Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes

I wrote this after seeing the Federal Reserve, a collective of established, and like-minded alternative/folk musicians, perform on June 2nd at Iota in Arlington, VA. They played acoustic sets, and used basic folk instruments (including the chair (in post The Federal Reserve from Indie Muse. Download this at eMusic Amie Street Amazon iTunes More by this artist at eMusic Amie Street)

After the ceremony, everyone of your wedding guests is in a great mood and want to start letting their hair down and enjoying the rest of the day. First thing after the wedding ceremony usually comes the wedding photographer's main time to snap the happy couple. This means plenty of standing around for all the wedding guests, just waiting for their call to jump into one or two of the official photographs.

Why not hire a magician to wander round entertaining the wedding guests whilst they are standing around waiting for the photos to finish ? This is a great time for a close up magician to really show off his (or her) skills - gathering small groups of guests together and making the guests that don't know each other have something to discuss already. Assuming the wedding photographer spends an hour or so on the official photographs, the magician could also spend a further hour entertaining the wedding guests once they have taken their seats for the wedding breakfast.

If a magician is not your cup of tea, why not consider hiring a live musician to entertain the wedding guests during the meal. A solo guitarist or harpist can really set a beautiful scene and make perfect background ambience for your special day. Pianists are also a very popular idea for music to entertain your guests also. And once the drinks are flowing, the wedding guests will find themselves requesting their favourite songs from the pianist.

Without being obtrusive or in the face of any wedding guests, a live musician playing soft music during your meal will make a perfect accompaniment and allow the conversations to keep flowing during your wedding day.

After the meal, come the inevitable speeches from the bride's father, the best man and the groom himself. Even the groom's father gets involved quite often these days. If you really want to make the speeches have that extra special touch, then consider hiring a professional toastmaster to introduce the speeches. A toastmaster's role at a wedding not only covers the speech introductions, but they will ask the wedding guests to be seated and guide them through the meal. Not only that, a toastmaster on your wedding day makes a fantastic photo opportunity as well as adding a touch of class to your big day.

During the speeches, you may want to think about your younger wedding guests - kids really don't have the patience to listen to schoolboy stories about the groom from his best man, or how the bride's father spent years worrying about his daughter. Hiring children's entertainment such as bouncy castles or children's mobile crche can keep all the kids entertained leaving the adults to enjoy themselves and not worry that the young children are bored and moaning at the wedding.
After the speeches, the evening guests will arrive and the wedding party really begins to start. The bride and groom need to decide whether they want a wedding DJ to keep the guests dancing the night away or maybe a live wedding band or duo to play great cover versions of popular music. Make no mistake, the Wedding DJ or Wedding band can really make or break your wedding reception. Which ever one you choose, they will be
entertaining your wedding guests for around 5 hours of the day - this is the longest part of your wedding day, so ensure you choose your wedding DJ or wedding band wisely. Don't just ask "how much do you charge" really try to get some background on these entertainers. Have your friends used the DJ for their wedding disco ? Try and see the wedding band play live music at a wedding or other function before you book them.

You want to be confident and relax knowing that your wedding reception will go with a bang and keep all the wedding guests entertained.

Alongside the buffet for the guests, a fantastic little touch is to hire a chocolate fountain. These can stand up to 50" tall and the cascading chocolate is enough to make any of your wedding guests want to try.

Pure indulgence, but they look fantastic and give your wedding guests something to try and certainly something to talk about. Hiring a chocolate fountain from a professional chocolate fountain company will ensure you receive smartly dressed staff to assist with the fountain as well as a range of premium dipping options from fresh strawberries and other fruit, as well as chocolate fudge brownies and a variety of other tasty ideas! Give your wedding reception a little wow factor and hire a chocolate fountain to treat the wedding guests.

Hopefully these are a few ideas to help keep your wedding guests entertained throughout your special day. There really are dozens of great wedding services to help ensure your wedding planning runs smoothly and provides a lasting memory of your wedding day for all the guests.

The author runs Essex Wedding Services a website that can help you find a great Mobile DJ in Essex or locate wedding venues in Essex

Sneaker Freaker

Sneaker Freaker Magazine - Global sneaker news, info & exclusive updates - everything sneakers.

