Learning Objectives For a Solid Music Education Program

There are many learning objectives needed in order to establish a solid Music Education program, or seminars so when looking for one, make sure it consists of the following basic objectives. A viable program trains its students to read and write music notation and its values in both, the treble and bass clef. When these skills are learned, playing in both clefs, on the piano, can be accomplished effectively.

A strong program develops vocal skills, not just for vocal students but for its instrumental students, as well. Teaching instrumentalists the essence of singing music notation in both, the treble and bass clef using different note values and time signatures is significant because it promotes good ear training, sight singing and rhythm. Also, it prepares the student for other skills such as directing or accompanying choirs should he/she decide to enter that profession.

Learning Music Theory is important because it is the key to analyzing compositions and good musicians should have this ability. Understanding the structure of a song is laying the foundation of new songs to be created.

Lastly, learning world Music History allows students to appreciate different genres. This is really important for composition students. Coupled with their understanding of theory, they can draw from various styles of music to create their own original styles.

When looking for a strong Music Education program, make sure all of the above objectives are in place. They are necessary because a quality program that contains these objectives, builds strong cognitive skills, logical thought patterns, discipline, solid creative skills and music appreciation... the elements needed in developing a well-rounded musician.

by Darshell Dubose-Smith

Musical Baby Names

Music has become an important part in our daily life. Music will inspires and touches daily lives in any culture. Eventually, many parents will turn to music in finding the perfect baby names.
Musical baby names are more common on female baby names. The more common examples are Aria, Carol, Grace, Harmony, Jazz, Melody, Lyric, Rhapsody, Serenade, Sonata, Song, and Viola.
Aria is a solo opera performance. The single performer sings solo that is accompanied by an elaborate melody. The shorter version of Aria is Arietta which is also a pretty good musical baby name.
Carol is English and French baby name which is derive from Latin word Choraula or Greek word Choraules. In Latin, it means choral song, or accompanist. In Greek, it means chorus. Thus, the Choral and Chorale was derived. The common variants of Carol are Carola, Carolan, Carolina, Carolann, Carolanne, Caroline, Carole, Carolyn, Carolyne, and Carolynn.
Grace is a one of the virtuous baby names which made it thru the baby names. Grace is also derived from a Latin word Gratia. It means effortless beauty. We often attach Grace after an excellent performance from singers, bands, orchestras, choirs, or groups. The common variants of Grace are Gracelyn, Graciela, Gracious, Grata, Gracielle, Gracina, and Gracie.
Harmony means the notes, instruments, and lyrics that work in perfect coordination and timing. Originally, Harmony came from Latin. The common variants of Harmony are Harmonia, Harmonica, Harmonee, Harmonie, Harmoney, Harmoni, and Harmonita. In Greek Mythology, Harmonia is also a Greek goddess of order and daughter of Aphrodite.
The song consists of lyric, and melody. Eventually, Lyric and Melody has become a baby name. Lyrics are the actual words spoken on a song, while Melody is the sweet succession of sounds from a song.
The musical instruments play a big role on baby names. Like Viola, the baby name may have come from violin. Chime is another baby name meaning the edge of a drum. And, Rebec is a three string instrument that the body is pear-shaped and neck is slender.
The different rhythmic music pattern and sound also became baby names like Cadence (rhythmic flow of sounds in language), Carillon (sound of tuned bells), Euphony (sweet acoustic sound of words), Jazz (ragtime and blues music), Rhapsody (musical recitation of poems), Sonata (three to four movements in contrasting forms), Tala (traditional South Asian rhythmic pattern), and Madrigal (complex polyphonic sound of a voice in secular text).
The terms and notes on music inspire for cool and unique baby names. For example, Fermata is a musical baby name which means prolonged musical note.

by Dennis Estrada

Singers Who Sing & Talent Agents Who Book

In the world of the music business, there are truly singers who sing and singers who don’t, along with talent booking agents who book and those that couldn’t sell cotton candy at the circus. Is it drive, talent or a mystical combination of “factors” that create singers and talent booking agents, or is it yet the pure unexplainable? Let’s look at some factors in this article as singers, looking to further their careers, try to find suitable representation.

As a former talent agent with the William Morris Agency, I can tell you that there are many factors that determine both effective agents and marketable singers and artists. While there are many explainable factors, there certainly is the element of luck, the right place at the right time and the “Who knows, it just happened,” phenomenon. Let’s start with what we can determine and hopefully you will gain some insight into what effective booking agents look like and your securing one of them.

