free form style and attitude than the new ambitious two DVD set with his hand picked Force Majeure ensemble entitled Live At The Queen Elizabeth Hall-London. With the exquisite talents of such veterans as Randy Brecker (Trumpet), Jerry Goodman (Violin), Elliot Mason (Trombone/Bass Trumpet), Jim Beard (Keyboards), Matthew Garrison (Bass), and Arto Tuncboyaciyan (Percussion), Husband plays the drums, piano, and conducts his way through several outstanding jazz-rock-fusion-world compositions. His performances are electrifying as he jumps from the drums to the piano then to center stage to conduct the brass section of Brecker and newfound talent Elliot Mason.

With a myriad of talents at his disposal and some of the finest musicians in the world to assist, Husband makes his incredibly diverse talents look so fluid and natural that he defies categorization. The rest of the band smartly takes his lead and the result is some of the most absorbing music you will ever hear or enjoy watching.

Born into a highly musical family in Yorkshire in 1960, Gary Husband laid the fundamentals of his career in music through the study of classical piano and theory. By the age of 10, he was already increasing his musical capacity by taking up the drums and, before he was 16, he had established himself as an exceptionally gifted talent on both instruments. The time spent honing his skills in his early years has paid off as he is one of the most sought after musicians in the world today.

This new DVD release from RSJ Groove not only magnificently captures the event in London (mixed in 5.1 Surround) but also features exclusive interviews and photographs as well as an extensive Husband-produced bonus audio selection of enthralling highlights from the bands other concert dates. The DVD is available directly from RSJ Groove Records-http://www.rsjgroove.co.uk or at http://www.abstractlogix.com and http://www.audiophileimports.com.

"A musician whom I have known and admired for many years, not only for his wizardry at the piano, but for his artistry at the drums! Immense musical talent." -John McLaughlin

"Gary's pretty much of an improvisational genius to me ... One of the most talented and original musicians I have ever had the pleasure of making music with."-Allan Holdsworth

"I first heard him on an Allan Holdsworth recording in the early '80s. My impression was that this is where I'd like to be, in terms of my overall musical presentation through the drumset. You should also hear the tunes Gary writes, plus the way he plays. The guy's a genius. "- Billy Cobham
For More Information Contact: rsjgroove@btopenworld.com

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PR Created and Submitted By MuzikReviews.com-http://www.muzikreviews.com

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites. Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

by: Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Probot cd corupts young minds

2008-11-24T01:21:00.000-08:00

When Dave Grohl joined Nirvana in 1990 I bet he didn't have a clue that he would go on to such a great career with the Foo Fighters and his latest groundbreaking side-project Probot. While the music is heavy metal,

been there and done that, Dave Grohl has managed to put his own original twist on the genre. He gets lots of help from some very cool and famous vocalists including Lemmy from Motorhead and Max Cavalera from Soulfly and Sepultura. You might think these dudes are dinosaurs but it's quite obvious these old cats are still rocking out much harder than the crap on commercial radio!
Also joining the cast is Mike Dean from Corrosion of Comformity, Cronos from Venom, Kurt Brecht from D.R.I., Lee Dorrian from Napalm Death, Wino from the Hidden Hand, Tom G. Warrior form Celtic Frost, Snake from Voivod, Eric Wagner from Trouble and King Diamond from Mercyful Fate. Dave Grohl wrote and performed most of the music and the vocalists all wrote their own lyrics, sing, and in some cases play their respective instruments. Dave does join in occasionally on backup vocals and some of the vocalists helped write the music.
This year has been an unbelievable year for the resurrection of rock in a dead industry climate. Dave Grohl has produced a near perfect cd. I've listen to it almost daily since I purchased it and I do not grow tired of it. The production is top notch and each vocalist, some whom I wasn't a fan of until now, does a fantastic job singing their timely lyrics! The subject matter is war, hate, love, religion to name a few topics and the lyrics could not be much better. I totally recommend you buy this cd.
As a result of listening to Probot it sparked a interest in the music of some of the singers on the cd. I'd never heard of Soulfly..I know, that sounds lame, but it's true. If Dave Grohl had not put Max Cavalera on the Probot cd I'd had never known what a excellent band he has as a side project. If you visit the Soulfly site online you will learn that Max puts together a different band for each cd released. The ensemble he's put together for "Prophecy" is simply fantastic. The genres crossed on this cd are blended together seemlessly into one frontal lobe assault that never gets boring. My favorite song on the cd is "Moses". It's a reggae meets metal tune that sounds refreshing! The cd is very heavy but if you dig hard rock you will love it. I will warn you that it does have a religious overtone...but with a name like Soulfly that is not suprising. I deciphered the name and realized I should have known before I purchased it. However Max has put together a very spiritual cd that even if I had known I still would have bought it.
I had definitely heard of Motorhead but honestly thought they had split up. When I heard Lemmy sing on "Shake Your Blood" I realized how much I missed their sound! I visited their official site and learned they had a brand new cd release entitled "Inferno". The title should give you a clue of what to expect. This is the best Motorhead has ever sounded. It's flawless metal that doesn't sound dated or fake. Joining Lemmy are both original members Philip Campbell on Guitars and backing Vocals. Mikkey Dee pounds the drums like a maniac and is one of the best drummers in rock today. Also joining in on two tracks, "Terminal Show" and "Down On Me" is the virtuoso guitarist Mr. Steve Vai. Steve sounds like a member of the band and never overdoes his fantastic guitar licks! He keeps it toned down to where he sounds as if he belongs in Motorhead and the band sounds comfortable jamming with him. This is not the Steve Vai you are used to.
Ironically, while Steve Vai does a great job, Philip Cambell steals the show! His guitar playing is awesome. Tracks that really stand out are "In the Year of the Wolf", "Smiling Like a Killer", and the acoustic harp blues tune "Whorehouse Blues". If you thought rock was dead and your heart was breaking then I suggest you put all three of these cds in your collection. You'll find that rock is alive and well!

About the author:
Les Lewellyn has published music related articles both online and offline. You can find more of his work on his website
http://www.preyinglizardmusic.com

by: Les Lewellyn

The Guitar: Its History and Construction

2008-11-24T01:20:00.000-08:00

The guitar is one of the most familiar and common instruments the world over. It is descended from other stringed instruments that were common in Greece, in India, in Mexico and in Africa - in fact, throughout the known world.

It's descended from such instruments as the sitar, said to be sacred to the Hindo goddess Saraswati, and the lute, which Greek mythology claims was invented by the god Apollo himself.

It's no wonder that the guitar has a history of association with the divine. The range and styles of music that can be played on the classic stringed instrument is incredible.
From the intricate fire and beauty of classical Spanish and flamenco guitar to the down-home country sounds of good finger-pickin', the guitar is a versatile and beautiful instrument.

Modern-day guitars have a hollow or solid body, a neck with frets, and a tuning mechanism that is called the machine head. They may be acoustic, or electric, and are one of the most popular instruments in the world.

Guitar bodies for acoustic guitars are made of wood, often spruce, red cedar or maple. The face of the guitar, or top, is one of the most important factors in its sound quality.
It is carefully engineered to a precise thickness, and braced by a variety of materials.

The most important piece of the guitar is the face, or top.
Its composition, shape and engineering will determine the final sound of the guitar. The back and sides also make a difference, but not so much, and often, luthiers will choose the wood for the sides and back with an eye to appearance rather than sound quality.

Electric guitars are solid, though they are rarely made of a single solid piece of wood. Instead, most are created of many layers of different kinds of wood laminated together.
This gives the guitar both strength and sound quality that wouldn't be possible in a single piece of wood. Often, the electric guitar is made of a 'good sounding' wood like ash or poplar, with a laminated top of a more attractive wood for appearance.

It's hard to believe that the same instrument is capable of creating such wide and varied styles of music. It's even harder to believe that only a few hundred years ago, the guitar was considered the instrument of peasants, lesser than the noble violin and organ. It was considered so much lesser that across the United States, older generations boycotted Catholic churches that used guitars to celebrate faith in folk Masses.

Nowhere else will you find the variety of guitars that you find in a typical Mexican mariachi band. A typical mariachi band will include at least three kinds of guitar - a classical guitar, a vihuela and a guitarron, a large guitar that is nearly the size of a cello.

Mastering the guitar, however, takes years of practice. The difference between a three-chord strummed song and the intricate finger picking and speed of a flamenco guitarist is unmistakable.

From divine beginnings, though its history as the music of peasants to its elevation again as the king of instruments, the guitar has been a beloved instrument of people the world over. If you choose to learn only one instrument, the guitar is the perfect choice.

About the author:
Courtney Pancost is the owner of
DAL Guitar which is a popular resource with extensive information about guitars. For lots of info, go to:
http://www.dalguitar.com

by: Courtney Pancost

Tanya Fermin Offers Relief Aid To Victims of Katrina

2008-11-24T01:19:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 21, 2005-- San Francisco, CA--R & B and Jazz vocalist Tanya Fermin does not need a Special Invitation to extend a hand to her brothers and sisters in need. Fermin, as well many artists worldwide, have offered their music as a way of generating funds for the folks that have suffered from the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina.

Teamed with the incredibly successful CD Baby to market her latest release Special Invitation, Tanya is taking all the proceeds from the sales of the CD for one month and putting it in a fund for the victims of the hurricane. CD Baby plays a major role in the success of this by e-mailing millions of customers to make them aware of the offer.

There is no other place in the world like the United States and our humanity is our guiding light in times of need. The power of the media does not always have to be negative, we can use it for good things, and this is a perfect example. When disaster strikes, our good will comes to the surface very quickly because we all are compassionate and loving beings. The power of marketing and the best tool of all, the Internet, are making the raising of funds seamless and tremendously effective.

In good times and bad, we turn to music to ease the pain. We are thankful for artists that believe their art is not only a way to communicate with others, it’s an influential instrument that allows us to join together, use all our talents, and help to turn the ravages of a disaster into a more manageable situation for all of those affected.

Fermin Music
Promotions: Lynette Jones-925-595-2452
2330 Pleasant Hill Rd #4
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
E-Mail: press@tanyafermin.com
Fax-925-933-9168
CD Baby Link: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tanyafermin
Website: http://www.tanyafermin.com

PR Created and Submitted by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites.Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

by: Tanya Fermin

Getting On the Music Industry Radar Screen

2008-11-24T01:18:00.000-08:00

How to Get Noticed By Those
Who Can REALLY Help Your Music Career!

As you or your band performs, be it from club to club around town or nationally, there is usually one thing lingering in the back of your mind...

How do you go about getting that one big break that will push you ahead toward greater recognition and success artistically?

You know it happens to artist and bands all the time. That time could come soon for your group to break out of the local scene and land that recording contract or national tour that will get you on your way to greater success.

You know there are tried and true methods. Having a great demo or being interviewed on the local radio shows at once seemed like a good idea. But times have changed in the music industry. In this article, we will discuss some up-to-date information and inside tips on how to get noticed in this tough business, in short Iï¿½ll give you some info that will literally place on the music industry radar screen. The knowledge that Iï¿½m about to share with you will work for any and everyone: Songwriters, Singers, Musicians, Rappers and for all genres of music: Pop, Rock, Rap, Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Grunge, Country and everything in between!

Where are the Scouts?

You have had the thought run through your mind as you perform for an enthusiastic crowd in a club or bar. Are there music industry scouts in this crowd? Maybe you just laugh it off but you have heard that they are out there watching bands like yours and signing the talented ones to develop into stars.

What you have heard is true. Industry insiders tell us that now more than ever, scouts are everywhere. You may worry that you are not living in one of the big ï¿½music industry townsï¿½ like New York, Chicago, L.A. and Nashville but that isnï¿½t important. Remember, Seattle wasnï¿½t on the map before grunge hit and they found Sir Mix A-Lot and for you Rock Heads, Kurt and Eddie.

But what if you donï¿½t always have the biggest audience in town. Well, some of the biggest acts in the music business were ï¿½discoveredï¿½ playing to a small and intimate crowd. If your performance is strong and you are getting good word of mouth, the music industry scouts will find you and check you out. So perform every night like they are out there because there is no reason to believe that they are not.

Go Get Them

But you donï¿½t have to sit around and wait for them to come to you. The new ï¿½hunting groundsï¿½ for bands and talent are well known to the insiders. Once you know who it is that is feeding the information to music industry scouts and agents, you can learn the tricks of the trade to feed information about you or your band into that system. Here are a few of the newest methods and venues you can use to get yourself noticed:

* Perform, Perform, Perform. These days the local club scene is the most important way to get noticed. Donï¿½t wear yourself out chasing agents or scouts. If your performances are strong, that will create a buzz and the word of mouth will get you noticed. Then the scouts will come to see you rather than you having to go and chase them.

* Build your relationship with your audience. Insiders tell us that scouts will come to a show for a musical venue they donï¿½t even understand. If you are doing something bold and new that they are not able to evaluate musically, they will go by the crowd. If your audience responds with excitement and enthusiasm, that is what gets the eyes and ears of music executives. So pour yourself into the people for whom you are performing. Thatï¿½s what you love to do anyway so itï¿½s an easy way to get noticed and the right way too.

* Build your local network. Industry agents know club owners and booking agents for local events very well. If you have a strong reputation with them, they will pass that information along to the scouts who are looking for new talent.

* Indie (independent) labels are also a rich source of information for the larger recording houses to find out about up and coming bands. You may have indie labels near by so get to know them and get them to your shows so when they have a chance to connect you to a scout, your band is on their list of hot new acts.

* Never miss a chance to network but look for innovative ways to advertise yourself as well. The internet has lots of new and interesting sites that scouts are starting to watch for new talent. If you have the resources, get a web page up and get some MP3 samples of your performances out there. You can easily set up a website using a service like http://www.MyWebSiteMyMusic.com and you can also easily put your music on your site or anywhere else online, even in emails in MP3 format using a service like the one offered at http://www.ListenToMyMusicOnline.com .

The services offered by these two websites are extremely inexpensive and so simple to use, a 5 year old could do it, yet they will have you looking like a music industry professional in no time at all.

Is the Demo Dead?

From what we have learned so far, you would think the demo is ready to go into the hall of fame as an out-of-date tool. But the demo tape still has some real value to you. The best demo is one that showcases not only your musical skill but the personality and the performance skill of you or your band. If you can have someone put a demo together from one of your performances, that gives an agent or scout a bit of a feel for what to expect from you when he comes to see you.

So treat the demo as part of your bag of tricks but it isnï¿½t the thing that is going to seal the deal. If a scout likes what he hears or at least his curiosity is peaked, he will then seek out ways to see you live. Then we are back to the club atmosphere, your relationship with your crowd and your performance. Those are the things that will get you noticed in a way that will lead to bigger breaks. Look at the demo as just the hook with a little bit of bait on it. You can also use your demo on your web page along with some video footage of your live performance to showcase the excitement of your shows. Remember both http://www.ListenToMyMusicOnline.com and http://www.MyWebSiteMyMusic.com offer some of the best services in the industry for doing this.

Video Didnï¿½t Kill the Radio Star

Radio used to be the primary medium for distributing information about new acts and for getting your music played and noticed. But changes in ownership of radio stations and in how they are programmed have changed that too. The radio station is no longer a significant communication channel for you to use to get on the music industry radar screen.

A lot of factors have dropped radio off the radar screen for getting noticed. Airplay is not as much of a factor as it used to be when there was a lot of diversity in radio. Radio is nearly a monopoly with all of the play list decisions made by one central national firm. So if you think that any one individual at your area radio stations makes airplay decisions, you should revise that opinion because they do not. This little insider tip alone can save you huge amounts of wasted energy and frustration when trying to get noticed.

But donï¿½t worry, scouts and music industry agents know they will not find the new, the innovative and the creative music on radio. They have turned from it to use local networking and club performances as their radar screen for new talent.