EMG, Inc first started manufacturing guitar pickups back in 1976, known as EMG pickups. Over the years they have earned the reputation for quality, clear sounding pickups used by many professional artists. ESP guitars and Jackson guitars currently use EMG pickups as their standard pickup design. Their high output is preferred by hard rock and heavy metal guitarists because of the pickups higher gain output as opposed to most lower output pickups. Some of the bands and artists who currently endorse EMG pickups are Tom Morrello, Zakk Wylde, Stephen Carpenter, Metallica, Slayer and many others

The most common EMG pickups are the EMG 81 and 85. The EMG 81 is usually considered to be the lead pickup and is more commonly used in the bridge position, while the EMG 85 is mainly used as a rhythm pickup more used in the neck position.

Personally I have had great success with using EMG pickups in a Gibson Les Paul and 7 string ESP guitar especially if you are into heavier sounding music. The clarity, deeper tone, and added gain are what make the pickups more suitable. One negative thing about the EMG active pickups is the need for a 9 volt battery, but it's not much of a problem because the battery lasts for a long time. You just need to make sure you replace the battery at least every 6 months because of tone loss over time.

Installation for a set of EMG pickups is fairly easy depending on the type of guitar you have. With the right tools I was able to install a set of Zakk Wylde custom EMGs in Gibson Les Paul in under an hour. As long as you follow the right installation diagrams for your type of guitar you should not run into any problems. For more information about EMG pickups and to learn to play guitar check out CrazyOldManMusic

My Morning Jacket - What A Wonderful Man

Reigniting our popular bootleg feature with a great MMJ set... My Morning Jacket 10-23-2005 Murat Theater Indianapolis, IN Disc 1 01 - Intro 02 - Wordless Chorus 03 - It Beats 4 U 04 - Gideon 05 -… (in post Bootleg Justice - My Morning Jacket Live @ Murat Theater in Indianapolis, IN (10.23.2005) from Musical Justice. Download this at Amazon iTunes More by this artist at eMusic)

This year 2006 is a significant milestone to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lovers as the musical world celebrates his 250th birthday anniversary. A lifelong Mozart enthusiast, I believe Mozart was the most comprehensively gifted musician who has ever lived. This piece is another one of my tributes to the Wunderkind.

Recently, a friend's question took me by surprise. "What's your favorite Mozart music?" She knows how I feel about Mozart, the only composer I consider "immortal." In fact, I've loved the master's music from childhood even before I knew anything more about his life. I looked at my friend, speechless. She repeated her question, while my thoughts maneuvered some answers.

"Hmm, not an easy question," I said, "I simply love his music."

"Surely you have a favorite," my friend replied, this time more persistent.

"Well," I said, "I love his Clarinet Concerto, Flute and Harp Concerto, and Quintet for clarinet and strings. Of course, I also love his quartets."

My friend stayed silent for a while before asking me about piano concertos.

"Piano concertos? I love them all. Ok, ok. Ill name one. Piano Concerto No.21. You'll probably know this by 'Elvira Madigan', popularized by the movie of the same title. Thats actually the Andante movement of the concerto."

"Oh yeah? So it's Mozart's, huh?" my friend mused and added, "there was a time when I was crazy about that music after seeing the film, I even wanted it played in my elegy."

"Then I also love the symphonies. There are No. 40 and 41 simply called Jupiter. Oh, you can also include No. 39."

I was now unstoppable; noticed my friend turned very quiet, intently looking at me with my passionate enumeration of Mozart's music, one after the other.

"Oh, can I also add his violin concertos and sonatas? Yes, and his Requiem. By the way, it's not fair if I don't include my favorite operas, ok?"

"I'm sure you'll include Don Giovanni, Cosi Fan Tutte, and The Marriage of Figaro," my friend once again interjected.

"They're all fantastic but my top choice for opera is actually The Magic Flute." My friend didn't push the issue anymore. Made me wonder if I satisfied her very first question.

Oh, I do love and admire a lot of other composers, among them, Schubert, Haydn, Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, some days even Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. But only Mozart can fill the emptiness. Other composers are too dangerous for me. They give me turbulence and upheaval instead of gently touching my soul. I need no criteria or tonal design analysis to support Mozart's greatness. The pure delight and enjoyment that flow into my being is enough.

So much has been written of this composer. To me, he was the most comprehensively gifted musician who has ever lived. This year, two and a half centuries after his birth, millions of people throughout the world continuously play and listen to his music. While there had been other prodigies, none has approached his ability to combine a dazzling musical imagination with a total mastery of style and form, unified by his strong musical personality. He combined the perfect musical blending of the German knowledge, Italian art, and the French elegance.