To begin with, there are many caliber of booking agents out there. As I’ve outlined in a previous article on booking talent, there are the order taking agents who book mainly headline acts, the agent who started in some agency somewhere and who branches out starting their own agency booking more of the “has been” acts and the lowest, but not always the least on the totem pole agents. These agents are usually friends of the artist or a manager looking to push their act before a major record deal signing, etc.

With each agent level comes a different approach. The order taking agent, with the larger well known talent agencies, isn’t going to be interested in your act unless there is interest and ongoing courting from a major record label. These agents take the “baby”
acts and use leverage, with promoters who want the headline act, into a must take the baby act as well deal – And most promoters don’t have a problem and understand that this is part of the deal when playing in the big boys club. Unless you have a record deal or are very appealing and are drawing some interest from the labels or a big time manager, you won’t find yourself behind the desk of one of these agents. If you are trying to approach the agent at the top of the pyramid, you must recognize that image, packaging, appeal, and your knowing and talking the game to a tee, and not in artsy fartsy language, is going to be key.

I recommend that you really have your act together and don’t even begin to bother these individuals, not that they’re necessarily the best agents in the game, but certainly have more power and influence from position alone, before approaching them. Your artist bio, pictures, artist demos have to look like there label ready. And before that, you really need to have a manager and a manager working on securing an agent on your behalf. So, unless you really have your act together, with management in place, don’t bother wasting yours or the agent’s time.

The next level down the agent totem pole will be not only be easier to gain access to, but easier to gain representation from. The middle line agents are hard working agents who make their bread and butter on the older, end of the product or market shelf life acts. These acts, because of name recognition, can make these agents a significant income. You will have to prove to this agent that you will not take up any more time than any other act that they are promoting. Why should they spend all of their time trying to book your act with nothing or little in return? This is a key question. Ask yourself, as an agent, what do I get out of this? - Phone bills and mailing costs or am I going to see a valid positive cash flow return on all of my time expended on this act? I want you to think about that question and reflect. This alone will help you not only relate, converse knowing their difficulties in booking, but ultimately help you secure a booking agent.

In the game of booking, you as an artist have to have something more than “hip and cool” and a “new” artist sound, but you have to be able to present to the seller, that being your agent, that he or she has something of value to sell with minimal headaches. You can’t possibly begin to imagine how hard it is to book some acts – when you start booking your own shows, with vested interest I might ad, you begin to touch on the realities of the agent’s day to day barrage of booking complexities. So begin to compile a mental list of positive booking attributes that you or your band can bring to the table.

As you look at either contemplating a manager, or a serious friend who wants a try at booking and management of your act, try to be reasonable in your business relationships. I’ve said it before, that everyone wants to be a star, but nobody wants to help pay for it. For the most part, artists just expect that booking agents and managers will pick up the exhaustive phone, mailing and press kit bills. You might inquire, if you are really serious about securing a business team, about helping out with some of the initial start-up costs trying to land your act on the map. It takes a tremendous amount of energy and money and just your willingness to help out alone, will tell a manager or booking agent that you are serious and not just “takers.” This alone, even if they decline the financial help, may be the key in determining the start of a successful relationship.

In closing, in order for you to succeed, you must remain in front of the masses and this is done not so much musically, but in your day to attitude and business focus and with your professional and well laid out blueprint for success. Feel free to contact us at the contact numbers that follow.

by Tom Gauger

Avoid the Worst Aspects of Music Festivals

Music festivals can be great fun and it's amazing how many of them have been springing up in recent years. The summer months are often dominated by such festivals, with hundreds of musicians performing here in the UK. They can be a great way to see your favourite acts. If you're really lucky then you may get to see a number of great bands within the same weekend, or even on the same day.

You'll also get the chance to mix with a lot of people who are interested in the same type of music as you are. This means that they can be a great social event. It's not surprising that so many people love attending them. But are there any negatives that are associated with music festivals? There are a few, but many of them can be avoided with a little planning.

The first problem facing many here in the UK is the weather. Weather conditions can be extremely hard to predict. It's generally best to assume the worst - that way, you won't be disappointed. Always take a lightweight waterproof jacket - ideally something that folds up nice and small. You'll find that umbrellas, on the other hand, are unlikely to make you popular if you start blocking other people's views of the bands.

How about the festival toilets? These are frequently complained about and many people would say that the best course of action is to avoid using them as much as possible. One alternative is to take your own portable toilet. This can work particularly well if you are camping. There are a number of good camping toilets on the market.