You do the same. Do not concern yourself a great deal with local radio coverage. Even college radio is virtually a dead venue for getting noticed in this new market. Focus on where the real contacts are being made today, through local contacts, word of mouth and above all club and local festival performances. Other good habits include using music industry contact directories like the one found at http://www.MusicBizPhoneBook.com which list contact information to over 20,000 important people in the music industry.

Itï¿½s all in your network and what is happening on the street that will make the difference between you getting noticed or not. In a way, thatï¿½s the way it always should have been, having the focus placed on your band talent, performance skill and live shows. That is where your strength is anyway. Be a savvy marketer and use this knowledge to raise the awareness of your band, your talent, your songs and your performances.
About the author:

This article was written by Ty Cohen, the music industry's most recognizable voice! Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium Publishing and Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of: http://www.MusicContractsOnline.comand http://www.MusicBusinesSuccess.com

To find out more about Ty Cohen, his services, products and how he may be able to help you succeed in the music industry go to: http://www.MusicBusinesSuccess.comand sign up for his free limited edition music industry success 10-part "Mini-Course", it will work wonders for you and best of all, it's FREE, but EXTREMELY VALUABLE!

by: Ty Cohen

Media Player Shootout

2008-11-24T01:17:00.002-08:00

Whether you call them media players, jukeboxes, mp3 apps, music managers, or whatever - we all need a proggy to listen to our digital music with, so we decided it was time for the Online Music Blog ( http://www.onlinemusicblog.com ) media player shootout.

For the sake of this article I am only going to discuss players you can get for free and I am not going to go into p2p apps.

So with that, lets dive right in. For my money there are are only 3 choices - Winamp, iTunes, or Windows Media Players - but I'll talk a little about RealPlayer 10 as well. All of these applications share baseline features - playing various media files, cataloging digital media, etc. We'll focus on things about them that are different.

Back in the day, we had Winamp, and it was good. Unfortunately the original Nullsoft team has all moved on and instead of the hacker cred that Winamp used to have back when Justin Frankel et all were on the job it is now just another corporate media player with a hazy future.

Winamp lost a lot of momentum that it had when it released a ( very ) bad Winamp3 - but with the release of Winamp5 they seem to be back on track - it is useable, responsive, and has a lot of plugins and skins created for it.

The major problem is that for all of it's features it is not much, if any, better then the two dominant media players that are tied to successful music stores iTunes and WMP. Additionally you have to pay $14.95 to get the pro version that add features that iTunes and WMP include for free. One of the bonuses of using Winamp is the ability to tune into all of the cool shoutcast radio stations.

iTunes is, of course, is the digital jukebox front end for the iPod and the iTunes music store from apple computer. The iTunes music store was the first to get pay for digital music downloads right and it still has the largest legal downloadable catalog on the net giving the iTunes jukebox a hefty advantage.

If you are using a Mac then it is a no brainer - you should be using iTunes as you media player, but even if you are using Windows iTunes provides an attractive alternative. The iTunes store is superior ( imho ) to the Windows Media based stores such as Napster and with the legendary Apple ease of use in full effect iTunes makes a great Windows based Jukebox. Noteworthy is the Apple Lossless codec that allows one to rip CD's to the ACC format that sound as good as the CD itself to our ears. On the negative side, the iTunes jukebox feels heavy on moderately powered PC's compared to Winamp or WMP. It runs a little slower, seems to use more resources, etc.

Last (of yea, except for RealPlayer... ) Windows Media Player 10 is one of Microsoft's best pieces of software and is some much better then the last generation of MS media players. The jukebox itself is stuffed with features such as its ability to monitor changes to your digital media files and update itself, simple sync and burn, ratings, and the auto tag features are all very nice.

One of the changes in V.10 is the ability to rip files if the format and with ( or without ) the DRM of your choice. You also get the ability to listen to Internet radio streams with WMP, and although they tend to be more corporate then the hip shoutcast radio you can still find some good music. WMP also features a lossless ripping of CD's but I was less impressed with the results then I was with Apples Lossless.

And finally there is RealPlayer. The free RealPlayer 10 is better then previous version although that is not saying much imho. It still takes over your file formats by default, tries to force you register, runs in the background (phoning home ?) unless you can find the settings to tell it not to - all of the problems that it has always have. I say stay as far away from Real as possible even if you can use "Harmony" to use your iPod with the Real store. While I may be being over critical of Real's jukebox - I do think that there are other alternatives that are less intrusive and have better feature sets.

All in all I think that either iTunes or WMP is a solid choice and far and away the best media players available. Winamp is a okay too as long as you don't need to rip music or burn it back to a CD - but it is worth the download and install just to listen to Shoutcast stations from time to time. Personally I use WMP at work and iTunes are home, so take that for what it's worth. I think that I like WMP a little better, but not so much that I would take the time to switch my iTunes set up at home.

About the author:
This article was originally posted on Online Music Blog and was written by James Kendall of Copacetix Digital Creation.

by: James Kendall

Xisco Poncé Jr. Releases Life Affirming Album Suite

2008-11-24T01:17:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco, CA--October 17, 2005--Xisco Poncé Jr. was born in the Philippines, raised in Hawaii, lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles, CA, and traveled around Europe, performing at an early age. After giving up a career and selling his house to record his full-length debut album,

a year and a half later in a Los Angeles studio, all of his hard work and sacrifice has reached its fruition. The album, titled Suite, was developed to be a concept of three suites consisting of major pieces of work in movements titled “Err,” “Tear” and “Calling.”

Xisco’s voice is like a cross between Seal and Sade but he adds a personal flare to his overall sound that gives him the uniqueness that makes Suite a great CD. With musicians that have played for Elton John, George Michael, Toni Braxton, Thomas Dolby and Mister Mister gracing the entire CD, Suite offers compelling and sparkling production values with crisp combinations of stinging rock guitar, beautiful melodies, and Xisco’s angelic phrasing. Even when the lyrics are serious and true to life, it all sounds beautiful.

The release of Suite is scheduled for 11/05 in a Limited Edition Digipack of 1,000 copies only, signed and numbered by the artist. It is now available from UE3 Records. Many media outlets are available online to listen to the music and interact with the artist. Digital distribution is planned for Christmas of this year with a street date of January 10, 2006 with all brand new artwork for the release.

Personal podcast on insight to his music and thoughts at:
Podcast Directory http://www.podcast.net/show/44959

Podcast Radio where Xisco’s music has been showcased at:
Indiefeed Electronica http://libsyn.com/media/indiefeed/indiefeed_xiscoponcejr_lingeron.mp3
My cup of Tea (Japanese) http://potaufeu.seesaa.net/article/4603488.html

Contact: Uprising Entertainment
Address: 322 Culver Blvd. #323, Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Telephone: (425) 675-3440
E-mail: xiscoponcejr@mail.com
Fax: (831) 300-4030
Website: www.xiscoponcejr.com
CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/xiscoponcejr2

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

###

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites.
Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

by: Barry Coffing

Surf waves in reality, musically, and on the Net with Jack Johnson.

2008-11-24T01:16:00.000-08:00

Like a laid back, relaxed beach vibe? Surf waves in reality, musically, and on the Net with Jack Johnson.

Lately I’ve been listening to some pretty cool music by some beach bum named Jack Johnson. The tunes he plays really touch a chord within me. They are just so honest and selfless, like stories being told by a wise old palm tree that has endured countless days of peaceful monotony,

and yet have also experienced the rare tropical storm with gale force winds. I decided to have a look for his website, as I have come to know that humans have written about just about anything of interest on the Internet.

I found out some interesting things about this soft, rhythmic flowing voice and guitarist on his official site, http://www.jackjohnsonmusic.com. The guy is hardly a beach bum; he’s been a pro surfer, is a popular surfing film producer, and the weirdest tidbit of knowledge is the fact that he didn’t really want to be a famous musician at all! He’d rather surf some waves, and maybe that’s why his music is so natural and unforced-he hasn’t let his popularity affect his priorities.

The site has got all your average categories: Photos, biography, news, show dates, forum, and music/film releases. The part that grabbed me the most was found in the Photos section, a small link entitled Articles. Here there were postings of actual news releases about Johnson from tiny local papers to big magazines. After recording one song that he usually just played for fun on surf video trips with band G-Love, that one track became the single hit track from their album. After turning down million dollar record deals to keep his already enjoyable surfing, filmmaking lifestyle, he recorded his first album with a tiny record label.

Look, I won’t go on and on about his story, you can check it out yourself, or better yet get his album called ‘On and on’. I just reckon it’s cool how you can add dimensions to your views of reality by surfing the waves of the Internet. To find out a little about the true identities of people you admire for their achievements is just one small aspect of the Internet. Surf’s up man! It’s time to ride the big, hard to get to waves of our minds.

About the author:
Jesse S. Somer, M6.Net
http://www.m6.net
Jesse S. Somer is a peaceful soul who has surfed the occasional downhill road as well as virtual tidal wave.

by: Jesse S. Somer

Polychords and the Jazz Improviser: How to Practice & Apply Polychords to Improv

2008-11-24T01:15:00.001-08:00

In the world of music, many Jazz improvisers and Classical composers eventually venture into exploring poly-harmony within their respective art form. Poly harmony is the simultaneous sounding of more than one harmonic concept.

The preponderance with poly-harmony began the late 19th-early 20th centuries with classical composers as Stravinsky and Debussy. About sixty years later, jazz musicians as John Coltrane and Richie Bierach incorporated such ideas into their music. The benefits of learning poly-chords will enhance an improviser’s repertoire of harmonic concepts. Thus they can create harmonic colorings that can influence a listener’s outlook. This article will focus on how once can practice and incorporate tertian polychords into their improvisational styles. Many of the examples and references within this article will make use of the seventh chord and triad. One should to explore other tertian harmonies such as ninths, elevenths, and all other similar formulations.

Tertian harmony is harmony that spaces its notes a third a part from other notes. Additionally, tertian harmony includes the harmonic inversion of thirds. Before one begins their exploration into poly-chords, one should be familiar with tertian harmony in its simplest terms of inversions and through a few applied patterns. From this understanding of tertian harmony through inversions and patterns and after one has accomplished or, in the least, feels comfortable with tertian harmony, one should then attempt to combine more than one chord.

The first step in gaining an understanding tertian ploychords is to write triads and 7th chords in a formulaic fashion. For example, begin by writing each major chord a major second apart (i.e. Cmaj-Dmaj, Ebmaj-Fmaj, etc.) After writing these series of chords, write out triads that are minor third apart. For example: Ebmaj-Gbmaj, Amaj-Cmaj, and all other similar progressions. As one can see from the two previous examples, one should continue this process until one has exhausted all the permutations of the triad progression. In a similar fashion, one should continue this writing exercise with seventh chords. The purpose to this writing exercise is for the musician/composer to develop a visual and intellectual connection to the concepts that they will use in a open/free musical environment.

To continue with this process of learning tertian polychords, the next step, after one has learned by rote and memorized the permutations, is to apply their understanding of poly chords to an improvisation setting. Before one begins improvising with other musicians, one should improvise alone. This will familiarize oneself with the polychords without the aid of written materials. One should strive, during this stage, to improvise with polychords without much thought. Other permutations on this stage include the improvising within a strict harmonic setting. For example, one can improvise on chords that are a minor third apart. Similarly, one can improvise on a series of polychords.

In the last stage of development, one should perform with other musicians and observe how polychords affect other musicians playing and one's performance. During this stage, one should apply their polychord knowledge towards Jazz standards, modal tunes, or atonal standards. Each form of Jazz standard offers its own rewards and challenges. Due to the pros and cons of each form of standard, the outcome will greatly differ. In addition to performing Jazz standards, one should attempt create their original composition with polychords. Furthermore, one should attempt to re-harmonize a Jazz standard with their new understanding of polychords.

In the end, this article focused primarily on the practicing and application seventh chords and triads in a polychordal environment. One can venture into larger tertian harmonies or into other harmonic formulations, such as segundel, quartal, quintal, and all other similar formulations. During one’s venture into other tertian or non-tertian formulations, one should observe the impact polychords have on one’s and other performances. As a reminder to one’s practicing of polychords, for one to be successful at polychords, one should remain diligent in their practice and application of tertian polychords. The process of learning polychords can be tedious, but in the long run, the rewards are greater than not learning this harmonic concept. In the next article on polychords, polychord progressions and its application to composition will be discussed.

About the author:
Andrew Hanna is the CEO & Production Manager of At Hand Productions, Inc. At Hand Productions is a leading Philadelphia concert and theatrical production company. Andrew Hanna has 20 years of composition experience and 16 years of performance experience. His compositions range from duets to large theatrical productions such as My Journal, Requiem for the Now, and Prophecies of War. At Hand Productions web site is: http://www.AtHandProductions.com

by: Andrew Hanna

Guide to DVD Audio

2008-11-24T01:14:00.001-08:00

DVD Audio is a music format that is designed to offer improved audio performance over CD. The new audio format can be used to provide listeners with Advanced Resolution stereo and/or multi-channel (up to a maximum of six channels) music. In order to play back DVD Audio discs, players have to be specially designed to support the format.

So far, consumer electronics manufacturers have announced a range of DVD Audio players, including home decks, portable players and devies for cars.

DVD Audio has a sampling rate of up to 192kHz compared to a maximum of 44.1kHz for CD. It also supports resolutions of up to 24 bits, compared to 16bits on CD.

The idea behind DVD Audio is that it alllows peoducesr to give listeners a playback experience that is much more faithful to the original master recording that has been possible previously.

DVD Audio discs have a much higher capacity than CDs. This extra space can be used to provide audio at the highest possible quality or for longer recordings, or to provide additional material, such as infromation on the artist, photos and even video, all of which can be displaye don a television screen. Alternatively, DVD Audio discs currently on the market from the likes of the Warner group of labels have the audio content in both DVD Audio format and as Dolby Digital surround so that they can be played back on regular DVD players.

DVD Audio discs are navigable in the same way as DVD Video when polayed back on a player connected to a TV set. Users can select the required track from an on-screen menu and with an internet connection, can click on links to go to websites.

These dual format discs are a good way to kick-start the market while DVD Audio players are still relativley rare. The market will also be helped by combined DVD Video and Audio players.

About the author:
Kenny Hemphill is the editor and publisher of Master DVD (http://www.masterdvd.com), a website which provides information, articles, and tutorials on issues and products related to recordable DVD.

by: Kenny Hemphill

Music For A Better Life

2008-11-24T01:13:00.000-08:00

Would you like to pop in a CD and have a better quality of life, and even self improvement? There are three ways you can use music to accomplish this.

Music For Motivation

Put on energetic music, and even doing housework seems less like work.

Using music to motivate yourself or change your mood is an area where you can trust your experience and experimentation. When you find the msic that energizes you, relaxes you, or makes you happy, keep it ready for when you need it.

Music For Intelligence

Music creates neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies show that music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. In one study, three-year-olds were split into two groups. The first had no special training in, or exposure to music. The second group studied piano and sang daily in chorus.

Eight months later the musical three-year-olds were much better at solving puzzles. They also scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the other group. There's also anectdotal evidence that listening to music, especially from Mozart's era, can help you study and learn better.

Hopefully there will be more research. In the meantime there's no reason not to do your own experimentation. I've heard that Stephen King writes with loud rock music playing, so the benefits of music may be according to your own tastes or brain-organization.

Music For Brainwave Entrainment

Want to listen to some music, and get smarter, or have instant easy meditation? There are products now that "entrain" your brainwaves, in order to put you in a meditative state. Music is embedded with beats and pulses that entrain your brain waves to a specific frequency. Put in the right CD or MP3 for your activity, and you get better brain function. Science? Partly.

Brain wave frequencies vary with mental state. Daydreaming and light meditation take place in the "Alpha" range of frequencies, for example. So if you listen to music containing beats at a frequency of 10 Hz you will generate more brainwaves at a 10 Hz frequency and enter a relaxed Alpha mental state. Do these things really work?

Yes. I've found two products that put me in a peaceful state unlike any other music or meditative practice. Studies will prove the effects (some have already), and disprove the wilder claims. Given my results, however, I wouldn't wait for more research. Many things work long before the scientific proof arrives.