Mozart belonged to the Classical period of the latter half of the 18th century. He began to play the harpsichord at the age of three and to compose at the age of five. His musical education began when he was four, along with his older sister Anna Maria. He also played both the violin and viola to soloist standard. Sadly, he died at the young age of 35.

This paramount composer never had good health, and his life was filled with difficulties. Yet, there was hardly any evidence of this in his compositions. We do not hear any raging or angry sounds in his music. His love of fun and lively disposition that enabled him to carry gracefully his cares of genius came from his mother.

To all Mozart lovers out there, what can I say about our fixation with the music of this short-lived and long-gone beloved composer, who wrote his music for a world so different from our own? That it makes us happy? That it touches our innermost being? That it gives us a glimpse of our higher power? Yes!

Join me to a toast in remembering the 250th birthday of this composer who gave us so much in his short-lived life of 35. To celebrate Mozart's birthday last 27th of January, I chose listening to Clarinet Concerto in A, K.622 with its ethereal perfection, one of the immortal's last works, just a month before his death. I find the mood of the second movement that of profound melancholy. Finally, I honored him with Jupiter Symphony, the culmination of his symphonic output - powerful yet gentle, elegant yet romantic, intense yet tender.

The music of Mozart brings me closer to God and nearer to beauty. I thank Mozart for his gift of music.

Tel Asiado is an Information Technology professional turned writer, author and consultant. Employed by multi-national organizations in information technology, computing and consulting, she has several years of varied experience as project manager, business solution manager, process and information analyst, and as a business writer. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, course credits in MBA majoring in Computer Management, and a diploma in Internet Marketing and Small Business. Her writings also reflect her passions for inspirational/motivational and Christian insights, and classical music. Visit one of her websites: http://inspiredpen.4t.com

My Morning Jacket - It Beats 4 U

Reigniting our popular bootleg feature with a great MMJ set... My Morning Jacket 10-23-2005 Murat Theater Indianapolis, IN Disc 1 01 - Intro 02 - Wordless Chorus 03 - It Beats 4 U 04 - Gideon 05 -… (in post Bootleg Justice - My Morning Jacket Live @ Murat Theater in Indianapolis, IN (10.23.2005) from Musical Justice. Download this at Amazon iTunes More by this artist at eMusic)

Even if you're sleeping on your buddy's couch, you CAN promote your band with little or no money. (You will need a computer and internet access)

#1. Get an Email Account. Free email accounts are available from Gmail, Hotmail or a lot of other web-based email companies. Simply go to their homepage and sign up for an account, and you'll be up and going in minutes.

#2. Get a MySpace Page. You can get the band a MySpace site for free. There you can also load up some of your songs, photos, etc. Once you have your site up email all your friends and fans to come check it out and add them to your friend list. You can then contact them all at once to announce future gigs, song releases, etc.

#3. Get Something to Sell. You can't make any money if you don't have anything to sell. When you're playing gigs, even free ones can make you money by selling stuff to the audience. Make sure you have copies of your music on CD or a flash drive to sell. You can also sell merchandise with your band's name and logo on it. You can do this online for free by setting up a virtual storefront at CafPress.com. They'll give you a little store front site and shore how your logo looks on multiple items you select. Once someone buys the stuff, they handle all the billing and shipping and send you a check.

#4. Get a Sponsor. No, not an AA sponsor! I mean a corporate sponsor who will give your band money to promote their company. Start off by looking for "Angel" sponsors. These could be parents, grandparents or friends of the family who have a little extra money to invest in your career. Then look to companies who would benefit from advertising to the audience you will be playing to. Auto dealers, clothing stores, soft drink or beer distributors, are also a good prospects. Show them that their money will be going directly into the creation of the marketing materials, and not the band beer fund! For example, you put their logo with yours on T-shirts, flyers, posters, banners, etc., in exchange for them paying for the cost of creating those pieces.

#5. Alert The Media. Contact local radio and TV station and offer to play any on or off air events or parties they are having. You may or may not get paid this time, but having your name on the minds and lips of the local movers and shakers can only help your career.

Get FREE music marketing tips, tricks and techniques like the pros use.

A hack guitarist himself, Brian Woeller now prefers to work behind the scenes, helping to promote musicians with "real" talent. His eBook, "How To Promote Your Band To Rock Star Status" (http://www.HowToPromoteYourBand.com) will jumpstart Your music and get you in the spotlight, fast.

