Music Heaven

2007-08-22T21:20:00.002-07:00

Music Video Production Companies

Music video production companies are production companies that produce music videos. A music video is a video clip or a short film that gives a visual presentation of a song. Though music videos made specifically for television first appeared in the 1950s, the strong association between music and the video presentation of it started in the 1980s, with the launch of cable channels like MTV.

Apart from producing the video for music, music video production companies specialize in the writing of treatments for music videos, coverage of live shows, video editing, and developing video for the Internet. Music video production is a labor-intensive industry. As for any project, production of music videos begins with proper planning and design. Since there are many types of music videos, a decision has to be made regarding the type that suits the particular project. Based on the type of music video being developed, music video production companies decide on the film and video equipment that are needed for shooting the video.

The music video production association (MVPA) is the umbrella organization that brings together companies that are in the business of music video production. Together with providing a platform to share ideas and to educate its members on the latest happenings in the music video industry, MVPA tries to ensure that the member companies adhere to the highest professional production standards. The MVPA also facilitates discussion of matters of mutual concern among production companies, crews, suppliers, record companies, and any other party related to the music video industry. The MVPA Annual Awards are presented as a form of recognition to the technical and creative artists in the music video production industry.

Since 2000, the music video industry has been experiencing sinking levels of activity. With record labels experiencing declining profits, their investments into making music videos have also taken a hit. While a $500,000 music video for a band of average recognition was the norm earlier, currently such videos are budgeted at $200,000. This has adversely affected the music video production industry and the companies operating in this industry. Free online swapping of music and lax enforcement of intellectual property rights in developing countries have lately dulled the revenues for this industry.

2007-08-22T21:20:00.001-07:00

Subscribe To Online Music Video Websites

Online music video websites are more advanced than music TV channels; here music enthusiasts can choose the music videos they want to watch. With music TV channels, music lovers have to put up with annoying TV presenters and wait for their favorite music videos to finally appear on screen. Also with regular music TV channels, the music is generally on a rotate system, this means there are many repeats, and usually the repeats are not what you want to see. Now with online music video websites, music lovers can perform a series of useful function such as stop, fast forward, rewind, skip and replay. This is truly a remarkable and enjoyable music video experience.

Now you can enjoy online music videos by subscribing to an online music video company. Go on the internet to find the best online music video website that suits your style, taste and genre of music, and enjoy the benefits of being in control when watching your favorite music videos. The benefits of online music video subscriptions are great. Not only can you choose the music videos you want to see, but also you can control when and how you watch them.

An option for online music video fans is to subscribe to an online music video website, here music fans can watch unlimited music videos and have the benefit of controlling the play lists. Online subscription music video websites are becoming more popular around the world. These are a legal outlet for music videos, and artists and music companies, along with music video fans, are becoming more aware of this convenient method to enjoy music videos. Music artists and music companies are now seeing online music video websites as a legal and profitable method for video and music exposure.

Therefore, if you enjoy watching music videos and keeping up-to-date with new music, try the new and convenient online music video option and see if it works for you. Do not hassle with regular TV music channels and watch music videos that do not interest you, take the affordable step of subscribing to an online music video company, and enjoy music videos that suit your style, taste and preferred genre of music.

Take advantage of the internet and get more entertainment for an affordable cost. Search the internet and view the wide world of online music video subscription sites, join up and enjoy your viewing.

2007-08-22T21:19:00.001-07:00

Free Legal Mp3 Downloads-Is It Possible ?

Downloading free mp3 music from the internet are a great thing to do. Mp3 downloads can give you thousands of free mp3 songs and hundreds of hours of listening just by using your fingertips. However, the common way to do download mp3 music is illegal... but there is an other method.

Its a fact that companies and individuals are getting sued for encouraging and downloading illegal music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and their sister organizations in other countries have recently been passing out large fines trying to prevent illegal mp3 downloads. A bunch of music download networks, like Napster, Kazaa, Winmx has been stopped, Grokster and Morpheus faces an uncertain future.

So what will the future bring ? Can I still download free mp3 music ? The answer is YES, you can still keep your mp3 players cookin`. There are tons of websites in various sizes and shapes that are publishing free legal mp3 music, and they are just waiting for you to start download.

After the close down of the big file sharing networks there are many pay sites that have licensing agreements with the entertainment industry, such as Rhapsody, iTunes and Yahoo Music. Unfortunately these top profile downloading sites often charge a too big fee for their mp3 download access.

Alternatives have arisen that gives you the same amount of content, but for free. Search the net for the free alternatives to Rhapsody, iTunes and Yahoo Music and you will be amazed of what you will find. The huge amount of free mp3 downloads you`ll download will keep both your heart and your wallet happy. A comprehensive list of websites that gives you access to free mp3 downloads can be found at Legal Free MP3 Downloads

2007-08-22T21:18:00.004-07:00

Country Singer/Songwriter Kellie Coffey Releases Much Anticipated New Album Walk On

by Chip Schutzman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Video Single I Would Die For That Exploding on YouTube Over 70,000 Hits in Four Weeks

Los Angeles, CA-August 20, 2007- The Academy of Country Music's Top New Female of 2003, Kellie Coffey, is back with a new independent album entitled Walk On. The follow-up release to her debut album, "When You Lie Next to Me," was produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick (Little Big Town) and features 12 tracks, 11 co-written by Coffey. The video for the first single, "I Would Die For That," is exploding on YouTube with over 70,000 hits in only four weeks.

Walk On,is the kind of deep introspective album that most artists aspire to make. "We wrote songs about our life experience and what moved us," Coffey said of her co-writers. "It was probably the purest creative experience of my life." The new album represents more than one dream come true; Coffey became pregnant and gave birth to her baby boy during the writing and recording of the album.

Coffey was inspired to write the powerful ballad "I Would Die For That," because of her own struggles with infertility. The video is garnering attention from around the globe as couples relate to her heartfelt, thought provoking lyrics and soaring vocals. "I've been humbled by the response and stories I've been told. This song is giving a voice to women and couples who are struggling to have a baby," said Coffey.

