by Paul Reeder
With digital cameras turning everyone into "pro" photographers these days, you may want to learn how you can get started taking your own photos and getting your pictures printed and even framed.
If you are keen to learn the basics of photography, you can do so online. There are learning articles and resources for beginners that make photography easy for anyone to learn.
After that you can start learning more specific techniques online on the same websites. Instead of buying photography magazines you can gain all the information from their web-sites free of charge.
Another good way to get started is by reading forum postings by other avid and beginner photographers. You may come across a wide variety of personal opinions, but that doesn't mean you won't learn a lot from the diversified experiences of other photographers, both experienced and novice. Try visiting Google or Yahoo, clicking on Groups and typing photography into the search box.
As you go along you will have many questions. Ask them by all means and you will be enriched. Most photographers like to share their knowledge with others. They will walk an extra mile to help you achieve mastery on the art of photography.
Along the way try to look at photos others have created and see what they have done right. Examine and appreciate the work of others. It is like reading many books to acquire more knowledge and to develop your own style. You will not have to go far to appreciate the work of maestros; it is right there, at your finger tips.
The best way to learn is by doing. So apply every technique to your work till you have mastered it. Try and try again; there is scope for improvement in everything. Don't shy away from experimenting and making mistakes. Also get opinions of other on your work; it will help you improve.
Sign up for a class or seminar for the novice photographer so you can learn the basic techniques straight from the experts themselves. You can find many great courses and instructors at local universities and community colleges.
You may also come across local classes by visiting a camera or processing shop in your area. They often have postings that can help you find the class you're looking for.
In the end, learning photography should be fun, so sign up for a class, look at photographs online, join a community, and get started taking photographs of your own.
Photography is a wonderful art form that allows you to express so much with just one picture. If you take it up seriously, soon you will want to invest in a budget photo printer and start printing your photographs on a canvas to create your own artwork for home.
This field is really opening up now, and prices are dropping as a result, so it is a really affordable way of getting your best pictures onto the wall. There is a certain pride in displaying your own shots at home or even giving them as presents. Either hit the high street or more efficient now is to use an online service like www.reckonstruct.co.uk where you can send picture files by email or CD and have your finished and framed print delivered within a few working days.
They can even turn your family portraits into paintings or even pop-art style images.
The digital revolution as transformed the way we take and store our photos, and also the way we display and share them. The possibilities are endless so now is the time to get snapping and get that masterpiece up on your wall!
About the Author
Author Paul Reeder is a photo artist with many years experience. Click to visit his Photograph web site.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Computer Animation Takes The Lead
By: Philip Nicosia
There’s really no stopping the various types of media from going high-tech. Technology used from the broadcast and print media to the multimedia is advancing almost every day. Animation in the movies and television is just one example.
Animation is responsible for the funny, adorable and sometimes tough cartoon characters we love to see on TV and in the movies. Before, it the making of cartoons was just done manually (drawn by hand) but now, computer animation is the latest trend. Walt Disney used to be synonymous to cartoons but today, numerous companies have gotten into the business of animation. The latest buzz is that Disney Animation officers are planning to return the Walt Disney studios in Burbank, California to its original status as an exclusive hand-drawn animation company. “Lilo and Stitch” was Disney’s last hand-drawn and big hit animated film.
Computer animation makes use of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics. When used in films, it is referred to as computer generated imagery or imaging (CGI). This digital technology has somehow replaced the stop motion animation of 3D models and frame-by-frame animation of two-dimensional illustrations.
In making 3D animations, objects or models are normally built on the computer monitor and 3D figures are manipulated with a so-called virtual skeleton. For 2D animations, separate drawings and separate transparent layers are used even without a virtual skeleton.
Computer-animated films usually cover animal characters such as in “Finding Nemo,” fantasy characters like “Shrek” and “Monsters, Inc.” as well as humans that are still cartoons such as “The Incredibles.” A more realistic simulation of humans has been attempted via the movie “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” but it needs further improvement.
Other than the U.S., another highly-developed country that has a great fascination for animation is Japan. Anime (short for animation) in Japan became famous because of its unique format of storytelling compared to the country’s live-action industry. Japan is known for its robot anime like the Gundam, Voltes V and Mazinger Z that became classics in the 1980s. The origin of Japanese anime can be traced to the early 20th century when Yamamoto explored the techniques in animation that were being done in Germany, France, Russia and the United States at that time. Anime has also been greatly influenced by the Japanese manga and light novels and covers genres such as action, adventure, children’s stories, drama, comedy, fantasy, horror, science fiction and romance.
Animation companies actually have a staff of creative people who can really draw well. Some of them have also outsourced their services and have put up offices in countries whose citizens are blessed with great talent in drawing and have a passion for animation.
Article Source : http://www.superfeature.com
There’s really no stopping the various types of media from going high-tech. Technology used from the broadcast and print media to the multimedia is advancing almost every day. Animation in the movies and television is just one example.