You might consider the BioToi, which is portable and also fully environmentally friendly. What about when it comes to the music? It's always worth making sure that you know when each act is scheduled to perform. There's nothing more annoying than missing out on some of your favourite band!

Music festivals can be great fun - do a little planning to avoid their worst aspects and to really make the most of them.

by Keith Barrett

Battle of the Bands

As autumn nears and the air begins to get slightly crisp in the mornings, competitive people the world over anxiously prepare their minds for the approaching season. Fans have been studying up on all of the latest information about their favorites from both reporters and spies alike. They scour the internet searching for the most recent rumors and expert speculations, allowing the marketing pros to whip them into a frenzy of expectation.

That's right, it is almost time for the new video games to be released and this year promises to deliver an extraordinary head-to-head competition two games in the interactive music category. It will be fun watching the upcoming Battle Royal between the latest versions of Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

A Little History

Guitar Hero was initially developed and introduced by two companies, Harmonix Music Systems and Red Octane in 2005. In 2006 Red Octane was acquired by Activision and Harmonix was bought by MTV Networks. Harmonix stopped producing games for the series in 2007 when production was shifted to Neversoft, a subsidiary of Activision.

In 2007 Rock Band was released software company Electronic Arts by, you guessed it, Hormonix and MTV Networks. Do you see where this is going?

Activision had the world by the tail in 2007 because they owned the interactive music video game market. Guitar Hero II had been a fantastic success and Guitar Hero 3 was promising to do even better. Then came Rock Band.

What has always made Guitar Hero stand apart from other games was the peripheral controller, it looked and felt like a small guitar. It was originally modeled after the Gibson SG, an instantly recognized hard rock instrument, and even came complete with a strap so it could be worn in true rock show style. The game is played by pressing buttons on the "guitar neck" and simultaneously "strumming" the control switch as you play along with the game.

Rock Band took the concept a step further and introduced the inclusion of multiple instruments including, more guitars, microphone and drums to bring it from an individual performance to a "band" performance.

New for 2008

The multi-player "band" concept of Rock Band must have made a significant dent in the Guitar Hero market because it has been completely integrated into Guitar Hero 4. Although many of the specifics of Guitar Hero 4 are still secret, enough has been released or leaked to have a good idea of what's coming. In what seems to be an obvious case of, "Me too, but better!" the GH4 set-up will include a drum kit and microphone.
The Guitar Hero drums will be a definite improvement over the original design of the Rock Band set; they will be sturdier, a fair amount more realistic and (most importantly?) quieter. (In fairness, word is Rock Band has improved the durability and quietness of their kit this year.)

This year Guitar Hero will also allow "bands" to use the system to actually record their original music and release it to the entire community to have it voted on. The particulars of game play for Rock Band 2 are not very well known yet so it will be interesting to see if they try to rest on their laurels or take it up another notch again.

For gamers, the decision between games is going to be very difficult and I highly recommend not making your decision based on an experience from the past, even as recent as last year. Things change that fast.

I really believe, other than a couple of features, the games are going to be very similar. The set lists are both very strong with several instances of the same artist with a different famous song on both lists. I think it is just going to come down to making a choice based on your own preferences and desires.

Conclusion

The true beneficiary of all of this one-upmanship and competition is the consumer. The harder companies work to outdo and out offer each other in the quest for your entertainment dollar, the better it is for all of us. So, in the end, it really doesn't matter which game sells the most copies or wins the most awards. The real winners will be you and I, the gamers and consumers of the world.

Enjoy the competition and reap the rewards.

by James Laney

Start Your Own Record Company

What is a record company? Basically, a record company is a business responsible for putting out music. Typically, they are the ones who sign on new acts then help them create their records and get those records out to the fans. Learn all you can about the record label business before you actually start.

What does a record company do? The record company might also help with tours and will work with the bands management to do promotions, marketing, and more in an effort to help the band create a solid reputation and a strong fan base. Most of record companies also have a label under which they release their music. Some of the larger firms have multiple labels to represent different genres.

One of the first challenges of starting a record company is going to be money. Setting up a record company does require some capital. Now the best way to do this is to hit up potential investors, including other music lovers, friends, family members or take out a bank loan to get started.

A second challenge is finding acts to work with and if you are already in a band, you probably have at least one customer. Regardless of your musician status, you should start going to as many local performances as possible to look for talent. Do not just work with anyone because you need to establish a reputation for high-quality entertainment if you are going to be taken seriously.