[ARTICLES] ADISKATE - MATT IRVING INTERVIEW

You might not know Matt Irving's name but we can guarantee you've seen or indeed own some of his handiwork. With a knack for geometric flow and a natural flair for clean lines, his style is instantly appealing and offers snippets of humour in unexpected places. From his own work under the banner of Delphi, which included some great designs for Element, and more recently one of our shoes of the year in the Milk Blazer SB, he has had his finger in more than a few pies. Right now though, he's taken on a pretty big job handling all the visuals for the embryonic adidas Skate team. From the ads to bongo vans and videos of the Gonz in full flight, Irving is all over it. The trefoil is in good hands...

How and when did you start working on adidas Skateboarding and in what capacity do you work for them?
It all started about a year ago. My friend Brett Critchlow and I were approached separately by adidas to create concepts for their ads. We were both too busy with other projects so we decided to team up and the next thing you know we got the gig and started working on it full time. We handle everything visual for adidas Skateboarding except for the actual product design. So it’s things like ad campaigns, commercials and video projects, catalogs, website design etc. Two weeks ago we were asked to redesign the paint job for a 1970s split window VW bus for adidas Brasil. Our projects can be really random at times.

What’s your overall goal with adidas Skate? Where do you want to take it?
Personally, I just want it to be sincerely focused on skateboarding and not try to be too much of a fashion thing. Just shoes for skateboarders, and if other people seem to like them, then that’s cool too. I like that the team is solid and respected by skateboarders and adidas is being very slow and steady about what shops carry the program. Being a little bit picky isn’t necessarily being exclusive and snobby, it’s about committing to the skate shops that have been around for a long time and supporting the scene.

 

How do you, in general terms as well as specifically in regards to adidas Skate, feel about non-skate companies entering
the skateboarding world?
It’s all fair game in this day and age. There aren’t any rules about who can and can’t have a skate program. I think that skating has changed a lot since I started doing it. When I was a teenager I probably would have hated it if the bigger companies were getting involved because skating was something to break away from the mainstream. These days skating isn’t what the outcast kids are doing, it’s something that is considered cool. That doesn’t mean that there is a right and a wrong, skating continually eats itself and neglects its roots.

What do you think adidas Skate can offer to skateboarding?
I think they can offer up some really good quality shoes and support some of the best skateboarders to push what is possible on a skateboard. They have a level of quality in materials and production that is much higher than most of what is out there. If they can last longer than an average pair of skate shoes, then that’s good for everyone. I think it’s also really cool that the majority of skate shoes out there have always looked to many of adidas’ classic shoe designs for how they design their shoes. Like the Shelltoe, Stan Smith, Rod Laver, Campus, Gazelle or even just the iconic stripes on a side-panel.

 
What projects are you working on right now?
I just got back from five days of filming in Berlin with the adidas Europe team. It was a really fun time and super productive. That team is so driven to get out and skate. Right now we’re out in New Zealand to shoot Mark Gonzales with a small film crew and studio. It’ll be a three minute film about Gonz out in New Zealand because he has been living out here with his lady-friend while she gives birth to their child. That happened a few weeks ago and it’s a boy.

What new product can we expect from adidas Skate in the future?
Well there’s a new hi-top style of a shoe called the Roster Mid that will be coming out in January, as well as a vulcanized version of the Campus. The Gazelle was just redesigned with subtle improvements so it’s totally skatable. I really like how that shoe turned out and it’s not going to smash the crap out of your heels because of a lack of padding. Then in the middle of 2008 there will be a redesigned Shelltoe coming back that is modeled after an original late seventies model of the shoe. It’s completely dialed in, looks amazing and is true to the style of Shelltoe everyone used to wear in the early nineties.

 

How do you juggle working for adidas and your other projects?
Lately there hasn’t been a lot of juggling actually; Brett and I have just been focused on it as much as we can so the foundation is set for this first year. I still manage to do a few outside co-op projects in the evenings but I’m making a conscious effort to dedicate more time to that sort of stuff. It’s been nice to take a break from Delphi projects and personal artwork. I think I overdid it and kind of got burnt out on work. Now it feels fun again and the ideas flow naturally, I can have a fresh approach and know that it’s art or design projects for that very sake. I can live off the adidas work and keep the personal projects focused on new ideas and personal growth.

