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Don’t Play Drums According to Your Personality!

After having played music with many different musicians on many different skill levels I have noticed something interesting among most of them. Each one will usually play his or her instrument according to his or her respective personality.

When this concept comes to drumming it is really noticeable.

I’ve noticed that drummers who are a relaxed type often play relaxed. A drummer who is a more bold person usually plays the same way… bold. A drummer who lives his or her life a little sloppy and wreckless will often play the same way. Likewise, a drummer who is a very organized individual will play rather consistantly.

All this is okay to an extent. But, we just can’t let our drumming be subject to our personality, feelings, or mood at any given moment.

Our instrument, the drums, are our expression in the band. It’s our voice. And, many times, we must drum in a manner that does not line up with our personality, feelings, or mood.

Being an outstanding drummer requires becoming a bit of an actor. What I mean by that is, sometimes we have to play drums a certain way despite our true personality, or how we may feel at any given moment. That’s what a good actor does, he temporarily forgets who he is and becomes someone else for a time so that he can pull off what he needs to pull off in order to get the job done.

As you know, sometimes we have to drum a little harder than we may feel like drumming. And then at other times we may have to drum a bit softer when what we really want to do is rock out.

In order to be an outstanding drummer we have to be able to put out what is required of us at any given moment. For example, sometimes a certain song needs to convey a certain message, feeling, or mood. But, your particular mood at the time does not jive with it at all.

If we want the song to do what it’s supposed to do, we can’t expect the song to submit to how we feel right then. We have to submit to the song and forget about ourselves by becoming a part of the song.

The bottom line is this… don’t play your drums according to your personality. Play your drums according to each individual song’s personality. Only then will your songs truly come to life.

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The Benefit of Teaching Others to Play Drums

If you have been playing drums for any length of time at all, then you can teach someone else what you know.

You might say, “Yeah, but I don’t know enough, or play well enough to teach.” You know more than someone who’s never picked up a pair of drumsticks!

You never want to pass up an opportunity to teach someone else how to play drums, or even show them a cool groove or fill. Not only will you be robbing them, but you will also be robbing yourself.

“How so?” you may ask.

When you begin teaching someone some of your drumming knowledge and skills, even if you think it’s not much, you will be amazed at the additional things you will learn. You will also begin to realize you knew more than you thought you knew about the drums, which will improve your confidence. And, developing confidence is vital to being a great drummer!

Many new drummers lack confidence. I think one of the main reasons is because they tend to compare themselves with other drummers who have been playing longer, are famous, or who have a bigger drum set. Whatever the reason, don’t do that! You’re not being fair to yourself.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder?” What that means is, what may be impressive to you may not be impressive at all to someone else. For example, you may think highly of a particular musician or singer, but someone else is not going to agree with you. They have their own favorites.

What I’m saying is this, you are a better drummer than you think you are. “Better than who?” you may ask. Again, better than someone who’s never picked up a pair of drumsticks! See yourself from someone else’s perspective. You play… they don’t. And, if you have any drumming skills at all, they may think you’re awesome.

Again, teaching what you know will help you to learn even more and will improve your confidence. Besides, teaching someone else how to play an instrument can be a real eye-opening experience for you. Students often bring a whole different perspective to the table and they’ll challenge your thinking for sure.

So, find someone who wants to learn to play the drums and then teach them. Finding them is easy. All you have to do is ask. Opportunity abounds for wanna-be drummers!

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Why Do Musicians Practice?

A Musician who does not practice cannot really call themselves a musician. Anyone who loves their instrument and wants to make it part of their life should crave time to further master their art. Sometimes, musicians go through a period of non-practice for a number of reasons, but in general, they have passion and look forward to any opportunity to play music.

A musician can always rehearse, prepare, repeat, refine, sharpen and improve constantly towards further precision and ease, aiming for a flawless and faultless performance every time. They should be able to play their instrument as effortlessly as they can blink or breath and constant, regular practice is the only way to achieve this.

Just because you know how to read music and can work out how to play songs with ease does not mean you do not have to put in time and effort. If you are serious about wanting music to be a part of your life, you will have to learn all you can and continue to improve indefinitely.