From the gospel tinged "Walk On," to the playful and humorous "Everything She Never Wanted," and "Bandwagon," the album mirrors Kellie's life. "Walk On" is a soulful anthem for overcoming adversity. "Everything She Never Wanted" is a funny take on a driven career woman who finds that being a wife and mom, the things she never wanted to be, are what she really wanted to be all along. "Bandwagon" takes a lighthearted look at the modern obsession of needing to be a part of the latest craze. From cellphones, to handbags, to designer coffees, to the latest diet, the lyrics make you laugh and think at the same time. With backing vocals by Dan Tyminski (Union Station, O Brother Where Art Thou) and a band made up of some of the best pickers in Nashville, this has the makings of an instant country classic.

The final cut on the album, "There You Go Again", was recorded in one take. Almost unheard of in an age of computer assisted recording. Right after Kellie and co-writer/producer Wayne Kirkpatrick finished writing the song, they decided to cut a quick piano vocal demo. Months later when they were preparing to cut the master track, they listened down to the "demo" and decided not to touch the vocal or piano track they recorded in the inspired moments after writing the song. They simply called Jonathan Yudkin, Nashville's premier fiddle player and violinist, to lay down a string quartet. The results are stunning.

Oklahoma native Coffey entered the country music scene in 2001 with her top 10 single, "When You Lie Next To Me," which remained on the chart for over a year. Her album of the same name entered the country sales chart at #5. She followed that with the top 15 single, "At the End Of The Day." Coffey toured with Kenny Chesney for over a year on his "Senoritas and Margaritas" tour and opened for Geroge Strait on his 2004 tour. She received a Top New Country Female American Music Award nomination, and the ACM win in the same category. She has appeared on multiple ACM, CMA and CMT Shows.

2007-08-22T21:18:00.003-07:00

Nelly Furtado's Punk-hop sound

Nelly Kim Furtado is a singer and songwriter, best known for her hit singles, I m Like a Bird, Turn off the Light, Maneater, and Promiscuous. A first-generation Candadia of Azorean-Portuguese descent, Furtado is widely known for her unique sound and innovative experimentation with diverse instruments, languages, genres, and vocal styles.

Furtado s talents showcased at a talent show in Toronto were impressive enough to compel Gerald Eaton (aka Jarvis Church) and Brian West of The Philosopher Kings to record material with her. The material recorded during these sessions would lead to Furtado s record deal with DreamWorks Records in 1999 and was the foundation of her breakthrough debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, which was released in October 2000 to much acclaimed success.

The album garnered four Grammy nominations in 2002 and would award Furtado s debut single, I m Like a Bird, the Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Furtado was the top draw for the Burn in the Spotlight tour and also appeared on Moby s Area:One tour.

On September 20, 2003, before the release of Folklore, Furtado s sophomore album, Furtado gave birth to her first child, Nevis. In November 2003, Folklore was released with singles Forca, Try, and Powerless (Say What You Want).

The album did not achieve the commercial success of her debut album, perhaps due to its less poppy sound and lack of promotion, as DreamWorks was sold to Universal Music Group during the album s release. In 2005, when DreamWorks Records was shut down, Furtado was acquired by Geffen Records. In 2006, Furtado released her third album, Loose, which contains hit singles, No Hay Igual, Promiscuous, and Maneater.

http://www.nelly-furtado-ringtones.com

2007-08-22T21:18:00.001-07:00

Audio Streaming - Advanced Ways to Make Money With Audio Streaming

Webmasters are continuously finding new ways to keep old customers and acquire new ones by using the most innovative technologies available in the Internet today. One of the most appealing features today is audio streaming that allows visitors to hear music, recording, and audio presentations. You too can also use this feature by following these easy steps:

1. Record your audio. It can be instructions, music, or tutorials that can further help your visitors. Make sure that your audio is free from static, hiss, and other audio interferences.

2. Record your audio using digital audio tape or compact disc to ensure its quality.

3. Optimize your audio by editing it using free editing programs available in the Internet. Make sure that your audio is crisp and does not have dead air.

4. Choose an audio application. Do a google search for streaming audio software and pick the best web page that offers free tutorials on how you can create, produce, and store audio files on your web site. You can also find information on how you can add streaming audio to your website.

5. Add the plug-in link using RealPlayer or Quicktime to make your audio available to your visitors.

6. To make sure that your audio streaming is up and ready, test it using different computers and browsers.

You see, incorporating a streaming audio isn't really complicated. Knowing how to do this can attract enormous traffic to your site and will definitely bring you good profits. As with everything in marketing, testing and tracking is critical.

2007-08-22T21:17:00.001-07:00

Legalities of Online Music

The online music segment has now almost taken shape of a regularised industry. Although the demon of music piracy is still looms large but the future seems to be bright with newer ideas. But the contentious issue of online music sharing is refusing to die down. Music download sites are making there presence felt all over the web as more and more people are downloading music illegally. This has hit the music industry badly but now things are changing a little bit.

Independent researchers have discovered the fact that people who share music online also spend a lot on buying music legally. This further substantiates the finding of The Leading Question, a digital music research firm who found out that they spent four and a half times more on paid-for music downloads than average fans! These fans are just crazy about songs and performances of their idols and go to any length to enrich their respective music collections by quality music!

If that means spending money most of them are game for it and if that means downloading music that is pirated (but free) from free music download sites they are not averse to it either! Such is the craze of music amongst these musical fanatics they need to carry their favourite playlist with them all the time. Here s where the online music download phenomenon comes into the picture as most of the music fans carry a MP3 player or a MP3 music player integrated mobile phone that satiates there need to listen to music 24x7, for most of them it is there addiction.

They download the music from the free music download sites or buy it from a registered site or a portal. They are game to do just about anything to get hold of the latest chartbuster on the block or even if it is the classic Elvis or Beatles number, all one needs to do is to tap the right resource. Now what is the definition of right simply depends on the user!

