Make Your Own Beats on the Computer - Find Out Why

Are you interested in learning how to make your own beats on the computer but don't know which route to take? I was at that point as well. I didn't want to spend a whole bunch of money on studio equipment or some big software I wouldn't have any idea to use or have a hard time to learn.

I was introduced to making beats online using beat making software from a friend of mine. That day was probably was one of the best days of my life because it turned my life upside down.

Sounds dramatic right? Well, I'm serious. Ever since I learned how to make beats online, I've been making money. Usually, producers have different artists they work with and sell beats too. Well, the internet has opened up so many avenues that some artists I have never even met have bought beats online from me.

Learning how to make your own beats on the computer is something I urge anyone to look into. Most beat making software has capabilities that you won't need to purchase any equipment to go with it. There was no need for me to buy an MPC, keyboards, and etc. Everything was included in the software.

I guarantee after you compared beat making software to studio equipment, you will go with making beats online. It's not rocket science...even though at first I thought it was.

It took me less than a week to conquer my beat making software and I didn't even put that many hours into it. It was so easy to use that I actually had fun making beats.

Music Flashcards - For Brighter Quizzes

Quizzes are one of the fastest ways of recording a student's progress. You can ask them some quick questions and figure out how much they have learnt. But if you are teaching many classes, it often gets difficult to remember the progress of each kid. It would be helpful if there was a way to remember and track the progress of each child. You can then frame quick questions for them accordingly. This will also help the kids feel less pressurised, and they will be able to learn at their own pace.

With the help of Music Flashcards, you can make these quizzes much more interesting, less demanding, and easier for you to evaluate. You can make few with some music notes on them, or instruments, and hold them up for your student as he tries to identify the correct sound of name. You could then show them if they are right or wrong by flipping those. They are also available in some bright and exciting patters on sale.

You can make a set for each student, and neatly attach a post-it with their names on the top of the stack. Music Flashcards help you become more organised while framing questions for your quizzes. They are available for almost every topic of music education. You could pick the ones that are most relevant to what you teach. These help you track each student's progress individually.

You could also use them for pop quizzes in classes, and hand out bonus points for the person who answers you correctly. Always make sure that you give everybody a chance to answer. Music Flashcards can be either made at home, or downloaded from the internet. The advantage of using readymade ones is that the designs are much more elaborately chosen, so that they create an impression on the minds of the students.

Freddie Mercury's 18th Death Anniversary

November 24 is always a sad day for all music lovers, especially for those who love Freddie Mercury and Queen -- Freddie Mercury was the first 'Rock-Star' from India. November 24, 2009 marked the 18th Anniversary of the day we lost the Mercurial legend, but I like to remember this day as his 'Remembrance Day' and a small town in London celebrated the musical brilliance of the inimitable Freddie Mercury -- a 'Hollywood Walk of Fame-style' celebration -- by unveiling the 'Mercury Memorial Star' on Feltham High Street in London, attended by his mother, Jer Bulsara; his sister, Kashmira and Brian May.

Feltham in London was home for Freddie and his family for many years, since their arrival to UK in 1964 - Freddie, after finishing his 'O-levels' at St Peter's, a Public School in Poona in India, moved to Feltham in England with his parents. Therefore, it is highly commendable that this town where he spent his early years is chosen to have the honour of unveiling the 'Mercury Memorial Star' on its High Street -- without doubt, this will be a shrine for all those who love his music, though I am rather surprised that it took this long!

Bomi, his father, was in the Civil Service and was posted in Zanzibar in the forties. Farokh Bulsara was born in Zanzibar on 5 September 1946, where his parents Bomi and Jer lived. Young Farokh studied in Zanzibar till the age of eight and then moved to Bombay. 'Freddie', as he was known to his friends and family, spent the rest of his childhood in Bombay, and studied at St. Peter's, a public school in Panchgani, a beautiful hill station near Poona.

His first exposure to classics and opera was in a city that was a musical melting pot. His family encouraged him to excel in music and art and he received the 'All Rounder' award at St. Peter's for his achievements. Indian Music and the legendary Kishore Kumar and Latha Mangeshkar had great influence on the young Freddie -- not to forget the vivid colours of Zanzibar -- which were crucial to the wonderful, inimitable style, associated with Freddie, and of course, 'Queen'. Freddie's wide artistic horizons drew him to classical music, opera and the ballet, and therefore, the operatic 'Barcelona' that Freddie did with the famous Soprano Montserrat Caballe and Bohemian Rhapsody came as no surprise. Of course, his first moment of fame came at the age of one, when his smiling photograph captured the first prize!