Before you start, the many things you will need to know in advance is that having a record company can be a lot of work. You are going to be doing a lot of work, and you will not see much in terms of an investment return for a long time. You should also realize that digital distribution is a good way to get the music to the masses but you will also have to spend a lot of money setting up a site where you can do this.

If you go through the online music stores, you will be lucky to earn a few pennies each time a song is purchased. And that is even if you can get into their stores. These days musicians have to work very hard to earn money for their music. You also must legally protect your compositions or songs through copyright. You do not want someone to 'rip you off' and take credit for your original music. If you are not recording your own music but want to promote others' music, they must also find out how to protect their original songs.

The best way to be successful is to start networking with people who can help you early on. For example, if you cozy up to someone in music distribution, you might have an easier time getting your acts taken seriously and introduced to a wider audience. You will also need relationships with studios that might cut you a break on the charges of recording the albums, and you will probably want to start getting to know some of the local agents who could alert you to rising talent in the area if you want to promote other artists besides yourself.

by Kirk Rolsett

Benefits of Music Education For Children

Do you ever wonder what advantages are achieved through learning music and joining club music? Read on to discover the many benefits of music education.

Self-Esteem

Learning music is hard work, but also very rewarding, which can lead to a genuine increase in self-esteem. This can happen when a student masters the many steps along the way to becoming proficient, as well as when they have a successful recital or concert.

Increased Memory

One of the many benefits of music education is that it is a great workout for increasing memory as the student learns to recognize the different notes.

Self Expression

Music can be a creative outlet for self expression. This may take the form of learning music that mimics experienced emotions. Or it may be expressed in creating music and lyrics, which can then be presented to family and friends.

Bringing People Together

Music can be a great catalyst for uniting people in a common experience, where friends can be made, and a sense of belonging can be available.

Increased Academic Performance

When talking about the benefits of music education it is often well believed that learning music can boost academic achievement. Although the exact mechanics of this is often not understood, the belief is that learning music stimulates parts of the brain that then have a carry-over impact on all academic areas. It also provides structure and focus which may benefit other areas of learning.

Teamwork

Learning to work well with others is one of those things that when present is often overlooked, but when absent is often painfully obvious. Performing music requires the skills associated with teamwork that are valuable throughout life. In order to play an instrument successfully students need to be tuned in to what those around them are doing so that the various instruments form a cohesive unit.

Structure, Organization, and Discipline

When talking about the benefits of music education it is important to acknowledge the value that can be found in the structure, organization, and discipline that it offers. Structure and organization are important skills to be learned. They can carry a child forward in many areas of life, not just music education. When talking about discipline here we are discussing the discipline it takes for the child to set aside time each week to practice. Learning to discipline themselves can eliminate procrastination, and like structure and organization, can be valuable in all areas of life.

Enjoyment

Enjoyment may not be the top priority for many when considering the benefits of music education, but can be a great asset to consider. If playing an instrument is considered enjoyable it may take time away from less desirable things, such as watching television or playing video games. In addition to this, any activity that is enjoyable can be a great stress reliever, which may be especially important for our kids right now since they are living in a world of ever increasing stress.

With all of these benefits of music education there is no reason not to get started today.

by Sarah J Holt

Pictures Of Musical Instruments

There are hundreds of different kinds of musical instruments in the world. Almost every country has its own traditional music and musical instruments that have been developed over the centuries. Each musical instrument has its own melody, pitch, rhythm, timbre, loudness, and duration, as well as the notes and chords.

Musical instruments can be classified on the basis of the kind of instrument: chordophones (strings), aerophones (woodwinds and brasses), idiophones (percussion), and membranophones (drums). Stringed instruments or chordophones are those that produce sounds when a string is plucked or strummed. The kind of sound produced depends on the mass of the string, length of the vibrating portion of the string, tension in the string, and the point at which the string is strummed apart from the kind of resonating cavity in the instrument. Viola, violin, cello, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harp, lute, banjo, balalaika, koto, ukulele, etc. are some of the string instruments.

Woodwinds and brasses generate music when air enters the instrument by blowing. This air vibrates inside the instrument in a particular frequency, thus producing sound. The kind of music depends on the method of tone production, the shape of the instrument, the length of the column of air in addition to the construction of the instrument. Flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, horn, mouth organ, saxophone, and bassoon are some of the winds instruments, while the French horn, tuba, trumpet, and trombone are brass instruments.

Percussion instruments produce sounds when struck. The size of the instrument along with the shape of the resonating cavity determines the sound produced. Some percussion musical instruments include the cymbals, the snare drum, bells, gong chime, xylophone, the bass drum, maracas, castanet and the timpani.