If you are skeptical, you can wait for more evidence of the benefits of brainwave entrainment. Meanwhile, why not try classical music when you study, just to see if it helps? Experiment with music - Mozart isn't dangerous.

About the author:
Steve Gillman writes on many self help topics including boosting brainpower, losing weight, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, learning gratitude, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. You'll find more at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

by: Steve Gillman

Here is the best sourced advice concerning latin music.

2008-11-24T01:12:00.002-08:00

Sometimes when you're trying to find superior information on latin music, it will be easier said than done sorting out quality information from misguided latin music suggestions or help so it is important to know how to qualify the advice you are presented with.

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Download six of your favorite songs for only 99 cents at MSN Music. Choose from millions of tracks, burn downloads to a CD, transfer to your portable player and much more.

A great tip to follow when you're presented with help and advice regarding a latin music web page would be to confirm the sites ownership. This may show you who owns the site latin music identifications The quickest way to work out who owns the latin music website is to look on the 'about' page or 'contact' page.

Any worthwhile website providing information on latin music, will always have contact information which will record the site owner's contact details. The fine points should detail some key points regarding the owner's proficency and credentials. You can then decide for yourself about the vendor's insight and appreciation, to offer help regarding latin music.
About the author:

Heath Macanally is the webmaster for http://www.latin-music-review.info

by: Tom

Seeking the latest and accurate advice in relation to free guitar music sheet.

2008-11-24T01:12:00.001-08:00

When you are after superior information on free guitar music sheet, it'll be complex separating superior advice from reckless free guitar music sheet proposals and guidance so it's best to know how to moderate the advice you are presented with.

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What follows next are a few tips which we really think you should use when you are searching for information concerning free guitar music sheet. Understand that the advice we tender is only relevant to web based information about free guitar music sheet. We are unable to offer any tips or guidance for researching in 'real world' situations.

Look for free guitar music sheet
Find free guitar music sheet at one of the best sites the Internet has to offer!

An excellent tip to follow when you are presented with help or advice about a free guitar music sheet web page is to research who is behind the website. This may divulge who is behind the site free guitar music sheet integrity The fastest way to determine who owns the free guitar music sheet website is to look on the 'contact' page or 'about this site' information.

All highly regarded sites providing information about free guitar music sheet, will almost certainly provide an 'about' or 'contact' page which will list the owner's details. The fine points should tell some advice concerning the owner's requisite knowledge. This permits you to make an informed assessment about the vendor's education and practical knowledge, to offer guidance about free guitar music sheet.
About the author:

Tony Randall is the webmaster for http://www.free-guitar-music-sheet.info

by: Tom

Munch Music's Recent Live Acoustic Performance Reminiscent of 60's Coffee House, But With a New Generation of Influences Including Nirvana and The Pix

2008-11-24T01:11:00.001-08:00

Up and Coming Young Artists Embrace Rock Music with a Blend of New and Old

Delta, B.C., July 26, 2005 - Munch Music, Inc. - www.MyMunchMusic.com and www.RockandRollDream.com presented a live in-house acoustic performance on the evening of Friday, July 22, 2005 featuring local talent, Geoff Mason accompanied on guitar in several songs by Munch's co-founder and Director, 16 year old Taylor Van

Zant. The newly opened classic rock themed recording studio and music facility will be providing an onstage venue for new artists to perform live in front of small intimate audiences. Friday’s acoustic performance was a sharp contrast to the recent hard rock live performance at Munch's launch performed by "White Noise", evidencing the diversity and blends of rock music.
(More info about White Noise: http://www.mymunchmusic.com/NR/news_release_071905.htm)

Recent Event:
Geoff Mason Acoustic Performance
On Saturday night at 7:30 pm, Munch Music presented a solo acoustic performance by Geoff Mason - a Tsawwassen resident, and South Delta Secondary School student. Geoff played a raw and edgy, alternative acoustic set, a mixture of original material and covers. Geoff has been playing guitar for 1 ½ years and claims influences such as The Pixies and Nirvana. He has been a singer and bassist in various bands for 3 years, is currently the front man for the local band,
The Affiliates, and his goal is, "to take this as far as it goes and to have fun while I'm doing it".
Taylor Van Zant (musical accompaniment for many of the songs performed that evening) is 16 years old and has been playing guitar for two and a half years - his goal: to be the next in a long line of famous Van Zant musicians.

Coming Events:
Friday, July 29th, 2005: The Eclipse 7:30pm
Saturday July 30th, 2005: The Heck 7:30pm
The Heck is: Bryan Steeksma – guitar / lead vocals, Parker Bossley – bass / vocals, and Amanda Hamilton – drums / vocals. The Heck is melodic hard rock, influenced by guitar greats Jimi Hendrix & Joe Satriani with three way vocal harmonies performed by three musicians with an average age of 17. The Heck is represented by Peter Karroll at TKO management and they have also signed a deal with Bif Naked’s label: Her Royal Majesty Records. The band has already shot a video for their lead single "Insane" (directed by Stephano Barberis) and their debut album is due from HRM records via Warner later this summer. Plan to arrive early for the Munch Music performance, as we expect a full house.

More Details on recent and coming events: http://www.mymunchmusic.com/events.htm

The concept behind Munch Music is simple: "You have a Rock & Roll Dream and we provide the means for you to live that dream". Life at Munch Music is never boring, and here you're never too old or too young to be a bona fide 'Jukebox Hero'! Munch Music provides the fulfillment of musical dreams through a state of the art digital recording studio, the opportunity to promote your new CD both in-store and online, and a staff of experienced lifelong musicians who are available to instruct and guide you through your musical journey. And to top it all off, we are able to offer our services and expertise at extremely affordable prices that should suit the budget of even the youngest new chart toppers.

The Munch Music website features an extensive list of music industry links from classic rock to copyrighting your own music for avid music fans. Click here for more details: www.MyMunchMusic.com/music_links.htm

Other famous Van Zant musician links

http://www.vanzantmusic.com/
http://www.thevanzants.com/
http://skynyrd.com/
http://www.BruceSpringsteen.net/

About us: "Live Your Rock & Roll Dream" at Munch Music - CD recording, music lessons and live performance experience are now within the grasp of all musicians: www.MyMunchMusic.com/About_Us.htm. Check us out online at www.MyMunchMusic.com and www.RockandRollDream.com where you can view a complete description of our services, facilities, price list, menu and merchandise as well as photos of the facility.

Music Industry Blog: www.MusicInvestorNews.blogspot.com/

Contact:
Brian Noer or Taylor Van Zant 866.948.1811
bnoer@investorideas.com
604.948.1811
Unit 11 - 1835 56th Street, V4L 2L8
Delta, BC - Canada

About the author:
"Live Your Rock & Roll Dream" at Munch Music - CD recording, music lessons and live performance experience are now within the grasp of all musicians

by: Brian Noer

Have a Multi-Cultural Christmas with Juan Oskar

2008-11-24T01:10:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Christmas Is For Grownups Too

Phoenix, Arizona-- October 17, 2005-- Trumpeter, pianist, vocalist, and writer Juan Oskar was born and raised in Arizona. While honing his chops in several Latino bands growing up, his love for his roots and rock ‘n’ roll grew.

Today Oskar has come around full circle full circle with the new release Christmas Is For Grownups Too.

Oskar’s Influences include Pizzazz & Latino Los Lobos, Selena, John Williams, Tito Puente, Santana, Herb Alpert, Cubanismo, Maynard Ferguson, Julius Wechter, and Leroy Anderson. The challenge for any listener will be to hear all of those influences coming through at any time during the run of each track. In the end, that is what makes this album so much fun. He also offers some vocals in Spanish, rocks out, throws in some Ventures licks here and there, and comes up with something so unique and entertaining that you will be reaching for this CD at any time of the year. He does this consistently in all 24 tracks. Attention grabbing compositions like “Fur Elise” and “Decking The Halls in 1966” are bound to give lovers of pure and original music a grin from ear to ear.

The challenge for Oskar on this extensive Holiday release was to take all of his influences and put them together to make it an enjoyable experience for those who enjoy good music and love having their hearts filled with the spirit if the Holidays. Ultimately, he succeeds in covering all the bases on this pleasing release.

This year around the holidays look no further than Juan Oskar to put a jingle in your jangle and some ho-ho in your step with Christmas Is For Grownups Too.

Contact:
Juan Oskar Recordings
Glendale, AZ 85301
Tel: 623-937-7060
CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/juanoskar2

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

###

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites.
Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

by: Juan Oskar

Robert Symons Releases Tropicana Steel Pan Volume 3

2008-11-24T01:09:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bermuda-08/01/05-Robert Symons, the renowned Steel Pan musician from Bermuda recently released his third volume of Tropicana Steel Pan interpretations. Following the formula of success employed on the previous two volumes, Symons takes recognizable pop gems and turns them into an island paradise with his expertise on the steel pan and Yamaha QY20.

Tropicana Steel Pan – Bermuda Volume 3 is a fine effort due to the new life the tunes find with the tropical way of living. The music of the steel pan is a one of the focal points of the Bermuda culture. Just as anywhere else in the world, the importance of music is paramount. The creator of the music normally reflects their country in some fashion. Symons is very successful at conveying the Bermuda attitude and culture through his music. The relaxing island getaway has music to match its stunning beauty through the unique and engaging sound of the Steel Pan Drums.

This music is the ultimate stress buster. With warm island breezes and a burning sun in your mind you will find comfort and relaxation in every tracked offered on Tropicana Steel Pan – Bermuda Volume 3. You may not be able to travel to Bermuda in a literal sense; however, Symons takes you there through his music with ease. It is so convincing that when you close your eyes you can feel the warm pink sand of their famous beaches between your toes.

Great tunes like “To Sir With Love” and “Handyman” give the album a variety just as the preceding volumes offered. A strong pop sensibility dominates the album with many different decades represented. Each listener has the opportunity to find sweet memories connected to each particular song.

This is real treat for the instrumental enthusiast and it will certainly find success in a large diverse audience.

For Booking Contact
Robert Symons at:
(ph) 441-293-5350
(fx) 441-293-6383
E-mail: robertsymons@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.tropicanasteelpan.com
Media Link: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/symons

Mailing Address:
P.O.Box CR 322
Crawl CR BX
BERMUDA

###

PR Created and Submitted By MuzikReviews.com-Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites. Links to sites with great music content are provided on my Homepage and Links Page.

by: Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Listen to music online!

2008-11-24T01:08:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful age this is. Today you can listen to music online from around the world. Music online is available from every country on the planet. You can listen right in your own home to real time news and music from anywhere, any language and any culture.

New technologies are emerging that make it easy to listen to music online. What is completely new is the handling of the Internet radio stations according to the so called Drag & Drop principle; the user selects the radio stations from a list with the mouse and enables them by dragging and dropping them to the recording window. New is also the advanced adding procedure for more Internet radio stations. The way of creating and selecting your own favorites was also extended.

Switching the stations while listening until the new station can be heard was also reduced to some fractions of seconds only. Another new function is the selective saving function of favorite artists through improved filtering options. Instead of 19, Radiotracker now categorizes 8,000 radio stations to 77 music genres.
About the author:

http://www.a1-listen-to-music-4u.info/listenonline.html

by: SilentOne

Guitar Players...Get a Balanced Guitar Practice Diet.

2008-11-24T01:07:00.000-08:00

How's your practice diet?

Do you have a wide variety of things that you practice. Or do you like to binge? (You know...the type of player who practices sweep picking for a kazillion hours a day but only know three chords)!

Having a balanced practice routine is essential if you want to become a versatile guitarist. If you just practice one or two things, sure you'll get great at those things...but you'll be weak in other key areas.

In this lesson you'll learn how to create a practice routine that is well-balanced and will help you work towards your ultimate vision of how you would like to play.

I generally categorise what I practice into one of seven areas:
1. Technique.
2. Repertoire (Covers).
3. Composition.
4. Improvisation.
5. Ear Training.
6. Theory.
7. Music Reading.

Everything that you practice will fit into one or more of the above areas. For example,if you are learning a very challenging cover tune by transcribing it off the CD you are essentially working on your technique, repertoire and ear training at the same time. If you also write down the song in standard notation, you will also be developing your
music reading skills.

Now…do you have to practice things in all seven areas? I believe that you don't have
to if your vision doesn't require it. For example, if someone wants to become an
awesome classical guitarist and has no desire to improvise, then I believe that they don't need to practice things relating to improvisation. We all have limited time available for practice, so it's a waste of time working on things that don't specifically help you reach your goals.

Let's go through a few exercises…

Exercise One:

Think about the vision that you have for your playing for a few minutes.How would you like to play in ten years time. Make it exact!

Once you've done that, brainstorm as many things that you need to practice in order to play like your vision. What specific things do you need to learn, develop and practice? Write them down now.

Exercise Two:

Next to each of the things written down for Exercise One, write down a category next to it. For
example, if you wrote "I need to be able to play faster" then write technique next to it. If you feel that something you wrote belongs to more than one category, then write down all the categories it could belong to.

Exercise Three:

Look at your answers for the previous two exercises. Once you've done that prioritise
the categories shown below. For example, if you feel that technique is the most
important thing you need to work on to reach your vision then put a 1 next to it.

**Practice Area Priority Level (1-7)** [Note: 1 is the highest priority].

Technique
Repertoire (covers)
Composition
Improvisation
Ear Training
Theory
Music Reading

Now here's the important point. You should spend the most time practising your number one priority. I know it's pretty obvious, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't do this! I know a few guitar players who would like to be able to play incredibly fast, yet they don't do a lot of technical practice. Talk about setting yourself up to fail!

Exercise Four:

Decide how much time every day you will spend on each category. Write it down below.

**Practice Area Time Invested Daily**

Technique
Repertoire (covers)
Composition
Improvisation
Ear Training
Theory
Music Reading

All done? Great!

So what’s the next step?

The next step is to decide on a specific activity for each practice area.Make sure to write them down.

Here are a couple of examples of what someone might put down...

Technique: I will invest 10 minutes a day on alternate picking exercise one. I will
start with the metronome at 80 beats per minute (bpm) and increase it by 4 bpm daily
(as long as I can play it perfectly).

Ear Training: I will invest 10 minutes daily a day on A minor pentatonic ear training exercise one.

Got the idea? You would have one specific activity for every practice area. If you
have a lot of time to practice you could set more than one activity per practice area.

Give this method a try. I'll think you'll be more than happy with the results!

About the author:
Craig Bassett (The Guitar Solutions Expert) is a professional guitarist, guitar tutor and author who lives in Auckland, New Zealand.
To get a free high-quality guitar lesson e-mailed to you once a month, please go to: http://www.pentatonic-guitar-lessons.com

by: Craig Bassett

MusicIndustryStocks.com Presents Online Audio Interview with John Gott, CEO of SLS International

2008-11-24T01:06:00.000-08:00

, Discussing Wal-Mart Contract, Quincy Jones, Donald Trump and Sting Endorsements, and Future Product and Manufacturing Strategies.

SLS Featured 61% Revenue Growth in First Quarter 2005. “We are expecting to be a billion dollar company in about five to six years,”

– John Gott, CEO, SLS International

POINT ROBERTS, Wash., May 24th, 2005 – www.MusicIndustryStocks.com (MIS), an investor and industry news portal for the Music Industry, is pleased to present an online interview with John Gott, CEO of SLS International (OTCBB: SITI), a manufacturer of technologically advanced loudspeakers and unique audio technologies. SLS International, Inc. is rapidly increasing sales, market acceptance, and product endorsements.

During the audio interview Mr. Gott described the evolution of his company, and of their patent-pending ultra-high fidelity Ribbon Driver loudspeakers; their new line of patented Evenstar digital amplifiers; SLS’s national branding/marketing campaign; and SLS’s relationships with Donald Trump, Sting and Quincy Jones, as well as the co-development of the Q Line speakers with Mr. Jones (a product line which will be sold through the Wal-Mart chain). Mr. Gott projected a profitable future for his company and in this interview provided information about the strategic steps that SLS is undertaking to reach his goals.

