Sing Your Favorite KARAOKE SONGS At Your Next Party!

A karaoke place in Wuhan, in Luoyu E. St. (Across the street from the HUST campus)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you looking for a fun way to add some life to your parties? Karaoke is an activity that people of all ages really enjoy doing. Your guests will look forward to your next party once you tell them they can sing their favorite songs while they are there. There are plenty of different karaoke machines you can purchase and many of them are very affordable. 

The words of the songs will be scrolling on the karaoke machine or across your TV set depending on the type of set up you have in place. A microphone allows the voice of those singing to be amplified and that is very exciting. Most karaoke machines come with several tracks from which you can choose to sing. You can also buy additional ones to give your guests more of a selection of songs. 

There are some excellent software programs you can purchase to burn karaoke songs offer of the internet. This is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to increase the number of songs you have to offer to your guests. If they find something they really like they will be more likely to join in the fun. 

You can have a karaoke contest at your party as well. If the party is for children you will want to have a prize ready for each child to take home just for participating. For adults and teenagers, you can offer great prizes for different categories including best voice and the most original performance. 

Don’t think that your karaoke machine is going to remain stored away in between parties either. Chances are your family will have so much fun with it that members will use it regularly. They may just want to have some fun or they may want to improve their sound for the next karaoke party. 

Take your time to compare the various types of karaoke machines available and the music for them. You want your party to be a huge success so give guests something they will really enjoy being a part of. It is a good idea to set up the karaoke machine in advance and practice using it before your party. This way you won’t be fumbling around with the equipment and holding up the entertainment. 

It helps if you have a sign-up sheet where guests can write down their name and the selection of the sound they want to sing. You can print out sheets of the song titles and artists for them to review as well. You can make a spreadsheet on your computer so you can continually update it as you add new material.

Regardless of the type of party, you are hosting, you can bring a smile to the face of everyone there with karaoke. Make sure you offer a wide variety of songs since everyone has their own taste in music. If karaoke night at your house becomes a regular routine you can even ask your guests if there are particular songs they would like to hear. This is a great way to have fun without spending very much money for your event.

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SAXOPHONE MOUTHPIECE Guide - For a Better Way to Play Saxophone

Two mouthpieces for tenor saxophone: the one on the left is rubber; the one on the right is metal.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The saxophone is an instrument that is well appreciated in a variety of musical genres including jazz, rock, and pop. For saxophone players, add-ons like saxophone mouthpieces are essential if they want to be able to play better and produce a better sound. This saxophone mouthpiece guide can help you choose the best one for your type of sound.

Characteristics

The saxophone mouthpiece is attached to the instrument and is useful in shaping and producing the sound coming from the instrument. The saxophone player blows into the mouthpiece to create vibrations that can produce the sound. It is also helpful in holding the reed in its proper place so it won't flutter while creating a chamber to allow for sound modification which, in turn, makes it possible to create the right tone.

What's it made of?

In a saxophone mouthpiece guide, you will see that this component can be classified according to the tone and pitch that it can produce: baritone, soprano, tenor, and alto. Higher notes and pitches are basically produced by sopranos while lower and graver tones are produced with baritones. You can also classify saxophone mouthpieces according to the material from which it is made of:

Hard rubber: Molded with heat, it is known as the best type of mouthpiece since it dampens lighter sounds with its dense properties. This mouthpiece is ideal for classical music.

Plastic: Although inexpensive, it can warp with over-usage, giving way to tone imbalance and squeaks. It also contracts and expands according to temperature, giving way to intonation problems.

Metal: Less dense than rubber, it enhances higher tones so it is ideal for playing solo jazz tunes. It is also more durable but requires high maintenance.

Check the quality and the tip opening

Ending this saxophone mouthpiece guide are buying tips you can use to check the quality. Make sure it is easy to blow while being able to produce a good sound. Check the tip opening, too. Beginners are better off with narrow tips for a clearer tone and easy response while professionals with a good control of the saxophone can use wider tips for greater projection and volume.

By Ilse Hagen - Article Source: EzineArticles

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BANDS Known By Initials

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In rock ‘n’ roll history there have been many bands whose moniker and names were shortened and universally recognized by abbreviated lettered names.  Let’s explore some popular initial nicknames of bands.

Creedence Clearwater Revival (also known as CCR) began churning out classic rock ‘n’ roll singles shortly after the John Fogerty led band formed in 1967.  With their “swamp-rock” sound and style, the group amassed seventeen top 40 hits like “Bad Moon Rising,” “Green River,” and the wedding band staple “Proud Mary.”  The group disbanded in 1972 and any hopes of a CCR reunion were quashed with the death of band member Tom Fogerty in 1990.