Musicians who refuse to practice seem arrogant and conceited and often fall behind everyone else in ability and technique. Lack of discipline is a very unattractive quality in a musician and other professionals only give credit to those who work at developing their talent.

Part of practicing is usually being creative and coming up with new material. If you don’t give yourself the time to practice and perfect your instrument, you will never be inspired to master a new tune or write more lyrics. If you are part of a band for example, you don’t want to be the only one who never writes new material or contributes to the group. And you want other band members to see noticeable improvements in your abilities so they will respect and trust you. It also isn’t enough to write music, you need to practice and perfect it so every time you perform you are faultless.

Many people are blessed with natural musical abilities. This does not mean there still isn’t more to be learned about technique and training that has been developed through the ages. Singing is a great example of this and is a musical art form that has been fine-tuned by many exceptional singers from history. Techniques to train the voice and extend the abilities of the vocal chords have been tried and tested and if you don’t know them, you are going to be less than you could be.

Singing lessons go further into teaching you tongue techniques, pronunciation practices and posture positions that can improve your sound and success to no end. Those who believe there natural ability is enough to get by in life more often than not fail and look back with regret.

Someone who really wants to make a career out of music could succeed through their actions, not their words. Talking about music and even listening to it all the time is not going to get you anywhere. You have to practice, practice, practice and then practice some more! If you aren’t doing this, you aren’t serious.

You need to seek out anyone who can give you advice or lessons to further your knowledge and add to your technique. Do not fall into the trap of thinking you know everything just because you have had a few compliments over the years. To truly make it in any part of the music industry, you have to learn from the professionals. Don’t be stubborn and be willing to let go of old habits and learn some new and better ones.

It could be something as simple as your posture. You may play guitar so intently, you have never even realized that some of the positions you hold your body in are making things harder for you. A professional can point this out and give you homework you can practice to change your old habits. Singers especially need to know all about posture and how to hold their neck, jaw and tongue. Breathing is very important and practice and warm-ups are vital to success.

If you love your instrument, but are finding it difficult to practice, there are some things you can do about it. You may be lacking motivation or have possibly reached the peak of what you are able to do by yourself. You should look at getting together with others who play appropriate instruments and have jam sessions. This is a free for all group music practice where you play anything and everything, resulting in inspiration and a fresh lease on your musical life.

Introduce some visualizations or meditation practice into your everyday schedule, where you picture yourself achieving your desired outcome from your music. Make a list of the steps you need to take to get there. If you have reached a point where you are uninspired, go and get lessons. You will be bound to learn many new things you can practice and introduce into your writing. If none of these things seem to work for you, then you need to look at whether you really have a love and passion for the instrument you have learned. It could be time to consider trying something new.

Musicians practice for many reasons, but if you don’t have a natural desire to spend the time doing it, there is no point in dreaming. If you are a musician but you spend little or no time going over what you know, learning new things and writing new songs, you should look seriously at whether the instrument is right for you. If it is just a case of going through a motivation drought, take some steps to get the spark back and have faith it will pass. Be patient on your musical pathway and know that, if you put in the hard work and stay positive, you will be rewarded.

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Have Music, Will Travel: The Evolution of Portable Music

I remember my first Walkman fondly. I was enthralled by the very notion: portable music. I had no idea at the time, but the Sony Walkman was only the beginning. It would, single-handedly, come to revolutionize the way people listened to music.

On a family trip, everyone could listen to their own music. At the gym, everyone could work out to their favorite tunes. On the bus, at work, at the supermarket, you name the place-people had their Walkmans, and usually, a slew of their favorite cassette tapes as well.

And then there were CDs. Which lead to Discmans. Which recreated the familiar scene of two objects: the music player used to listen to the music, and the device in which the music was stored (in this case, a compact disc).

Nowadays, when I think about CDs, I question the genius involved. Discmans, although a step up in sound quality and technology, are generally bulky and awkward to carry. If you’ve ever used one for any extended period of time (especially if you intended to exercise while using it) you know that it is difficult to secure, all too easy to open, and once again, clumsy and inelegant to wear. CDs themselves are easier to damage and more expensive than cassette tapes. In general, the whole situation makes one wonder who was manning the portable-music-ship at the time.