What other projects are you working on at the moment? What about Delphi?
I did a bunch of stuff for Nike ACG before I started working for adidas. It’s a Delphi/ACG design co-op collection that drops this spring. I just wrapped up a board, sweater and tee for a German skate brand called Hessenmob. Some shirts and a jacket design for a clothing line in Paris called Sixpack and some board graphics for Element. I might actually get to have some of my photography on wine bottles for Francis Ford Coppola’s winery, but we’ll see how that turns out.

What is floating your boat at the moment? Music? Art? Drinking?
Traveling has been consistent this year and that’s always great. Going to new cities, meeting new people and seeing different art and architecture. I think it’s important to rip yourself out of the your everyday life, it’s easy to get complacent. I also get really hyped on seeing friends starting to gain acknowledgement for their artwork. It’s inspiring to see people become successful at their random ideas and eventually to a level where they can live off of it. I have a friend who shapes surfboards under the name Mandala and his impeccable craftsmanship is blowing up. I don’t really even surf, but I certainly appreciate how cool-looking his boards are and the level of quality that he demands out of himself. I like that, it’s rare!

What keeps you motivated to work in this industry? Inspires you?
I grew up skating and it kept me out of trouble. I’ve always loved it and for some reason the love hasn’t gone away. I really only enjoy working for things that I believe in, and skating happens to be one of those things. Any design work I do out of skating is usually in the streetwear realm, I only do that because I like that world too. It’s young and energetic; I just don’t like the ‘trophy-hunter’ aspect of it.

 

 

What’s your take on the current state of skateboarding and how do you feel about the constant reference of skateboarding in streetwear, despite the fact the majority of streetwear brands have little, if any, history in skateboarding?
That’s a weird one. I actually think that streetwear is loosely tied to skating because a lot of the people that run the companies tend to be skaters or ex-skaters. There’s an entrepreneurial spirit that is sort of consistent from watching skate companies come up and get successful. In many ways, streetwear of today reminds me of the skate companies in the early 90s and I think that’s why I like it.

By Steven Vogel

For more info on Adiskate, hit up their website here

 

I do not know exactly when the idea of pod moving or container moving started but it is ingenious. You can save money by packing yourself and not have to drive an unwieldy truck. If you have had the pleasure of using professional movers you have probably had a few of your belongings arrive at your new home broken or missing. If you packed a container yourself then you know how it was packed, and that you were the only ones that had access to them, that way things will not magically turn up missing. Not that I believe most movers are stealing, it is just that your things could get mixed up with other customers things that are being transported on the same truck. You could also hire a team of packers to do the heavy lifting for you if you want to.

Many Pod Moving Companies to Choose From

I bet you have been seeing advertisements for a few of these pod or container moving companies for several years now. These popular companies have become so big that a lot of other pod moving companies have been propping up all over the place. The biggest companies have a large range of places they will serve. If you are moving across the country then you might want to stick to the really well known ones. On the other hand if you are moving just a state of two over it would be a good idea to check out the new smaller companies to see what they offer.

Plan Ahead

You should shop around to find a moving pod company that will give the best price and will have locations in both places that you will need. You will also find that once you decide on which pod movers to use, they will need to schedule a delivery time. If it is the moving season then make your reservations well in advance. Since the idea is to pack when you get the time you will want to plan plenty of time to do just that. Do not forget to call to schedule you pick up as soon as you can so you can be on your way to your new home.

Have Your Belongings Stored for You

Do not forget that most of these pod moving companies have facilities to store your pods by the month for an extra fee. So relax and let someone else drive.

To learn more about pod moving visit http://moveyoursocks.com

[NEW RELEASE] LACOSTE - CABESTAN 75 YEAR

René Lacoste is above all, a legend. A star on the courts of Wimbledon, Forest Hills and Roland Garros, René was one of the famous Four Musketeers (Jean Borot, Jacques Brugno, Henri Cochet and René Lacoste) who dominated the game of tennis in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. They eventually led France to six straight wins (1927 through 1932) in the Davis Cup, and Rene became the world number one tennis player from 1926-1927. Nicknamed the ‘Crocodile’ and ‘Alligator’ for his tenacious attitude on the court, Rene is now better known for being the namesake and creator of the iconic 12.12 Lacoste Tennis shirt, which debuted in 1933.

Fast forward 75 years and the brand are celebrating this momentous occasion by launching a series of monotone shoes inspired by their tennis and yachting heritage. Unique to the 75 year collection is the use of the original crocodile which originated in 1933 and is embossed onto the uppers of each shoe. Tastefully executed in a consistent black and white scheme, the pack is a fitting tribute to the original purveyor of cool. July Release...

