Taking My First Banjo Lesson

Writen by Morgan Hamilton

My first banjo lesson didn’t go so well, actually it was a nightmare. Well, I suppose it wasn’t technically my first banjo lesson. Actually, I had been taking online banjo lessons for a good while, and honestly thought that I knew what I was doing. I found a website with videos of some dude plucking and strumming which you could be downloaded, and tabs which you could pick along to to your lttle hearts content. I had my first banjo lesson online months ago, and although I was a bit of a slacker about the whole thing, mailing it in by only learning those songs and techniques that interested me, and blowing off the rest, still, I thought that I had started to get somewhere.

That first banjo lesson darn near smothered that illusion under layers and layers of disappointment. I got there and tried to show off. When he took a look at me, like a dufus, I missed a chord. This is my first instrument, and the first time I’ve ever played in front of strangers with to boot. I figured that it would be a piece of cake, no worries. I’ve never been all that shy or had any problem speaking publicly to a whole room full of people before, so what should be so hard about one stinking banjo lesson where it was only me and the instructor? The whole thing should have been easy, right? Wrong. It was horrible.

What I don’t understand is how I am ever going to learn anything from my banjo lessons if I can’t even muster up the courage to perform in front of my teacher. I mean, I guess he is kind and understanding, and besides that a gifted banjo player. He showed me some great exercise during my lessons which I could use and practice for my next banjo lesson, and that was very beneficial, it definitely helped. Not to mention how much you gain just from having the chance to closely observe and study under a gifted musician. But really, will I sound any different, or see any improvement during my next banjo lesson?

If I can’t perform half way decent in front of him, how will he even know if I’m making any progress or just spinning my wheels. For that matter, how will I even know if I’ve learned anything from one banjo lesson to the next. Am I making progress or just spinning my wheels? I mean, it’s pretty difficult to get feedback if I can’t play in front of my teacher. I’ve decided to start recording my own playing to play back to him. Initially, it might be difficult to play, knowing that I’m doing it to show progress at my next banjo lesson, but eventually it will get easier… I hope.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of Fine Arts. You can get interesting and informative information here at My First Banjo Lesson

"Romantic Composers" Takes on a Whole New Meaning

Writen by Rhiannon Schmitt

While Wolfgang Mozart showed an amazing aptitude for music very early in life, he also displayed an absolute affinity for women. His charm was alluring, earning him the title, “The Most Kissed Boy in Europe.”

Unfortunately, his adorable charm began to fade when, at age seven, he proposed to the future queen of France, Marie Antoinette, and was rejected. Things got worse when his girlfriend and the love of his life forgot him after his absence during a musical tour of Europe. She didn’t even recognize him when he entered the room. Ouch.

Imagine, were he alive today, young Mozart could have tried courting 21st Century-style with a date at the movies. This teen was the type of courter who, eager to scoop a handful of bosom in the dark theatre, would employ the “stretch and clutch” maneuver.

This is a smooth and delicate movement where the suave pubescent pretends his arms need a stretch. After slowly lifting his limb closest to his target, he reaches around to her furthest shoulder and casually rests his hand there. Little by little he begins to feel the overwhelming force of earth’s gravity as his hand creeps down.

This tactic sometimes backfires, leaving a buttery hand print across the attacker’s doleful face and an angry phone call from the girl’s father. In the event his device failed, he would have simply pursued her sister. It worked for him back in the 1700’s!

Well, sort of.

His wife, the sister of the first “forgetful” girl, was described by him as “not ugly, but in no means a beauty.” He went on to write, “She is not witty but has enough sound common sense to enable her to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother.” Again, ouch!

Enough of Wolfgang. One fellow who never had any romantic charm to begin with was Franz Schubert, nicknamed “Little Mushroom” for his chubby stature, little round glasses, and shy, geeky nature. A crummy catch for most girls , he was a poor composer who couldn’t even afford his own piano and composed his piano works on a cheap guitar.