Animation is responsible for the funny, adorable and sometimes tough cartoon characters we love to see on TV and in the movies. Before, it the making of cartoons was just done manually (drawn by hand) but now, computer animation is the latest trend. Walt Disney used to be synonymous to cartoons but today, numerous companies have gotten into the business of animation. The latest buzz is that Disney Animation officers are planning to return the Walt Disney studios in Burbank, California to its original status as an exclusive hand-drawn animation company. “Lilo and Stitch” was Disney’s last hand-drawn and big hit animated film.
Computer animation makes use of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics. When used in films, it is referred to as computer generated imagery or imaging (CGI). This digital technology has somehow replaced the stop motion animation of 3D models and frame-by-frame animation of two-dimensional illustrations.
In making 3D animations, objects or models are normally built on the computer monitor and 3D figures are manipulated with a so-called virtual skeleton. For 2D animations, separate drawings and separate transparent layers are used even without a virtual skeleton.
Computer-animated films usually cover animal characters such as in “Finding Nemo,” fantasy characters like “Shrek” and “Monsters, Inc.” as well as humans that are still cartoons such as “The Incredibles.” A more realistic simulation of humans has been attempted via the movie “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” but it needs further improvement.
Other than the U.S., another highly-developed country that has a great fascination for animation is Japan. Anime (short for animation) in Japan became famous because of its unique format of storytelling compared to the country’s live-action industry. Japan is known for its robot anime like the Gundam, Voltes V and Mazinger Z that became classics in the 1980s. The origin of Japanese anime can be traced to the early 20th century when Yamamoto explored the techniques in animation that were being done in Germany, France, Russia and the United States at that time. Anime has also been greatly influenced by the Japanese manga and light novels and covers genres such as action, adventure, children’s stories, drama, comedy, fantasy, horror, science fiction and romance.
Animation companies actually have a staff of creative people who can really draw well. Some of them have also outsourced their services and have put up offices in countries whose citizens are blessed with great talent in drawing and have a passion for animation.
Article Source : http://www.superfeature.com
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Get hitched with the perfect wedding songs
by Tom JanisonWalking down the aisle with your favorite song playing in the background is something that everyone dreams of. And now fulfilling this dream has become all easier with the huge collection of wedding songs that one can find these days. Wedding is a memorable occasion and if you are opting for a traditional wedding ceremony this can never be complete without wedding songs, infact no where in the world is a wedding complete without the inclusion of wedding songs in the ceremony. It is the music of wedding and wedding songs that make the occasion all the more appealing and memorable for the couple, their family and friends. A wedding requires careful planning and one of the things which requires the outmost attention of the bride and the bridegroom is the choice of the best wedding songs.
Wedding sites have several ideas to help you in selecting the best or should I say the perfect wedding songs. Everything in a wedding must be perfect starting from the dress, cake, venue and of course not leaving out the wedding songs and music. There are some wedding songs that are played on many occasions and wedding songs are just sum up the whole mood and feel of the occasion. Some of the favorite wedding songs are listed below:
* A Page is turned: Bebo Norman
* If you even need me: Gracy Chapman
* For You: Michael W. Smith
* Love of my Life: Jim Brickman
* Household Faith: Steve Green
* I promise: Carman
* Waltz for Jennifer: FFH
* I'll give: Small Town Poets
* Your love keeps lifting me higher: Audio Adrenaline
Remember these are not the only wedding songs that you can play in your wedding, but these are just the most popular and famous ones. Listen to all these songs and any other songs that you may know about. It will be better if the couple sit with the musicians and the singers to find out which song you want to be sung and played during the occasion and if they can actually do it nor not.
If you are planning to get married in a church you will need certain kind of music and if it is not going to be a church wedding, you will require some other kind of music. So the kind of wedding you are going to have and the venue of the wedding are the major things that will decide what kind of wedding songs you will like to play during this occasion. The whole mood of the occasion depends on the kind of wedding songs that you will choose, so make sure that you make a good selection of this. Traditional wedding songs are just perfect for a traditional wedding; however you can also opt for any other kind of wedding songs for the occasion.
If your wedding date is fast approaching, do not waste any time, just go ahead and select the wedding songs that you would like to be played on the occasion. The bride and the groom can chose to make the occasions memorable with each of them opting to sing wedding song in honor of the other.
How to Increase Your Return on Investment
by Ed MascariHow many times have you said to yourself? - This music keeps falling off the piano. - Where is that song? I can never find the page. - When am I going to do something about this music? - I'm tired of stopping in the middle of the piece just to turn the page. - I can't believe it, the recital was only three weeks ago, and I forgot how much I liked that piece.
Think about how frustrated you have been by trying to deal with the majority of your musical material constantly in such a mess!
Think of how many times you couldn't face going to the piano simply because the thought of pulling your music together was far too overwhelming.
Wouldn't you like to maximize the return on the investment that you have made and continue to make in your musical development?