 

Guitars are music instruments that are very versatile; most musicians around the entire world use them because they find a guitar to be very easy to play.

They are also the most commonly chosen instrument for a student to start playing their way into music, mostly because it takes very little time to learn how to play it, and of course because it is not rare to be able to find a decent guitar for a very convenient price (unlike other instruments as pianos, for instance).

Today, all music shops offer a very wide variety of guitars, suitable for almost any musician, from beginners to masters. The most popular, however, are these two kinds of guitars: Acoustic guitars and electric 6-strings guitars.

Some very specialized vendors have started selling other classes of guitars; usually adaptations of the classical guitar made by different cultures all around the world. In these vendors shops, regular customers (mostly collectors) are able to buy guitars such as the Mexican guitarron, a huge guitar used by Mariachis, or as the guitarra criolla, an Argentinean adaptation of the 6-strigs classical guitar, used by Tango orchestras and also by the famous gauchos (the south-american version of cowboys).

Another advantage of guitars is that, once you learned the basics of music composition, you will find it easer to move into more complex instruments, such as violins, and keyboard instruments; which are more difficult to use as the first contact with music practicing.

Beyond all that, the key to guitars success (they are the most used musical instrument worldwide, and has been for a very long time) is what matters the most: its sound. The beautiful sound a guitar produces can be compared to the sound produced by instruments that are much more expensive, rare and hard to learn. That is what keeps a good guitar above the rest.

Tamara Williams is a successful author and contributor to Guitars which is dedicated to providing useful guitar help, tips, information on products and services for guitar players.

Vandaveer - However Many Takes It Takes

I wrote this after seeing the Federal Reserve, a collective of established, and like-minded alternative/folk musicians, perform on June 2nd at Iota in Arlington, VA. They played acoustic sets, and used basic folk instruments (including the chair (in post The Federal Reserve from Indie Muse. )

Independently spirited, colourful and musically individual, Sweden's top Hip Hop export Looptroop take on the guise of the Looptroop Rockers on their fourth studio album, Good Things, drawing more heavily from their dancehall/reggae roots, with an emphasis on live instrumentation.

The upbeat single The Building characterizes the album perfectly. Amongst the careful construction of frenetic drums, funky guitar, synth and accordion, dreadlocked front-man Promoe utilizes not only his intelligent working man rap but also his sing-songy cadence, along with fellow 'Troop mic wrangler Supreme.

The white-collar theme is further explored on the next selection, Marinate. It is stripped down to a more back-to-basics Hip Hop style, without sacrificing too much of the instrumentation.

Even with the mostly solid execution, there are instances where the three-piece overindulge in their musical exploration. The ill-advised Living On A Prayer (yes, they are covering Bon Jovi) is certainly a blemish on an otherwise enjoyable album. The same goes for Nave, a techno/electro number which would sound more comfortable on a Ministry of Sound release.

Despite a couple of lapses in judgment, efforts like the media-criticizing Trance Fat, where they are joined by Dilated Peoples member Rakaa, as well as the chaotic Rome, more than make up for it. Possibly Looptroop's most polished album, Good Things, finds their bridging of genres and styles meeting its logical conclusion. While it is a party record, it definitely bears fruit for the mind.

Cop some very well-rounded global stylings.

Available through David vs. Goliath Records

By Andrew Hickey (Contributor and Content Manager) http://www.planeturban.com.au

VHS Or Beta - Can't Believe A Single Word

The mixes are finally back and that is really all that I have to say. Enjoy! The Republic Tigers - The Nerve Flying Foxes - Lost In Low Cloud Jack Peate - Have I Been A Fool? Someone… (in post This Week's Mix from Instrumental Analysis. Download this at Amazon iTunes)

So you think you have it in you to join the ranks of Flea, Darcy, and George Harrison and play bass? Well, you have a long way to go, so you better start now.

Learning the basics

If you want to go into bass guitar playing, decide which bass you will play. You have a choice - the 4-stringed bass guitar, or five, six, seven, and even more strings. Beginners usually go for the 4-stringed bass guitar. The next step would be choosing the right bass guitar and learning the bass guitar chords.