“We are out there competing on a day to day basis with companies that are doing billions of dollars in sales,” said Gott, “and typically we are taking sales from them every day, because every time we do a comparative test of our product with theirs, we win the deal. We are expecting to be a billion dollar company in about five to six years. With the amount of growth that we are experiencing and with the markets we are in, we can take this company to that level.”

For Access to the Online Audio Interview in Full Click Here:
http://www.investorideas.com/CO/SITI/audio/interview.asp

Featured Company: (MIS is compensated by companies as disclosed in disclaimer.)

SLS International, Inc. (OTCBB: SITI) is a 30-year-old manufacturer and developer of new patent-pending ultra-high fidelity Ribbon Driver loudspeakers, Patented Evenstar Digital Amplifiers and sound systems for the commercial, home entertainment, professional and music markets. SLS has perfected the ribbon-driver technology enabling their loudspeakers to achieve exceptional inner detail and accuracy with 20 to 30 percent less the distortion of typical compression driver and dome tweeters. SLS speakers and systems are used in high profile venues such as NBC/MSNBC's 2002 and 2004 Olympics studios -- NBC is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Electric; MSNBC is jointly owned by GE and Microsoft Corporation -- the Recording Academy's Grammy Producers SoundTable events, and for the NAMM winter show, providing sound in the AVID Technology booth. For more information, visit http://www.slsloudspeakers.com.

Corporate Profile, News and Info: http://www.investorideas.com/CO/SITI/Default.asp

The MIS website does not make recommendations, but offers a unique free information portal to research news, exclusive articles, interviews, investor conferences and a growing list of participating public companies in the Music sector.

MusicIndustryStocks.com includes a growing list of public companies in the sector. Click here for a partial list of companies involved in the sector.
http://www.musicindustrystocks.com/MIS/Stock_List.asp

Investor Incite Newsletter

InvestorIdeas.com's free "Investor Incite" Newsletter consists of company and industry updates, investment research and developing trends in key areas such as Homeland Security, Renewable Energy, The Music Industry, Nanotechnology and more.

TO SIGN UP, click here: www.InvestorIdeas.com/Resources/Newsletter.asp

Disclaimer: ECON Investor Relations Inc is the owner of this domain. Our site does not make recommendations, but offers a unique information portal to investors to research news, articles, and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any specific products or securities. All investments involve risk. Although we attempt to research thoroughly, we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of any information presented. We encourage all investors to use our sites only as a resource to further their own research. The site is compensated by its "Featured Companies," as outlined in our on-line disclaimer at www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Featured company - SLS International (OTCBB: SITI): Four thousand dollars per month.

Contact:

Dawn Van Zant / Trevor Ruehs / Brian Noer / Ann-Marie Fleming
Toll free: 800-665-0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com, truehs@investorideas.com, bnoer@investorideas.com, afleming@investorideas.com

About the author:

The MIS website does not make recommendations, but offers a unique free information portal to research news, exclusive articles, interviews, investor conferences and a growing list of participating public companies in the Music sector.

by: Brian NOer

Munch Music Presents Double Shot of Rock on Saturday September 24th – ‘Chemical Dream’ and ‘Van Paul and the Forever Reds’

2008-11-24T01:05:00.000-08:00

Two local Tsawwassen bands perform back to back rock shows – both bands currently working on recording CDs at Munch Music Recording Facility.
Munch Music Delta, B.C., September 19, 2005 - Munch Music, Inc. - www.MyMunchMusic.com and www.RockandRollDream.com, Delta’s premiere live venue and

digital recording facility is very proud to present two live performances this Saturday September 24th, by the local Tsawwassen bands, ‘Chemical Dream” and ‘Van Paul and the Forever Reds’. Munch Music features live Rock & Roll performances every Friday and Saturday night.
On Saturday September 24th at 7:30pm, the band ‘Van Paul and the Forever Reds’ (VPATFR) will be opening the double shot of live rock at Munch Music. VPATFR recently completed the recording of their first single, entitled, “And Air” the proceeds of which they have donated to the Red Cross and the survivors of Hurricane Katrina (click here for more information and download location for the song, “And Air” - http://www.rockandrolldream.com/NR/news_release_091205.htm). The Red’s sound is a mixture of powerful lyrics, catchy melodies and rocking musical talent that the band refers to as a meeting place between classic and new rock.
VPATFR consist of Munch Music’s founder and President, Taylor Vant on vocals, guitar and bass, Patrick Snape on guitar and bass, Max Konyi on lead guitar and Nate Konyi on percussion.
Chemical Dream are following up their very successful recent slots as headliners and opening band (for the band LTG) at Munch Music, with an encore performance of the songs that will ultimately make up their debut CD which they are currently recording at Munch Music’s digital recording facility. Chemical Dream consists of John Simpson on guitar, Alex Won on guitar, Doug Bourks on bass, and Connor McIlvenna on percussion. The Dream’s music is a very hooky mixture of riff based classic rock with melodic guitar melodies and instantly accessible songwriting talent.
Both Chemical Dream and VPATFR performed this past Sunday at the Terry Fox Run fundraiser at the South Delta Recreation Center. Tickets for this gig are $5 and are available through Munch Music - avoid disappointment on the night and book your tickets early.
More Details on recent and coming events: www.MyMunchMusic.com/events.htm
The concept behind Munch Music is simple: "You have a Rock & Roll Dream and we provide the means for you to live that dream". Life at Munch Music is never boring, and here you're never too old or too young to be a bona fide 'Jukebox Hero'! Munch Music provides the fulfillment of musical dreams through a state of the art digital recording studio, the opportunity to promote your new CD both in-store and online, and a staff of experienced lifelong musicians who are available to instruct and guide you through your musical journey. And to top it all off, we are able to offer our services and expertise at extremely affordable prices that should suit the budget of even the youngest new chart toppers.
The Munch Music website features an extensive list of music industry links from classic rock to copyrighting your own music for avid music fans. Click here for more details: www.MyMunchMusic.com/music_links.htm
About us: "Live Your Rock & Roll Dream" at Munch Music - CD recording, music lessons and live performance experience are now within the grasp of all musicians: www.MyMunchMusic.com/About_Us.htm. Check us out online at www.MyMunchMusic.com and www.RockandRollDream.com where you can view a complete description of our services, facilities, price list, menu and merchandise.
Music Industry Blog: http://www.MusicInvestorNews.blogspot.com/

Contact:

Brian Noer or Taylor Van Zant
bnoer@investorideas.com
604.948.1811
Unit 11 - 1835 56th Street, V4L 2L8
Delta, BC - Canada

by: Brian Noer

How Has Eminem Risen to the Top?

2008-11-24T01:04:00.002-08:00

How is it that a little white boy from Kansas City has become
the most well known rapper in the world? Starting from nothing
and eventually moving up to a multi-millionaire, Eminem over the
past seven years has been in the eye of the public everywhere
you look. He has essentially entered a black man’

s business and
gone to the top over the course of a few years, but how?

On October 17, 1972 Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born in St.
Joseph, MO by his 15 year old mother Debbie. Six months later
his father was gone and this began the struggle for Marshall and
his mother; one that was just the beginning. Throughout the
course of his childhood Marshall and his mother moved numerous
times into different houses from Kansas City to Detroit. The
maximum time spent in one house was only 3 months, which caused
Marshall to attend many different schools making it difficult to
cope to the different surroundings and make friends. Every new
school he attended he was bullied as he was the new kid. This
was something that he could not change as he was never stationed
in one school for a long period of time. At the age of 12 he and
his mother finally settled in a house in Detroit. He would
later use the bullying to his advantage fueling him to get back
at all his bullies through songs.

By the age of 4 Marshall was already beginning to rap and put
words together rhyming them. At school he was rather successful
considering the circumstances, but it was lunchtime that he
enjoyed as he often battled schoolmates through freestyles. At
the age of 14 Marshall began to get serious about rapping and
felt that he had a shot in the business. When he got to the
ninth grade he failed it three times before eventually dropping
out as he felt school was not for him.

When he turned 17 he came up with the name M&M for himself by
combining the first letters of his first and last name, which
later was changed to Eminem. Now that he didn’t have school as
a distraction, he focused solely on rapping with the goal of
making it to the top. He faced constant struggle on the way to
stardom as he was continuously rejected by most rappers because
of his race, despite his true talent. This grew anger inside of
him that he uses in his music today. Knowing that it wasn’t
going to be easy and that he would have to work, Marshall forced
himself onto radio shows and freestyle battles to prove
everybody wrong. He eventually got a first album titled
“Infinite”, but it only sold 1,000 copies. It wasn’t until 1997
that Marshall would make a name for himself.

In 1997 he was married with a child trying to support his family
with very little cash to do it with. He went to the Rap
Olympics in Los Angeles hoping to win the cash prize of $1,500
for first place, but instead was spotted by a few sponsors from
Interscope. Furious that he had come in second, he later found
out about the sponsors and he gave them a copy of the “Infinite”
tape, which was later sent to Dr. Dre. Dre was extremely
impressed with the talent of Eminem and got contact of him,
where the two recorded his second album; The Slim Shady LP.
This album set the tone for his style of rap, as he lashed out
on everyone that had bullied him throughout his life. It was a
different style than anyone had ever heard, which brought him to
stardom.

Eminem is by far the most popular rapper that is seen most in
public. He has been seen in Rap Pages, VIBE, Rolling Stone,
Spin, The Source, URB and Stress and continues to strive for
more. He became the first white person to ever be on the cover
of The Source. Throughout his life he has starred in the movie
“8 Mile” based on his life growing up, has had over 20 guest
appearances on TV, has featured on numerous different rappers
CD’s, and has recorded 5 CD’s of his own. His second LP, “The
Marshall Mathers LP”, sold over 8 million records in the United
States alone, 1.76 million copies in the first week setting a
record for a solo artist. This album became the first rap album
ever to be nominated for “Album of the Year” at the Grammies. He
would go on to win 3 Grammies for the album that night. In the
year 2002 he made $29 million in earnings of his fourth album
“The Eminem Show LP” and touring for it. Then on March 23, 2003
the song “Lose Yourself” from his movie “8 Mile” became the
first rap song to ever win an Academy Award.

While being known for his explicit behavior and horrendous
lyrics on his albums and in the eye of the public, it is
difficult to overlook all that he has achieved. Coming from
where he did and rising to where he is currently, it is
remarkable what he has done not only for himself, but the rap
world as well. While it is hard for most to like him, there are
not many that do not at least respect him for what he has
achieved as of now, and what he may do in the future to come.

About the author:
Jeff Schuman II is the creator of Best-MP3-Music-Downloads.com
where you can buy CD’s and find all of the best free music
downloads.
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

by: Jeff Schuman II

© Jeff Schuman II
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Dyann Woody Releases Debut Solo Album My Softer Side

2008-11-24T01:04:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nashville, TN--October 3, 2005--Who knew that this country singer was really a closet chanteuse? Dyann Woody makes a seamless transition from ‘Yee Haw’ to ‘Ooh La La’. She not only has the voice of an angelic siren, but what will amaze you even more is just how easy and pleasing her music is to listen to.

She reaches across many genres and meshes elements of ‘70’s singer/songwriter style, jazz, blues and pop with the art of a well-crafted lyric.

Although this is Dyann’s first solo album, she has shared musical success with her husband as part of the Country Music Group, The Woodys. Their debut album on Rounder Records went #1 on the Americana charts; they were voted the Top County Vocal Duo at the International Music News Awards and have received worldwide critical acclaim for all three of their albums. However, there was still a part of Dyann that was musically unfulfilled. She wanted to write songs that expressed all of the emotions and experiences that she and other women have had in their lives in relationship to men. Dyann also wanted to use the full range of her voice bringing into play the years that she studied voice, classical music and jazz.
So, inspired by Norah Jones record, Come Fly Away, Dyann felt her time had come. She began writing songs for her own album drawing from earlier musical influences of the artists she loved like Billy Holliday and Bonnie Raitt. My Softer Side is a soulful and heartfelt musical offering that not only highlights great songwriting but her sweet & sultry vocals along with the stellar talents of Rick Vito (Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac), Barry Walsh (Shania Twain), Dave Pomeroy (Trisha Yearwood) and Steve Turner (Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton). Dyann’s very talented husband, Michael Woody, not only co-produced the album but played trumpet on it as well. He oversaw the entire project and brought to bear his expertise in songwriting (he is a #1 ASCAP songwriter) and encouraged Dyann’s Softer Side to be expressed through her singing. Pat Hutchinson of Warner Chappell Studios put the final icing on the cake as associate producer and engineer.

“I have to admit, I loved this album, every single song. Now how often do you hear someone say that? I would be willing to bet, not nearly enough. This CD is the most down to earth and real expression of artistry you will ever find in recorded music.” - Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikReviews.com

CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dyannwoody

PR Created by Dynamike Music and Distributed by MuzikReviews.com

About the author:
Dynamike Music Supports Independent Music

by: Michael Woody

MP4 players - the next big thing?

2008-11-24T01:03:00.000-08:00

MP4 players, also called personal video players or multimedia players, are portable devices that play MP4 video files. They play movies using the mp4 file format/standard. Could they become the next big consumer gadget?

For a long time now, MP3 players have been one of the hottest selling portable music players on the market. They have changed the way we make, listen to and store music. These players use the mp3 file format (mpeg 1 layer 111).

MP4 has been heralded by some as the next big thing. This is because of the versatility and quality of the MP4 file. MP4 stands for MPEG 4. This format can be used for video and audio and it produces a very high quality sound and picture. It can be used with many wireless devices.

MP4 players play video using this file format. Many can record from a tv or dvd player or even from the internet and then play back the video or movie at the users convenience. Some can store pictures as well. A good mp4 player will come with a decent amount of memory to store the sometimes large mp4 files. They are priced around $200-300.

Though they are gaining popularity, it remains to be seen if they will one day be as well known as the super famous mp3 player.

About the author:
Learn more about the MP4 Player.

by: Tom

How Do You Write Songs?

2008-11-24T01:02:00.000-08:00

There was an interesting post today on a message board that I go to. It was about a guy that just started a new band and he wanted to know if anyone could give him some songwriting tips.

First off, there isn't a wrong way to write songs. But after you've done it for a while, you'll find out that some ways to go about it are easier than others.

This is how I do it.

1. Music and Melody Come First

I never fit a melody to pre-existing lyrics. It’s forced and it doesn’t sound good to me. When you write the words before the melody, you’re trying to force the melody to fit your lyrics. The result is it doesn’t sound natural.

A lot of songwriters start with an idea. It's just easier for me to know what angle I'm coming from. Usually how it happens with me is the music comes first and the melody comes right after that.

Why do I write the melody first before my lyrics?

If I don't know how many notes are in the melody, how do I know how many syllables need to be in my lines? I don’t.

If there’s 8 notes in the first part of the melody and 6 notes in the second part , you’ll have to have 8 syllables in the first line and 6 in the second.

Let’s say you want to put 4 lines in each of your verses, You’ll have 8 syllables in the first and third lines and six in the second and fourth.

Here’s an example:

In the song "I want you to want me" the lead singer for Cheap Trick wrote a four line melody that had six notes in the first three lines and seven in the last line. He knew that there had to be six syllables in the first three lines and seven syllables in the fourth.

I Want You To Want Me

I want you to want me =six syllables

I need you to need me =six syllables

I’d love you to love me =six syllables

I’m begging’ you to beg me =seven syllables

2. Figure Out An Idea To Work From

Ideas are everywhere. You can write about what a friend of yours is going through. You can write about what you're going through.

I keep a journal just for this and make daily installments. I write down everything that I can think of that happened that day. And after a few months of that, I'll go through the journal harvest my ideas.

I treat my journal like the garden it is. Most every song I write comes directly from my journals.