Drums include the goblet drums, the barrel drum, the frame drum, the tambourine, and the friction drum. Other kinds of musical instruments are the piano, keyboards, organ, harpsichord, and the Glockenspiel. Each of these musical instruments has sub-categories within them. Musical instruments can also be categorized on the basis of their playing levels—some are suitable for all kinds of players while some are meant only for beginners.

Pictures of musical instruments can be found at most music stores that sell musical instruments. Since musical instruments are selected based on the model, it is not possible to have all the models in the store. Hence, most dealers have pictures of some instruments to select from. Pictures are also found in advertisements and classifieds. There are several websites that have attractive and colorful pictures of musical instruments. They also feature exhaustive information about the product. Most of the pictures can also be downloaded on the computer, or they can be viewed online. Having these pictures helps the buyer to make a better choice when ordering the instrument. Pictures are especially useful for locating a particular kind or rare kinds of musical instruments.

by Peter Emerson

Tips to Become the Perfect Singer

Some talents are inborn while some talents can be nurtured. However, singing is one capability which cannot be demarcated so easily. While a person is born with a good voice, he or she has to train themselves to master the talent. Singing abilities are surely one of the most coveted talents, especially nowadays when there are so many reality shows that are ready to shower considerable amount of recognition to the budding singer. More often than not you will find singers who do not have formal training getting selected for the shows, this happens because their voice quality is very soothing however when they are matched with the trained voices they are certainly at loss.

It is in these situations when you realize the importance of training but there is nothing to lose you heart because thee are many opportunities you can get to improve your singing talent. One of the best ways to train yourself is by enrolling yourself for Brett Manning's Systematic Vocal Training Program. The program is designed in such a way so as to give you the best of knowledge on the way you can enhance your singing talents. In the Systematic Vocal Training Program, Brett delivers his vast knowledge in music in 12 CDs.

You may often find yourself in situations where you will feel totally frustrated with your singing. There may be circumstances when you will not be able to sing the songs that you have been asked to or the songs that you want to sing. In the case of female singers they may see that they flipped from their chest voice upto their head voice. It can really get very awkward, especially when the song goes even close to their break and the singer shifts into head voice that sounds like an opera. The situation is really tragic since you will never want to add an opera touch to your pop song. It is totally disastrous to mix opera with rock, pop and country styles.

But after working with Systematic Vocal Training Program and Singing Success you will surely find a drastic change in your singing capabilities. You cannot fathom they joy you will have in listening to your own beautiful voice. This program will enhance your singing capabilities by increasing your range so that you can sing the high notes and the low notes with equal ease and do not sound as if you are straining your voice.

This program will also see to it that you have better control over your voice. And added to all these advantages you will also be able to eliminate the disastrous opera note from your singing style. You will be able to sing through your break and not flip into head voice automatically. In the Brett training program this area of voice is referred to as the mix. Once you know what you have achieved through this training program you will realize that whatever you had spent on this program was really worth it. The first five CDs help you with the technique and three CDs will help you with the style and application. Order them now and enjoy your learning session.

by Sarah Singleton

Careers In Sound Engineering

Sound Engineering, which is also often referred as Audio Engineering, is a branch of audio science. Characteristically, sound engineering refers to the recording, copying, editing, mixing, and reproduction of sound by means of electronic and mechanical devices. Sound engineers employ a variety of recording devices such as high-tech microphones that are required to record even the slightest sound variations. Electronic mixing boards or console boards are an essential element of sound engineering that are used to control sound input while recording or editing music. They include a variety of switches, dials, lights, and meters. Lights and meters facilitate the engineers to understand exactly the sounds that are recorded and their intensity.

By means of switches and dials on the mixing boards, sound engineers monitor the sound input in terms of the volume, and sound quality. Other integral components of sound engineering include digital audio workstations, signal processors, and sequencing software. In movies, sound engineers and technicians incorporate the voices of actors in the movie sound tracks along with special sound effects. The movie ‘Apocalypse Now’ produced in the year 1979 is considered as a classic example of ‘sound’ films till date.

Sound engineering is one of the most popular career options in the modern generation. Sound engineers can have a promising career in movie and video production, advertising as well as sound broadcasting. However, it is crucial to receive formal training and a degree from a recognized institute, which is certified by accreditation association, such as NORDING or EURING.