At one point he thought the best way to woo a potential sweetheart was to write her a love song. Unfortunately, he couldn’t sing to save his life ever since his voice broke at age 16. He devised a scheme where his friend, Schober, a handsome tenor, sang the tune to the girl with Schubert’s piano accompaniment. Much to the mushroom’s dismay, when the song was finished, the girl embraced Schober!

If only he were born in the mid-1900’s, Schubert would have been much more successful in catching girls with his music. All he would have to do was holler out the song himself, strum a few chords on his Fender and gaze at her through his groovy, John Lennon-style glasses. The guy would have been a babe magnet, and I’d still love his music, be it changed.

Peter Tchaikovsky had disastrous relationships. His first marriage lasted only 9 weeks, which resulted in him trying to kill himself. Other affairs didn’t get much better. He finally met a wealthy 46-year-old widow, but their relationship never went past writing letters for 14 years. They met once by pure accident and were so embarrassed that they ran in opposite directions.

Peter would have done very well had he the chance to date on the Internet. Thousands of on-line dating and matchmaker services offer a highly selective process in which the seekers specify the personality, physical appearance , income bracket and other details of themselves and their potential mates. Peter was a handsome lawyer who dressed very well and had expensive taste. This successful and famous musician was also sensitive guy who wasn’t afraid to cry. This hunk would have cleaned house on www.composerdate.com.

Even if he chose to continue his relationship with the widow on-line, it would’ve saved him oodles in postage stamps and would have been much quicker than mail delivery in 1880’s Russia. Maybe he could’ve gone a step further and picked up the phone, or even hopped on a plane to take a visit! It’s these modern-day miracles in technology that could have bridged an awkward gap in poor Tchaikovsky’s love life.

As I write this I think of what my love life would have been like if I lived in the time of the great composers. Chances are, I would’ve married for money, or worse, against my will, and life as a woman would have meant serving my husband and fifteen-plus children. At least my corset would’ve had me too breathless to complain…

Even though life seems to be more complicated in the 21st Century than ever before, I’m blessed to have a relatively simple life with endless opportunities and to have found love. It’s not romantic, but it’s simple, it’s real and it’s mine.

**Rhiannon Schmitt (nee Nachbaur) is a professional violinist and music teacher who has enjoyed creative writing for years.

She currently writes columns for two Canadian publications and Australia’s “Music Teacher Magazine.” Writing allows her to teach people that the world of music is as fun as you spin it to be!

Rhiannon’s business, Fiddleheads Violin School & Shop, has won several distinguished young entrepreneur business awards for her commitment to excellence. Her shop offers beginner to professional level instruments, accessories and supplies for very reasonable prices: Visit http://www.fiddleheads.ca

Rhiannon is also Founding President of the Shuswap Violin Society which promotes violin & fiddle music and helps young musicians in need: http://www.violinsociety.ca

Trancing Out with Ombilikal Web Radio – A Review

Writen by Stefan Smith

Internet radio is booming, providing a way for listeners to enjoy just about any genre of music that strikes their fancy or matches their personal tastes. Internet radio would seem to be especially well suited for the high-tech beats associated with today’s club and rave scenes.

Indeed, club (or dance) audio streams can be found in abundance on the Web. One of the best sites for sampling and enjoying this “trance-out” music in all its manifestations is Ombilikal.org, home of Ombilikal Radio. Ombilikal Radio broadcasts a steady stream of drum ‘n’ bass, jungle, electro (or electronica), breakbeat, hip hop, dub, ragga, roots, nujazz and downtempo music.

I’m familiar with some of these genres and subgenres, but others leave me scratching my head. As I definitely need to bring myself up to speed on what’s trendy in the clubs these days, I can’t think of a better way to do that than listening to Ombilikal.

The Ombilikal Web site has an appropriate industrial look to it. It also offers more than just streaming radio. There are forum areas, news and review sections, an events calendar and more–all of it oriented to club-type music.