As they say in the business world:
What's your ROI (Return On Investment)? After countless hours of practice, many years of piano lessons, hundreds of dollars spent on instruction and sheet music, you're stuck, frustrated and immobilized.
Why not take advantage of your freer summer season schedule to stay connected to your musical favorites?
Here's how: just follow this simple step-by-step method:
1. Pull all of your music books together into one place
2. Look through one book at a time to remind yourself which pieces you enjoy playing and mark each piece with a post-it note or paper clip
3. Make photocopies of each selection
4. Sort all of the music into stacks of categories.
5. Here are some suggested types of groups: a) Classical and popular styles b) Fast and slow tempos c) By composer, group or singer d) Key signature
6. Pick an organizing system a) Looseleaf books with non-glare page protectors b) Pocket folders (put labels on the front) c) File folders: staple each piece onto a folder and put these into a portable filing system
7. Experiment: once the music is organized in one of these three ways, you can change the order or arrangement of music for a few practice sessions until it feels satisfying.
One Final Note
Organizing your music is a surefire method for increasing your return on investment. Yes, it will take some effort, but it will really pay off.
You will have created a dependable tool which is guaranteed to energize your musical growth and development. You will gain a whole new perspective on practicing the piano, and you'll feel great about yourself!
It's Not Too Late!
Copyright © 2007 by Ed Mascari www.edmascaripianostudio.com ed@edmascari.com 508-651-2590 (Natick Studio) Mail: 57 Hunter Ave, Hudson MA 01749-3043
Ed Mascari has been teaching piano privately to children and adults for nearly three decades. He is a seasoned performer (pianist/ jazz organist) of show tunes, jazz and popular music as well as a published classical composer and church musician. Ed combines his extensive experience to guide students in a variety of styles as he helps them achieve their unique potential. Visit Ed's website at: www.mykeyboardsuccess.com
8 Easy Musical Instruments That You Can Learn To Play Quickly
8 Easy Musical Instruments That You Can Learn To Play Quickly
By : Duane Shinn
Not everyone is as gifted as the rest when it comes to playing music. Not all of us have the time, or want to invest the time in learning to play a complicated instrument such as the piano. That does not mean that we don't all want to be able to play an instrument. There are easy musical instruments that you can learn to play quickly. Here are eight:
1. Drums. If you have a pretty good sense of rhythm, drums are a fairly easy musical instrument that you can learn to play quickly. You won't be great, but you can sure have fun. There are many kinds of drums, from the congo drum to the high hat to the bass drum to the snare drum. Drums, along with the tambourine, belong to the percussion family. Which means the hitting of one body against another; the drum is also played with the hands or a person can use one to two sticks. It is just a matter of counting beats as you play, either mechanically or by feeling the beat.
2. Tambourines. This easy musical instrument is made up of a shallow hand held drum, usually made from a circular piece of wood and calf skin or plastic that is stretched across the top. You play it with your hands, stroking or shaking the jingle or rubbing, shaking or striking the drum head with your knuckles. Play what feels good.
3. Bongos. Another percussion instrument that is easy to learn to play are the bongos. Bongos are a type of drum made up of two sections, one of which is larger then the other. The drums are attached to one another. Played by placing the bongos between the knees, they produce a high pitched sound. When the bongos are placed between the knees correctly, the larger drum will be to the right. Traditionally, they are played by striking the tops with your fingers and palms. There are times when the bongos are played with sticks and brushes. It is possible to alter the sound from the bongos by placing one hand on the top of the drum and then beat it with the other hand.
4. Comb buzzer. We can look at a couple wind instruments that are also easy musical instruments that you can learn to play quickly. One of my favorites would be the comb buzzer. This instrument is truly one anyone that can breathe can play. It is not only easy; you can make it at home. You take a pocket comb and tissue paper. Hold the tissue paper against the comb and hum through the tissue paper. This produces a buzzing sound and it tickles the lips.
5. Kazoo. If you are having fun with the comb buzzer, then try the kazoo. The kazoo is also a fun instrument that is played by humming. The kazoo adds a humming noise. People play the kazoo by closing your lips around the kazoo and singing into it. Most people that try to hum into the kazoo are not very successful. But if you sing into it, for example, repeating the word do, do, do, do in to the kazoo you get that wonderful humming sound.
6. Recorder. The next step up from the kazoo, is the recorder. It is a fun and easy to learn instrument that you can learn to play quickly. To play the recorder, you hold it outward from your lips, unlike the traditional flute that is held sideways. You then blow or breath, really, into the recorder, and the pitch or note that is played varies by the open finger holes. You can use all parts of your mouth to manipulate the sound from the recorder. In particular, use the tongue and the diaphragm to help control air flow, hence lengthening the time a note is held and how many different notes are played on a breath. Quality recorders come in many sizes and are made of wood. There are also plastic recorders, used widely in schools, and sometimes also known as a "tonette". Tin whistles and ocarinas are similar types of recorders.