2007-08-22T21:16:00.002-07:00

Christian Rap Music

Rap music is equally and popularly known as hip-hop music. It is a music genre that had its beginnings in New York during the mid-70s. It was popular among the performers in the City, particularly among the African-Americans and Hispanic musicians.

Christian rap music is likewise known by its other names like Christian hip-hop, holy hip-hop and gospel rap. Having attached the word 'Christian' to distinguish this type of music, Christian rap utilizes lyrics that express the message of Christian faith by the composer or songwriter. However, there are some artists who make their Christian faith known, but the themes of their songs do not contain such religious belief.

From its inception, Christian churches have considered Christian rap or hip-hop music blasphemous. Given its marked difference in sounds and beat from the traditional gospel music, it is also referred to as the 'devil's' music. With changing times, however, Christian rap or hip-hop artists have found their way to mainstream music and have found acceptance from the public.

Similar to Christian music, the purpose of Christian rap or hip-hop music is to reach not only there desired audience of Christians, but to reach out to non-believers who listen to the music. Most of the performers are self-proclaimed Christians who use their music to teach their religion. Christian rap or hip-hop music can be likened to an art that is a form of expression. Over the years, this art has been accepted by several communities that has adopted rap- themed songs in their places of worship.

At present, there are a number of Christian rap artists that have gained prominence through their music. Christian rap or hip-hop music is an effective way of reaching out and touching the lives of people who are into this kind of music.

2007-08-22T21:16:00.001-07:00

Yahoo Music Downloads Provides a Safe Way to Get Cheap Music Downloads

Yahoo music downloads are music downloads that artists can ensure are legitimate. For a set price, music lovers can gain access to just about any song that their heart desires, and find more information on the artist and the album as well.

Today is the day and age of technology, and it truly is an interesting one. There are so many developments that are always coming out that have to do with finding new ways to not only make but also obtain music that it can often compromise the integrity of the artist and what they have to offer.

With Yahoo music downloads music lovers can keep the music on their computers, download it onto compact discs, send it onto a portable device, or anything else of that nature. They are 100 percent legitimate, so that eliminates having to worry about copyright infringement lawsuits or piracy cases.

Yahoo music downloads can be accessed from anywhere that you have access to a computer. For a convenient monthly fee you can get unlimited access to cheap music downloads and music lovers also have the option of purchasing their music song by song. This is a lot different than other music sharing services, like the old Napster or even Lime Wire or BearShare.

These are all music sharing programs that hold the potential for copyright infringement, while it may not necessarily encourage it. While that may be a quick way to get a hold of a song that you really want to listen to, there is a fine line between downloading music legally and breaking copyright infringement laws.

And truthfully, these peer to peer file sharing services are helping music lovers to cross the line each and every day when downloading music online. If you are interested in getting a hold of some cheap music without having to worry about lawsuit risks or infringing upon a copyright, Yahoo music downloads are definitely something that is worth taking the time, and a little money, to try out.

Or better yet, you can try out the music service for free with a free Yahoo music trial. Access Yahoo music downloads through the Yahoo website if you want to give Yahoo music a try.

There are a whole bunch of legitimate music downloading services out there that people can choose to go with. But what better than a name that you already know and trust - like Yahoo music - to be true and legitimate when it comes to the internet?

Yahoo music downloads are one of the most reliable download services out there and is a great option for file sharing. So give it a try the next time you need a little something new to listen to on your computer.

2007-08-22T21:14:00.002-07:00

A Great Repertoire for the beginning Classical Guitarist

by Will Kalif

One of the difficulties about learning to play a new instrument is figuring out a repertoire of easy yet great sounding pieces. Here is a suggested list of nine pieces that fulfill this perfectly.

One of the important parts of a repertoire for the classical guitarist is understanding that the music of the classical guitar spans several hundred years and several genres of musical history. This repertoire gives you a nice cross section of these times and genres without being too difficult to play. It is a great selection that shows off the incredible range of expression found in the classical guitar.

Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven - If you are a real beginner and would like to play an easy song that sounds great this is the first piece you should consider. It sounds absolutely beautiful in a haunting kind of way and it is a nice slow piece so you will be able to master it with little trouble. This is a great first classical guitar piece. It is a good example of the Romantic period of classical music as expressed by the guitar.

Allegro by Mozart - Another very easy piece to play and it sounds great. It has more of an early classical music feel to it. You will have heard this piece before and it won't take you long to learn this. This is a great example of early classical music.

Canon in D by Pachelbel - This is a gorgeous piece for beginners. It is very famous and sounds wonderful. It has a beautiful harmony and melody. If you are looking for a piece of sheet music thats not too hard to play and sounds perfect for the classical guitar.

Claire De Lune by Claude Debussy - Here is another great piece for the beginning classical guitarist. The best way to describe this is "Pretty". It is just a pretty piece and no doubt you have heard it before.

Fur Elise by Beethoven - Awesome sounding piece, this is one of my favorites and if you are new to classical guitar or classical music I guarantee you that this piece will be familiar to you - It is almost as famous as Beethoven's fifth.

Prelude in E Minor by Matteo Carcassi - Very easy piece to learn and sounds great because of the minor key. Great first or second piece to learn and right out of the Carcassi Method for classical guitar.

Espanoletta by Gaspar Sanz - Very easy piece to learn and it sounds great. It has this great feeling of being Spanish and also being from the early classical period. It is quite unique and kind of sounds like something Mozart would have written while on vacation in Spain!

Adelita by Francisco Tarrega - Awesome piece and one of my favorites. This is the first piece I had mastered for my repertoire. It is very Spanish in a slow and non-flamenco way.

Spanish romance - great sounding piece and a staple of every classical guitarist. It has a great melody and is played slowly so it sounds great without being too hard to learn.

All of these pieces are staples of the classical guitarist and the sheet music for them can be found at music stores or online. With a little digging you can probably find free transcriptions.