One drawback to the Ombilikal Web site–at least for us English speakers–is the fact that its native language is French. Its creators have thoughtfully provided instant-translation buttons so non-French speakers can re-render its pages in English, Spanish, German or Italian. The results, though, are pretty rough. For example, here is the “English” version of an announcement of an upcoming event:

Indeed, has the invitation of the Festival Osheaga, Montreal Eclectique Groove takes possession of a scene external in full heart of the Park Jean Drapeau. Beginning of the afternoon until the tombee of the night, within a framework favourable with the relaxation – between lakes and success of greenery – this go from now on impossible to circumvent invites each one has a weekend rich in musical discoveries.

Oh, well, the main draw of Ombilikal is the audio stream, and for that you don’t really need a translation–especially when you can sit or lie back and just let yourself trance out to the insistent electronic beat.

Music Management Jobs In Nashville Require Hands-On Experience

Writen by Joe Taylor

It’s not just aspiring singers and songwriters that travel to Nashville seeking fame and fortune in the music business. A new generation of aspiring music management professionals are moving to Music City for a crack at the kinds of music management jobs that can lead them to lucrative careers.

Like most behind the scenes jobs in the music business, music management jobs require a lot of hard work, a passion for entertainment, and powerful people skills. Although a growing number of music business degree programs have popped up – most notably, at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University – experienced music managers can tell you that music management jobs require the kind of real world experience that you can’t find in a classroom.

Music management jobs in Nashville require a willingness to work hard and the courage to use whatever connections you have to get in on the ground floor. Entry level music management jobs require long hours, handling routine chores like handling fan correspondence and monitoring online bulletin boards and blogs for fan activity. Few music management jobs in Nashville are ever posted publicly – most music management companies fill open positions by recruiting from their pools of eager interns.

You don’t have to wait for a music management job in Nashville to open up for you to build experience in the music business, however. Most of the music industry’s most influential managers had little or no direct experience with the entertainment business before working with acts that would become superstars. Working directly with a client can give you the specific experience you need to grow your own music management career.

Whether you build your own music management agency on the foundation of your work with a young and hungry client, or you prefer to punch the clock at a larger, established agency as an intern, direct experience is the path to the very best music management jobs in Nashville.

Elvis

Writen by Donald Jones

Elvis Presley is considered by many as one of the most influential singers of the past century. There is little doubt that he was a musical hero to many popular singers as they rose to higher levels in their own careers.

Elvis had a twin brother who died shortly after birth, a devoted alcoholic mother, a father who served time in prison, an impoverished background, a mafia-like clan of close friends, a beautiful wife, and a penchant for legalized drugs.

He was able to communicate effectively with his fans through his many songs and movies. Elvis had a unique voice and singing style and some say he was a spirtual person who represented, believe it or not, the goodness in moral values.

Elvis
He entered this world but to be deprived
Through conscious mind as a twinless twin;
A child then teen driven with mother’s pride
To defeat daily taunting and chagrin.
His character mold based on poverty
Provided persuasion by song and verse;
He revealed true meaning of liberty
While elite declared he a wicked curse.

Modern lifestyle assured he’d not bypass
Drug induced pain and sinful temptations;
But with early death, he seemed to amass
Rightful honour and esteemed ovations.

His words should be played on neon marquee,
“I’m just the singer who wanted to be.”

Don Jones is the webmaster for Jaymista Poetry and Tunes.

Nelly Furtado Biography: Lyrics, Videos, Songs, Ringtones, Wallpapers, Music, New Album, Pics

Writen by Stephen Lynch

Nelly Furtado is a Canadian author/composer/interpret.

Nelly Furtado was born on December 2 1980 at Victoria (capital of British Columbia in Canada) from Portugese parents. Nelly Furtado parents named her “Nelly” because of the Russian gymnastic champion Nellie Kim who won 5 gold medals (3 in 1976 and 2 in 1980) and 1 silver (in 1976) at the Olympic games.