3. Put the idea into one to two sentences

The best way to show you this is to give you an example. Keeping with "I Want You To Want Me", here’s the basic idea:

"I want you to want me as bad as I want you."

You only want one idea for each song. If you have any more, your song is going to last too long. And you're listeners won't be able to keep up.

Believe me, nobody but you will understand them. I know from very bad experience.

4. Write The Lyrics To Fit The Melody

Once you have the idea, you start to explain the idea in the verses with the number of syllables you have in the melody. The chorus is just the overall idea in a summed up fashion.

That’s how I write songs. Music and melody come first. The idea comes after that. Write the idea in a statement form. And then, write the lyrics to fit the melody.

About the author:
Larry Ford runs a weblog giving beginner guitarist's quick and easy tips to help them build their skills. His weblog can be found at http://www.larrysjournal.com

by: Larry Ford

Organic Hip Hop For the Positive

2008-11-24T01:01:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles, CA March 31, 2005 –While evolving within a
highly controversial and revolutionary genre in music today,
Organic hip hop has become the vanguard for positive
cultural and spiritual expression around the globe.

For the uninitiated, it may seem unclear as to how Organic
hip hop is being used to create socially therapeutic
listening experiences for audiences. However, virtually any
music lover could testify as to how purely emotional their
experiences can be while listening to their favorite songs
from any genre. Take the euphoric melodies of your typical
Organic hip hop songs and mix them with those beats &
uplifting lyrical messages. Now you have a recipe for an
uplifting and motivational listening experience.

The signature ingredient in Organic hip hop is its lyrical
promotion of social responsibility together with rhyme as a
form of art. Lyrical affirmations of self-respect, mutuality
and community effectively replace society’s oppression,
depression and out-right pressures to conform.

Today, communities across the country and around the world
are in need of Organic hip hop more than ever. Children are
shooting each other in schools. Children are lost to being
raised by social service systems. Children are giving birth
to children. Organic hip hop will always be culturally and
spiritually relevant because that is where the relief is
needed most. Organic hip hop’s global relevance is rooted in
its signature ingredient: a collective affirmation of social
responsibility, self-respect and mutuality within local and
global communities alike.

In a world plagued by a variety of social epidemics, Organic
hip hop provides an urgent social alternative for our
impressionable youth as well as our seasoned contemporaries.

by: Meridith Merchant

The Great Guitar Playing Secret

2008-11-24T01:00:00.001-08:00

So, you want to be a guitar player huh? You want to strut like Chuck Berry, be as cool as Keith Richards, rock like Jimi Hendrix and astound like Steve Vai. You want to wake up in the morning a beginner and go to bed at night an expert. You want to be hero-worshipped and have people chant your name.

Idolised, admired, remembered and revered. You want your money for nothing and your chicks for free. You want all that and more!

Good for you! You have ambition; fire in your belly and a lion in your heart. It takes a lot of gusto to want to be a great guitarist. I wish you well and hope you achieve your dreams many times over.

Now that we’ve established that you want to be a great guitar picker, how would you feel if I said I know the secret of being a great guitar picker? Furthermore, how would you feel if I told you I was going to share that secret with you right now, free of charge? I suppose you would think there’s a catch and that really I just want to sell you something. Well, it’s true that I do have an on-line store that sells great guitar tutorials. It’s also true that I would love you to visit and buy everything in the shop. However, that’s not why I’m going to share this secret with you. No way, I have another reason for giving you this information.

When I was starting out playing the guitar, I always wished that I could have known somebody who could already play and could teach me a few things. Unfortunately, in those early days I didn’t know anybody that played. I had to struggle along trying to learn chords, scales and arpeggios from the printed page. I used to worry about whether I was holding the guitar correctly, or if I was putting my fingers on the correct fret or string. A lot of it was pretty much hit and miss. More often than not…..it was miss!!

For that reason, I would like to offer some advice to guitar players that are just starting out. If you promise to listen and take notice of my advice, I promise I will share with you the secret of becoming a great guitar player. Deal? Ok, settle down with a cold can of fizzy pop, and read on……

I’m going to list these pieces of advice one by one in a bulleted list. Remember, the deal is you read and digest the information and then I will tell you the great guitar playing secret. Press your focus and concentration buttons………Now!!

1. Buy a guitar tuner and tune up! If you don’t know anybody who can tune the guitar for you, and you can’t yet tune it yourself, then you need to invest in a tuner. Do this today! Don’t struggle along on a guitar that sounds like elastic bands on a shoebox. You will not get any enjoyment whatsoever from an out of tune guitar. So, piece of advice number 1 - Tune it and keep it tuned!!

2. Consider lessons! When beginning anything in life, it is good to get off on the right foot. A teacher, a mentor, an advisor, call it what you will. To teach is one of the most fantastic things we can do. Find a teacher that takes great pride in what he does. Usually the best ones are found by word of mouth. Ask people, make enquiries, e-mail, telephone, write a letter, anything it takes to find the right person. Remember, no matter how good you get there is always somebody who can teach you something new. Hiring a teacher is not just for when you are starting out, it is something you should consider throughout your guitar playing life. A good teacher will advise you on technique, theory, performance, attitude and practicing. He or she will set you goals and reward you when you accomplish them. He or she will also explain the small things such as the importance of using a metronome in your studies, keeping your instrument clean and changing strings. Advice number 2 – Find a mentor!

3. Practice, practice, practice…….but not too much!! What does that mean “Practice, but not too much?” Well, if we want to get good at anything then obviously we do need to practice. With regards to learning the guitar, we need to get our hands to play the right notes in the right way. Although great technique takes a lot of time, effort, commitment and PRACTICE, we need to be aware of when to draw the line. Sometimes we can get that wrapped up in something that we are interested in; we can forget that there are other things in life. Our family, our friends, sports, the theatre, cinema, books, etc… Advice number 3 – Practice to get good, but chill out and relax to get even better!

4. Know what you have to learn and its importance to you now!! There are so many things to learn on the guitar that it is inevitable that you will get distracted. Chords, scales, arpeggios, licks, tunes, exercises etc… They all have to be learnt as they are all important. If you realise the importance of learning these things before you start to practice them, you will stand a better chance of keeping your focus and completing your studies. If you are learning a new chord for example, think about why it is important that you learn the chord. How will it benefit you? How will it help you to advance? How will it help you to evolve into a better musician? Everything you learn is important, understand its importance. Advice number 4 – Make sure you know the relevance of everything you need to learn.

5. Listen, listen, listen!! Ok, this piece of advice has two parts. The first part means listen to a lot of music. Try and have many influences. Remember, there is no bad music, only bad musicians. Be open to jazz, blues, rock, funk, pop, country, classical, anything! We can learn such a lot by listening. It plays a major part in our musical development. The second part of this piece of advice involves you training your ears. Try to learn to recognise chords just by the sound they make. Be aware of the subtle differences between a 7th chord and a 9th chord. It takes a long time to be able to do this properly. Stick with it and don’t worry when you get them wrong. Each time you try, you improve a little bit more. Advice number 5 – Use those ears!!

6. Play with other people!! Join a band or form a band as soon as you can. You will learn so much from playing with other people. Put an advertisement in a music shop advertising your services as a guitar player. Don’t worry if you don’t feel ready, do it anyway. The experience will be priceless! Everything improves when you play regularly with other musicians. Your time, your feel, your technique, your confidence, EVERYTHING! Make sure you do this at the earliest opportunity! Advice number 6 – Take the licks out of your room and into a band!!

7. Learn your theory!! Ok, your guitar teacher will probably stress the importance of this to you. The more theory you learn, the more your guitar playing will improve. Learn chord construction, diatonic harmony, learn about triads, intervals, major scales, relative minors, modes, etc… A lot of guitar players don’t like studying theory. Make sure you are not one of them. Advice number 7 – Read lots of music theory books!!

8. Visualise!! A lot of people do not realise how powerful a tool this is. There is nothing you can’t do in your mind! Visualisation will not improve your technique. The only way to improve technique is to sit down and play for long hours. Visualisation helps in other ways. It helps you commit things to your long term memory. Use it when learning chords, scales, arpeggios, songs, in fact, anything. There is however, a time and a place for visualisation. You can use it while travelling on a bus, waiting for your date to turn up, while falling asleep at night, sunbathing or relaxing. You must NOT use it while doing anything that requires your full attention. For example; driving, using tools, cooking and riding you bicycle. You get the idea, right? Also, do not ever think that visualisation is a substitute for hands on practice - it isn’t! You have to do that as well. Advice number 8 – Practice in your mind!!

9. Be inquisitive!! The more you play the more chance you have of meeting other guitar players. Never, ever be afraid to ask them questions even if they haven’t been playing as long as you have. We learn off everybody. Ask probing questions to see how they developed their technique. Check out the chord shapes they use. If you see one that you don’t recognise, ask them what it is. Remember your job is to improve your playing at every opportunity – do your job! Advice number 9 – Ask lots of questions and you’ll get lots of answers!!!

10. Smile!! Sometimes the stress of being a practicing guitar player can get us down. Maybe a lick you are working on just isn’t happening, or no matter how hard you try you just cannot execute a new scale properly. This is normal. Sometimes it’s better to put the instrument down and come back to it later on. Never, ever let it get you mad and never, ever get frustrated. Fight back at these challenging situations with a big smile. Try it now, right this minute. Think of something that is bothering you although deep down you know it isn’t important. Visualise it. Ok, hold it there and…….SMILE! Laugh even. Not just a chuckle but a big laugh right from your belly. Go on, feels good, doesn’t it? Treat your guitar playing challenges in exactly the same way. Deep down you know they aren’t really that important. Tomorrow is another day. I’m not saying don’t take your guitar playing seriously; just stop and smell the flowers now and again. Be optimistic, be bold, be the best you can be and……..smile!! Advice number 10 – Playing the guitar is fun – Enjoy it!!

There you go, that’s my advice to you. Good luck with your playing!

Right, all that’s left for me to do is tell you the great guitar playing secret. Are you ready? Well, don’t tell anybody but the secret of being a great guitar player is…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………….in everything you’ve just read!! Sorry guys, but there ain’t no shortcut to greatness. If you follow the 10 pieces of advice I’ve just given you then you won’t go far wrong. I still haven’t achieved it and I may never will. One thing is for sure, I’m gonna keep on plugging away, and, who knows, maybe one day I’ll get pretty close. The fun is in the trying. Work hard and feel yourself improve!

So, you want to be a guitar player huh? You bet your life I do……

www.jack-sky.com

by: Peter Jones

Your iPod is a fantastic mp3 player: but it can do so much more.

2008-11-24T00:59:00.000-08:00

This ebook will show you how to use your iPod to its MAXIMUM. Use it as a PDA, a bootable hard drive, back-up your computer, and to record voice notes.

This eBook is also your iPod's missing manual.

Solve problems such as freezes, crashes, poor battery capacity, working with multiple machines, updating its firmware.

Don't spend hours and hours surfing the internet to find the answer to your problem: just look it up in this ebook.

Take this quick quiz:

1. Are you using your iPod to back up your important files (from your PC or Mac or BOTH!), boot your Mac, copy music to other people's Machines, and store your contacts and notes?

2. Do you know how to restart your iPod after it's crashed or frozen and how to update its software?

3. Are you getting frustrated with the limited battery life but don't know how to maximise it?

4. Do you know how to connect your iPod to your car radio, home stereo and DVD player?

5. Do you know what iPod accessories are available and what they do?

6. Do you know what iPod software is available for both PCs and Macs?

7. Do you know how to change the battery in your iPod?

8. Do you know what to do if you accidentally erase your iPod's hard drive?

9. Do you know how to use your iPod with two different machines?

10. Did you know you can replace your ipod's hard drive or perform other iPod hacks?

Did you answer "No" to any of these questions? If so, you will find plenty of useful information in this ebook that will show you how you can use your iPod for a myriad of tasks and what to do when things go wrong.

Why was this ebook written?

When I bought my first iPod, I spent days trying to learn how to use it properly and to get it syncing with MUSICMATCH. It didn't work! I consulted the little booklet that Apple ships with an iPod. That didn't help much. So, I trawled the net to find solutions to all the problems I was having. It wasn't easy! I found a range of different sites that had snippets of information, but it was often difficult to find exactly what I was looking for. v After changing software (to iTunes), solving some freezing problems, updating my iPods firmware, and discovering how to use the one iPod with both my Mac and PC, I am now crazy about my iPod and can't imagine music without it. I thought that other people were probably experiencing some similar frustrations and might benefit from learning how to solve common problems with a minimum of effort.

As I began to master my iPod, I also learnt about all the other things you could do with an iPod, as well as the range of third party software designed to maximise the utility of your iPod. Basically, I learnt a lot. So, I thought it might be useful to write it down: put all this information in the one spot to make it easy for people to enjoy their iPod from Day 1 and, once they have mastered the basics, to learn how to do a whole stack of other things with their iPod. Or, if you've already got an iPod, then this ebook will help you to get the most from this technology.

What is in the ebooK?

In this ebook, you will learn:

how to update your iPod's software (Windows and Mac)

how to boot your Mac from your iPod (which is a great way to back up your Mac's hard disk and to make sure that if your hard drive ever fails, you aren't up the proverbial creek without a paddle) (Mac only).

how to troubleshoot your iPod (eg when it freezes or won't turn on, how to reset the PMU, when the touchwheel and buttons don't respond, when you've accidentally erased your iPod's drive).

how to use your iPod to store data (such as word files, pictures, movies) (Windows and Mac).

how to maximise your iPod's battery capacity and what to do if you still need more (Windows and Mac).

how to synchronise your contacts, calendar and email between your Mac/PC and your iPod (Windows and Mac).

how to store notes on your iPod (Windows and Mac) including using scripts to automate these processes (Mac only).

how to use your iPod to DJ.

what you need to use your iPod as a voice recorder (so you can tape lectures, meetings, interviews or just make voice memos for yourself) (Windows and Mac).

what you need to turn your iPod into a multi-media card reader (Windows and Mac).

how to play music until you sleep and how to use your iPod to wake you up again (Windows and Mac).

how to use your iPod with your home stereo system, dvd player or car stereo to have all your music with you wherever you are (Windows and Mac).

how to copy songs from your iPod to your Mac or PC (Windows and Mac).

how to use your iPod with multiple Machines (Windows and Mac).

how to replace your iPod's battery (Windows and Mac).

how to replace your iPod's hard drive (Windows and Mac).

what software is available for your iPod, what does it do, where can you find it and where can you find more (Windows and Mac).

I spent hours and hours of my holidays just learning how to do some basic things with my iPod (and I've been using computers for nearly 20 years). I had a few freezes and crashes, the battery didn't seem to want to charge and I couldn't get songs to transfer from my music software onto the iPod. Arrgghh! It drove me crazy. So, I set my sights on learning as much about the iPod as I could, to make sure I got value for money. I finally have and I love my iPod. Don't waste the time I did.

by: Johnathan Crews

Who is behind the iPod

2008-11-24T00:58:00.000-08:00

Apple Computers came out with their first computer on April 1, 1976. It was AppleI but this one did not go over very well, but when these two Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs, created Apple II,

the computer became a success. Over the years they produced quality computers and computer accessories, but began to notice less sales and public demand decreasing.

Then in October 2001, announced a non-computer product that would have them back on the top of charts once again. It was the iPod. The very first one, came with a large price tag but was a designed smart and was a great way to carry around your favorite tunes.

Apple iPod now creates some of the most popular iPod’s you can find all of which would be wonderful gifts for any occasion.

Apple has a variety of unique and original iPods to choose from and finding one that is perfect for you or a friend or even a family member will be as easy as browsing through their selection.

The iPod shuffle is one of the most unique iPods around. This is a flash MP3 player so it is great for anyone who is active and enjoys listening to music while jogging, rock climbing, or exercising. You will be listening to your own favorite tunes, but in a random order which is decided by the iPod. You never know which song will be coming up next. It can hold up to 240 songs and will play up to 3 hours of continuous music. Not only will you enjoy the great music and sound but you will also like the size. This cool iPod does not weigh any more than your car keys. Prices of the iPod Shuffle differ according to how many MB’s you prefer. For the 1GB iPod Shuffle you will find it for £99.00 and the 512MB is only £69.00.