About the Author

Will Kalif has been playing classical guitar for twenty years. For more information about the classical guitar visit his website at: The Classical Guitarist

2007-08-22T21:14:00.001-07:00

Great Radio and TV Commercials Always Employ Great Music

by Tom Gauger

Ever since I can remember, hearing the great commercials from the past has always conjured up warm and well I hate to say it, cozy memories. From McDonalds, to Burger King and moving melody lines of United Airlines and a multitude of other jingles that many of us can remember, remain as one of the great eras of modern day broadcast.

Why is that? We can all say it's the music stupid - And that answer is correct. What's happened with modern day advertising? It's moved well past the memorable melody lines into a rhythmic fever. It seems that many rely solely on loops in their music production and then go on auto pilot with no sense of creativity or longing for something half way creative. I love virtually any kind of music and most of today's styles, but with the onset of crunched marketing dollars and an almost forgetful memory of the great lines and lyrics that still stand the test of time even today, it seems that we've moved into a very shallow and unadventurous and mundane marketing circle.

There are still great jingles being written and you should look at employing great music and jingles in your advertising if you're thinking about running a radio or TV campaign. Great writing can run the gamut of today's styles and even pulling from yesterdays - And with most anything goes musically, the doors are really wide open - And you should, most definitely, employ great music beds and jingles when at all possible.

What makes a great music bed and jingle? It's all of the elements put together from the lyric, to the singer, musicians, etc. You say, "Well I know that." Most people could tell you that, but when forced to recognize a potentially great piece of music or writing for their commercial, they might as well walk right by it. They really wouldn't know it if it bit them in the behind. So I go back to my statement that great music and writing needs not only to be employed in your campaign, but instantly recognized. That's the first key to great writing - it's instantly recognizable. "You deserve a break today...." I could hum the lyrics or just read the lyrics and you'd know exactly what company and commercial we were talking about - of course McDonalds.

Stay with hooks and ending melody lines that you can own. The problem with much of today's mediocre writing is that you can't own the melody even if you have a great lyric. It's trite, over used and abused and unimaginative. You want to stay away from jingles that sound too much like a jingle or incorporate too much hype. You almost want to feel like your singing a song - And it can be rock, dance, pop you name it. That's when you know you have a good melody line going - Couple that with great lyrics and your marketing dollars should go along ways and it should serve you well.

Along with a great hook and melody line should be a solid and well thought out voice over so that when the ending melody line comes back in, it's already been reinforced and your listeners are waiting for it because you've baited them with the tie in voice over - Now you're cooking. You've got a captive audience and an audience much more likely to listen to your spot and remember your spot and to retain the information - Hence increased sales and credibility with your buyers.

Stick with great melody lines in any music genre with great lyrics and voice scripting and you'll be well on your way to a successful advertising campaign!

2007-08-22T21:13:00.002-07:00

Software Every Songwriter Should Own

by Stan Swanson

Are you a songwriting prude? Do you sigh and shake your head when someone mentions "rhyming dictionaries"? Well, folks, I hate to break the news, but the information highway is plowing a great big road right through your creative process and perhaps it's time to jump on board.

So if you have been hesitant to use all these "new-fangled" tools or just haven't been made aware of them, here's your chance to see what "high-tech" songwriting is all about. Don't worry. It's not going to tell your creative side to go sit in the corner. Rather it will open your eyes to just what is available. In fact, these tools will allow you to concentrate on that one thing you really want to do: write a great song!

Need rhyming software?

Rhymesaurus is the ultimate collection of computer reference software tools for songwriters needing to find "just the right word." The rhyming dictionary portion of Rhymesaurus contains over 120,000 words and provides 21 different rhyme types including perfect rhymes, reverse rhymes, assonance, consonance and more. It also uses a unique "sounds-like" reference that uses two different algorithms for finding words that sound similar The software also includes Webster's Dictionary with over 115,000 word definitions and Roget's Thesaurus with over 1000 categories. Rhymesaurus is available from Purple Room Publishing.

Also available is Rhyme Wizard and easy to use. With over 100,000 words and phrases, all with cross-references to near rhymes only a click away, Rhyme Wizard is an indispensable tool for any songwriter. The program was created by a songwriter and teacher whose goals were to create a rhyming dictionary with features most useful for writers. It is easy to use. Simply type in a word or phrase and click. That's all there is to it. Its a great tool to add to your bag of tricks. It's not a crutch, but a faithful writing buddy that's always there when you need it.

Whether you are a poet, a rapper or a marketing writer, there will come a time when inspiration leaves you and this is where the McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme can help. Operating the program's interface is a snap. You simply enter a word in the search box and the application instantly displays rhyming terms in one of three columns. The first column is for standard, straight-up rhymes; the second is for rhyming phrases; and the third is for Roundex rhymes (words that sound similar but don't actually rhyme.) And the best part about this software is that it doesn't cost a dime! Anyone who routinely works with words will find this indispensable.

I've used Rhymer for years and find it compact and easy to use. You can use a free version of Rhymer online or buy an evolved version for your desktop at an affordable price. The desktop version contains a 93,000 word dictionary and can even be used inside Microsoft Word (Windows version). You are able to specify the range of syllables you want, the range of letters you might require and even choose from alternate pronunciations. (e.g., when you type "read" do you want it to sound like "reed" or "red"?) They also offer WriteExpress Phonetic Finder at no cost (Windows only). This phonetic dictionary software lets you find words that have whatever sounds you want in whatever order.

A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes, however, may be the best software rhyming dictionary available. In fact, The Philadelphia Inquirer calls A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes "one of the 6 essential writing tools" The program instantly finds single, double, and triple rhymes on literally thousands of words claiming to find more rhymes than any book in print. "A Zillion Kajillion Cliche's" is also available from Eccentric either as a stand-alone program or purchased with "Rhymes". You can download a free demo from the Eccentric Software web site. It is limited in scope, but you'll get the idea.