Nelly Furtado learned to play the trombone, the guitar and the ukelele at the age of 9 years old and synthesizer at the age of 11. Passionate by music since her early age, Nelly Furtado already knows at the age of 4 years old she wants to become singer. Nelly Furtado sung with her mother at the choir, especially during the national day of Portugal. Nelly Furtado speaks fluently Portugese, English, Hindi and Spanish.

Since she is a teenager, Nelly Furtado starts to write songs and belong to a brass band. During this period, Nelly Furtado listens to R&B, hip hop, alternative rock, alternative hip hop, trip hop, fado, bossa nova and Indian music. The artists that Nelly Furtado like (and influenced her) are Jeff Buckley, Caetano Veloso, Amalia Rodrigues, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Cornershop, Mariah Carey, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Digable Planets, De La Soul, Radiohead, Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Verve, U2, and Beck.

Nelly Furtado thanks her parents to have taught her hard working and ethic. Indeed, Nelly Furtado has spent 8 summers working as chambermaid with her mother. Nelly Furtado declares that coming from this background has positively contribute to forge her personality.

During a visit in Toronto, last summer, Nelly Furtado met Tallis Newkirk, member of hip hop band named “Plains of Fascination” and have contributed to their album in 1996 “Join the Ranks” on title “Waitin’ 4 The Streets”. After achievement of her studies in Mount Douglas Secondary School in 1996, Nelly Furtado leaves for Toronto where she finally formed duo/group Nelstar in 1997 with Newkirk. The experience has brought her back to her influences and allowed her to be more confident in the writing of her melodies and rhymes. Despite, “Like”, one of the Nelstar songs, received a subvention from VideoFACT to cover the production of the clip, Nelly Furtado estimated the duo didn’t reflect her personality and didn’t allow to demonstrate her vocal competences. Therefore Nelly Furtado quits the music band with the idea to come back to Victoria.

Before leaving, Nelly Furtado decides to take part to a contest (quite famous at that time), the “Honey Jam” which takes place at Lee’s Palace, a nightclub. Impressed by her performance, singer Gerald Eaton (Alias Jarvis Church) from band (The Philosopher Kings) offers Nelly Furtado a collaboration. It results a sample with participation of another member of The Philosoper Kings, Brian West. But Nelly Furtado leaves to travel in Europe and wanted to go to university to take courses about writing. Finally, Nelly Furtado comes back working with them and signs a contract in 1999 with DreamWorks Records.

Nelly Furtado continues to work with Eaton and West, who co-product her album, “Whoa, Nelly!” (….On The Radio (Remember The Days), Baby Girl, Hey, Man!, I Will Make U Cry, I’m Like A Bird, Legend, My Love Grows Deeper Part 1, Party, Scared Of You, Trynna Finda Way, Turn Off The Light, Well, Well), released in October 2000. The success comes from the singles I’m Like A Bird, Turn Off The Light, and …On The Radio (Remember The Days). Nelly Furtado album was nominated 4 times at the Grammy Awards in 2002. But Nelly Furtado has only received the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “I’m Like A Bird”, her first single. Moreover, Nelly Furtado has received a good critic for her innovative mix of various styles with different sounds. Then Nelly Furtado did a tour called “Burn in the Spotlight” and also the one of Moby, “Area:One”.

The second album, “Folklore” (Build You Up, Childhood Dreams, Explode, Forca, Fresh Off the Boat, Island of Wonder, One-Trick Pony, Picture Perfect, Powerless (Say What You Want), Saturdays, The Grass Is Green, Try), is released in November 2003. The album shows more diverse sounds, a more rock approach, an acoustic approach. As Nelly Furtado concentrated more on the writing, the BBC estimated that there was double more originality than in her first album. Nelly Furtado has attributed the maturity of her album to the fact she was pregnant most of the time of the recording.