About the author:
UK MP3 are the UK's foremost MP3 player shop and review site. We write accurate, unbiased reviews of all the MP3 players we stock, and have a large number of customer reviews, so you can be confident you know what you are getting when you buy your MP3 player

by: Eddie Miller

Top 50 Music Quotations

2008-11-24T00:57:00.001-08:00

Discover the phenomenonal complexity of music and reflect on the way it can positively influence your life with this sound collection of riveting quotes...

"Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below."
-- Joseph Addison

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness."
--Maya Angelou

"Music is either good or bad, and it's got to be learned. You got to have balance."
-- Louis Armstrong

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
-- Berthold Auerbach

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul."
--Johann Sebastian Bach

"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life."
-- Ludwig van Beethoven

"Music - The one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend."
-- Ludwig van Beethoven

"Music can change the world. "
-- Ludwig Van Beethoven

"Music can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable."
-- Leonard Bernstein

"Music has to breathe and sweat. You have to play it live. "
-- James Brown

"Music is well said to be the speech of angels."
-- Thomas Carlyle

"All music comes from God."
-- Johnny Cash

"If you learn music, you'll learn most all there is to know. "
-- Edgar Cayce

"Music is nothing separate from me. It is me... You'd have to remove the music surgically. "
-- Ray Charles

"Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is. "
-- Miles Davis

"There is no feeling, except the extremes of fear and grief, that does not find relief in music."
-- George Eliot

"You are the music while the music lasts."
--T. S. Eliot

"We need magic, and bliss, and power, myth, and celebration and religion in our lives, and music is a good way to encapsulate a lot of it. "
-- Jerry Garcia

"Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife."
-- Kahlil Gibran

"When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had and never will have."
-- Edgar Watson Howe

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossile to be silent."
-- Victor Hugo

"The history of a people is found in its songs."
-- George Jellinek

"Music is the vernacular of the human soul."
-- Geoffrey Latham

"It requires wisdom to understand wisdom; the music is nothing if the audience is deaf."
-- Walter J. Lippmann

"Just as certain selections of music will nourish your physical body and your emotional layer, so other musical works will bring greater health to your mind."
-- Hal A. Lingerman

"Music is the harmonious voice of creation; an echo of the invisible world."
-- Giuseppe Mazzini

"Music is a beautiful opiate, if you don't take it too seriously."
-- Henry Miller

"I started making music because I could."
-- Alanis Morissette

"Music helps you find the truths you must bring into the rest of your life. "
-- Alanis Morissette

"Music is spiritual. The music business is not. "
-- Van Morrison

"Like everything else in nature, music is a becoming, and it becomes its full self, when its sounds and laws are used by intelligent man for the production of harmony, and so made the vehicle of emotion and thought."
-- Theodore Mungers

"Without music life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

"In music the passions enjoy themselves."
-- Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

"Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art."
-- Charlie Parker

"Music should be something that makes you gotta move, inside or outside. "
-- Elvis Presley

"It's the music that kept us all intact, kept us from going crazy. "
-- Lou Reed

"The music business was not safe, but it was FUN. It was like falling in love with a woman you know is bad for you, but you love every minute with her, anyway."
-- Lionel Richie

"Music should never be harmless."
-- Robbie Robertson

"Give me a laundry list and I'll set it to music."
-- Gioacchino Antonio Rossini

"All music is important if it comes from the heart. "
-- Carlos Santana

"Music is the key to the female heart."
-- Johann G. Seume

"The best music... is essentially there to provide you something to face the world with. "
-- Bruce Springsteen

"All I try to do is write music that feels meaningful to me, that has commitment and passion behind it."
-- Bruce Springsteen

"In music one must think with the heart and feel with the brain."
--George Szell

"When I hear music, I fear no danger. I am invulnerable. I see no foe. I am related to the earliest times, and to the latest."
-- Henry David Thoreau

"For heights and depths no words can reach, music is the soul's own speech."
--Unknown

"Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us."
--Unknown

"I believe in the power of music. To me, it isn't just a fad. This is a positive thing."
-- Eddie Vedder

"Music at its essence is what gives us memories. "
-- Stevie Wonder

"There's a basic rule which runs through all kinds of music, kind of an unwritten rule. I don't know what it is. But I've got it."
-- Ron Wood

About the author:
Danielle Hollister is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp

by: Danielle Hollister

The Power of Music

2008-11-24T00:56:00.000-08:00

as it influences the human spirit and emotions should not be underestimated. Music has a great influence in all cultures and religions. Who has not had the experience of suddenly humming or moving to the rhythm of a tune heard for the first time long ago?

Many of the most important events in our lifes are commemorated with music. Those who have served in the military never forget the stirring cadence of a military march. Even decades later the sound of a military band will take the old veteran back to the days when his step was sure and strong and his new found confidence in his ability to defend his country and his buddies from harm knew no bounds.

Tunes often are associated with important events in our lives. Perhaps it is the song that you danced to at the high school prom with the person who later became your lifetime partner that still fans your passions. Perhaps it is the tune that was playing as you danced with your new spouse at your wedding party. It may be a song or two that was sung by a famous entertainer whose performance you were lucky enough to hear on your 30th birthday.

I still vividly remember seeing Elvis Presley perform near the end of his career. It was my friends birthday present to herself. I was her date for the evening and never expected to be so moved by "The King's" performance. But I was, and am still grateful to my friend for asking me to escort her to the live show.I wasn't that much of an Elvis fan prior to his performance but had a far greater appreciation of his talent after seeing the master at work. What a show!

The Internet has created a new important venue for music. Lyrics to just about every song that has ever been written have been archived and can be easily accessed with an Internet search. The sharing of music files has been controversial all be it widespread. Legal means of gaining access to any type of music from Internet sources are under development and have lead to an entirely new growth industry.

The power of music can be a strong unifying force in a world that badly needs unification and cooperation on issues that affect us all. Peoples of the world should rejoice in the rich heritage that music brings to every culture. The sharing of ideas and music over the Internet only adds to the significance of music as a universal medium of communications.

People all over the world love their music. You can bet there is as much enthusiasm for a new Eminem rap song among Eminem fans as there is for classical jazz or a classical piano performance among more conventional music fans. There are different strokes for different folks as they say in Dixie and nowhere is this better illustrated than in the field of music.

However varied musicial tsstes may be amoung individuals we should consider the common thread that music weaves between all peoples and build upon that common ground to achieve a better understanding of how we are connected in our humanity.

People the world over have common basic needs and music is one of them.

About the author:
David is a full time Internet business developer who maintains an office in Bradenton, Fl. but who spends most of his time in the Land of Smiles, the Kingdom of Thailand.
His most recent Internet project is

by: Gerald David Greene

The Dark Side of P2P File Sharing

2008-11-24T00:55:00.002-08:00

P2P file sharing programs are free. Period. But there are P2P scam sites out there that want you to pay them instead. P2P scam sites are rogue companies that have set up shop to fleece unsuspecting music downloaders looking for file sharing programs by charging a fee for an otherwise free service.

No P2P file sharing software costs money. Exceptions would be a site asking members to make a monetary donation to help pay for bandwidth, hosting costs, and other administrative costs.

Some P2P file sharing programs offer "pro" versions of their free software. But again, their basic service is free to the public. I want you to fully understand this, because paying a P2P scam site money can not only make your wallet a bit lighter, it can also make your computer vulnerable to dangerous spyware.

That's right. These scam sites are only interested in making money off you. As well as actually taking your money by fooling you into paying them, they'll make money off you by installing spyware on your PC, so that they can get paid by sharing your online habits and personal information with others.

For music download beginners, all of this can be very confusing. Why? Because these scam sites advertise all over the Internet. Search engines return results chockful of these scams alongside the real P2P file sharing programs; their banner ads riddle the Internet landscape; sites are promoting these scams to get their piece of your money.

Most real P2P programs don't advertise much on the Internet. The reason is that they're not money makers. It takes money to advertise, and who has more money--the free P2P file sharing programs or the scam artists? You guessed it. P2P relies on word of mouth. The scam sites rely primarily on advertising.

How Can I Tell a P2P Scam Site?
This is the easy part, if you know what you're looking for. P2P scam sites often use phrases like 100% Legal, which is absolutely untrue. This is a trick they use to prey on people interested in P2P file sharing programs, but who are worried (rightly) about Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) lawsuits. Keep in mind that sharing and downloading of copyrighted files is, at this moment, an illegal activity.

Another tactic is to use fake endorsements and recommendations from legitimate companies. Other cons are to use phrases like Direct Downloads!, Get Access Now!, Download Unlimited Free Music!, and other phrases that are promising you things they absolutely CANNOT deliver.

How Does It Work & How are They Doing It?
To be honest, I do not know the ins and outs of P2P scam sites. But I know this: all P2P file sharing programs are free. Think about it a moment. It is because music files are being shared free of charge (without artists receiving royalties) that organizations like the RIAA are mad and suing.

These P2P scam sites are merely taking your money, downloading a little spyware to your PC, then connecting you to one of the real P2P file sharing programs.

This is all convoluted by the nature of P2P, which is a series of servers networking files to one another. Unless you're buying your music MP3 downloads from a legitimate company, either per song/album or through a monthly subscription, you cannot be sure where your music is coming from.

The legal status of P2P file sharing programs is confusing. We know that MP3 files themselves are not illegal. For example, it's legal to possess MP3s, to rip your CDs to your hard drive, and to burn CDs for your personal use. But, by sharing and/or downloading these files, you are breaking copyright laws. To my knowledge, P2P scam sites are not actually breaking any laws. But why pay for something you don't have to?

One of the most common techniques these scam artists use is to set up sites that are misspellings or derivations of popular P2P file sharing programs. KaZaA is probably the most hijacked name being used these days.

Other sites may not actually charge you anything at all, but they'll "give you the software for free" if you give them your email address. This too is a scam. Because once again, they're just sending you along to a proper P2P program, but after collecting your email address, they're selling it to third parties. Don't give these scammers any of your personal information!

If you're on a website you trust, even this website, you may see ads by these scam artists, preaching their lies about 100% blah, blah, blah. For your own security, don't click on the links. They're still scams. (Many independent websites rely on ads to pay the bills. We don't always have full control over what advertisements appear on our sites. Keep in mind that most online advertisements are arranged and distributed by third-party companies who pair up advertisements with appropriate keywords. So a page that discusses "music downloads" is likely to have an ad from a scam site singing their own false praises.)

On this note, there are sites all over the Internet that actually promote P2P scam sites. Why? I have my opinions. First, these scam sites are paying large sums of money to affiliates who promote their sites. For example, a scam site may be charging you $29.95 for their non-service. Well, they're paying affiliates over half (I've seen the pay-out as high as 75%) of that just for getting you, the visitor, to their scam sites.

I Think I've Used One of these Scam Sites. What Do I Do Now?
Stop! Right now, stop using that service. If you've got some type of monthly payment with them, stop paying them. Cancel your "membership," contact your bank or credit card company, and stop paying them immediately! Secondly, your computer has probably have been infected by spyware, and you need to remove it right away. I recommend purchasing spyware-removal software like Pest Patrol because they do the best job at clearing out spyware parasites.

If you've been pulled into a scam site, just rack it up to experience. Their ad copy is very convincing, and you just wanted to "be legal" while downloading. Take heart in knowing that you're not alone. But you're better off now, with this information at your disposal.

In my opinion, this is another reason to consider not using P2P file sharing programs as a means to get your online music. I think that these P2P scam sites will increase in number, and will use more clever tactics to get your money and your information. Until the peer-to-peer communities are regulated in some way, I fear that these types of activities will get worse before they improve.

About the author:
A former financial advisor and NYC book editor, Bill Paulk blends these two experiences by helping people make sound buying decisions. His passion, building digital music collections through MP3 downloads, is the subject of his first website. At www.mp3-music-downloads-scout.comreaders can view MP3 tutorials, digital music service reviews, and articles discussing P2P file sharing. Find free MP3 sites and free media player information.

by: Bill Paulk

So You Wanna Learn How To Start a Record Label?

2008-11-24T00:55:00.001-08:00

Well, you love music so much that you have decided you want to start a record label of your own. This can be a very exciting step and a fun one. The good news is, anyone can start their own record label
if they know the right steps. It won't be an easy road by any means, but it is possible if you really desire to do it.

Adventuring out and creating your record label is a gutsy thing to do. You can succeed if you follow a few KEY steps and stick with them. Your record label will fail if you don't.

So as the Ramones would say, "Hey Ho, Let's Go!"

Key #1: BE PASSIONATE
You need to love music and be so passionate about it that you are willing to put in the hours of hard work and effort it takes to start a record label. If your passionate, you will have that
important drive that would make any new start up record label succeed.

Key #2: FIND GOOD TALENT
It is essential when you start a record label to have quality artists on your label roster. This is just common sense. Without good talent, no one will be interested in THEIR music on YOUR record label.

Be sure to check out The Ultimate Record Label Handbook at:
http://www.ultimate-record-label.com
on details on HOW to find good talent and all the details on how to start a record label.

Key #3: LEARN HOW TO MARKET YOUR LABEL
You can have some of the best artists on your label but the truth is, if you don't market them and your record label, no one will even know. And even worse, no marketing (or poor marketing) will lead
to slow sales, which will lead to your own empty pockets. There are very effective ways to market your record label and bands. This is also covered in The Ultimate Record Label Handbook mentioned
above.

Now, these are only 3 key steps you need to cover when you start a record label. There are more, but these are essential.

So get out there and start your record label. Don't be afraid, you can do it! Just imagine how much fun it will be owning your own record label and doing
what you love! Now, how many people can actually say they LOVE their job? And hey, just remember, it only takes ONE hit song, ONE hit band, or ONE hit album and your label's success can explode!

Stick with these 3 key steps and you will be on your way to a life in the music biz!

About the author:
Do you want to learn all the tips, tricks and secrets on how to start YOUR OWN record label? If so, please visit:
http://www.ultimate-record-label.com

by: D.Herren

Rocktron Digital Short Timer Delay Pedal

2008-11-24T00:54:00.001-08:00

Rocktron Short Timer Delay

Review by Les Lewellyn
copyright 2004 by Preying Lizard Music.com

As I'm preparing to put my band together to tour I am also building my arsenal of tools to play electric. My financial situation is limited and so I have to be very careful about what I purchase. I roughly need about four or five items in my chain. The first is the Crybaby, the second my distortion

, third a delay and fourth a multieffects processor that I can program in about twelve "way out there" patches that suit my style. After spending a few hours reading up on delay pedals I came across the Rocktron Short Timer Digital Delay pedal. One site I visited actually had sound clips of the pedal in use and as soon as I heard the thing I knew it was exactly what I was looking for!
After shopping it online I found the average going price to be about fifty to sixty U.S. bills. Fortunately there is Ebay and I am a Ebay believer! I've never been ripped off by anyone there, knock on wood. Anyway....I got it in the final minutes of a auction for $35 and that included the shipping! When it arrived it looked brand new and I hooked it up immediately and I played with it for a few minutes.
There are three knobs and two switches on the unit. The first knob is the level, the second is called regeneration, and the third is the time of the delay. There is a "short" and "shorter" switch/button and then a kill switch. The unit is made of metal and sturdy as a horse. It's built to last without a doubt. Anyway none of the knobs and switches make any extreme changes in the sound. It's basically a cut and dry slap back sound much like David Gilmore uses. After tinkering with the unit for a few minutes checking out the extremes I immediately dialed in my sound. It was there and I'll probably never change the settings at all.