Ah, finally MP3 players. At last, a device that incorporates both elements (player and music component) needed for portable music, thus eliminating the need to haul your tape/CD cases around with you. Apple’s iPod clearly leads the pack in this category. Now, when looking back at Walkmans and Discmans, their bulk and impracticability are further amplified by the sleek design of most MP3 players. For example, the iPod Shuffle is advertised visually in a way not unlike that of fine jewelry.

What does the future hold for portable music? Considering the evolution thus far, we can gather simply that whatever it brings will be smaller and increasingly easier to use.

All in all, the portability of music was a progressive movement. The digital music of MP3 players has emerged, victorious over the once ubiquitous tape and CD players. Leaders like Apple recognize the value of portable music that lives up to the expectation of true portability: a lightweight and simple, yet elegant design without compromising functionality in the slightest.

Little by little, technology listened to the people, and as a result, it’s now the people that are listening to technology.

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Dickies School Uniforms Spice Up Your Academic Look

Students have it rough nowadays. Not only do they have to keep up with note taking, tests and essays, but they also have to deal with the pressure to sport the latest fashions at school just to fit it. A solution for some school administrators is to choose Dickies school uniforms. By instituting required attire, it will lessen the burden of less fortunate families who don’t have the extra money to dish out for expensive and superfluous brand-name clothes.

Eliminating the tension of being made fun of for wearing second-hand or inexpensive clothing may not only send out a message of unification to the student body, but also allow for more concentration on the importance of education.

Dickies offers a variety of basic colors and styles of shirts and pants to choose from.

For boys, tops can be as simple as short or long-sleeved twill or oxford shirts. Dickies also offer a crewneck pullover sweater or turtleneck for the cold winter months or chilly classrooms. For girls, shirts can be as modest as a polo shirt or as flourished as a tie back top or gathered blouse. Dickies school uniforms also stock pants for a unified look. A few choices include pleated and cargo looks. Flare-bottom trousers are also an option for a more hip “now” style.

An optional rule to allow students who are forced to wear school uniforms is to allow creative accessories such as tasteful pendants, buttons necklaces, iron-on patches, belts, and ribbons. Most school administrators reiterate that the Dickies school uniforms are not to be altered in any way and that all accessories must be removable.

Providing students with a means to lug those thick, heavy books around can also be a big help to the overloaded pupil. Dickies school uniforms also include book bag accessories that are available in both low-key plain styles and colors and unique designs amplified by bright hues.

If establishing a population-wide set school uniform is not possible, consider approaching extra curricular activity groups such as special interest clubs and music bands, and suggest that they use Dickies school uniforms. When a school organization shows up to a competition in matching uniforms, it sends an intimidating and well-put together message to the opposing team.

Having matching gear also provides the student member with a sense of belonging and importance. To look extra snazzy, purchase team jackets from Dickies school uniform selections, which are offered in solid color or two tones designs.

Sometimes, school budgets simply do not have enough funds to cover such luxuries as Dickies school uniforms. Many school sports, art and music classes are being cut from school curriculums because of financial reasons. If this is the case in your school, don’t give up hope. Make collecting money for Dickies school uniforms for your team or social club a group effort by allowing after-school time for fundraising projects, such as bake sales, car washes, auctions or, a house cleaning service or donation jars. Raising money for your own Dickies school uniforms will not only impress school administrators, but also provide you with a sense of accomplishment and accentuate your team spirit.

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Guitar Lessons Are Right For All Ages

It doesn’t matter if you’re four or sixty-four, guitar lessons can be a fun way to pass time while developing a skill and talent that will delight others while keeping your mind and fingers nimble. Whether it’s country, folk, rock or classical guitar you want to learn, the starting point is the same – basic lessons.

Good guitar lessons come in a number of different formats. Here are the three most typical:

Books

These can be great for those who have the patience to sift through them. A basic guitar lesson book will start out describing the instrument, its strings and so on. It will be up to you, however, to decipher the book and take what you read and put it into action. The important things to pay attention to are such things as basic terms, fingering techniques and so on. If you follow along well, books can provide very good guitar lessons. This form of learning works very well for some students, but others require guitar lessons that are audible an visual to truly learn.