Her title For

Red Hot Chili Peppers Hold the Most No. 1 Modern Rock hits

Writen by J Kim

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a popular rock band formed in 1983, based out of California. Current band members include: Anthony Kiedis (lead vocals), Michael Balzary, or Flea (Bass), John Frusciante (Guitar/Backing vocals), and Chad Smith (Drums). While the rock band has gone through several line-up changes and personal conflicts, the band has managed to consistently create very diverse music that combines elements of funk, punk, metal, psychedelic rock, rap, and even pop rock. The band holds the record for the most #1 Modern Rock hits with nine under their belt, having sold a combined estimate of 50 million copies of their nine studio albums over the past 23 years.

The band was originally formed for what was going to be a one-time performance in 1983, but would later land a record deal with EMI. 1987’s The Uplift Mofo Party Plan was the group’s first album to enter the Billboard Top 200, but it was not until the band moved to Warner Brothers Records did the group achieve major success. In 1991, the band released their fifth album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, which would go on to sell seven million copies in the U.S. A year after its debut, the album still managed to climb to the #3 spot on the U.S. album charts. The band would win a Grammy award for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal in 1992 for the album’s single, Give it Away.

Dave Navarro made his first appearance with the band at Woodstock 1994 and would again appear on the band’s album One Hot Minute, released in 1995. The album turned out to be another commercial success, achieving double-platinum status in the U.S. and selling five million copies outside the U.S. The band would later part ways with Navarro in 1998. That same year, the band would come out with another album, Californication, which went on to become an even bigger success than Blood Sugar Sex Magik. The album climbed to #3 in U.S. album charts and several of its songs became major hits, including: the Grammy award-winning Scar Tissue, Otherside, Californication, Around the World, Road Trippin, and Parallel Universe.

In 2001, the band released By The Way, which entered the charts at #2 and produced hit singles, including: By The Way, The Zephyr Song, Can’t Stop, Dosed, and Universally Speaking. The group would later release their Greatest Hits album and also their first ever live album, Live in Hyde Park. In May 2006, the band released their ninth studio album, Stadium Arcadium. The 28-track double album garnered the band their first ever chart topper, debuting at #1 on U.S. album charts and remaining there for two weeks.

http://www.red-hot-chili-peppers-ringtones.com

An Easy Way to Get the New Age Sound

Writen by Edward Weiss

When I first stumbled upon the Open Position Chord, I knew I had discovered something special! Here was a chord that had its notes spread out over 2 octaves! With this much space, the sound that is produced is beautiful and wide open – hence the name of the chord. And it’s perfect for the New Age style of piano playing! For example, in Lesson 26: “Rabbit in Snow,” we use the OPC to create with. The chords are chosen. The key is set (A Major). Now all that is left to do is improvise.

With this set of limitations, it becomes a matter of playing around with the possibilities. I use the chords and the element of time to create with. My left hand usually stays in the initial position while my right is free to play melody. It leaves the initial position but always returns to the OPC configuration.

To use the OPC, one must be able to play with it without worrying too much about what’s coming out. The more you “play,” the more you will discover. Not by trying or forcing, but by allowing. The secret to using this chord position is to play around with its innumerable possibilities. Here is a chord structure that allows you to play with both hands right away, and is perfect for the New Age style!

Edward Weiss is a pianist/composer and webmaster of Quiescence Music’s online piano lessons. He has been helping students learn how to play piano in the New Age style for over 14 years and works with students in private, in groups, and now over the internet. Stop by now at http://www.quiescencemusic.com/piano_lessons.html for a FREE piano lesson!

Hip Hop – What Makes A Great MC?

Writen by Michael Russell

A hip hop MC has to be more then just some person who can sit with a piece of paper and piece together a few rhymes. In hip hop there is nothing more objective then ones personal opinion of what constitutes not only a good rapper but a great one. Let’s face it, many hip hop artists can come up with an album or two of good rhymes and they may even be able to turn those songs into platinum selling records but that still doesn’t mean that they are great MC’s. Some hip hop fans simply look for a catchy hook that they can sing along with and that’s easy to remember, while others look for pure substance and a flawless delivery when choosing a favorite. Record sales are more about marketing then they are about quality so any list that uses that as the criteria holds little credence. So what is it that truly constitutes a great rapper? Lyrical content, delivery and adaptability!