7. Xylophone. Often used in the orchestra as a serious instrument, the xylophone is a like a piano keyboard that you strike with mallets. With the larger, lower-sounding bars on the left, the notes of the xylophone are laid out much like a piano keyboard. Striking the bars with hard mallets produces a bright, sharp sound. Xylophones made of wood can be very expensive, but for fun and quick learning, a small xylophone made of metal or metal and plastic is ideal, and are used in many schools.
8. Autoharp. The autoharp is a musical instrument having a series of chord bars attached to dampers which, when depressed, mute all the strings other than those that form the chord you want to play. The autoharp is not really a harp at all, but in reality is a zither.
As you can see, just because you are limited on time or possibly ability does not mean that you can not play an instrument for your own enjoyment. There are easy musical instruments that you can learn to play quickly. Percussion instruments and wind instruments make for easy learning and quick fun. Enjoy the benefits of making music and find a new talent or at least a new hobby.About the Author
Duane Shinn is the author of the popular free 101-week online e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions- Intelligent Piano Lessons For Adults Only! " with over 84,400 current subscribers.
http://www.adsensethai.net/
Friday, July 20, 2007
The Importance of A Good Bio
by TJ Liebgott
After scouring the Internet checking out Toronto indie bands it became apparent that the art of even a mediocre bio is lost on most bands/artists. With the increasing popularity of myspace and other such online music communities, everyone and anyone has a home for their music. Unfortunately, this has all lead to bands losing their professionalism and becoming lost in a sea of enthusiasts recording tracks in their basements.
Most bands hate the commercialism associated with the bio or feels that no one reads them. Regardless of your feelings on the music industry, every band should realize that this is a business no matter how indie you think your band is. Even if your just playing for the love of music, you still need to promote yourself as a product in order to get fans into your shows. In the end the bio is your business card to the music community. It helps fans, press, booking agents, managers, and record labels know who you are and what your about.
Key Points To Make In Your Bio
- Contact Information. Always make sure that everything associated with your band has contact information on it. Always have the contact directly on each piece of media from cd's to bios. That way even if elements get lost, your contact information still resides on anything that didn't make it to the trash.
- Influences. Every band loves to say that they are starting a musical revolution or don't wish to pigeon hole their band by using genres. The fact of the matter is though, that no band is 100% unique. We all get our influences from somewhere no matter how random. If your band is afraid of being trapped within a genre, use words like hybrid, myriad, collage, or infused. Its still unique if you merge different genres, artists, political ideals, and non-linear thinking to describe your sound and it will give the average person an idea of what to expect if they where to see you live.
- Band Members. Very briefly describe who is in the band and what they play. Unless you've made a name for yourself, forget about writing 2 paragraphs about who came from what band and why. However, if one or more members/ex-members can give you some kind of instant music cred, be sure to drop their name a little more often. As well, pay more attention to this information if the band has numerous members or plays more bizarre instruments.
- Any Other Relevant Information. Briefly list off anything that was a major accomplishment for your band. Maybe you played a well-known festival, toured with a popular band, or were a major draw at NXNE. Quotes from reputable music journalist sources also help. Just be sure not to dwell too much on these facts or it may look like your band is holding on to glory days of the past.
- Humour/Individuality. Be sure to personalize the bio to the personality that fits the members of the band or the genre of music you play. If your music doesn't sound like everyone else's, why should your bio be a carbon copy of countless others?
Many bands are guilty of ignoring the bio, but it seems like Hip-Hop artists are the majority of those ignoring this key marketing tool. Regardless of style, every band needs a bio. All news is good news and a bio can help get press about your band from every angle, everywhere from Major music publications to local music rags to fans writing about you in their high school newspaper.
In most cases this is your bands first impression to make on somebody before they've even heard your music. It is sometimes your only chance to get your music heard and the last thing you want is to mess up any opportunity.
TJ Liebgott is a freelance writer for Toronto Music Scene
After scouring the Internet checking out Toronto indie bands it became apparent that the art of even a mediocre bio is lost on most bands/artists. With the increasing popularity of myspace and other such online music communities, everyone and anyone has a home for their music. Unfortunately, this has all lead to bands losing their professionalism and becoming lost in a sea of enthusiasts recording tracks in their basements.
Most bands hate the commercialism associated with the bio or feels that no one reads them. Regardless of your feelings on the music industry, every band should realize that this is a business no matter how indie you think your band is. Even if your just playing for the love of music, you still need to promote yourself as a product in order to get fans into your shows. In the end the bio is your business card to the music community. It helps fans, press, booking agents, managers, and record labels know who you are and what your about.
Key Points To Make In Your Bio
- Contact Information. Always make sure that everything associated with your band has contact information on it. Always have the contact directly on each piece of media from cd's to bios. That way even if elements get lost, your contact information still resides on anything that didn't make it to the trash.