A bass player who knows his bass guitar chords has an edge. His understanding of chord music theory will enable him to make his bass line definitive and very interesting. He knows the note to play and when to play it. Knowing bass guitar chords entails the mastery of all basic chords with emphasis on the 6th and 7th chords for bass guitar. A bass guitar chords lesson includes the entire basic chords, important 6th and 7th chords, the 12 keys, chord map, charts, and neck patterns. The bass guitar chords are composed of three or more notes played together, and each type of chord has a formula.

He also has to master the 12 different notes A, B flat, C, D flat up to A flat. Not all songs, however, use these notes because the notes of a song are dictated by the songs key. Mastery of the musical patterns equips the bass guitarist with the skill to learn songs off record. He will then be able to pinpoint accurately what scales were used and the chord patterns and changes that went with it.

An initiation to bass guitar chords diagrams and notations

There are hundreds of bass guitar chords. There are even more ways to play them. You can play the happy notes or the major chords, or sound the minor notes for the sad tones. You can jazz up the tones by moving up a half step (augment) or go down a half step (diminish). Playing the bass guitar chords offer endless possibilities of combinations of note chords.

Any beginner will benefit from learning to read bass guitar chords tablature or tab. This is a method of music notation. The illustrations show where to put your fingers, the frets and the strings. They also show horizontal lines, and each string is noted according to its placement. You will also see notations like O and X or a number. An O denotes that you play the string on the chord without depressing it. An X means you dont play the string at all. A number on a string denotes that the string should be played in the fret specified.

A beginner should be able to memorize the chords and practice playing until he is comfortable with his guitar. Eventually his hand movement will take on the dexterity that marks a great bassist. He will also learn the slaps, riffs, and slides, as well as the use of the pick.

Buying and playing your bass guitar

An electric or acoustic bass guitar should be comfortable to play. You must able to manage its weight, and the neck of the bass guitar should be navigable by your hands. Get the guitar from reputable dealers who can give you a warranty. If you are opting for a used bass guitar, you can be sure it is reliable if it was played for years. However, bear in mind that used guitars do not come with a warranty and these may have unsuitable modifications.

Playing the bass guitar is a physical thing. It is therefore practical to do warm-up exercises before striking the first bass guitar chords. Find a comfortable position that will not strain your hands. Relax, and your bass guitar music will be just as smooth as it is fluid. In time, youll be giving Flea a run for his money.

You can definitely master your bass guitar chords, so visit aboutplayingguitar.com for the latest and find free guitar chords You just have to go to this site now for bass guitar tabs of your favorite bands.

Albert Hammond Jr. - GfC

So, I am (as I should be) really happy right now. This is one of the strangest feelings I've ever experienced: total freedom, and a lack of purpose. I must admit, I've been diffident and hard work over… (in post One To Watch: Albert Hammond Jr. from The Cold Cut. Download this at Amazon iTunes More by this artist at eMusic)

Although there are several kinds of guitars the two main ones are the electric and the acoustic and even within these two categories there are many variations.

The acoustic guitar is made of wood and the sound it produces depends upon the shape of the guitar and the strings. The body is usually hollow and nylon strings are used. It does not need to be connected to a power supply unless, of course, it is an acoustic electric guitar. There are no effects boxes of any kind required as with the electric guitar. These are some of the guitars which fall within the acoustic group:-

- Classical - this is what most beginners choose and it is played sitting down

- Flamenco - like the classical but slimmer and produces a crisper sound

- Steel-top - this one has a larger body than the classical guitar, is toughened for sturdiness and produces a warmer tone

- Twelve strings - the six normal strings have another set an octave higher. This guitar produces a very tuneful sound

- Resonator - quite like the steel-top but the center of the soundboard is made of steel which acts as a resonator. Different guitars within the resonator group can be played on the lap similar to a keyboard instrument. The resonator is the guitar regularly used to play the blues

- Arch-top - this one is frequently the chosen guitar of jazz players. It has f-hole design and is usually an expensive guitar to buy.

- Acoustic bass - normally four-stringed but does come with five or six strings too. This guitar is played without electric pick-ups.

Moving on to electric guitars, these need playing through an amplifier and if they are not connected to one, the sound is barely audible. When used with many types of sound boxes, different effects are produced. The tone and the volume are varied by the use of control knobs as is the shift from treble to bass intensive. To create a "crying sound" whammy bars are regularly used, but this is not recommended for cheaper guitars as it can result in the guitar ending up out of tune.