Another 60's band that had huge commercial success was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, also known as CSN & Y.  Band members David Crosby (formerly of the Byrds), Graham Nash (of Hollie's fame), Stephen Stills and Neil Young (both with Buffalo Springfield), blended their flawless harmonies into a long and successful career.  With hits such as the Nash-led “Teach Your Children,” Neil Young’s antiwar protest song “Ohio” and a Joni Mitchell composition “Woodstock” about the legendary rock festival, CSN & Y blended their unique acoustic-folk and progressive hard rock sound to be a classic example of the 1960's psychedelic era.  Additionally, after Young left the group, Crosby, Stills and Nash (also known as CSN) continued to release melodic pop/rock songs with 1977's “Just A Song Before I Go” and “Wasted On The Way,” which was released in 1982.  The group still tours, occasionally joined by Young.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hard-rocking Bachman-Turner Overdrive, or simply BTO consisted of Randy Bachman (formerly of the Guess Who), fellow Guess Who alum Chad Allen, C.F. “Fred” Turner and Randy’s brother drummer Robbie.  Capitalizing on the arena rock/pop rock era of the mid 70's, BTO had a short but successful career with chart singles such as “Takin’ Care Of Business,” “Let It Ride” and the number one single “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” a song which was intended for an audience of one- Randy’s brother Gary Bachman who had a speech impediment-stuttering.  They recorded the song for fun but needing another song to complete the lp “Not fragile,” Randy Bachman was pressured to include the joking stuttering lyrics and the song spent twelve weeks on the Billboard charts in 1974.

There are many other rock ‘n’ roll bands that were known by initials as well as their “given” name and I will include a couple more that I know of.  The Electric Light Orchestra (also known as ELO) led by guitarist Jeff Lynne, scored twenty top ten hits with songs like “Telephone Line and “Don’t Bring Me Down.”  A similar sounding name ELP was a supergroup consisting of keyboard genius Keith Emerson, bassist Greg lake (of the band Nice) and drummer Carl Palmer (a former member of The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown).  They instilled their keyboard dominated, progressive rock throughout the 70's, creating an FM radio phenomenon with songs like “Lucky Man,” “Still You Turn Me On” and “From The Beginning.”

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CANTONESE OPERA

Cantonese Opera exhibit at the Museum (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Would I want to be a Cantonese opera singer? I attended a workshop at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and found the answer to that question. I learned there are 350 kinds of Chinese opera- each based on a different Chinese dialect. Cantonese opera is the genre most common in Hong Kong. The young woman who was our opera workshop instructor had been studying opera for five years. She told us she was only a beginner. It takes more than twenty years to become a really good performer. This explains why many 'opera stars' are over the age of fifty. Our guide taught us how to distinguish between male and female, and comic and tragic opera characters by their dress, make-up, voices and body movements.

After she had introduced us to the plot line of an opera we tiptoed into a theatre where an opera was in progress and watched it for about twenty minutes. The female character sang in a falsetto voice all the time. The singers didn't always seem to know where the tune of their song was leading them and the audience was talking throughout the performance. Later our guide told us there are no written or designated notes in Chinese opera scripts. 

Actors are provided with only a set of lyrics. The singers make up the tune as they go along. The tradition of female characters using a falsetto voice is an ancient tradition stemming from a time when only male performers were allowed on the stage. They used a falsetto voice to sound feminine. A Chinese opera is apparently performed as a tribute to the gods. Since the deities are the intended audience, the human audience can talk and even eat or play games like mahjong or chess while the opera is going on without insulting the performers.

The second part of our tour took us through a museum exhibit where we saw opera costumes. They are extremely ornate and very expensive to create. Our guide explained the thick face paint worn by characters. Evil villains wear mostly white make-up, while good heroes have predominantly red faces. The museum had a computer program set up that allowed you to put on the make-up and costume of a classic opera character. You chose a character, positioned your face on the computer screen and then waited for your face to appear in the costume and make-up of that character. I chose a Warrior Woman. I thought I looked quite stunning in my Cantonese opera persona and even took a photo of myself.

Although I thought I looked quite powerful and exotic in my costume I found out several things about Chinese opera singers during the workshop that would make me think twice about becoming one. Cantonese operas are between four and five hours long. Actors must memorize thousands of lines. Opera costumes weigh many pounds and female actresses wear narrow-toed, high-heeled shoes. Most performances are held outside in the humid heat. Although it was fun to learn more about Cantonese opera and even see how I would look like a Chinese opera singer, I don't think I'd like to be one.

By MaryLou Driedger - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Theater Art - KABUKI

Kabuki Theater (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kabuki is a traditional Japanese theater art. The word Kabuki is derived from the Japanese word kabuki which means avant-garde or bizarre theater. Kabukimono were youngsters who were rebellious and used to dress strangely. Because the kanji characters sing and dance, kabuki also means the art of singing and dancing.   