- Influences. Every band loves to say that they are starting a musical revolution or don't wish to pigeon hole their band by using genres. The fact of the matter is though, that no band is 100% unique. We all get our influences from somewhere no matter how random. If your band is afraid of being trapped within a genre, use words like hybrid, myriad, collage, or infused. Its still unique if you merge different genres, artists, political ideals, and non-linear thinking to describe your sound and it will give the average person an idea of what to expect if they where to see you live.
- Band Members. Very briefly describe who is in the band and what they play. Unless you've made a name for yourself, forget about writing 2 paragraphs about who came from what band and why. However, if one or more members/ex-members can give you some kind of instant music cred, be sure to drop their name a little more often. As well, pay more attention to this information if the band has numerous members or plays more bizarre instruments.
- Any Other Relevant Information. Briefly list off anything that was a major accomplishment for your band. Maybe you played a well-known festival, toured with a popular band, or were a major draw at NXNE. Quotes from reputable music journalist sources also help. Just be sure not to dwell too much on these facts or it may look like your band is holding on to glory days of the past.
- Humour/Individuality. Be sure to personalize the bio to the personality that fits the members of the band or the genre of music you play. If your music doesn't sound like everyone else's, why should your bio be a carbon copy of countless others?
Many bands are guilty of ignoring the bio, but it seems like Hip-Hop artists are the majority of those ignoring this key marketing tool. Regardless of style, every band needs a bio. All news is good news and a bio can help get press about your band from every angle, everywhere from Major music publications to local music rags to fans writing about you in their high school newspaper.
In most cases this is your bands first impression to make on somebody before they've even heard your music. It is sometimes your only chance to get your music heard and the last thing you want is to mess up any opportunity.
TJ Liebgott is a freelance writer for Toronto Music Scene
The Key is in the Counting
by Ed Mascari
What Makes a Piece of Music a "Good Song"?
Most people say that a song is good if it has a good beat. Do you agree?
Why Do You Struggle with Rhythm?
Even if you think that the words, the melody or the harmony (chords) make a piece of music a good song, you probably agree at some level that the beat is often what draws you to a particular song.
So why do rhythm and counting feel like such a struggle?
If you are like most piano students, you simply want to play the tune, recognize the melody and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that you played a song that you know.
When you sit at the piano you might think to yourself: * Find those notes. * What fingers should I use? * How does that middle section go? * Where do I go when it says 'to CODA'?
You may get so confused that you forget why you liked that song in the first place.
But usually it was the beat of the song that grabbed your attention.
Yet, like most things in life, you end up giving all of your attention to your most pressing problems.
As the old adage says: "Art imitates life." If you draw a parallel from your own life to your piano playing, you will quickly understand why the challenge of counting causes you to put keeping the beat on the back burner.
There are simply too many other musical issues vying for your attention!
You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Are you one of those people who eats the cake first or do you prefer to start with the icing? Are you a person who can delay your musical gratification until after you establish the beat? Or do you have to listen to yourself play the melody right away?
You can have your cake and play the melody a few times with the right hand alone at first.
But if you want to eat it too, you will need to look at music differently.
Remember hearing one of your favorite songs sung by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett or Barbra Streisand?
What makes their renditions so special is that they (and other great artists) know how to interpret the melody in their own unique vocal styles. Do you know how they do this?
Frank, Tony, Barbra and others sing so freely because their background ensembles provide them with a great foundation: a GOOD BEAT.
Your Left Hand Is Your "Count Basie Band"
Once you begin seeing your left hand as a solid accompanying ensemble like the Count Basie Band that so often accompanied Sinatra, your piano playing will quickly improve!
You're probably wondering how you can expect 5 fingers of one hand to do the work of 17 professional performing musicians.
But when you look at what having a solid accompaniment does for the great song stylists, you can see how training your left hand to be the "band" can give your right hand the freedom to "sing".
The Secret to Getting Unstuck
If you're like most students, you find that keeping the beat is challenging. You may often feel like counting restricts rather than frees you as you play a song.
The reason for this is that you are trying to accompany the right hand melody. You probably often find it hard to fit a left hand umpah or 10th with the right hand melody, and so you get frustrated.
If you want to get unstuck, you will need to turn your thinking around.
Here's the secret to getting unstuck: Start by giving your attention to learning the left hand accompaniment in strict tempo. Once you can do this, everything else will fall into place. 7 Ways to Transform Your 5 Fingers into the "Band"
1. Learn the notes to be played by the left hand.
2. Start counting slowly without playing anything
3. Practice the left hand part alone slowly and in strict rhythm (use a metronome if you feel ready)
4. Start playing the song with hands together at a slow tempo several times: focus mainly on one short (2 to 4 measures) section at a time.
5. Use your metronome to gradually increase the tempo
6. Get a sense of being the "band" by using a rhythm unit (drum machine: many of the inexpensive keyboards have wonderful drum sounds)
7. Listen for the right hand melody and make sure that you can always hear it when playing hands together
One Final Note
The next time you listen to one of your favorite artists singing a good song, pay attention to the background. Notice how the solid accompaniment keeps the beat steady, the music flowing and the performer free to express herself.