About the author:
Les Lewellyn has been published in both online and offline printed magazines.
http://www.preyinglizardmusic.com

by: Les Lewellyn

Reliving The Music Of The Seventies

2008-11-24T00:53:00.001-08:00

We all associate songs and music with events in our life. Many songs hold special memories for us. We fondly remember the songs that were playing when we went to our first dance, the songs the school band attempted to play during half time at the high school football games,

the songs that we heard on our first date, or the songs we heard on the radio while driving our first car.

The music of the 1970’s is probably the most impressive and most recognized of any era. The artists of the 1970’s provided us with numerous songs we loved to dance to and sing along with. At that time most bands actually played their own instruments and didn’t need to sequence part of it.

Remember how we used to listen to the music then? At first we had eight track players in our cars, then we moved upward to cassette players. Vinyl records were the most popular way to listen to our favorite music. Every week you could go to your local variety or record store and pick up the new #1 song on a 45 record for under $1.00. Of course, there was always the radio to listen to - most of the popular channels were on am radio. We had many styles of music to listen to, including the bubble gum music of David Cassidy and the Partridge Family, soft rock of Barry Manilow, the great dance tunes of the Bee Gees and the Commodores, rock of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, the brass band sounds of Chicago, or the disco beat of Chic and Donna Summers.

The nostalgia of the 1970’s music lives on today. We can listen to it on our local 70's’radio station, on cds, on mp3, download it on our computer, and burn it onto cds. For those of us who prefer records, we can still purchase them at record stores, antique or second hand stores, or yard sales. Of course, many of us have held on to our own record collections and record players and can pull them out at any time when we need to relive those nostalgic days of the 1970’s. Some bands are still performing after more than 30 years. There’s nothing like seeing your favorite 1970’s performers live in concert!

The music of the 1970’s is still popular with people of all ages – not just those who grew up with it. It never grows old. It only gets better with each passing decade.

About the author:
Published by: Wendy Yeager
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/music

by: Wendy Yeager

Paul Thomas Yoder Releases Jazz Album Dreamin’

2008-11-24T00:52:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Los Angeles, CA--November 9, 2005--Paul Thomas Yoder has a passion for music, and like many of us must separate that from his daily life in order to make a living. Like all artists, he would like nothing more than to record and play to support himself. Dreamin’ about making that happen only comes natural.

Being an indie artist is tough, but guys like Yoder have what it takes to move their career to the next level - talent.

Yoder plays an inspired trumpet, flugelhorn, and brings on the vocals with passion and purpose on his new release Dreamin’. From Herb Alpert inspired tracks like “Sadeness” to rockers like “True Faith,” he goes from one end of the musical spectrum to the other. Following in the tradition of great jazz fusion artists before him, Yoder leaves nothing to chance by offering his listeners a taste of many moods and atmospheres in his music.

With focus and determination, Paul Thomas Yoder has put together a solid release that gives everyone high hopes of more great things to come. Making the dream a reality gets closer every day someone discovers his music and certainly, the word will spread quickly- “There is a jazzman in the Los Angeles area that is playing to win.” One listen of the new album Dreamin’ concludes that the horizon looks clear and the new day bright for Paul Thomas Yoder.

Paul Thomas Yoder
c/o Brass On Ivory Productions
P.O. Box 845
La Canada, CA 91012-0845
(626) 319-8004 (phone)
(818) 242-0551 (fax)
Email: brassonivory@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.paulthomasyoder.com
EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=31961

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites. Links to sites with great music content are provided on Homepage and Links Page.

by: Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

Musicians: How to find band members

2008-11-24T00:51:00.001-08:00

Looking for band members is never an easy task. You may first want to ask yourself what exactly you’re looking for – whether it is to join an existing band or find individual members to start your own band.

Obviously, both have their differences and this should be answered first before you start your grueling search.

Join an existing band.
This is a great way for enthusiastic musicians to gain some playing experience right away, although it is sometimes harder to find these kinds of opportunities. These are established bands that are looking for single or multiple members for various reasons (their guitarist overdosed on cocaine, bass player got fired for drinking problems, etc). This might go without saying, but make sure you really do like the type of music a band plays before deciding to join their group! There are many musicians I know that play in a band where they don’t even like the music they play, all just to “gain experience” to get their foot in the door and hopefully move on to greener pastures. It can’t be stressed enough that if you don’t like the music you play, you’re going to do a half-assed job at it, so why bother?

Also, know your playing experience and limits. For example, if you’ve only started playing guitar learning all Green Day songs for a few months, don’t expect to join a thrash metal band that requires you to do sweep-picking, fast arpeggios, or any other insane guitar techniques. Make sure you choose a band where the technicality of the music they play is comfortable with your own skill level as a musician.

A huge advantage for joining an established band (maybe) is that most of the back-end stuff is already taken care of. This includes tasks such as finding an agent/manager to book your gigs, song development, contracts with music labels, etc. All you have to do is show up for rehearsals and play shows as scheduled.

A good resource to start finding these bands in need is going to your local rehearsal studios where most of them lurk. These are places where any musician can pay for a room to rehearse. Best of all, all the musicians you find there are often in your local area. Check out the bulletin boards where frequent bands post up classified ads that may go something like:

“Looking to join a band that rocks?! We are in need of a guitar player with lots of experience! Our influences include: Megadeth, In Flames, Black Sabbath, and many more! If interested, please contact Todd at xxxxxxxxxx.”

Or even better yet, post up your own classified ad on the bulletin board so bands can contact you instead. Local, independent music stores often have a bulletin board for classified ads as well. These are some of the best free ways to find band members in your area.

Disadvantages of joining an existing band
First and foremost, you have to learn all their songs usually in a limited period of time. The band might have a show coming up and you have to be able to play all their songs flawlessly note-for-note. Needless to say, this might be stressful for some musicians (except if their music is very straight forward and easy with pure 3 note power chords).

Another disadvantage is often your own music creativity is limited. Most bands prefer their original tunes to be played and carried on without any radical change. For example, if you just joined a band and replaced their old guitarist, the way the former guitarist played a particular solo, is the way the band wants it to be played by you. Often you must follow the same note structure of a music piece composed by another musician.

Organizing your own band
This is where you try to find individual musicians to start a new band, usually with similar music skills and backgrounds. Thinking of starting a band is the easy part, but the actual process of searching for the right people is harder than most people think. There are tons of musicians out there in the world but only a small percentage of those you may be compatible with. In addition, ask yourself: are you going to play in a band just for fun, or are you trying to make a living out of it? This will influence where you are going to start looking.

The internet is becoming a popular method for musicians to find other musicians. If you search “looking for musicians” in Google, you will easily find over 12,400,000 results - so how do you find what you’re looking for? Many ads posted in classifieds sections and on popular music forums will vaguely have descriptions such as this:

“Guitar player looking to form a band.”

Well, that’s just great.

Try refining your search to keywords such as the area you are in, what position you are looking for, etc. Example: “Looking for bass players in Toronto”. The first search result is an ad posted on www.craigslist.org, which by the way is an excellent place to get started. Try to only focus your attention on well-written ads that describe the musician, which includes how much playing experience he/she has, the types of music they are willing to play, and the intention of playing in a band. Or you may also want to post your own ad in music community forums and add a link to your audio/video samples that will likely interest more candidates. Audio/video samples that show off your best work are often the most influential factor of candidates contacting you back.

Be consistent with this. Chances are you won’t find someone right away on your first few posts, so try to refresh your ads on a weekly basis (but don’t spam!).

The internet is a large resource but don’t just rely solely on it. You may find you have better luck looking in local magazine’s classifieds ads section where it’s more direct. Also, because musicians have to pay to get their ads published in magazines, it shows that they are more serious about organizing a band.

Don’t limit yourself in a location
If you are serious about starting a career as a musician, you don’t just search for bands or members only in your local area. Living in smaller towns and cities won’t give you very many options in choosing the right band or member for you. Expand yourself to larger urban cities where the potential to find band members is greater.

Finding band members is like finding a good job. Know exactly what you want before searching, always have a good portfolio ready, and be consistent in your pursue. Goodluck!

About the author:
Kenny Auyoung
Webmaster @ GetMeABand.com - Looking for a band? Search through our directory of musicians to find band members in your local area - http://www.getmeaband.com

by: Kenny Auyoung

MP3 Encoding Technology

2008-11-24T00:50:00.000-08:00

The MP3 is a complete godsend for anyone who enjoys and appreciates good music. Not only does it afford users the convenience of purchasing music online and ripping from purchased CDs, it also provides the utmost ease in portability. There are more MP3 players on the market than I can name.

These players allow you to download hundreds and in some cases thousands of MP3’s to take along with you anywhere. I create MP3 CD’s containing up to 120 of my favorite songs for my listening pleasure in my car. But how can so many audio files get stored on my 800MB (Megabyte) CD?

MP3 Encoders and MP3 converters are the software that creates MP3s by using an MP3 compression and decompression algorithm. For example, an average 3 minute WAV file can be as large as 15MB. Using MP3 encoders and MP3 converters, a large WAV file can be cut down to a much smaller and more portable MP3 file of about 3MB.

MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer 3. At layer 3, psychoacoustics principles are used to find and remove all unnecessary sound data, leaving behind only the crucial audio data. By unnecessary sound data I mean all of the stuff that we humans don’t hear anyway. Most people can’t hear sounds above 16 kHz so why would you want it hogging your disk or hard drive space? Non-music audio such as speeches, sermons, audio books and comedy albums, can be reduced even less based on this.

Compression occurs after the essential data has been separated from the redundant data. At this stage, the same amount of data can be stored using fewer bits and less space. The bit rate is the ratio of the number of bits transferred between two devices per second. The higher the bit rate, the higher the sound quality. The lower the bit rate ratio, the lower the sound quality. 192 Kb/s is the most popular bit rate used in peer-to-peer networks. For the most part, MP3 converters and encoders today use variable bit rates. This allows for much better quality audio because the bit rate conforms to the dynamics of the audio frames being stored which in turn keeps more of the important music data.

There are dozens of MP3 compressor and encoder software programs available online and at stores. Some of the main encoding engines are: LAME, Blade Enc, Fraunhofer Encoders and Xing. Deciding which MP3 encoding engine technology is right for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Blaze Media Pro is an excellent option if you're looking for a powerful, yet easy to use, all-in-one multimedia solution.

About the author:
Mansi gupta writes about MP3 encoder. Learn more at http://www.blazemp.com/downloads.html

by: Mansi gupta

Learning Styles Of Music

2008-11-24T00:49:00.000-08:00

What genres (music types) are important?

Learning styles of music can help you get work, don’t get me wrong; but you need to consider the time and expense involved in knowing a lot of music genre’s, having the goods to do them, and if your locality really wants the specific genre.

DJs invariably enter the profession as a part time hobby because they love the music they play and love to see others enjoying it too.

Usually DJs have an already significant existing vinyl or CD/DVD collection of music that they enjoy and they use this to mix and play for DJ events for which they are hired.

Some DJs like to specialize in a particular genre of music in order to attract a certain type of clientele. This may be because they particularly liked learning styles of music; that genre; or because they know that this will secure regular work.

Dance, Indie, acid or house music is particularly popular with DJs who work the club circuit while 60s, 70s and 80s music is more popular with mobile DJs who host private parties and BBQs.

It depends on what’s popular in your area, as to whether you should offer Country, HipHop, or the latest cutting edge music genre. To learn more about specific music styles, you may want to read up .

Every good DJ experiments with how they will get the crowd moving and different DJs enjoy learning styles of music to do exactly that.

In fact, you will probably find that most DJs have a set routine for how the night will play out according to music, sound, lighting and other effects such as bubbles, background buzz, DJ banter and audience participation.

This methodology works the world around and is irrespective of what genre the DJ specializes in.

Regardless of what music genre a DJ specializes in, the key to the event is not the actual songs themselves but the mix that the DJ puts together.

A good DJ will know how to link together a good mix of songs with both the event and the crowd in mind.

Good DJs now how to put together songs that ebb and flow according to the crowd response and the timing of the event – the DJ cannot allow the crowd to peak too early or the event will then slowly fizzle out, long before it needs to.

When you specialize, it’s much easier to become known for a certain style of music, and a lot cheaper to get a good stock of vinyls or cd’s in that genre since you already have a head start in your favorite style.

DJ Equipment is expensive; so save money where you can and specialize in just a few musical genres instead of many!

About the author:
Learn more about becoming a DJ with tips and tutorials from http://www.DJ-Tips-and-Tricks.com

by: Guy Ames

Hollywood’s Underbelly Comes to the Surface in Michael Mangia’s The Invisible Wall CD

2008-11-24T00:48:00.000-08:00

September 16, 2005--Los Angeles, CA-- Michael Mangia is not your typical artist. And The Invisible Wall is not your typical CD. Set for release October 4, 2005 on Loft Box Records, the latest album from Hollywood-based singer-songwriter-pianist Mangia, while filled with compellingly beautiful melodies on the surface, actually buries some deep dark themes.

In many ways, Michael Mangia is the David Lynch of pop music.

The Invisible Wall is the story of a painter, taking listeners through his canvas, which is filled with the lives of addicted porn stars and their admirers, children’s sci-fi fantasy books, an Italian mobster/father’s death, the façade-filled world of Hollywood and the effects of television on society. The album is all tied together through the haunting themes that lurk beneath the beauty of Mangia’s piano-driven melodies.

The new album was produced and mixed by Mangia over a 2½-year period in his own high-tech loft studio in downtown Los Angeles (which was featured in an article in Keyboard Magazine). “Having my home also be my workspace allowed me to play around with sound techniques, in a Beatles-esque way, with whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. As I continued to write, the songs pieced themselves together into what would become The Invisible Wall.” Mangia has employed the talents of guest musicians on this remarkably eclectic CD – veterans who have played with a wide range of artists, including Jimmy Paxson (Stevie Nicks), Zac Rae (Alanis Morissette) and Ed Maxwell (Gary Jules, Devics).

But Mangia’s favorite song on the album is actually not even officially listed. There is a new hidden bonus track at the end of the CD entitled “Life Support on Xmas” that – for Mangia – sums up all the themes on this album. “It really captures the meaning and the feel of this record more than any other single song. I wanted it to be like a special gift for listeners. I placed it on the CD nearly four minutes after the album has supposedly ended, because it’s a song that is very much about the peace that follows the silence.”

Influenced by artists as diverse as Tori Amos, Ben Folds, Portishead, Travis and Rufus Wainwright, Michael Mangia is unique. And now, with the release of The Invisible Wall, Mangia is preparing to bring his hauntingly gorgeous melodies and deeply moving, sometimes disturbing, sonic paintings to the world. What is “The Invisible Wall?” For Mangia, “It’s the barrier that separates the good from the sordid, light from dark, even reality from fantasy.” Get ready – Michael Mangia is about to take you on an unforgettable musical trip through The Invisible Wall.

The Invisible Wall Release Party is set for October 4th, 7:30pm at Tangier 2138 Hillhurst Ave. in Los Angeles, CA 90027.

Publicity contact: Versa Manos / Tom Mureika

Email: versa@gorgeouspr.com / tom@gorgeouspr.com www.michaelmangia.com

PR Created By Versa Manos / Tom Mureika and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com

About the author:
Gorgeous PR

by: Michael Mangia

Darrel Andrews Releases New Album Spider Soul

2008-11-24T00:46:00.000-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Shreveport, LA --November 14, 2005--Darrel Andrews began his lifelong musical journey in Louisiana playing the Trumpet. When Andrews was in school music was not a part of the curriculum and there was no band room so he often found himself outside with other band members practicing under an oak tree.

That kind of determination and perseverance would pay dividends in the years to come.

During the 70's, the late great Ray Charles sponsored a recording session of seven of Andrews' tunes, and two tunes were recorded by Bobby "Blue" Bland. There would be many more defining moments in the career of Darrel Andrews and fast forwarding to present day brings us to his latest achievement Spider Soul.