The strings of an electric guitar are thin and made of steel. They need less effort to push them down as they are closer to the neck of the guitar. The body of the electric guitar is made of solid wood, smaller than the acoustic, and therefore heavier. The electric guitar comes in both six and twelve strings, and in a variety of shapes; some models have even been carved to give the appearance of a hand.

As mentioned earlier, some acoustic guitars can also be electric, whereas this cannot be said of electric guitars - they can never be acoustic.

Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of MusicianHome.com, a site that provides information and articles for musicians at all stages of their development.

How To Jump Higher

Knowing how to jump higher is definitely an asset for athletes. You will see a marked improvement in your performance after you increase your vertical jump. There are many exercises to jump higher that you will have to do on a daily basis. These include both strength training as well as power training.

Exercises To Increase Vertical Leap

A combination of strength and power training will help you to jump higher. There are many strength training exercises that strengthen your muscles. These include squats, step ups and lunges. These work simultaneously on different leg muscles like the calf and thigh muscles. It is important that you perform these exercises correctly otherwise you could risk injury.

Squats - you need to keep your back straight and feet firmly placed on the ground. It is important to remember that when you perform the squat, your knees should always be directly above your feet.

Step ups - this exercise is done with dumbbells in each hand. You must place a box in front of you and you need to step on it one leg at a time so that your knee is at a 90angle.

Lunges - with your back straight, you need to put one foot forward as far as you can until the knee in front is at a 90 degree angle. This needs to be repeated with each leg.

Power Training

Learning how to jump higher is incomplete without power training. These are exercises which involve explosive movements. Some of the power exercises that you can do are jumping rope, weighted box jumps and tuck jumps.

Jumping rope is an exercise that we all have been doing since we were kids. It is fun and a great way to improve your vertical jump.

Box jumps is pretty much like the step ups except that you have to jump up on to the box.

For tuck jumps have to jump by lifting both legs off the ground. Lift them up to your chest and land on the balls of your feet.

Doing all these exercises correctly will ensure that you learn how to jump higher in a few weeks.

Learning different exercises that teach you to jump higher are going to help you lose weight and increase muscle mass. These are two of the most important aspects to being successful in all athletic competition. Increasing your vertical jump is especially important in basketball. This will help you get more rebounds and block more shots. Improving your jumping ability is going to benefit your athletic performance and overall health.

Who Sang Spirit In The Sky?

Yet another generation of music lovers has been introduced to an "oldie but goodie." Gatorade's newest sports drink, Tiger, named for golfing great Tiger Woods, is promoted via a "Moonshot" video which depicts the world's greatest golfer (in a space suit) lacing a drive off the surface of the moon to the tune of the late 60's classic (released in 1969) "Spirit In The Sky."

"Spirit In The Sky" is the song that puts folk-rocker Norman Greenbaum in the "one-hit-wonder" category of popular music (it peaked in March of 1970 at #3). It has endured despite Greenbaum's short and uneven career in record-making. (Greenbaum was known for unusual songs with odd titles such as "Canned Ham." But hey, this was THE 70s!)

Although "Spirit In The Sky" is not considered a gospel song in the traditional sense, clearly the subject is going to the great beyond...if you "have a friend in Jesus." A strikingly traditional religious sentiment for the period.

"Spirit In The Sky" was prominently featured in the 1995 Ron Howard directed blockbuster Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks. It was also notably recorded by alt-country rockers The Kentucky Headhunters and, more recently, by British pop singer Gareth Gates.

Spirit In The Sky Lyrics

(Words and Music by Norman Greenbaum)

When I die and they lay me to rest

Gonna go to the place that's the best

When I lay me down to die

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

That's where I'm gonna go when I die

When I die and they lay me to rest

Gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself you know it's a must

Gotta have a friend in Jesus

So you know that when you die

He's gonna recommend you

To the spirit in the sky

Gonna recommend you

To the spirit in the sky

That's where you're gonna go when you die

When you die and they lay you to rest

You're gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner I never sinned

I got a friend in Jesus

So you know that when I die

He's gonna set me up with

The spirit in the sky

Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky

That's where I'm gonna go when I die

When I die and they lay me to rest

I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Go to the place that's the best

DA Jack Hayford is the editor of the popular music reference website, Events-in-Music.com, which features a special section on #1 Songs. Mr. Hayford is also the Program Director and co-founder of DurangoSong.com, the online home of the ten-plus-year old Durango Songwriters Expo, a premier annual educational and inspirational event for aspiring songwriters.