From now on, give your left hand the long overdue attention that it deserves. Recognize how valuable its role is in creating great music. Finally, remember that the key to success is in the counting. By starting with the left hand accompaniment and then developing a solid rhythm, you will be well on your way to playing many good songs.
Copyright © 2007 by Ed Mascari www.edmascaripianostudio.com ed@edmascari.com 508-651-2590 (Natick Studio) Mail: 57 Hunter Ave, Hudson MA 01749-3043
Ed Mascari has been teaching piano privately to children and adults for nearly three decades. He is a seasoned performer (pianist/ jazz organist) of show tunes, jazz and popular music as well as a published classical composer and church musician. Ed combines his extensive experience to guide students in a variety of styles as he helps them achieve their unique potential. Visit Ed's website at: www.mykeyboardingsuccess.com
What Makes a Piece of Music a "Good Song"?Most people say that a song is good if it has a good beat. Do you agree?
Why Do You Struggle with Rhythm?
Even if you think that the words, the melody or the harmony (chords) make a piece of music a good song, you probably agree at some level that the beat is often what draws you to a particular song.
So why do rhythm and counting feel like such a struggle?
If you are like most piano students, you simply want to play the tune, recognize the melody and feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from knowing that you played a song that you know.
When you sit at the piano you might think to yourself: * Find those notes. * What fingers should I use? * How does that middle section go? * Where do I go when it says 'to CODA'?
You may get so confused that you forget why you liked that song in the first place.
But usually it was the beat of the song that grabbed your attention.
Yet, like most things in life, you end up giving all of your attention to your most pressing problems.
As the old adage says: "Art imitates life." If you draw a parallel from your own life to your piano playing, you will quickly understand why the challenge of counting causes you to put keeping the beat on the back burner.
There are simply too many other musical issues vying for your attention!
You Can Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
Are you one of those people who eats the cake first or do you prefer to start with the icing? Are you a person who can delay your musical gratification until after you establish the beat? Or do you have to listen to yourself play the melody right away?
You can have your cake and play the melody a few times with the right hand alone at first.
But if you want to eat it too, you will need to look at music differently.
Remember hearing one of your favorite songs sung by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett or Barbra Streisand?
What makes their renditions so special is that they (and other great artists) know how to interpret the melody in their own unique vocal styles. Do you know how they do this?
Frank, Tony, Barbra and others sing so freely because their background ensembles provide them with a great foundation: a GOOD BEAT.
Your Left Hand Is Your "Count Basie Band"
Once you begin seeing your left hand as a solid accompanying ensemble like the Count Basie Band that so often accompanied Sinatra, your piano playing will quickly improve!
You're probably wondering how you can expect 5 fingers of one hand to do the work of 17 professional performing musicians.
But when you look at what having a solid accompaniment does for the great song stylists, you can see how training your left hand to be the "band" can give your right hand the freedom to "sing".
The Secret to Getting Unstuck
If you're like most students, you find that keeping the beat is challenging. You may often feel like counting restricts rather than frees you as you play a song.
The reason for this is that you are trying to accompany the right hand melody. You probably often find it hard to fit a left hand umpah or 10th with the right hand melody, and so you get frustrated.
If you want to get unstuck, you will need to turn your thinking around.
Here's the secret to getting unstuck: Start by giving your attention to learning the left hand accompaniment in strict tempo. Once you can do this, everything else will fall into place. 7 Ways to Transform Your 5 Fingers into the "Band"
1. Learn the notes to be played by the left hand.
2. Start counting slowly without playing anything
3. Practice the left hand part alone slowly and in strict rhythm (use a metronome if you feel ready)
4. Start playing the song with hands together at a slow tempo several times: focus mainly on one short (2 to 4 measures) section at a time.
5. Use your metronome to gradually increase the tempo
6. Get a sense of being the "band" by using a rhythm unit (drum machine: many of the inexpensive keyboards have wonderful drum sounds)
7. Listen for the right hand melody and make sure that you can always hear it when playing hands together
One Final Note
The next time you listen to one of your favorite artists singing a good song, pay attention to the background. Notice how the solid accompaniment keeps the beat steady, the music flowing and the performer free to express herself.
From now on, give your left hand the long overdue attention that it deserves. Recognize how valuable its role is in creating great music. Finally, remember that the key to success is in the counting. By starting with the left hand accompaniment and then developing a solid rhythm, you will be well on your way to playing many good songs.