A tune titled “Spider Soul,” originally released in 1971, garnered tremendous interest recently, and inspired Andrews to re-record the tune along with many others he had composed in the 60s and 70s. Now there is a wonderful album with the same title available, which brings all of those songs to life again. The CD offers 14 tracks filled with home cooked rhythm & blues and soul, reminiscent of Isaac Hayes and the like. Andrews’ musicality and sensibilities drive each track while his past shines brightly through the instruments and his contagious vocal exercises.

Ironically, the one tune that got all the attention and spurred this project on was the title track, an instrumental gem. Booker T & The MGs and Jimmy Smith (one of the pioneers of the Hammond Organ sound) come to mind while getting your groove on listening to the track. The rest of the album is pure sweet pop, soul, and R & B vocals. There are times in life when bringing up the past can be a good thing and it was a blessing for this artist and everyone that will be listening to the CD.

Andrews also found Stretch The Skies, a full service independent musician’s resource to help bring him into the present day to market his CD. Their Music Button technology, now everywhere in the U.S. with Trans World Entertainment via their music stores Coconuts-Music and Movies (LocalEyez), Planet Music, Strawberries, F.Y.E.- For Your Entertainment, and Wherehouse, is part of selling and tracking the release as it gains momentum for the artist. The marriage of new technologies and music are no longer strange bedfellows, they are necessary for the success of an independent artist. It looks like Mr. Andrews is off to a great start.

Contact:
Darrel Andrews
2222 West Algonquin Trail Shreveport, LA 71107-5410
Tel: (318) 221-5393
Fax: (318) 221-0105
Email: DarrAndre3@aol.com
Website: http://myspace.com/darrelandrews
Stretch The Skies Profile

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com for Stretch The Skies

About the author:
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck conducts interviews, writes reviews, biographies, press releases and articles for Independent and Major artists Worldwide. Articles are dispersed on a vast network of websites. Links to sites with great music content are provided on Homepage and Links Page.

by: Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

How to Make Money on a Music Website through Pay-Per-Click?

2008-11-11T23:22:00.001-08:00

Interested in making money while you’re asleep, or making money
while you’re not even on the computer? Well here is a way that
you can do that, clicks!! Once you have gone through
godaddy.com and purchased your domain name for a cheap $9.20 per
year, and found a hosting company such as GoDaddy.com for $3.95
per month, you are set to begin building your website and making
money.

It is possible to make money by joining affiliate
programs and selling companies’ products as mentioned in my
previous article, How to Make Money on a Music Website through
Affiliate Programs found at:

http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com/articles/article13.html

Now how exactly do you make money through people clicking on
your website and links on your website? The first step is to
get a FREE affiliate account with 7search at 7search.com. What
this will allow you to do is place 7search ads and other
websites dealing with your topic, in this case music, on your
website.

On the 7search affiliate page you will be able to manage your
account viewing how many clicks a day you are getting and how
much money you are making. How you make money is by placing
pay-per-text links on your website. Through 7search you will
want to go to:

http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com/7searchkeyword.html

This will allow you to look at the price you will make for
different keywords that you use. The difference between music
and free music for example, results in a change of cost that
websites are paying to get their website higher on the search
engine.

When creating your pay-per-text once you have come up with a
keyword that you want to use, come up with a short sentence or
phrase to let people know what they are clicking on. For
example, use Top 10 music websites or Best free music websites,
to reel them in to see what the top 10 music websites are. You
will also be able to choose how many sites you want to come up
on your list, from 1 to all that are available. You will want
to keep it at 10 or under as the lower down the list the site
is, the less you get paid each time a surfer clicks on the link.

As you create this pay-per-text, 7search will give you a code
that you place in your web panel creating a link. The great
thing about 7search is that there is NO limit to how many
pay-per-text links you place on your website, so you can have
one on each page of your website or more. It is recommended
however, that you don’t place more then a couple per page as it
will begin to appear cluttered with pay-per-texts. Once you
place the pay-per-text links on your website, you are set to
begin making money 24/7.

Now that you have a way to make money by people clicking on
links on your website, how do you get people to come to your
website? You want to get your website out on the internet and
get it known. You can run ads through other peoples’ websites
or on various companies’ websites, but this will cost you money
varying from website to website. If you want to make money
without spending too much money, the way is by exchanging links
with other people.

Exchanging links with other people allows you to get your
website out on other peoples’ website so that when surfers go on
to their website, they may see your website and be intrigued. By
exchanging links, you are giving your website to someone else to
have them place it on their website and in return, you place
their website on your website.

The two link exchange companies that I use are infowizards.com
and linkmarket.net. Infowizards is free to join and allows you
to trade multiple links with people in all categories with no
limit. You will want to keep your link exchanges as close to
your topic as possible. For example, don’t trade links with
someone that has a website based on relationships if you have a
music website.

The other link exchange company that I use, linkmarket.net, is
free to a limit. You may only request 5 links per day for free,
or you may request unlimited links per day at the cost of $18.85
a year, which is highly recommended. The linkmarket.net website
offers far more links than the infowizards website, and is much
easier to maintain and keep track.

Another good way to get traffic to your website is by writing
articles on various topics relating to your topic in some way.
You then submit your article to as many places as possible such
as goarticles.com, article-emporium.com, or ideamarketers.com.
If you can submit your articles to 30-50 places, you will create
traffic to your website in a hurry. Now you know what to do and
the places to join to get money flowing if off of your music
website while you aren’t even working on it.

About the author:
Jeff Schuman is the creator of Best-MP3-Music-Downloads.com
where you can buy CD’s and find all of the best free music
downloads. http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

by: Jeff Schuman II
© Jeff Schuman II
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

How to Make Money on a Music Website through Affiliate Programs?

2008-11-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

Do you find yourself looking for a way to make some extra money?
How about creating a website on something that everyone includes
in their life, Music? The opportunities are endless and what’s
great about it is that you can make money on it while you’re
eating, sleeping, or just sitting around watching TV.

Don’t get me wrong, it is a lot of work in the beginning to get
everything started. Once you get your website built the way you
want it though, all that is left is maintaining it to keep it at
tip top shape. From there you’ll be making money off of it
24/7. So, how do you get started and how do you make money off
of it you may be wondering?

To start off you need to purchase a domain name, which is your
website URL. You can do this at GoDaddy.com for a cheap price
of $9.20 per year. Now you have your website name, the next
step is to pick a host for your website. This is where you will
build your website. You can do this at GoDaddy.com starting at
$3.95 per month, or choose to go to another hosting company as
there are many out there.

From there you are set to build your website, now how do you
begin making money off of it?

There are many ways to make money off of your website. One way
is to join affiliate programs through companies around the
world. How an affiliate program works is you join under that
company and refer people through your website to their website.
Then, as people go to the companies website through yours,
whatever the person buy’s you get a certain amount of money off
of their purchase.

The amount made varies from company to company and it even
varies among the different products sold. The big name
companies you’ll often make less money off of, such as Best Buy
and Circuit City you’ll make approximately 3-7% on all sales.
Smaller companies some times offer more through their affiliate
programs, but people sometimes will opt to go to the well known
companies instead.

For a music website you’ll obviously want to join affiliate
programs dealing with entertainment of some sort. Bestbuy.com
and CircuitCity.com are good ones to join, but can be difficult
to get into when you’re just starting out. One good one can be
found at:

http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com/buy.html

Clickbank.com is an affiliate network that is extremely good to
join as you instantly gain access to you choice of over 10,000
digital products to sell on your website. There are nine
categories associated with clickbank.com, but categories to
focus on with a music website through clickbank.com would be fun
and entertainment and sports and recreation.

Where you find the registration form for the affiliate programs
is on the companies’ homepage, and it is usually listed on the
bottom of their homepage as affiliate program. When doing a
music website you don’t have to just stick with music affiliate
programs either. You can focus on entertainment as a whole that
way you can join affiliate programs for games, movies, posters
and more.

Another way you can make money through affiliate programs is
two-tier programs. Two-tier programs are programs that you make
money off of people signing up for the affiliate program through
you. Not all affiliate programs offer two-tier programs, but
they are out there and signing up to affiliate programs with
two-tier programs is to your benefit. A few entertainment
two-tier programs that I have joined include;

www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com/allposters.html

www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com/mp3dollars.html

The best thing with affiliate programs is that they are free.
You make money off of selling companies’ products and it doesn’t
cost you a thing to register under the company. Another bonus
to affiliate programs is that there is no limit as to how many
you are allowed to join and put on your website. The sky is the
limit with affiliate programs and money can be made 24/7 on your
music website today at the cost of nothing.

by: Jeff Schuman II
© Jeff Schuman II
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com

Listen to Free Music!

2008-11-11T23:03:00.000-08:00

Do you like to listen to free music on the internet. How do you avoid wasting hours and hours slogging through the internet to find great free music to listen to?

Here's a quick Internet radio quiz that could make a dramatic impact on the amount of time it takes you to find what you want to listen to on the Web. Answer these 5 questions:

1. Do you want to learn how to find Internet radio stations around the world fast and easy?

2. Do you want to avoid wasting time on stations that have a poor quality signal or don't even work?

3. Do you want to easily access program schedules so you can find what's playing right now or coming up?

4. Do you want reminders to let you know when your favorite programs are playing so you don't miss them?

5. Do you want to build up an excellent audio library easily, legally and free?

Once you've narrowed down what you're looking for, you'll be able to find lot's of free music to listen to.

by: SilentOne

Some History Facts on Music Videos

2008-11-05T01:28:00.000-08:00

Music videos represent a crucial part of the music industry. Artists owe their careers to music videos as they are being given the chance of impressing the public not just with their vocal talent, but also with their looks or moves.

Thirty years ago, music video used to be less important then it is nowadays. MTV (Music Television) was the phenomenon that gave so much power and importance to the music video. MTV started broadcasting in 1981 in the USA and it marked the beginning of the music video’s ruling over the music industry. The first video ever played on MTV was ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles. As MTV was broadcasting 24-hour-a-day music, music videos were needed to be produced. Consequently, music video began to play an important role in artists’ careers. It is considered that even Madonna’s career has been greatly influenced by her videos that presented a sexy, appealing look of the artist. Some experts say that Madonna has been inspired by the image that the actress Greta Garbo has used in her silent movies. MTV has been highly controversial: some saw as the beginning of an amazing, new, fresh era in music, others considered it to mark the end of true musical talent, as artists have been become more appreciated for their looks instead of their vocal abilities.

Nowadays, the music video is as important as the song itself, sometimes even deciding the success of a song or artist. Collections of music videos are being sold on tapes or DVDs. Music video’s greatest fans are apparently watching them muted just to enjoy their artistic value, as they consider it to be a new form of art. They consider that a music video should be assessed based on its visual qualities and not on the song quality. It seems that the music ‘gurus’, corporate managers, have realised the potential of using female sex-appeal in music videos, therefore this feature is being used excessively as it is more popular for the public.

The birth of the music video has created a new type of directors: video directors. MTV started even listing directors with video credits and this profession has become more and more popular. But it seems that most video directors don’t specialise in this particular art form, they see it as being just a step on the way to directing a movie. Many start directing videos or commercials, hoping to get the recognition to build a name and to direct a movie. It seems that even video directors admit the fact that a music video is secondary to the song itself.

In conclusion, although music video’s fans have tried to elevate this form of entertainment to the title of an art form, the music video is eventually just a work of commerce, destined to sell a product: the song.

by: Ispas Marin

Out of Chaos Comes Great Opportunity for Music

2008-11-05T01:25:00.000-08:00

Recent upheaval has affected the major record labels, powered by economic fluctuation, the MP3 revolution, online music piracy, home recording technologies and the amazing growth of the personalized listening experience (iPods, etc). Radio is losing its dominance as well... and is now just one of many forces that influence whose music one listens to. In fact, personal referrals from friends is just about the only force that remains unfazed by changes in technology... and, in fact, it's probably more important than ever.

This is great news for independent musicians (also known as "indies"). Anyone can make an album these days, and anyone can afford a web site... allowing them to take their music directly to their potential audience without interference from managers and labels. As a result, more and more talented and inspired artists are writing songs, recording albums and trotting their music out before live audiences.

Most of these artists have also discovered that it helps to make some of their music available for free (and legal) MP3 download. By picking a good, strong song or two and putting it on their web site (or another site devoted exclusively to free music downloads), these songs become evangelistic forces for their music... working for them 24/7/365. MP3 music is not hindered by geographical boundaries or time zones. In many cases (especially instrumentals), it's unaffected by language differences as well. And it's no longer even slightly unusual for an artist to record a song in their little bedroom studio and post it online... while someone downloads it and is listening to it in their car or bedroom on the other side of the world just a matter of hours later!

Of course, there's still a lot of mediocre (and even downright BAD) music out there. This is where the power of personal referral really kicks in. When someone discovers some music that really turns them on, and then shares it with their friends... the cream truly rises to the top. If they go a step further and purchase an album or pay to download more MP3 tracks, the artist is encouraged and can afford to put more time into honing their skills and creating new music. The good stuff thrives and the mediocre stuff dies off.

So...help independent music succeed. Support quality where you find it. Share it with your friends. Pick up a copy of their CD or pay to download more songs. Catch the artist in concert when you can. Send them an email telling them how much their music means to you. Everyone wins when we actively support great music!

by: Chuck Brown

Is it Possible to Download Music Legally Anymore?

2008-11-04T00:55:00.000-08:00

Throughout the past few years downloading music on the internet
has increased in popularity. At the same time though, it has
become illegal through many companies to download music as
musicians and artists have been losing money on their CD sales.
With many people being sued in the past couple years for
downloading music, is it really possible to download music
legally anymore? If so, at what price will it cost you to
download music?

As music sites such as Napster and Kazaa and many more have
attempted to create sites to download music for free, they have
just increased the problem that much more. Some of the users of
these programs have learned the hard way that music does not
come free, as they were sued for illegally downloading music.

Today there are many sites in which you can download music at
where they claim it is 100% legal. The latest music file
formats used are Windows® Media (WMA), Advanced Acoustic Coding
(AAC) and Atrac 3, and are very popular as it increases the
sound quality making it closer to an actual CD bought in stores.
Another great advantage is that many sites such as
SonicSelector Service on MSN allow you to preview the music
before buying it. Many sites today also offer a three-day trial
of their music downloading site, and then after that you will
have to begin paying a monthly fee. So it is possible to
download music legally online, but at what cost?

Pressplay.com offers unlimited music for a price of $9.95 per
month and then you also have to install the software from their
site. The downloaded music is non-burnable and once your
subscription runs out you no longer have access to any of your
songs. Rhapsody at listen.com also charges $9.95 per month for
non-burnable music, but instead of downloading the music you
download a music player that gives you access to the songs.

Now you can download music and you know the basic price per
month for non-burnable songs. However, most people download
music so that they can burn their favorite CD with a variety of
songs. Transferring these songs onto a CD or a personal MP3
player will cost you even more. Many sites offer packages for
songs capable of burning as oppose to a set price per song.

For example, Pressplay offers 5 burnable songs for $5.95, 10
burnable songs for $9.95, 20 burnable songs for $18.95, and then
on top of those prices you are still required to pay the monthly
fee to use the program. MusicNet offers a package for $17.95 a
month that comes with unlimited downloading music and 10
burnable songs.

There are other sites such as apple.com/itunes that is priced at
99 cents to download a song and there is no monthly fee, but you
must own a Mac in order to do this. Sites such as mp3.com,
peoplesound.com, and soundclick.com all offer free music to
download and burn. The catch is that these sites offer a
majority of unknown artists and songs.

With the exception of the last few sites I have mentioned, you
will find a relatively large selection of music to choose from
in all of these sites. Not one of the sites offers less than
300,000 songs to choose from with all of the biggest names in
the music industry such as Eminem, Britney Spears, and even
oldies such as Elvis, The Beatles, and Frank Sinatra.

There are websites out there that are 100% legal for you to
download music at. The question now is how much money are you
willing to pay to download all of the hottest songs today, and
are you willing to pay extra to put those songs onto a CD?

by: Jeff Schuman II

© Jeff Schuman II
http://www.best-mp3-music-downloads.com