This work has been tampered with over a period of time. The kabuki which we witness now isn’t the same what it used to be before. The founder of this art was Okuni, who was a young lady who served a Shinto shrine named Izumo Taisha. She gained attention by adapting a completely new dance form at the theaters at the dry river beds of Kyoto in the year 1603. Basically, it started with an only female artist who even did the role of men. The stories were based on the common people with a comedic twist. After the initial success, Okuni was invited to show her performance at the royal court. Out of envy, other troupes began adopting the same style of dancing and kabuki became a common style. The women involved in kabuki began entering prostitution so they were banned from performing further and men took over their place. The attention shifted from dance to performance. But the performance by the men also became salacious and they too started prostitution as a side profession and worked for both men and women customers. This affected the audiences which attended this performance they became ill-mannered and a fight used to break out over a young and handsome actor. This led to the imposing of a ban on young male actors too.

Kabuki then became a field of art for matured men. These men put in more effort to bring up the reputation of kabuki. The men who performed the role of women were known as Oyama or Onnagata. Basically, there were two types of a role named Aragoto or rough style and Wagoto or Sakata tojuro. Yaro kabuki or men’s kabuki was the stylized version and Kyogen comic theater was a very influential factor as it was very popular then. 

The kabuki artists wore detailed makeup. Aragoto character or the reckless warrior character has a pompous role with bright clothing and loud makeup. The style too is loud and exaggerated and involves more action.  On the contrary, Wagoto is a more cultured role with decent dialogue delivery and gestures.

The Genroku period showed more interest in Kabuki arts. It had started to be performed in formal theaters. Chikamatsu Monzaemon was the first known playwright of kabuki and later on produced many other renowned works. His works revolve around tragic-romances where the lovers used to suicide in the end. Many followed this theme which forced the authorities to put a ban on such kinds of plays known as Shinju Mono. After few years of success, kabuki was taken over by Bunraku or Puppetry. This was due to the increase in the number of Bunraku playwrights. 

But after the defeat of Tokugawa Shogunate Empire in 1868 kabuki arts returned to its full form. Initially, a kabuki performance was made in front of the king Meiji. It caught his interest in the first instance. Many kabuki theaters were brought up during that era.

During the World War II, many theaters were lost during the bombing and a ban was levied on kabuki. But in 1947, the kabuki performances started again with the lift of the ban and once again began to flourish across the country.

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CD ACCOPANIMENT For VIOLIN PLAYER And More: Find Great Choices At Music Minus One

Violin with sheet music in a repair shop, Salzburg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Accompaniment CDs make violin practice more fun and enjoyable. Music Minus One has always specialized in selling musicians the best choices for sheet music and audio accompaniment and, with our online store, it's never been easier to begin discovering the difference that our products can make for your musical life.

Music Minus One first started to offer our customers a unique way to practice over sixty years ago. Since 1950, we've continued to ensure that we maintain our current position as the top choice in sheet music and audio accompaniment by constantly expanding our catalog. Our mission has always been to help musicians find the most enjoyable way to improve playing their instrument. Music Minus One works hard to ensure that we're the number one choice for players of all genres of music and all types of instruments by stocking plenty of options for every style and every skill level.

Our store is a complete resource for all types of musicians. Music Minus One sells accompaniment CDs for violin, piano, guitar and much more. We are dedicated to giving every one of our customers a great choice for their sheet music and CD needs and stock exceptional options for nearly every instrument and vocalist. The Music Minus One online store currently sells accompaniment CDs for violin, drums, harmonica, accordion, oboe, saxophone, flute, electric bass, harp, vocalists [across all ranges and styles] and much, much more. Our products span many different genres of music, from modern pop and folk to baroque, gospel, Broadway and more. Every type of musician is bound to find the type of sheet music and audio accompaniment they desire when shopping the selection available through Music Minus One.

The online Music Minus One store is a great choice for musicians from across the entire world. We've created our site as a one-stop shop for customers regardless of where they live. We also carry the finest accompaniment editions from other fine publishers around the world in one convenient location. Music Minus One products can be purchased at retailers in many different nations and our entire catalog is also available for online ordering. Check for free shipping offers at our official website regularly to save even more on violin accompaniment CDs and more.

There are many fantastic ways to take advantage of the exceptional products on sale through Music Minus One. Why not give the musician in your life a gift certificate to Music Minus One for an upcoming special day? We sell different amounts of gift cards that take the hassle out of shopping for music lovers. Simply give a Music Minus One gift card as a present and allow the recipient to shop through our retailers or online to find exactly what they'd like.