Copyright © 2007 by Ed Mascari www.edmascaripianostudio.com ed@edmascari.com 508-651-2590 (Natick Studio) Mail: 57 Hunter Ave, Hudson MA 01749-3043
Ed Mascari has been teaching piano privately to children and adults for nearly three decades. He is a seasoned performer (pianist/ jazz organist) of show tunes, jazz and popular music as well as a published classical composer and church musician. Ed combines his extensive experience to guide students in a variety of styles as he helps them achieve their unique potential. Visit Ed's website at: www.mykeyboardingsuccess.com
Enter the world of Music
By: workonline
There is good news for all music lovers . Now with internet technology , music fans can not only listen to their favourite artists but also watch free lyrics. All the songs are available at just a click sitting in the comfort of your home. Not only can you now watch songs but also song lyrics and hear and enjoy the music and even sing along with the lyrics and all available to you.
Internet is a world of choices for all music lovers and provides you all the information and the latest happenings in the music world. You can be up to date on all music news and the current hits on the US top 20 or the singles charts. The music site offers you the flexibility of watching your favourite stars totally uninterrupted(free from all the hosts) . The music site is a legal way to watch music unlike using pirated versions .
It not only the music enthusiasts but also the music companies that have realized the potential of the internet as a great marketing tool for promoting their music. You can not only watch music videos but also rate music videos. This would be useful to the other members in making a decision on their watchs and also provides a good feedback to the music companies about the choices or preferences of the fans.
The music site thus, provides you access into a whole world of music and music alone where you are the King. You can decide as to what you want and bring it home at just a click. You can then listen to the music of your choice or watch music videos at your own convenience and even rewind and see your favourite music videos over and over again. The world of music is now waiting for you to explore and soak in all that you can. Just log on and at the click you can venture into this beautiful melodious world and be lost in the tunes and rhythms of your favourite stars.
Article Source : http://www.superfeature.com
Technology has made our lives simpler and with the new developments in technology not only is life getting simpler but technology is continuing to make more differences in our lives by contributing to various spheres of our lives like entertainment . With the internet all this has now come to our very doorstep at just the click of the mouse.
Earlier for the purpose of listening to a song atleast a visit to your local music store was required and seeing a video meant watching the band perform at one of their concerts or then getting a music video from the music store. Now anytime you wish to listen to some great music or watch a music video just log on and you can watch your favourite songs or watch free music videos and watch music videos in the comfort of your home. There is just no need anymore to venture out , technology has brought everything you desire right into your home or workplace.
There is good news for all music lovers . Now with internet technology , music fans can not only listen to their favourite artists but also watch free lyrics. All the songs are available at just a click sitting in the comfort of your home. Not only can you now watch songs but also song lyrics and hear and enjoy the music and even sing along with the lyrics and all available to you.
Internet is a world of choices for all music lovers and provides you all the information and the latest happenings in the music world. You can be up to date on all music news and the current hits on the US top 20 or the singles charts. The music site offers you the flexibility of watching your favourite stars totally uninterrupted(free from all the hosts) . The music site is a legal way to watch music unlike using pirated versions .
It not only the music enthusiasts but also the music companies that have realized the potential of the internet as a great marketing tool for promoting their music. You can not only watch music videos but also rate music videos. This would be useful to the other members in making a decision on their watchs and also provides a good feedback to the music companies about the choices or preferences of the fans.
The music site thus, provides you access into a whole world of music and music alone where you are the King. You can decide as to what you want and bring it home at just a click. You can then listen to the music of your choice or watch music videos at your own convenience and even rewind and see your favourite music videos over and over again. The world of music is now waiting for you to explore and soak in all that you can. Just log on and at the click you can venture into this beautiful melodious world and be lost in the tunes and rhythms of your favourite stars.
Article Source : http://www.superfeature.com
Entertainment
By: devils27
Killacodes can easily be passed for promotion because the site is full of passing your time without a second thought. HTML codes from the cursors, words and graphics are easily derived and they can be pasted to your site any time.
Killacodes hosts graphics from other creators and owners, but the site is uniquely maintained with its unique features of graphics and pictures. For every other icon there are over 2000 categories, whether it is words, glitters, images/animation, backgrounds, cursors etc.
Cursors, words and graphics are not new to the internet industry but very few websites have such a unique lay out of their web with all these icons which can be interesting. We know nowadays even adults probably may be interested in some images, glitters just for fun, but children and youngsters love the graphics hosted on Killacodes.
The cursors or glitters are used on a large scale on Myspace.com and hence killacodes hosts these graphics so that people interested can use them on Myspace or Hi5 accounts. For Myspace there are layouts, contact tables, online status icon, tutorials and generators that again is linked to the Image slide, Glitter words, comment box, comment box in a bulletin extended network and auto-bulletin repost.
Killacodes.com is a likable website specially designed for those interested in adventure and finding out new stuff. It can be the best site specially for its collections of glitters, images/admin, backgrounds and its graphics.
I love graphics and really admire the talent of this website, with various features and way it is laid out. There are very few websites with similar features as killacodes. Killacodes not only has different types of collections but it also has the links to the other popular sites as Myspace.
There are links to some of the Hot Myspace accounts and that is interesting. Myspace is a partner link to killacodes, although it is not affiliated to Myspace.