Now for some cool software programs that not only help with the task of songwriting, but allows you to keep track of everything from lyrics to who you sent your latest demo to.

Lyricist may be the ultimate songwriting tool. No more folders full of unorganized document files. No more searching through the pages of your rhyming dictionary or scanning the thesaurus for just the right word. Lyricist combines everything you need for lyric writing and archiving into one package. If you're at all serious about songwriting, you're already using a number of tools to help you get the job done. If Lyricist is not among your arsenal, you are truly missing out. You'd be hard-pressed to find another program that incorporates so many essential features for the songwriter.

MasterWriter does not come cheap, but it might be the most complete collection of songwriting tools available. It includes a rhyming dictionary with over 100,000 entries, a dictionary containing over 35,000 phrases, idioms, cliches, sayings and word combinations, a rhymed-phrases dictionary with over 36,000 entries, an alliterations dictionary, the American Heritage Dictionary and Roget's II Thesaurus, a state-of-the-art database that allows you to keep track of all the lyrics, melodies and information related to the songs you've written or are writing, a stereo hard disk recorder for recording your melodic ideas, Songuard, an online date-of-creation Song Registration Service, a library of over 250 tempo adjustable MIDI Drum Loops and much more.

To put it simply, GarageBand may be the best bang for the buck currently on the market. The program combines the CD-quality samples of Apple's Soundtrack software with the hard-disk recording features of Digital Performer and the canned rhythm tracks of Band in a Box. But what's really mind-boggling is the way this program can turn the inspiration of musical novices into commercial-sounding demos. Imagine how many thousands of singers and instrumentalists, though blessed with enormous native talent, remain undiscovered because they lack recording studios and backup bands. For them, GarageBand may open a lot of doors--or just offer a lot of fun. My biggest complaint? It is only available for Macs! (For serious musicians it could be the one reason to invest in a new Mac.)

Cakewalk Home Studio is the newest member of the SONAR family and comes with a comprehensive feature set that turns your computer into a multitrack recording studio, giving you everything you need to take your music from inspiration to finished CD. If you have a PC and you are looking for an inexpensive entry-level sequencer that will record both audio and midi, you might want to take a look at this one. This program will turn your computer into a home recording studio although it isn't near as easy to use as GarageBand for the Mac. (Sigh.). This is probably the best alternative for PC users however who are ready to take the first step into digital recording.

Finale Songwriter is another great productivity tool for songwriters. While Finale SongWriter makes it easy to create great sheet music at an affordable price, that's just the beginning. Finale SongWriter allows you to enter notes from a mouse, computer keyboard, or midi keyboard. You can add chord symbols, fret board diagrams, and multiple verses of lyrics. Finale SongWriter can automatically add two and three voice harmony to your melodies and instantly add a drum part. The music you create sounds great through your computer's speakers thanks to Human Playback and 128 professional sounds. You can import and export MIDI files, create MP3 files, and save your work as a standard Finale file which can also be shared with users of Finale Notepad (a free download). If getting music on the printed page is part of your songwriting project, Finale SongWriter is the perfect collaborator.

Band In A Box is also a bargain for songwriters and great for creating that next great tune. When the idea of fetching a song out of thin air seems a bit overwhelming, Band-In-A-Box can give you a plenty of chords, melodies - even a title - to get things rolling. Band-In-A-Box can create a solid scratch melody for you generating original chord progressions, rhythm tracks, bass lines, titles and melodies in various genres from rock to country to pop. (The Windows version can even record your vocals.) Using the software as a simple song generator is easy, but there is a bit of a learning curve when you start writing complete chord progressions of your own. You can download a free demo at their web site PG Music.

So invite the muse in for a cup of coffee and get ready to create. She'll love all the new gizmos and gadgets too!

About the Author

Portions of this article excerpted from The Songwriter's Journal by Stan Swanson. The book is available from Amazon: The Songwriter's Journal and Stony Meadow Publishing

2007-08-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

Acoustic Guitar Tabs

A guitar tablature, known as tab, is a diagram of strings where finger positions are indicated using numerals corresponding to the appropriate frets. Vertical lines represent the strings of an instrument and the horizontal lines represent the frets and dots indicate finger positions.

The series of horizontal lines forms what is called a staff or stave. Each line represents a string, and the standard acoustic guitar tab has a six-line staff. Numbers are written on the lines. Each represents a fret on the instrument. For example, a number 3 written on the top line means that the player should press down on the high E (top/thin) string (and not the low E, which is thicker) at the third fret. Number 0 stands for an open string.

To denote bends, hammer-ons and so forth, various lines, arrows and other symbols are used. A guitar tab is standardized, but different sheet music publishers adopt different styles in writing guitar music. Songbooks, guitar magazines and journals usually give a legend that specifies the style used.

The tab notation has several advantages over the standard musical notation, which uses a five-line staff. It is often easier and quicker for the player to interpret. Even those adept at reading the standard notation usually prefer the tab notation when it comes to learning to play guitar, because the acoustic guitar is a harmonic instrument, meaning that it plays multiple notes simultaneously. Moreover, acoustic guitar staff notation is written on a single staff compared with two for keyboard music. Therefore, it takes less time to read. The tab can also be easily represented using the ASCII code, which makes it easier to distribute electronically.

However, the tab is instrument specific, meaning that music written can only be played on guitar. Also, the tab only includes the pitch of the notes, and not rhythm. But rhythm can be indicated by notes or note stems written above the tab staff. This practice is sometimes adopted in guitar tab notation.

2007-08-22T21:12:00.002-07:00

Hockey Songs

Hockey songs are inspirational songs written for the game of hockey. There are a lot of songs written about this great sport. Hockey songs are an excellent way to capture the spirit of the game.

There are many bands singing hockey songs. They play inspirational hockey songs for the team in order to boost their spirit. The themes of hockey songs vary widely from band to band. There are humorous hockey songs, songs about hockey players and songs praising the segments of famous hockey events.