Get the most out of your time playing or practicing your instrument by shopping for violin accompaniment CDs and more at Music Minus One. We maintain a comprehensive range of choices for any musician to shop from and are always.

For more information on Music Minus One and our entire range of sheet music and accompaniment CDs for violin and more, visit MusicMinusOne. Music Minus One provides musicians around the world with top quality accompaniment recordings and sheet music for practice and personal home orchestras. To find out more, please visit www.musicminusone.com. Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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NEW YORK ORCHESTRA

"Toscaniniontour". Licensed under PD-US via Wikipedia.

Entertainment is certainly a very popular element found all over in New York. People love to see live music and they can find it where various types of orchestras person. You can even listen to them when you are at live productions such as the Phantom of the Opera. There are certainly some wonderful productions in New York that one can enjoy. Some of them take place on a regular basis and others only perform on a special basis.

The longest running orchestra in the United States is the Philharmonic. They have been in place since 1842. They have performed more than 15,000 shows and they always get rave reviews for their efforts. Tickets for their shows sell out fast and there are always plenty of people who show up for tryouts to be a part of this musical group. Plan to pay a premium price though for any performance by this well known New York group.

If you will be traveling to New York in the future, check online to find out about the various orchestra performances that will be taking place. This can be a wonderful treat when you get some time to relax. Many of them are at really nice locations and so you can decide to have a nice dinner that evening as well.

Sometimes though various New York orchestras have been known to travel to other locations. You may find you are able to catch a performance of theirs much closer to home. They are definitely worth the price of a ticket though as you won’t find live music this great too many other places. Yet if you can’t get enough of it you can buy CDs with the sounds of the New York orchestra on them. You can also download songs to your iPod.

For those that have big musical dreams, the quest for being accepted to join one of the various orchestras in New York is one that can come true. It takes plenty of hard work and dedication in order to do so. Of course, there is a great deal of pride that comes with the territory when you are performing in the New York orchestra.

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CONTRABASS TROMBONE - Music Instruments of the World

Contrabass Trombone - Music Instruments of the World

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Trumpet - Tone Versus Range

Trumpet mouthpiece front view large  - (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the trumpet world, high note playing is perceived as one of the more difficult tasks of learning to play.  Trumpeters tend to believe that they have to switch to a "jazz mouthpiece" to achieve high notes on a trumpet.  So then they have this belief that they play 2 different mouthpieces - one for tone, one for high notes.

What's interesting to me is that while some mouthpieces can tend to aid in the ease of producing faster air, that's all a high note really is.  Players who turn to shallower cups tend to play with a brighter sound in general (hence the jazz mouthpiece).  Once in a concert setting, they tend to return to a "C" cup or a "B" cup and regain a "classical" tone (hence the classical mouthpieces).

If a player learned to develop a clear upper register on a "C" cup, they wouldn't necessarily have to switch mouthpieces and confuse muscles, air stream, embouchure, or their minds with varying degrees of myths!

The mouthpiece that I've developed is close to a "C" depth, what I've changed for my playing is the rim size.  I have found that the rim size affects my comfort - not my tone.  There are other variables in the anatomy of a mouthpiece that will either enhance or hinder one's tone and range, such as backbore, throat size, etc.  But if we stay with a standard backbore and throat, such as in the Bach line of mouthpieces, we can change tone just by changing cup depth.

This is what most trumpet players don't want to face up to - if we just did the work without looking for equipment to do it for us, we'd come out with a lot more money in our pockets and a lot less frustrated!  My line of mouthpieces are great because they don't offer a bunch of hocus-pocus, empty promises, or claims that they will give you range that you don't already have... they do offer a more comfortable rim, and variable rim sizes in a kit form - something that most manufacturers don't do.

Keith Fiala / Anna Romano - Article Directory: EzineArticles

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OPERA MUSIC: History, Evolution, and Rebirth

Photograph of the facade of the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, New York
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you've ever attended an opera, chances are you were enchanted by the timeless allure and sense of sophistication of this beautiful style of music and performance.  It is truly amazing to reflect on the fact that this enduring genre has been going strong for over 400 years, and even enjoying a resurgence in popularity in the United States and abroad.

Opera's roots are firmly European.  The very first opera house, actually a theater designed to host opera performances, was built in Venice, Italy in the 1630's.  Composers of the day were mingling dramatic stories with music that ebbed and flowed.  Audiences clamored to experience this blend of music and literary art on stage, and thus opera was born.

In those years, singing and dancing were commonplace at most public gatherings.  Due to the size of crowds, strong powerful voices were recruited to perform certain singing parts, both male and female.  In time, singers were specifically trained for operatic performances, a practice that continues to this day.