Sound Engineering Schools

Generally, students obtain formal education and training in sound engineering through sound engineering schools. These schools offer extensive as well as intensive training in different fields of sound engineering such as Recording and Production. Since there are a large number of schools and institutes that impart this form of education, it is advisable to select a school on the basis of certain criteria.

a. Strength Of The Class And Amenities Offered – It is crucial to know the number of students enrolled in a program as it statistics reveal that institutes enrolling limited number of students offer better training environment. Another deciding factor is the facilities offered by the training school or institute. The Hartt School at University of Hartford (CT) restricts the number of students to thirty for its production program. This school has 6 modern studios, and is associated with the Yale theater department. As a result, students get theoretical as well as practical training in live recording.

b. Type Of School – Students looking for a full-fledged training and career in sound engineering, can opt for schools that are specialized and dedicated exclusively to Music and Video production. Others can opt for schools that are a part of a bigger organization or University.

c. Location – With this branch of career gaining popularity over the years, there are many institutes located in different cities that offer training as well as placement assistance.

d. Reputation Of The School – It is important to select a school after verifying its credibility.

There are a large number of institutes that offer 12 week or 24 week courses in sound engineering. The advantage of such programs is that students can decide the pace of their program for better comprehension. Students also have the option of choosing the examination center that is convenient to them. These courses are becoming popular owing to their flexibility and convenience.

by Tony Jacowski

Song Writing: To Find Yourself In The Music You Compose

What is songwriting and composing? Do you really compose when you write songs or are you just copying?

If song writers make a living on their writing it will put a lot of pressure on them. Some song writers are constantly listening for what's popular and are trying to imitate hooks in songs.

I can see two ways to go as a song writer:

1. Listening to a lot of hit songs and trying to write similar songs. By listening to songs and reading a lot on what's up trying to feel what type of songs will be popular in the near future.

2. Trying to be yourself and just work on creating songs you like yourself in the hope that others will feel the same.

The last method is for me the most rewarding way to go as far as personal growth is concerned. I feel good and happy when I am creative as a song writer and feel that the process involves something about knowing myself better.

In the long run it might also create the best hit songs too. The song Yesterday is just one example of a different hit song.

Writing songs can be a very rewarding activity and the level of originality depends on how you write your music. You can help the creative parts of your brain to be activated or use the more calculating parts or a combination of both.

May I share a few tips from my own song writing experience:

1. Sit down with your guitar or at your piano singing or humming without expecting to create something brilliant. When you allow yourself to wander away a bit from your calculating parts of the brain and into the exciting forests of imagination and creativity you can come up with fantastic things.

2. Limitations can help your creativity. Give yourself some limitations by for example using a chord progression like G Em Am D7. Many songs use this progression but there will be room for more. You can of course use a more odd one like E C C#m G#m.

3. Record yourself playing around humming with your guitar or piano. Listening to what you have come up with a few days later can help you find interesting melodies or hooks to use in your songs.

Sometimes you can feel that you are not able to write songs like the song writers you like but they can't write songs that is you. A comforting thought, isn,t it!

by Peter Edvinsson

Mandolin, Fiddle, Bluegrass Banjo, Clawhammer Banjo - Which One is Easier to Learn to Play

If you're interested in learning to play bluegrass or old time music, you have probably considered the mandolin, the bluegrass 5-string banjo, the open-back clawhammer banjo and the fiddle.

I would love to be able to plat the fiddle, but the fiddle is a harder instrument to learn. To be able to join in and play in jam sessions in no time (well, maybe not in no time, but in a reasonable time) you will find the banjo, mandolin much faster to learn. The base fiddle or upright base is another choice to consider and it's easy to learn, but not nearly as much fun as playing the banjo or mandolin.

Between the mandolin, the clawhammer banjo and bluegrass banjo, they are easiest to learn to play in the order given. That is, the mandolin is the easiest to learn, the clawhammer banjo is next and the bluegrass banjo (with the three-finger picking style) is the hardest of the three. But all three are much easier to learn to play than the fiddle.

The best way to start learning to play one of these instruments is to get your own instrument. You could rent one, but if you rent an instrument, you may find that you are not really committed to learning to play.

You need to start with a good instrument and some of the new low-priced instruments are not your best choice. The good news is that is fairly easy to find good quality used banjos and mandolins on eBay and other online sources. If you live in an area where bluegrass and old time music is popular, you may be able to get a good deal by checking your local classified ads.

The best way to get a good deal is to be informed. Do your research -- read reviews and check prices and know what banjos and mandolins like what you're looking for are bringing. Check eBay's completed auctions to see what instruments are really selling for -- not just what people are asking for them.

If you have a friend who plays the kind of instrument you're interested in, he or she can be a great asset in helping you find just the right instrument for you. Ask them to look at any instrument you are considering.