There are a numerous hockey songs popular in Canada. The game of ice hockey is the most popular game and the national winter sport in Canada. Many Canadians are obsessed with hockey that has become a part of Canadian culture. Hockey songs are written in order to inspire and motivate the hockey players.

Of several hockey songs, 'The hockey song', is the best. Written by 'Stompin' Tom Connors, it is an immortal song celebrating Canada's love for hockey. Well known for its chorus, the song has spilt up verses, each one describing a period of play in a typical hockey game. This song is the most played one at all Canadian hockey events.

Another classic hockey song is the Tragically Hip song "Fifty Mission Cap." This song is a true song story about Bill Barilko, who scored one of the most famous goals in National Hockey League history. The legend of Barilko, who scored the 1951 Stanley Cup winning goal for the Toronto Maple, and his mysterious death are forever immortalized in this song.

Other popular hockey songs are "Hockey" by Jane Siberry, "Hockey Night in Canada" of The Shuffle Demons, "Gordie and My Old Man" of Grievous Angels, "The Ballad of Wendel Clark, Parts I and II" of Rheostatics, "Hit Somebody!" by Warren Zevon and "The Zamboni Song" by Gear Daddies.

2007-08-22T21:12:00.001-07:00

Rock Music Code

Music code is the stuff that computer software writers write. It is all the letters, numbers, symbols, and so on that ultimately add up to calculations and finally becoming images and sounds on the computer. HTML is one type of code. HTML is the basic code for most websites. The content of the HTML code of a website determines what will be shown and where, what will move and how, and what will make noise and when.

Rock music code, therefore, is an HTML code that can be pasted into the existing HTML code that makes up the website. The code will direct the website to play pre-determined rock music when the user accesses the website. Rock music code is available for any type of website. It can also be used for the free template websites such as Blogger, Livejournal, Friendster, and so on. Anything that accepts HTML can allow for rock music code.

First, choose what song you would like. Would you like some Aerosmith? How about some Elvis Presley? Or how about something more modern, like 311, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, or Rasputina? These codes are available. You can find them online for free or by paying for them a reasonable amount of money. Private individuals often offer these rock music codes to the general public, although copyright infringement can come into play if you re not careful about what you put up on your website or blog.

Whatever rock music code you choose, you can always change it later. So in the meantime, rock and roll, baby

2007-08-22T21:11:00.004-07:00

Christian Sheet Music

You don t have to pay for Christian sheet music. It is available on the web for free. People can download Christian sheet music in gif format. Christian sheet music sites offer various types of sheet music, such as keyboard music, piano music and guitar music.

Let s check out the piano music first. Online Christian sheet music stores offer piano music. You can download Christian sheet music from those sites. Thanks to those sites, you can enhance your Christian sheet music collection. Some sites offer rare Christian sheet music samples that you won t find anywhere else. Christian sheet music sites have an extensive database of some great Christian sheet music.

Another vital aspect of Christian sheet music is guitar music. People taking an interest in this type of Christian sheet music can download guitar music notations from the web. Thanks to Christian sheet music sites, popular Christian Music titles such as Worship Together or Integrity Hosanna have become extremely popular. But, while downloading your favorite Christian sheet music, you have to be careful. It s always advisable to download Christian sheet music from renowned sites in order to prevent downloading viruses along with the music titles. Christian sheet music sites add new music titles all the time. So, you will get all the new Christian sheet music albums from them. The demand for Christian sheet music is always going up. The Internet has become the best place to buy Christian sheet music titles.

Add to that previews and customer reviews. You can check out the latest Christian sheet music albums before purchasing them. Some of the best-selling Christian sheet music titles are Run the Earth Watch the Sky, Songs for Praise & Worship, and Only Hope. Christian sheet music has opened up a new vista for Christian Music lovers. Christian sheet music is in vogue.

2007-08-22T21:11:00.003-07:00

Opening a Dollar Store - Don't Forget the Music!

Are you opening a dollar store? If you are, then don t forget the music! The right music can result in higher sales and more repeat customers. Having the right music playing in the background can make you money.

When preparing for opening a dollar store invest a small amount to set your store up for music. This can be accomplished by installing a relatively inexpensive sound system. Make sure that there are speakers (We found ceiling speakers to work best.) installed throughout the store. Spots without music will cause shoppers to unconsciously move on quickly without examining products and without selecting products for purchase.

Pleasant music can keep shoppers inside your store for longer periods of time. The longer shoppers are in you store the more they spend. When opening a dollar store you will soon discover that this is true for the majority of your shoppers anyway.

Pleasant welcoming music brings customers back. We actually found that shoppers who returned to our store frequently mentioned the music as one of the keys to making the experience pleasant and one of the reasons that they came back so soon. Each return trip resulted in more sales. When opening a dollar store return shoppers is one of the ways that you make a profit.

A word of caution; don t allow the part time cashier who likes punk rock to pick your music. Also don t select music that will lull shoppers to sleep. You want music that will keep the shoppers in your store for as long as possible. You want music that will keep bringing them back after opening a dollar store. Select pleasant, middle of the road, easy listening music. The music isn t being selected because you or your employees want to hear a favorite song. It is being selected to as a component in your overall store shopping environment.

Music is a key component in creating the shopping environment for your store. Install a sound system. Pick the right music. After opening a dollar store you will soon find that shoppers stay longer, they return more frequently and they are likely to spend more money.

To Your Dollar Store Success!

2007-08-22T21:11:00.001-07:00

Music Lyrics Soothes the Savage Breast

by Ted Smuckles

Songs can be an emotional trigger greater than sight or smell. Because songs are associated with so many different events in our lives, just hearing the opening bars can take us to a place where we were happy or sad, some of the best or worst times in our lives. So many times a music lyric will remind us of someone or something. This is one reason why so many couples have "their song." It's something special between those people that keeps them connected even if they are not with each other at the time.