As the 17th century dawned, the popularity of opera spread to other European countries, like France, Germany, and England.  Indeed, some of opera's most famous works come from composers not native to Italy, like Mozart, Richard Strauss, and Georges Bizet.

The Passion Blooms In The United States

As a land of immigrants, it is only natural that those coming to the United States brought along their skills and passions.  Certainly, this is clearly most evident in New York, where the Metropolitan Opera House opened in 1883.  Opera spread to other cities across the country, and audiences filled theaters nationally.  Later, well-known opera master like Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, and Giuseppe Di Stefano displayed their unique talents to a vast and appreciative American audience.

The Present Day

Opera continues to attract and enchant, witnessed by the fact that 135 opera companies operate in the United States today.  Recently, there has been a surge in opera's popularity, as these innovative companies reach out to those unfamiliar with this musical style.  An inclusive educational approach has taken hold and broken down some perceptions that opera is only for the elite.  Casual informative lectures, subtitles, and relaxed dress codes are just a few strategies opera companies use to attract attendees.

Most importantly, many of these same companies have developed training programs for young singers.  Many of these young artists are now performing and thriving in venues across the country.  It is hoped this continuing education approach will keep opera thriving and vibrant for generations to come.

Article Directory: Article Dashboard

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How to Develop a Great FLUTE Embouchure

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Learn how to develop a great flute embouchure and you are well on your way to being a great flutist.

Embouchure is a French term for the position of the lips and facial muscles used when producing a sound on a wind instrument.

Keep the following steps in mind...

1) The facial muscles and lips should be relaxed.

A tight embouchure with the corners of the lips pulled back and lips stretched produces strain and stress, a puny sound, and tires the player quickly.

Strained facial muscles inhibit the air from flowing freely out of the body. It's like putting your hand over a garden hose--the water is slowed down.

Try these exercises...

a) Pout as if you are unhappy or angry.

b) Imagine the corners of your mouth are reaching down to the floor. 

c) Roll your bottom lip out and try to hold a pencil with your bottom lip.

2) Keep the lower jaw relaxed as well.  Imagine this...

a) You are holding a golf ball in your mouth.

b) Your lower jaw is falling off your face onto the floor.

c) Try to yawn with your lips closed.

3) Concentrate the strength and power in your abdominal area. 

That's where the airstream originates.  You need a fast airstream pushed from the abdominal muscle up through your lungs and out the mouth. If your lips are strained, this gets in the way of that rushing air coming out and your tone is not nearly as vibrant as it could be.

Keep these important elements in mind and you will develop a great flute embouchure.

Kathy Ferneau is a flutist and teacher. Her online flute studio is http://www.cyberflute.com/ where you can get free flute lessons. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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How To Choose An ELECTRIC GUITAR

PRS Standard 22 Platinum Guitar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For a music aficionado, the electric guitar is the instrument that offers the greatest thrill. Many classes offering courses in guitar playing have sprung up. Hence purchasing the right electric guitar will help you to enjoy your learning experience. Here are some easy to understand tips that will enable you to make a correct decision in purchasing your electric guitar.

Are all the guitars the same?

No. There are many types of electric guitars available in the market. The right guitar depends on the sound that you are interested in. While some guitars can easily switch between jazz, blues and rock without any perceptible difference, the others cater to only one type of sound. Choosing the sound that you want will simplify your purchase decision. Besides, the sound you also need to take into account the location of the neck on the guitar. The two most common types of positions are the "set-neck" and the "bolt-on" necks. The set-neck allows you to keep on playing longer than bolt-on. The meeting point of the neck and guitar is tighter to allow the sound to move freely between the two.

The only disadvantage of set-neck is that it is difficult to repair or replace once it is damaged. The bolt-on style is available with the cheaper versions of guitars. The design is simple, locking the neck in a slot of the guitar body. Musical experts consider that this type of neck style does not give good quality sound and cannot be played longer, but this is more due to the type of materials used. If you don’t mind spending money for a superior quality sound but not a durable electric guitar, go for a set-neck.

What are frets?

You can choose the electric guitar based on how wide and long the neck is. 21, 22 and 24 are the number of frets that you can get with the usual guitars. The guitars from Stratocasters have 21 frets. This gives you a shorter neck but opting for large frets will let you play more easily. Jackson guitars have higher frets. The number of frets you should choose will depend on the number of notes you want to play. A higher number lets you play more sounds.

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ORGAN REGISTRATION: 9 Tips for Registering BACH - Prelude and Fugue in B Flat Major, BWV 560

Cesar Franck

Playing the Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major, BWV 560 with convincing registration will result in more authentic performance. Organists who practice this piece should know general rules for choosing which stops to use. With this piece, the registration for public performance should be different than for practicing alone. If you are searching for the best ways to register this prelude and fugue, read the following 9 tips.