Lyrical content simply means that the hip hop artist not only talks about something with substance but also possesses the ability to paint a vivid picture through the use of imagery. There is nothing better then hearing a hip hop artist talk about something you may have thought about numerous times and having them put it in a way that is so simple yet so profound that you never even began to look at it that way before.

Delivery is a little subjective of a category because it is not something that you can really put your finger on. The most important aspect of a hip hop artist’s delivery is definitely their voice. You can have the greatest lyrics and beat but if your voice is nasal or just overall unappealing, it simply won’t resonate with the audience. The second most important part of a delivery is in the hip hop world what is called “flow”! A hip hop artist’s flow is what essentially distinguishes them from all the other artists. Some hip hop artist’s flow may be elementary while some may have more of a melodic feel to them. Many hip hop artists have a mellow or calming effect to their voice while others have a sense of rage and urgency. All these aspects combine to create an artist’s delivery.

Adaptability is one of the true litmus tests in the hip hop industry. Not only do the styles of music change with every year that past but they also change with each producer a hip hop artist works with. To be adaptable in hip hop doesn’t only constitute being able to rap over any style of music it also includes ones ability to freestyle. In no way am I claiming that you can’t be a great rapper without entering and winning various freestyle competitions. What I am stating is that many hip hop artists are given music to work with on short notice and many of these same artists are unable to come up with any material in that short amount of time. The truly great hip hop artist can be given an instrumental and have great material written and ready to be recorded in a few hours.

This isn’t meant to be some definitive test that all should abide by. The sad thing about the state of hip hop today is that most of its stars are built without anyone really putting in much thought in regard to their talent. I’m hoping now that by using this criteria hip hop fans will put their favorite artists up to the test and see if they truly survive.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Hip Hop

Bon Jovi Concert Tickets

Writen by Jacob Tapistry

Bon Jovi is a American rock band from New Jersey. Lead by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi and namesake Jon Bon Jovi first reached stardom in the 1980’s as a psuedo metal band. However Bon Jovi has proved to be much more then the scalings of a trend. His band has proven more durable then most, taking hiatus’ and restyling themselves several times.

John Francis Bongiovi began playing piano and guitar at thirteen. Learning from such artists’ Elton John songs. Raze would be his first bang at age thirteen. After his freshmen year at St Jospeh High School he was asked to leave, there in attending Sayreville War Memorial High school at sixteen he would meet David Bryan a future band mate.

Today Bon Jovi Concert tickets go for as much as 400 dollars. This is a startling feat considering how many times Bon Jovi’s gone hiatus. With the early succession of his first four scores, it surprised many that there would be only two albums in the 90’s. With 00’s already produced three albums fans already anticipate more with their recent revival.

As with any band stardom can often lead to disappointment in the concert ticket department as competition for tickets can even turn the cheap seats into gold. However not unlike any other band the best way to score Bon Jovi concert tickets is through first through presales then second hand tickets. Presales for many people often seem like a foreign language, however a few tips can turn Bon Jovi concert tickets into a reality. The first trick to scoring Bon Jovi Concert tickets is first to find out when they play. Second is to check in a few times a week and discover if they are having a presale. Third is finding the presale password to purchase tickets at a special time. Finding the presale password for Bon Jovi concert tickets can often be done by simply typing “bon jovi presale” and purchasing it from a presale password broker. After that it is a simple matter of waking up on the appropriate date and purchasing tickets right when they go on sale.

Thank you for reading this article. If you are interested in getting Bon-Jovi Concert Tickets please visit our website. TicketSpot.com specializes in Concert Tickets offering dependable low prices, an extensive inventory, and the friendliest customer service in the industry.