But what do music lyrics mean? Well, that's one of the great things about song lyrics. They can mean virtually anything to anybody. What lyrics in a song mean can be possibly the most important question when talking about different songs. But it's a question that has so many possible answers, with none of them being the definitive one. It's logical to first look at the words and find the meaning that way.

But the problem with that comes when the literal meaning is so different than the meaning the artist actually intended. This is because music, as one of the great arts, relies on being able to take literal meanings and to infuse them with allusion, suggestion, and implied meanings.

One of the best ways to figure out the meaning of a song is to get other people's reactions to it. Responses and interpretations of songs are available in reviews, newspapers, and online. If the songwriter has provided a meaning for the song this of course, should be taken into careful consideration. However, this does not necessarily mean that this is the absolute meaning of the song.

Because music and songs relate to so many people on so many different levels, the writer of the song could have had something completely different in mind than the audience who hears it. That is one of the beauties of music and one of the magical powers of song.

This does not mean that all interpretations to the song will be true. Some suggested meanings of the songs may contradict the actual literal meaning (meaning the actual words) of the song. They may also be different than the obvious purpose of the performer or the songwriter or they may not correspond to anyone else's reaction to the same song. In this case, the interpretation probably is not accurate.

It's important to remember that the interpretation must remain respectful of the songwriter in the first place. While it's fine to have a different interpretation of the song than the writer did originally, it's a different matter entirely to twist the song's meaning so that the interpretation is the only one possible.

Songs are a wonderful release of so many different emotions. The words can soothe us when we are upset, or can elate us to a point of happiness for no particular reason except that we have heard a particular song.

There is a song, and lyrics to go along with it, for almost any occasion and any emotion. This is why music lyrics are the main reason why songs are so popular. Being able to make songs our own and apply them to our own life is truly something truly magical.

About the Author

Ted Smuckles writes about music lyrics including the meanings behind the words and the lyricists who create them.

2007-08-22T21:10:00.001-07:00

Music Video Clips

Music has always had a great influence on the way people think, behave, and live. Select songs of different genres deeply inspire them to almost completely change their lifestyle. Video clips have captivated the interest of many music admirers. Video clips refer to small-streamed video segments excerpted from larger video formats and files. Video clips are usually about ten to fifteen minutes in length or may be even shorter. They encompass key moments and significant motion capture that moves the masses. Many promising video producers and developers can start out in their careers by making shorter video clips.

A music video clip is a short segment or a video promo derived from a video that accompanies a piece of music like a song. Music video clips are used principally as a marketing device to increase the popularity and sale of music recordings. Music video clips involve different styles of filmmaking, including animation, live action, and documentaries. Music video clips are derived from music videos, recording sessions, music concerts, and promotional videos. One of the most popular forms of music video clips is the ones based on rock concerts. Video clips that show quality guitar and drum skill are common these days. Music video clips are some times based on interviews of music stars on television shows and news channels.

Music video clips appeal to individuals of all age group. Music video clips based on different genres of music captivate people of different liking. Music video clips may sometimes have parental advisory warnings indicating that only certain age groups can view them.

Music video clips are can be availed of from the Internet. Many websites online offer a wide selection of video clips for download. Video clips can be downloaded for free or may require prior payment or subscription.

Common video formats of music video clips are fast-streamed videos, AVI, MOV, WMV, and MPEG. Many popular media players such as Real Video Player and Windows Media Player support these video formats. Modern mobile phones also support the viewing of music video clips.

2007-08-22T21:09:00.002-07:00

Yahoo Music Downloads Provides a Safe Way to Get Cheap Music Downloads

Or better yet, you can try out the music service for free with a free Yahoo music trial. Access Yahoo music downloads through the Yahoo website if you want to give Yahoo music a try.

2007-08-22T21:09:00.001-07:00

Emo Hairstyles - How To Get Your Own Unique Look

Is there such a thing as Emo hairstyles?

'Emo' is the short name for the Emotional Punk Movement. It is a culture that has its own values, ideals and even fashion. The Emos as they are known do not believe in conforming to mainstream fashion or trends and create their own distinct styles.

That s why it s not surprising that Emo hairstyles break the mold as well. Typical Emo haircuts are characterized by asymmetrical lines, bold highlights and jet black hair. Emos don t move with the herd and their haircuts are simply an extension of this belief. In most cases, Emo haircuts are one of a kind experiments and not the type that you can get at an ordinary salon. In fact, it is perfectly acceptable to create your own Emo style with a pair of scissors, razor and dye.

There are is no set technique to an Emo cut. It maybe described as more of a personal art-form, an expression of one s deepest emotions. In other words, any style can pass off as an Emo hairstyle as long as it doesn t look like one of those dos that you might wear to a prom or a club.

Both Emo men and women dye their hair jet black and the bolder the effect, the better. You don t have to worry about the dye looking unnatural and can even shade the edges with frosted highlights, blue or purple.

Being an Emo is all about being unique and comfortable with one s self. Similarly, an Emo hairstyle is also all about individuality and self-expression. And if you feel that you are not one to follow the flock either, then you might just want to consider picking up any pair of scissors or a razor and doing up your hair the Emo way!

2007-08-22T21:08:00.001-07:00

Finding Music For Your Indie Movie

by Sid Kali

A majority of indie filmmakers, Writer/Director Sid Kali included, do not have the flush production budgets to hire a well known music supervisor or professional composer to score their movie. Let alone can we afford to license or pay royalties to top musicians to use their songs or tracks on the soundtrack. I had produced Consignment The Movie that had a very limited amount of money to spend on music. Turns out after some additional post-production expenses I had even less than expected.

Movies need music. There really is no way to argue against it. Good music adds impact, emotion, and mood to a film. Tartantino has made amazing use of music in his films. Many viewers have commented that the music is like a character itself.

I was faced with the choices of putting the completion of Consignment on hold indefinitely until more money could be raised for the soundtrack or trying to find quality music that I could get for free or as close to free as possible. Not wanting to put the movie on hold I set out to shake some trees for music that moved me. It was a gamble I hoped would work.