1) Do not change the registration in the fugue. Although it is possible to add a reed stop in the two-part cycle, such as this, the length of the piece does not suggest the need to stop changes after the prelude. Since this prelude and fugue last only about 3 minutes, it is better to play with one registration throughout.

2) "Organo Pleno" registration. The traditional way of registering a prelude and fugue in the German Baroque style is to use "Organo Pleno" registration or a principal chorus. This concept means that you should build a pyramid of principal stops, starting with the principal 16' or 8' and building upwards (4', 2 2/3', 2 etc.)

3) Use mixtures both in the manuals and the pedals. Try out the mixture alone on the main manual and see if it is based on the 16' (starts at 5 1/3' level) or 8' (starts at 2 2/3' level or higher). If it is based on the 16', then use 16' stop in the manual together with it. Otherwise, playing with 16' is optional.

4) Add flutes if the mixtures are too harsh. Check your mixtures and see if you like their sound. In some Neobaroque-style organs, the mixtures are really high-pitched and sound harsh. In such case sometimes it is OK to omit the mixture and use higher principals and mutations instead (1 1/3' and 1').

5) Check if the principals are not too narrow. In many Neobaroque-style instruments, the principals are quite narrow in diameter. In such case, try to add 8' and 4' flutes for more rounded sound. However, under normal circumstances, principals and flutes should not mix in the Organ Pleno registration.

6) Couple the manuals if you want. If you have more than one manual which has a principal chorus as well, you can couple them both. This way your registration will be even more powerful.

7) Add pedal reeds for more spice. Use the powerful 16' and/or 8' reeds in the pedal division, such as Posaune and Trompete. If you decide to use only one reed stop, the first reed you should add is Posaune 16' and not Trompete 8'. This is because in Central Germany in the Baroque period, even relatively small organs very often had Posaune but not Trompete.

8) Check the balance between manuals and pedals. Once you choose the manual and pedal stops, try to listen to the overall sound ensemble. Since it is a polyphonic composition with highly independent parts, both manuals and pedals should be clearly audible but not too loud in comparison with each other.

9) Practice registration. It is best to practice using only the soft stops, such as 8' and 4' flutes with 16' in the pedals. This way your ears will not become tired and you can practice for a longer period of time.

Remember these tips when you practice or perform the Prelude and Fugue in B flat Major, BWV 560 in public. It is a good practice to listen to different recordings of this piece on historical organs and to compare the registrations in each. Since every organ is different, try to follow your taste and ears based on your idea of the "ideal Baroque sound" for this composition. This way your playing will become more authentic and you will use your organ more convincingly.

By Vidas Pinkevicius By the way, do you want to learn my special powerful techniques which help me to master any piece of organ music up to 10 times faster? If so, download my FREE Organ Practice Guide. Or if you really want to learn to play any organ composition at sight fluently and without mistakes while working only 15 minutes a day, check out my systematic master course in Organ Sight-Reading. Article Source: EzineArticles

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History of UKULELE Music - You Can Get in on the Fun Too!

Martin Ukulele 1930 - Style 3K 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Instrumental ukulele music is on the verge of becoming just as popular as mainstream ukulele music is. People are finally starting to realize that the ukulele is capable of making very good music. This instrument has been around since 1879 and it is just now being realized how it can make such enjoyable quality music.

When the ukulele has first invented the Hawaiians were not impressed with the beautiful music that the instrument was capable of making. It wasn't until around 1915 that the ukulele popularity came over to the mainland. It was after that the craze of the ukulele began which raised the popularity of the instrument. No matter what the history is behind it, the ukulele is now Hawaii's most popular musical instrument.

There was a great demand for ukuleles, which meant that production had to increase substantially. Of the original creators, by 1910, only one of them remained and he couldn't keep up with the demand. New competitors entered the field after time offering unique designs. Although there was a great deal of competition, there were still enough orders that each business was still being flooded.

The competition took a turn when the mainland guitar manufactures started making ukuleles around 1915. The Hawaiians where angry when it was learned the mainland manufactures started stamping "Made in Hawaii" on their Ukuleles. The Hawaiian ukulele makers created an original stamp that the legislature backed. Sometime in the 1920's, mainland makers started mass-producing the ukulele.

Today we are seeing surges of ukulele music popularity coming back. Hawaii is home to many musicians who have devoted their lives to playing the music of the ukulele. The ukulele is very light and also very portable which means that it makes it very easy to practice it.