By looking at the instrument, realize that looking at the pictures and descriptions on eBay can be as good as (and maybe even better) than actually holding an instrument because on eBay, the seller will point out all of the scratches and defects, whereas when someone hands you an instrument to look at, they are inclined to just hand it to you and comment about how pretty it is and how much they have enjoyed playing it.

The most important part is to do your research, check prices on used instruments and then get your first banjo or mandolin and start learning to play. The banjo or mandolin you choose will probably not be the one you will want to play after you have played for a while, so look to spend a little more than you may have originally thought you would pay. Stay within your budget, but get as good of an instrument as you can afford.

Later you can sell your instrument on eBay or elsewhere and probably get most (if not all) of your money back. In fact, every time I have sold a used instrument I have been able to sell it for more than I paid for it.

How long will it take you to be able to jam with your friends will depend on how much you practice. Practice 15 minutes a day and you will make a lot more progress that trying to play for several hours once a week.

It will take a lifetime to master the mandolin or the banjo, but that is the best part. In my opinion the banjo and mandolin are two instruments you can learn to play in a reasonable amount of time and then continue learning for years to come.

by Jerry Minchey

Recording Studios Take Your Music to the Next Level

Even with the abundance of software and hardware available to create your own recordings at home, there comes a time when you're ready to take your music to the next level. Recording studios may seem intimidating to the musician who is taking the leap, but the reality is that there are high quality, low cost recording studios that can make the transition painless. Once you've made the decision to book studio time, you need to find a studio that will give you the support you need to create great recordings. Word of mouth recommendations can be helpful, but they're not always reliable. It's worth your while to do the legwork and check out each facility to see what it has to offer. Here are some things to keep in mind while making your decision: Acoustics: A music studio should have top of the line acoustics. This means that there should be an elevated soundstage and high ceilings, as well as several isolation rooms. Engineering: A sound recording studio should provide highly skilled and trained professional engineers to help you achieve the optimum quality of your recordings. At the minimum, the engineer should be proficient in monitoring and metering, controlling signal paths, assigning tracks, and mixing. Equipment: Equipment varies by recording studio. Some Southern CA recording studios, for example, offer at least two mixers, over a half dozen outboards, a wide variety of software, over a dozen different types of microphones, quality monitoring equipment, and a variety of amps. Although it may seem like a minor point, it's important that the sound recording studio use high quality cables. If they don't, it could have a detrimental effect on the recording. Musicians and Instruments: Many state of the art recording studios have a variety of new and vintage keyboards, guitars, and percussion instruments available for use, as well as accessibility to professional musicians who can help you create the sounds you desire. Cost: As a whole, musicians don't have a lot of disposable income, so it's important to find recording studios that have reasonable rates. Some Southern CA studios, for example, have low introductory rates of $40 an hour or less. In order to avoid unwanted surprises, be sure to ask about minimums, as well as extra equipment charges. References: Every reputable sound recording studio should be able to provide you with a client list, as well as phone numbers for references. You should also ask to listen to samples of recordings from the studio. Try to find a sample that is comparable to what you are trying to achieve, and ask questions about what was involved in that recording process. It will give you a good idea of what to expect when you go in to record.

by Chris Robertson

Why Professional Audio Mastering is Important For Musicians, Bands, Artists and Labels

A good CD mastering is an important key to success for every musician, band, artist, producer or label, simply for everyone, who wants to get sound-wise the most out of his musical recordings. Mastering is final processing of an audio project before it's been sent off for replication or digital distribution. It's necessary to finalize any audio project professionally. The process itself brings a quality boost for every production. It makes no difference, whether a a recording was done in a high-end or a budget recording studio - or even at home. Mastering adds the final touches to the audio, adding clarity, transparency, depth and detail to a track. The process alters the dynamics, the frequency spectrum and the stereo field in a very musical way. After a professional mastering studio session, the music will have that 'major label' feel, all artists are aiming for. The audio will sound more balanced, more 'commercial', as the tracks gain punch, impact and perceived loudness.

Why should audio mastering done by a professional mastering service , not at home or in the recording studio?