I checked out some companies on the internet selling royalty free music in all types of genres from rock & roll to world beat for very affordable prices. Type 'royalty free music' into a search engine to listen and shop around. I listened to tons of sample tracks. Most didn't fit the feel of the urban action movie Consignment. A few tracks I did like were out my budget.

A cool thing I did discover is there are some filmmaker friendly sites that will allow you to download free original music to use in your movie. All they ask is that you properly credit the creators behind the music. Sonny Boo offers this on his website. I did not end up using the free downloads, but I think it's good karma they put it out there.

The anxiety and stress of not finding the right music was becoming a mental drain. Nothing worse than the thought of your movie not getting done. I decided to try a different approach to getting the soundtrack squared away. I was going to contact independent bands, artists, and musicians directly with the chance to get exposure on a independent films soundtrack. Indie artists from the music and movie arena collaborating sounded like a win-win.

There's many places to find independent artists and record labels looking to get their music heard. What better way than to be featured on a movie soundtrack? I religiously set aside hours everyday to listen to music from up and coming artists. After I had a narrowed down list of the tracks I wanted to use on Consignment I tracked down these artists and record labels contact information.

My independent music campaign was launched. I emailed, phoned, and faxed my pitch to the people on my list. I was excited about adding music I believed would add tremendously to the overall viewing experience of the movie. It was a tougher sell than I thought to get independent artists and record labels to contribute to an indie movie soundtrack.

My pitch was truthful about only offering credit for their music. My advice is not to BS people. Be upfront. I let them know this was a indie movie without big names or a Hollywood budget.

Here's the rundown of how it played out for me using this approach. I was able to land the music of two artists I felt was perfect. Another artist was interested, but was honest enough to voice their concerns about not knowing how the movie would look when it was done and decided not to contribute to the soundtrack. After Consignment was done I sent them a DVD. They liked it and agreed to compose an original track for my next movie for free. In With Thieves The Movie

Most of the record labels ignored my requests or said no money meant no go. I respect that. One record label representative took the time to speak with me at length and made a point that stuck with me. He basically said until you have a name or a movie you've done to show your work people will be skeptical about lending their music to your indie movie. There not against cross-promotion and exposure. There against being associated with terrible movie and bad exposure. That made a lot of sense.

With a few tracks secured that I liked I decided to go directly to the people to find the rest of the music. Consignment being a urban action movie I wanted some hot hip hop tracks. I started hitting websites that had hip hop forums where people could list links to their demos, post beats, and battle other hip hop artists. I posted open calls for artists to submit their tracks for an urban movie.

I got a huge response, but it was chaotic dealing with the amount of tracks that came in. Plus their were obvious copyright infringements and looping done by some contributers. Last thing you want is music on your movie that causes legal problems for your movies release when you sign on with a distributor. I wasn't making a bootleg underground movie to sell out of the trunk of my car. I was going for mainstream rental and retail outlets. I took the time to get all the releases, clearances, and paper work on the movie. I was going to do the same for the music.

After seeing my post I was contacted by the fellas at Jackin4Beats.Com about helping me out. They streamlined and organized the submission process. They posted calls for music on their website for free. Their efforts increased the quality of the submissions ten fold. They only forwarded me tracks that were free and clear to use on the soundtrack with no legal worries. All music clearance forms were signed on the dotted line.

The buzz was there. Next a rising independent music label specializing in West Coast hip hop wanted to be on the soundtrack. They headed into the studio with the synopsis of the movie and cut an original track with the same name as the movie. This song brought and hit hard. I used it on the opening and closing credits of the film. Then I got some tracks from some emerging East Coast rappers with a Latin edge that put the soundtrack over the top. These talented artists music rounded out the soundtrack. They understood it's about exposure.

I wanted to touch on my experience and they way I got the movie soundtrack done. There's a lot of avenues for you to land the right music for your movie. Obviously the more money the more choices, but money doesn't have to cut you at the knees making you put bad music on your movie.

There's talented artists and upstart record labels in the same boat as you grinding it out to make in the entertainment business. Everyone is looking for a break. Sometimes you can get it together to make it work and sometimes you can't. Just keep fighting to get what you want. Never settle for music you hate for the sake of completing your movie. You will regret the end product. It won't be easy to secure music you love, but isn't your movie worth the effort? You're damn right it is.

About the Author

Slice of Americana Films was launched in 2005 by Writer/Director Sid Kali to produce red-hot urban movies that are gritty, intense and fiercely genuine in the portrayal of strong subject matters.

2007-08-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

Are Free Music Download Programs-FREE

Before you use one of those free music download programs you may want to compare them with the legal file-sharing programs to help you make a decision.

There are many free music download software programs available to download free music online. It seems like there are new "Ares download, free music download web sites" entering the Web everyday. Getting a free KaZaA music download is all I here my students talk about in class. Asking each other where to download free music or download and burn free music. They talk about sites to find Inuyasha music downloads, Final Fantasy music downloads, even cell phone music downloads.

Are free music download programs...FREE?

It all depends on what you want. Some offer Pro versions which have no ads or pop-ups. But do be cautious with most of the free music download software, they will have adware, spyware and pop-ups.

KaZaA music download-KaZa Lite music download
Limewire music download
Ares music download
Shareaza music download
WinMX music download

Imesh music download
Free Grokster Download
Poisoned

These programs are free... but they have some problems. Basically, the difference between free file-sharing programs and file-sharing programs that you pay for is as follows. With the pay programs such as Mp3 Advance, MP3 Music Subscription and DownloadShield, you get technical support, no pop ups, no adware or spyware, most offer privacy protection, and your money back if you're not happy with the program.

With the totally free music download programs, unless you buy their Pro version, which some of them are more expensive than the pay programs mentioned above, you're pretty much on your own along with the ads and pop ups and don't forget the spyware. It's your choice.