Video lessons

Whether offered online or through a DVD or VHS, this can be a great way to learn the guitar. These prerecorded lessons provide everything a face-to-face class would except the feedback. Video lessons, too, start out with the basics and move their way up to more advanced techniques. The benefit here is the fact students can see and hear the lessons as they progress. It’s often easier to learn the guitar when you can see where your hands and fingers need to be placed and hear what an end piece is supposed to sound like. While these won’t totally replace face-to-face lessons, they do have their place and many a good guitarist has started out with video courses.

Face-to-face

This is the preferred method by many who undertake guitar lessons. They can be as good as the instructor, however, and his or her ability to convey complicated lessons to students. The benefit of this type of learning is the fact the feedback is right there and the instructor can help you move your hands where they need to be if you don’t understand. The downfall with this type of lesson is the fact it isn’t on demand like a video class or a book. Unless you have a ton of money to spend on guitar lessons, you’ll only get an hour or a few a week of classes.

Guitar lessons are ideal for anyone with a love of music. The guitar, however, isn’t the easiest instrument on the block to learn. It’s important for students to expect a long learning curve in some cases. With proper instruction and a willingness to stick with it, it’s very possible for almost anyone to learn how to play.

Remember, learning the guitar isn’t an overnight pursuit. It will take time and a lot of it to go from beginner to expert. The more you put into the lessons, whether they’re books, videos or formal classes, the more you’re likely to get out of them.

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Self-Publishing Book Production & Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Once your book is written and you’ve determined that you will be self-publishing, there are a few serious errors you are going to want to steer clear of.

THINKING YOU DON’T NEED AN EDITOR

Even the best writer needs a second pair of impartial, well-trained eyes to look over their work before sending it out into the wide, wide world. The reason being that as the author, we are too close to our work to see it objectively. Are there any holes in your points or arguments? Are the introduction and conclusion as strong as they could be?

Editors provide feedback, sharpen the focus, and turn an already strong piece of writing into a stellar piece of writing. While you might have a great story to tell or have incredible information to share with the world, you also might struggle with getting the words out of your head. Or, perhaps you’re talented at outlining your overall concepts, but you need some help fleshing out the ideas, or finessing the language to make it as clear and compelling as possible. These issues are nothing to be ashamed of – but they are signs that you will definitely benefit from working with a qualified editor.

Think about it. Michael Jordan once was asked how he became the best basketball player in the world. Did he chalk it all up to raw talent? His answer might surprise some folks: “I had great coaches.” Likewise, great writers have good editors behind them. A good editor can make all the difference between a book that should be used as fireplace kindling and the next viral marketing success like “Unleashing the Ideavirus.” (No disrespect to Seth Godin – I’m sure he’s a brilliant writer whose work needs very little editing.)

DESIGNING YOUR OWN COVER – OR HAVING A FRIEND DESIGN IT FOR YOU

A lot of first-time self-published authors, in an attempt to conserve money, forego the investment in a graphic designer with book cover expertise. This is a HUGE mistake.

According to selfpublishingresources website, three-fourths of 300 booksellers surveyed (half from independent bookstores and half from chains) identified the look and design of the book cover as the most important component of the entire book. All agreed that the jacket is the prime real estate for promoting a book.

Although not all books are sold in bookstores, at least 50 percent still are. But before your book even makes it onto the bookstore shelf, retailers and reviewers will see it, and make their determinations about your magnum opus based on just a few seconds’ glance at the cover. And in the bookstore, a shopper will spend an average of just 8 seconds looking at the front cover and 14 seconds on the back cover. This is a total of less than a half-minute to decide if your book is even worth flipping through! If you do not have a professional image that is congruent with your contents, you will very often miss the sale.

A professionally designed cover will:

* ENHANCE the salability of your book. Does your cover make a person want to pick up the book and buy it? Will booksellers be proud to display it in their stores?

* INCORPORATE the book’s theme. Does the cover design effectively convey your voice and style? Does it entice and appeal to your target audience?

* EMPLOY creativity and originality. Is the design a unique expression of you, your theme, and your contents? Is it aesthetically pleasing and tasteful?

There are no two ways around it. If you want your book to sell, you must spend the money on a professional designer for the cover and interior layout of your book.