Even though ukulele music has been around for over 130 years and it is still a very popular musical instrument choice. The music has a lot of history behind it but no matter what the history is, it is now a very popular instrument in world-wide. Even now the demand of ukuleles is growing in South America and other unexpected places.

The ukulele is the little brother of the guitar family and is usually seen with four nylon strings. The volume and tone of the instrument depend solely on the size that it is. They come in four different sizes and are enjoyed by countless individuals all over the world. The three smaller ukulele sizes are the soprano, concert, and tenor, and are tuned to the Key of C with the reentrant "my dog has fleas" tuning. The largest ukulele, the baritone is tuned to the Key of G like a guitar and the baritone ukulele is tuned exactly as the 4 smallest strings of a guitar. All guitar players can immediately play the baritone ukulele, although they may not know it.

If you are looking for a really fun instrument to learn, you do well to find a ukulele.

There is a world of fun you can have with a ukulele. You don't have to be a musician. You do not need any special musical talent. We know this is true because we have been around ukulele folks for over 20 years now. We have repaired ukuleles, hunted ukulele parts, made banjo ukuleles for several years. And now we try to seek out ukulele items that are quality and worth their cost. And certainly, we will help you if we can.

Keep Strumming... Keep Smiling...

By Roy Cone Article Source: EzineArticles

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BOB MARLEY Quotes - A Man With Something to Say

One Love: The Very Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Few musicians are as well known in the field or ska or reggae music as Jamaican singer-songwriter, musician and Rastafarian Bob Marley. In addition to his unique and powerful musical style which is still popular nearly 30 years after his death, Bob Marley quotes taken from his music and from his comments resonate with many people who have experienced aspects of his living. Like many other famous people who are quoted on viewpoints they may hold, Bob Marley quotes run the gamut of emotions and philosophy from joy to pain to philosophy.

Favorite Bob Marley quotes will probably vary depending upon the life experiences of the person who listens to them. Many of his quotes have to do with music, which is to be expected, but many are quotations about life in general expressed in his music. He states "Who are you to judge the life I live? I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be. But, before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean."

Finding quotes about the subject of music is not difficult. Often, even the most devoted scientists and philosophers of great note recognized the importance of music in our lives. Music quotes are simply a recognition of its power and strength to impact lives and to change the life. You would expect music quotes from one of the music masters such as Johann Sebastian Bach, but a quotation on the subject of music coming from the likes of Albert Einstein has even more impact because it is so unexpected. Einstein stated "If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music... I get most joy in life out of music."

Another popular source of quotes about today's life and culture comes from the television show "Sex and the City". Sex City quotes are popular both as humor and as commentaries on the culture and social mores of today. The writers of the program began by writing about women they knew and made the show work because it was portraying real women living and working in the city. Sex City quotes have a way of describing this lifestyle in an honest and pithy way.

The viewpoints of all these people are reflected in the quotes they leave for posterity, and yet the quotes we remember and use over and over are the ones that are most like our own viewpoints. To be able to point at a quote from a famous person such as Bob Marley and realize that this famous person has expressed MY viewpoint on the specific subject tends to validate my own viewpoint to myself and to those around me. Even if their viewpoint as expressed in their quotes is different than what is currently held by oneself, it may be the avenue to a change in viewpoint, or at least a more reasoned foundation for the existing philosophy.

Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Contemporary Or Classical MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS?

Photo by Meredith Bell

Playing a musical instrument is a gift to all those who hear it. Does it really matter if you play a classical musical instrument or a contemporary musical instrument? It can. First and foremost, playing a musical instrument should be fun and rewarding. If it’s not, you are not likely to practice it at all and eventually you will lose interest.

Playing classical music with a classical instrument can be remarkably challenging and rewarding. As a general standard, classical music is more intricate that contemporary music, although there are naturally exceptions to every rule.

Playing contemporary music with contemporary instruments can also be tremendously satisfying and rewarding. While not everyone may agree that contemporary music is a gift when they hear it, those who appreciate it will appreciate it deeply.

One of my favorite trends as of late is to either play contemporary music with a classical instrument or classical music with a contemporary instrument. Both sounds are considerably remarkable and both aspects take quite a bit of talent and practice. Creating this interesting twist can ultimately please more crowds, as classical music played with a contemporary instrument can reach the younger generations and actually turn them on to classical styles. The same can be said about contemporary music that is played with classical instruments.

When choosing between classical or contemporary instruments, the best method of decision making is simple preference. When choosing for a child, or helping a child make the decision, preference of course still matters, but opening the doors to new music and different experiences can really benefit the child tremendously. The basic goal for choosing an instrument, either classical or contemporary, is finding an expression that works well with the personality. Children who learn at least a little of both classical and contemporary expression are more equipped to make the decision for themselves later on.