While recording and mixing a track, even the best and most professional engineers can get used to a certain sound and with it, to a couple of sonic 'problems' hidden in the mix. Listening to the same songs again and again, can lead to little mixing mistakes, you are simply not aware of anymore. This is why mastering is of such importance for a music production: In a professional mastering studio, an experienced audio engineer with well-trained ears will carefully evaluate his clients' material under optimized listening conditions with fresh ears. The mastering engineer listens to the music in an acoustically treated room, using a high-end monitoring system and best signal converters, so he will instantly be able to locate and fix those mixing mistakes and even more: The engineer will use the latest and best digital mastering tools coupled with finest analog outboard gear to apply precise processing a track, in order to balance the sound and alter it in a very musical way. After all sonic adjustments are done, the mastering engineer will also create the required production parts, e.g. the master PMCD (PreMaster CD), which will be the original, used by the pressing plants for replication.

Traditional mastering facilities vs. online mastering studios

Traditionally, mastering studios offer client-attended sessions, with the customers sitting next to the engineer, watching the mastering process. Now, with the internet giving musicians and producers the possibility to work with every studio, located everywhere in the world, artists have a lot more options to search and find a mastering facility that perfectly suit their needs. Browsing the web, you will discover a variety of companies providing so-called online mastering or emastering services. In comparison to a conventional client-attended attended session, an online mastering studio communicates and exchanges all audio project files with their customers online. The final masters will often be delivered via digital download as well. That means, an artist from Greece can get his music processed by a studio in San Francisco, for example.

The advantages of audio mastering online

People, who are looking for a proper finalization of their musical productions should consider to test one (or more) of those internet mastering studios, that offer their services online. There are a couple of advantages for the customer, for example, access to professional studios from anywhere in the world, usually faster turnaround times (compared to a traditional mastering studio session) as well as cheaper rates (many services offer fairly calculated flat rates per track). A problem remains. Searching the web, you will discover dozens of professional mastering companies, offering web based mastering studio services. How do you find a company, that delivers the exceptional sonic results, you're aiming for? A good idea is to check first, whether an emastering service offers a try-before-buy demo mastering of one of your own tracks. It's always better to judge a companies' work, based on your own music, instead of simply listening to audio samples on the website. A mastering demo instead gives you a correct idea of the sonic benefits that you can expect from a professional audio mastering - before making any payments.

by Arne Reichelt

Voice Lessons - What to Consider For Maximum Results

Congratulations! You are thinking of becoming a singer as either a career or a hobby! Music is another form of communication or language and its genders and styles could vary significantly across the world. Music allows a person to express their inner most feelings, much like a writer writing an essay or book on a topic that she/he feels very adoring about.

Music not only provides happiness to people and the world, it could often move across ethnic, religious and political divides. Music is such a powerful thing that it could make people cry - for remembrance of sadness or joy - bring them together or give them instant happiness. The desire to perform is a shared dream by many around the world and music is enjoyed by millions around the world.

Hundreds of thousands of people wish they could sing but feel they can not. Still, there are other people who have a good voice and only need to improve on it. There are steps to take to improve your singing, whether you are a beginner or an avid singer. A few singing lessons to start with would be most helpful. Most singing lessons are enjoyable, and will help better improve ones harmonious tone.

There are many different options for voice and singing lessons and once you have determined you would like to pursue a singing career or develop your singing potential you will have to make a few choices. There is always the choice of a voice coach or a singing teacher. Another place you could also get a lot of practice is with a community theater, performing arts or local choir, each would be beneficial to your voice. A CD, book with lesions and teaching your self with interactive lesions are also options that could be purchased either in stores or online for maximum voice training.

Once you have decided which route to take and will best serve you in pursuing your dream of a signer, you will also have to work it into your budget. You probably have some criteria in mind that you want to meet in mind for your singing career or just what you want to sound like when you sing.

If you are considering a singing teacher will best meet your needs, then there are a few things one must consider. Are there singing teachers in your geological area and will it be a challenge to find them? Will your budget be comfortable with a one on one singing lesson setup? Could you possibly share your lessons with another student/friend and split the cost of the lessons with that person - would the teacher consider this idea? Learning proper posture, the importance of voice tone and breathing are all things a personal singing coach would be best qualified to teach you. Various genres of music and personally assist you in determining what works best for your vocal range is what a professional coach will be able to expose you to.

Although, some people can't afford a personal/professional lesson or simply can't locate a professional in their area and therefore a 'do-it-yourself' style lesson would work best. Teaching yourself to sing could have certain attributes and be quite beneficial as well. These can be very affordable, they fit into your schedule, doing them at your leisure; and you could still take the lessons with a friend in the comfort of your home or theirs. What is best for you is what is needed for voice training.

Be sure to educate yourself on singing and voice options that are available and then pursue them. Always keep whatever you are doing to make your dream come true enjoyable.

by Paul Hockney