BELIEVING THE BOOK WILL SELL ITSELF

Many writers finish their books. For most, though, that is the end of the line. Few ever actually see their work in print. One of the main reasons for this has to do with marketing. Of all the mistaken beliefs held by new nonfiction authors, the most difficult one for most writers to grasp is an understanding of the time/money/energy commitment involved in marketing, a book.

Many writers envision themselves as creative geniuses who believe they should be left alone to write while someone else handles the marketing and promotion. In the sphere of traditional publishing, some publishers may provide significant marketing support, but that is mostly a thing of yesteryear. Today, most publishers offer very little in the way of marketing assistance; virtually every publishing house – from the smaller, little-known shops to the behemoths of great repute – leaves it to the author to promote his or her own book.

If an author is unable to provide any marketing support and cannot clearly define the market for their book, publishers are unlikely to be interested at all. This should be a red flag to those pursuing the self-publishing option. Know your audience and shatter that ubiquitous box, in terms of your creative marketing concepts. Who will read your book and where can you find them? These are the questions you need to keep at the forefront of your mind, even as you write the book, print it, and design your Web site.

There are hundreds of humor writers, columnists, and experts in myriad fields who could write books. What differentiates them is not their writing talents, as much as their ability – or inability – to sell their books. As we have by now determined, publishing is a business, and publishers will always go with the books they anticipate to be the biggest sellers. You must keep this same attitude and vision, even if you decide to self-publish. If you lose sight of creating a book that will actually sell, you may find yourself in an uphill battle once it’s done. The last thing you want is to take out a business loan to get your books produced, only to have 30 cases of them stacked in your garage for the next 10 years.

Be ready and willing to market yourself and your book. Become a media darling. Look for opportunities to appear on local, regional, and national radio and TV. Yes, this means you, even if you are shy! Take an acting class or join Toastmasters if you have a fear of speaking in public. You are going to sell this book – no one else is. That means you must be as available and open as possible. If someone from the media calls to invite you for an interview, drop everything else and get to that interview. Spread the word about your new title on the Web. Send preview copies to select reviewers and/or celebrities or personalities with long reach. You went through all the other steps to get here. Believe in yourself, your book, and your market – and be fearless in promoting it to the world.

Read more: Self-Publishing Book Production & Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Music Downloads Cover All The Genres

Anyone who has been considering going “portable” with their music, but has been afraid to for fear their favorite songs won’t be available, can put those fears aside. The music download business might be new, but it’s booming. This means the selection is also growing, on a daily basis in some cases. If a song has been recorded, it’s likely already available for download, or it soon will be.

Music downloads are now available for just about any type of music imaginable. From the classics to indie bands that haven’t even cut records, it’s possible to find downloads that cover it all.

Whether you go online to large music download sites, or visit individual band Web sites, music downloads can be found that represent almost every era of recorded music. Here are some of the most common genres that can now be found in music download format:

Top 40

Since the bands that make music in the Top 40 are contemporary, so are their marketing strategies. It’s a safe bet if something is on a Top 40 station, it can be found in download format, too.

Contemporary country

As it is with Top 40, so it goes for country. Music download sites offer a huge collection of modern country with the big hits readily available.

Classic rock, country

These too can be found online. As more music companies get into the download game, they are opening up their libraries for fans to buy their favorites one song at a time.

Classical music

New recordings and even old ones of classical songs can be found on many download locations. There’s no reason to think that you can’t rock out with Bach or swing with Beethoven while enjoying music downloads.

Jazz, blues

Again, as the major music labels all get into the music download business, they are opening up their libraries and making all their songs available for purchase online.

Seasonal favorites

Christmas music, Easter songs and more can all be found online. In fact, some of the best selection of seasonal favorites can actually be found online rather than in actual music stores.

Gospel

Gospel recording artists have also discovered the power of online downloads. A huge selection of gospel music can be found online, representing both new and old songs.

Going portable can be a very big switch for someone who is used to toting around dozens of CDs, tapes or even old fashion records, but the fact is there really is no need to fear losing favorite music styles by making this choice. As more and more record labels offer up their catalogues online, the music download spectrum is growing in leaps and bounds.

What’s even better about music downloads is the fact they can be purchased one song at a time. There’s no reason to buy full albums to get your favorite song. Plus, the ability to make personalized “mixes” is a whole lot of fun. If you’re idea of a good song lists includes Top 40 with a bit of country and a sprinkling of jazz, that’s more than possible to create.