Classical music and instrumentation can teach strong basic skills, while venturing into contemporary music and instrumentation can be both inspiring and fun for kids, especially older children.

Being well versed in classical music can actually provide a better platform for kids or adults who want to play a more contemporary instrument. Contemporary music is often written with the use of only a few chords and a basic beat while classical music demands a higher level of instrumentation. If we never teach kids the classical instruments or the classical music, the classical arts are destined to die.

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The Value of a DRUMMER

Nels Dielman, Drummer, Urban Family Dog  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Drums are the backbone of most bands. Because of this fact, the other musicians rely very heavily on the drummer to provide a strong beat that will keep a song together. A drummer who is offbeat, or off tempo, will lead the entire band astray. Therefore, if the drummer is weak, the whole band will be weak. Since the drummer provides the foundation for the other musicians to follow, the drummer is the anchor of the band.

Being the anchor of the band, the drummer must have confidence. Confidence is what makes a good drummer a great drummer. When you have confidence in your ability to play and confidence in your instrument, success is inevitable.

Many wanna-be musicians are drawn to the drums for the opportunity to learn an easy instrument. Even though the drums are one of the few instruments that can be self-taught, the drums are not easy instruments to play. The techniques and concepts relating to drums are fairly easy to understand, but learning to play the drums takes great coordination, a sense of timing, and patience. All of which can be developed with time.

If you are a drummer in a band, then you are the anchor of the band. The other musicians are relying heavily on you to provide a strong beat that will keep everything together. Other musicians may be able to cover their flaws when playing their instruments as a group, but not you. Everything you do behind your set will not only be heard but felt. There will be nowhere to hide if you are a poor drummer!

The drummer is vital to a band, and a great drummer can make up somewhat for other musicians who may not be at the same level of expertise. So, continue to practice daily, and never be satisfied with your level of progress.

About The Author Copyright 2006 Daniel N Brown Source: ArticleCity

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DANCE to Your Health

Bent Creek Ranch Square Dance Team dancing at the Mountain Music Festival
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We as a world are more aware than ever of the importance of physical fitness to our overall health. While we remain aware of the need for physical activity far too many of us find far too few reasons to incorporate physical activity into our daily lives and routines. There are many reasons that we procrastinate in this particular effort. For some time is the defining factor while others will readily admit that they have no appreciation whatsoever for those activities that come to mind when exercise is considered.

Whatever your reason for not incorporating exercise and physical activity into your daily routine, have you considered dancing for your health? There are all kinds of wonderful reasons to dance though I can think of very few that would be better than dancing for the sake of your health and physical well being. The good news when it comes to dancing is that in most instances it doesn't feel as though you are getting exercise and the burning of calories doesn't sting nearly as much when you're having fun burning them.

Dancing has evolved a great deal and while the history of dance is a long and noble history. Even, one might add, a quite manly history for those men who haven't considered dancing in the past.

Benefits of Dancing

In addition to burning calories, a good thing for dieters everywhere, dancing also helps strengthen your muscles and bones. It can provide either a low impact or high impact workout according to your wishes and the music you select, it can be entertaining and feel like fun rather than a chore-this means you are more likely to actually do it than many other exercise programs, and it can help tone all areas of your body rather than focusing on one particular area as many exercises do.

Dancing also provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and meet others if you take classes while in the process helping you gain a better sense of balance and grace (those like me who have absolutely no sense of grace could greatly benefit from this alone). Dancing and the physical activity alone can help you ward off potential illnesses that are often associated with excess weight and too little physical activity. Even as little as thirty minutes of dance 4 days a week can bring about profound results when it comes to your overall health and well being.

More importantly however than any of these benefits of dancing mentioned above dancing is fun. This means that you will enjoy life a little, laugh a little, and accidentally work a little physical fitness into your life without feeling as though you are suffering for the sake of doing so. So many people get very little physical activity because they do not see physical activity as fun.

If you are wondering what sort of dance is right for you, there are many from which to choose. Square dancing is great fun for couples as are ballroom and swing dancing. Line dancing, contra square dancing, clogging, and tap dancing can be great fun in larger groups or as a participant in a class. If you want something a little sexier for your dance efforts you can always try Salsa dancing, Flamenco dancing, or belly dancing.

If you live in or around a relatively large community it is quite likely that you can find classes or teachers for private lessons for each of these forms of dance quite easily. You do want to make sure that anyone you take lessons from knows what they are doing. You can also look in your local paper for square dancing groups or bars or clubs that offer line dancing classes on designated nights during the week.

Whether you have been dancing all your life or are a rank novice when it comes to dancing, this is a great way to bring physical fitness into your life and improving your health without feeling as though you are really working for it or experiencing a sense of dread at the very thought.

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