Killacodes has considerable amount of wisdom in different categories and it can be given credit for the various collections of various galleries. Looking at the background categories there are over 19000 background categories with thirty three categories of animal, sixty one categories of animated graphics, fourteen categories of baby, eight of birthday and it goes on and on.The other interesting features are different cursors and the making of words. You can make your own words using the software on the killacodes website.
Killacodes website indeed is one of the interesting websites and people should definitely visit this website to see the talent and different features on the website, its features are definitely recommended of people of all age groups and specially youngsters
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
http://www.AdSenseThai.Net
Killacodes can easily be passed for promotion because the site is full of passing your time without a second thought. HTML codes from the cursors, words and graphics are easily derived and they can be pasted to your site any time.
Killacodes hosts graphics from other creators and owners, but the site is uniquely maintained with its unique features of graphics and pictures. For every other icon there are over 2000 categories, whether it is words, glitters, images/animation, backgrounds, cursors etc.
Cursors, words and graphics are not new to the internet industry but very few websites have such a unique lay out of their web with all these icons which can be interesting. We know nowadays even adults probably may be interested in some images, glitters just for fun, but children and youngsters love the graphics hosted on Killacodes.
The cursors or glitters are used on a large scale on Myspace.com and hence killacodes hosts these graphics so that people interested can use them on Myspace or Hi5 accounts. For Myspace there are layouts, contact tables, online status icon, tutorials and generators that again is linked to the Image slide, Glitter words, comment box, comment box in a bulletin extended network and auto-bulletin repost.
Killacodes.com is a likable website specially designed for those interested in adventure and finding out new stuff. It can be the best site specially for its collections of glitters, images/admin, backgrounds and its graphics.
I love graphics and really admire the talent of this website, with various features and way it is laid out. There are very few websites with similar features as killacodes. Killacodes not only has different types of collections but it also has the links to the other popular sites as Myspace.
There are links to some of the Hot Myspace accounts and that is interesting. Myspace is a partner link to killacodes, although it is not affiliated to Myspace.
Killacodes has considerable amount of wisdom in different categories and it can be given credit for the various collections of various galleries. Looking at the background categories there are over 19000 background categories with thirty three categories of animal, sixty one categories of animated graphics, fourteen categories of baby, eight of birthday and it goes on and on.The other interesting features are different cursors and the making of words. You can make your own words using the software on the killacodes website.
Killacodes website indeed is one of the interesting websites and people should definitely visit this website to see the talent and different features on the website, its features are definitely recommended of people of all age groups and specially youngsters
Article Source: http://www.superfeature.com
http://www.AdSenseThai.Net
Seven Summertime Solutions for Sustaining Your Music the Easy Way
Seven Summertime Solutions for Sustaining YourMusic the Easy Way
by Ed Mascari
Here in the Northeast, when summer finally arrives, you want to spend as much time as possible savoring every moment of the longer days filled with warm temperatures and beautiful weather. It's been a long year filled with too many commitments, schedules, requirements and far too much rushing around. All you want to do is relax, bask in the sun, have fun and relish the opportunity to slow down your hectic pace. So you ask yourself several questions like: How can I keep my music alive? How can I stay motivated? How can I put playing the piano on hold for three months? How can I have a good time without suffering the consequences? How can I choose outdoor recreation without feeling guilty? How can I afford to jeopardize the musical level that I have worked so hard to achieve? Here Are Seven Summertime Solutions for Sustaining Your Music the Easy Way:
1. Listen to songs or pieces of music (on CDs or an IPod) that you play or would like to play.
2. Look at the sheet music while you listen to songs or pieces of music (on CDs or an IPod) that you would like to learn.
3. Organize all of your favorite songs and / or classical pieces into a loose leaf book or folder and play one or more of these every day before bed or first thing in the morning.
4. Read books and articles about music such as: a. biographies of performers and / or composers b. motivational material: here's a partial list: The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner Piano Lessons by Noah Adams The Art of Possibility by Benjamin & Rosamund Zander A Soprano on Her Head: Right-Side-Up Reflections on Life and Other Performances by Eloise Ristad
5. Practice outdoors on a portable keyboard. (Many work with batteries). You can certainly play some songs, experiment with ideas, and even learn how to use the instrument's rhythmic capabilities.
6. Set a realistic musical goal for the fall. Here are some examples of goals: a. I will memorize one song b. I will be able to play five songs well c. I will learn one new song or classical piece d. I will select 10 songs to learn during the year
7. Take some piano lessons during the summer months. Many children and adults benefit from receiving the guidance, encouragement and support that a good teacher can provide. Having some accountability without the normal school year mind-set can actually pave the way for a healthy measure of musical growth during the summer months.
Copyright © 2007 by Ed Mascari www.edmascaripianostudio.com ed@edmascari.com 508-651-2590 (Natick Studio) Mail: 57 Hunter Ave, Hudson MA 01749-3043
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