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How To Color Without Crayons: Adding Color Tones To a Chord

Adding color tones to a chord is like adding colors to a black and white drawing; it adds depth and dimension and well as bringing it to life.

There is a time and place, of course, for “black and white” music, just as there is in art. And many times as a musician I choose to use shades of grey to color my improvisations on the piano, just as an artist uses light and dark to create the feeling and mood of the sketch.

But there are also times when adding a splash of color can do wonders for your piano playing (or guitar or electronic keyboard or organ or whatever). These musical colors create nuances of texture and feeling that are just not available using shades of grey.

So what colors are available from your musical palate? And how do we blend them in to the existing framework of a song?

I’m glad you asked, because you will be astounded at the number of combinations or color tones that can be blended together into any given chord.

First, though, lets review what a basic black and white chord is made of. Every basic triad is composed of 3 notes: a root (the lowest note of the chord), a 3rd, and a 5th.

*A major triad consists of a root, then the 3rd note of the major scale, then the 5th note of a major scale. For example in the key of C the major triad is C, E, and G. In the key of D the major triad is D, F#, and A. Why the F#? Because in the scale of D F# is the 3rd degree. So in the key of Db the major triad is Db, F, and Ab. Why the Ab? Because it is the 5th note in the scale of Db.

*A minor triad consists of a root, a 3rd lowered one-half step, and a 5th of the major scale. So instead of E as the 3rd of the chord we use Eb. In the key of D, instead of F# being the 3rd we use F, since it is 1/2 step lower than F#.

*An augmented triad consists of a root, a 3rd, and a 5th raised one-half step. So the C augmented triad would be C, E, and G#.

*A diminished triad consists of a root, a 3rd lowered one-half step, and a 5th lowered one-half step. So the C diminished triad would be C, Eb, and Gb.

Those are the “black and white” chords: no color, but appropriate in most instances.

But when you want to add a flair of creativity to your playing, here is the color palate you have to work with:

*2nds: the 2nd note of a major scale.

*6ths: the 6th note of a major scale.

*major 7ths: the 7th note of a major scale.

*7ths: (also known as dominant 7ths): the lowered 7th of a major scale.

*9ths: the 9th note of the major scale (same as the 2nd note except an octave higher). If you’re wondering why the 9th is not just called the 2nd, it’s because the 9th is combined with other color tones, whereas the 2nd is not.

*Flat 9ths: the 9th note of a major scale lowered one-half step.

*11ths: the 11th note of a major scale (same as the 4th except an octave higher).

*Sharp 11th: the 11th note of a major scale raised one-half step.

*13th: the 13th note of a major scale (same as the 6th, except an octave higher).

So you can add a 6th to a major or minor triad to create a brighter sound. You can add a major 7th to a major or minor or diminished triad to create another kind of sound. You can add a 7th (dominant 7th) to a major, minor, diminished, or augmented chord to create another kind of sound. Or you can add a 7th along with a 6th; or a 9th along with a major 7th; or a 9th along with a 7th; or an 11th along with a 9th and a 7th; or a 13th along with an 11th and a 9th and a 7th.

And on and on. We could go on combining color tones until the cows come home, but the best way for you to learn what’s possible is to just dig in and experiment. You’ll find many, many exciting combinations you can use in various musical situations that will brighten your song and add a rainbow of colors to your creative improvisations.

Read more: How To Color Without Crayons: Adding Color Tones To a Chord

Facts About Portable Music Everyone Should Know

As the portable music industry really kicks off, there is some confusion surrounding this new format. Piracy concerns top the list for record labels and consumers find themselves a little unsure what’s legal and what’s not.

Let’s look at some of the basic questions about portable music and the answers to help you steer clear of piracy concerns:

What is portable music?

Technically this is anything that can be listened to on the go. Whether it’s a CD in a CD player or an MP3 in a download device, if you can take it with you, it’s portable. The most common definition of this today, however, is the download format, or MP3.

Where do you get portable music?

There are a variety of legal download sites on the Internet. Specialty companies, music labels and even big-name department stores offer music for purchase by the song or by the album over an Internet connection. There are even gift cards available for portable music downloads so friends can buy their own choices of songs.

How can you tell a site is legal?

Reputable sites that offer portable music downloads have licensing agreements with the record labels. This means that for each song that’s downloaded the correct labels and artists will get their cut of the royalties. If a site offers copyrighted music for free, it’s very likely the downloads are not legal. There are, however, lots of songs in the public domain, which means their download is free and legal. If you’re unsure, check into a site’s background before making the downloads.

Can you really get caught?

Yes. Illegal sites are being shut down all the time and music labels are tracking downloads from the sites via IP addresses. This means it is possible for a record company to track who has illegal downloads and who doesn’t. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll prosecute everyone who makes an illegal download, but it can happen.

Can you make backups of music downloads?

Yes, in most cases you can. Some download sites even offer special programs that enable the creation of backup CDs or they’ll store the buys online for you so if your hard drive crashes, you still have access to your purchases. Some portable download sites will even enable the copying of music on to multiple devices, but this will depend on the site music is purchased from.

Can you make copies of downloads to give away?

No. You can buy music for others as a gift, but buying a single song and copying it for 50 people is called piracy. Exercise common sense here to avoid any issues.

What stops a person from making copies of portable music?

Digital Rights Management, or DRM, protection is often included in downloads. This is a special programming key that disables copies after X amount or it can stop correct copying all together. What kind of DRM is included in the music you buy will depend on the site and the individual record labels involved.

Portable music and portable music devices are great for helping music lovers enjoy large collections without the hassle of CD cases and storage issues. They must be used and purchased with common sense, however. Piracy is a real problem in the download industry and record labels are getting very serious about prosecution.

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Video Guitar Lessons Have Their Advantages

Learning to play the guitar can be a fun and rewarding pursuit. Whether it’s your dream to become the next guitar legend or you simply want to play campfire songs, it’s important to start out right. This means learning the guitar, its chords and so on. Taking shortcuts while learning might net you a song or two you can play, but it won’t give you a foundation to build on. Here’s where video guitar lessons can come in handy for students of all levels.

It might seem a little odd to take lessons from a filmed person online or on a VHS tape or DVD, but the truth is this type of learning works very well for a lot of students. Video guitar lessons offer a lot of perks regular classes don’t. Let’s look at them:

* Step by step instructions. A good video guitar lesson will begin with the basics and work all the way up to more expert techniques. This means there’s no short cutting around the important things, such as guitar parts, care and so on. These instructions will be offered in a natural order and can really benefit the beginner and even a novice by teaching the fundamentals first.

* On demand. This is perhaps one of the biggest draws to video guitar lessons. Rather than having to wait for an appointed hour each week to take lessons, those who choose to go the video route can learn on their schedules when they want and as much as they want. The “teacher” is always available.

* Repeat performances. Since video guitar lessons don’t involve a person whose time needs to be booked, lessons that need repeating can be repeated at no additional cost. If a particular lesson is tricky, a video student can replay it over and over again until the repetition pays off. And, since repetition and patience are the key virtues in learning an instrument, this is a real bonus.

* Visual aids. Some people can learn guitar simply by hearing and then trying it themselves. For the rest of us, however, it’s nice to be able to see where fingers need to go, how the instrument is held and so on. Video lessons, just like live ones, offer these visual cues to help people along the way to guitar mastery.

* Variety. Video guitar lessons are offered by all kinds of teachers. This means the style of play can be varied greatly, which is great for students who want to learn more than one way to do things or more than one style of play.

* Cost effectiveness. In person lessons can be very costly over time. And while video guitar lessons require an initial investment, once they’re paid for, they’re paid for. This means no matter how many times a lesson needs to be repeated for comfort level, there’s no extra charge.

* Overcoming “stage fright.” Some people simply are afraid to take lessons in person because they “sound bad.” By having a video teacher, this fear is eliminated. There’s no one to offer up opinions.

While it’s true that nothing can replace face-to-face lessons when feedback is needed, video guitar lessons can really help anyone learn the basics and beyond. The visual cues they offer, combined with the other perks make them a great way to learn a guitar. Remember, however, that a guitar is a pretty complicated instrument and it will take time and practice to truly master its playing.

Read more: Video Guitar Lessons Have Their Advantages

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