I still remember the first time I heard 'Bohemian Rhapsody' -- I find it still an enigma, and its creator too! Freddie and Queen have given us many more inimitable songs, each one better than the previous, or vice versa. The Live-Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in1985 provided the world stage for Freddie, and he had the whole world in the palm of his hands by the sheer power of his music and personality -- it was twenty minutes of pure magic from the King of Rock that became legendary! It is a known fact that the tribute concert for Freddie at Wembley Stadium in April 1992 turned out to be more than just a tribute -- it proved beyond any doubt that his music was inimitable.

Freddie said good-bye to us in that heart-wrenching song, "These are the days of our lives..." with these words, "I still love you".! I join all those who love his music, to say, " We love you too, and thank you for your beautiful music"!

How Are Voice Registers And Singing Related?

Voice registers are the sections by which the vocal chords vibrate in order to produce a sound. Vocal chords are muscles that change in thickness and length. As a person sings ascending pitches, the vocal chords automatically become longer and thinner. As a person sings descending pitches, the vocal chords become shorter and thicker. It is when air is passed through the vocal chords and they open and close that sound is produced.

Listed below are the different kinds of voice registers that exist.

The Chest Register

The range of notes that are below the middle C are classed as the chest register. It has this name because of the deep or rich pitch that is created and also because the sound echoes throughout the chest cavity. Air flows over the vocal folds which are entirely apart and the vibration is often felt in the upper chest. The chest register is mostly used to achieve low voices, such as that of the bass.

Head Register

It is assumed that the human voice is separated into two registers. The lower part being the chest register, and the upper part being the head register. It has been named the head register, as singers believe that when they sing in this register, they have an echo of the sound in their heads, not their chests.

Middle Register

The middle register is not used as commonly as some of the other registers. It is a mix of pitches, and it is described as an area with which a vocal bridge or the passaggio may occur. This registry has been mastered by a singer if they can effectively mix the two pitches together.

The Falsetto

This voice is generally used by men rather than women. It is whereby a sound with which the pitch is slightly higher than that of a person's usual speaking or singing voice. This voice is produced by expanding and separating the vocal chords so tightly that it is only possible for the edges of the vocal chord to vibrate. The alto or soprano range can be achieved by using the falsetto.

Whistle Register

This register is generally used by females rather than males. It is the highest register of the human voice, which sounds similar to a whistle or a squeal. It is also otherwise known as the flageolet register. The pitches produced by the whistle register are generally above E6. This register is used in rare cases by coloratura sopranos when they are singing European classical music.

When entering the field of singing, vocal registrations are concepts that should certainly be mastered. They are assumptions which have been established in order to determine whether the human voice has the ability to change, either objectively or subjectively. There are those however, that believe that these registrations do not actually exist. It is considered by many to be a science, and not merely a theory.

It's Never Too Late to Learn to Sing

Whether you sing in the shower or love to belt out tunes at church, singing is a part of your life, and it is never too late to refine your skills. Even if you think you couldn't hold a tune in a bucket, you can learn to sing and improve on your current singing ability. First, you need to dispel some common myths about the human singing voice.

Myths About Singing

Many people fail to learn to sing because they think that they can't. Some think that they were born "tone-deaf," and others think that only a select few have singing "ability." While some individuals do have an inborn ability to control pitch or volume better than others, most people can learn these skills. It is very rare for someone to have absolutely no ability to detect tones, which would be true tone-deafness. Statistics show that only around two percent of all people in the world have this problem. Most people who have trouble singing to a particular pitch simply need to have their ears trained to hear these pitches.

Learn Your Range

Are you a soprano or alto, bass or tenor? Learning your range will help you select songs to sing that fit your voice. Just as a trombone cannot play the same notes that a piccolo does, an alto cannot try to sing the same high notes that a soprano can easily hit. If you choose to take voice lessons, have your teacher help you explore your full range, and then choose songs that fall within the boundaries created by your natural voice.

Breathing Correctly

Correct breathing is the key to good singing. Learn to take deep breaths using your diaphragm muscle, not your lungs. To find your diaphragm, take a long, slow breath, and try to push out your abdomen, keeping your shoulders still. If you can do this, you have learned how to breathe with your diaphragm. Then, project your voice out through your head, not your mouth. Visualize yourself sending your breath and voice out through your forehead. This will train you to use your "head voice," which is far more pleasing to the ear than the standard voice used by most amateur singers.

Sing with Emotion

Once you have learned some basic skill and know what your range is, choose some songs and start singing. When you sing, enjoy yourself. Allow your emotional side to show through your song. If you sing with emotion, people will respond and appreciate what you are singing, even if your voice is not on par with the professionals.

Are You Too Old?

Many adults wonder if it is too late to learn to sing. It is never too late to learn. In fact, many singing teachers will not training children to sing, because their voices are not yet developed. However, as an adult, you will benefit from professional training. You have spent a lifetime learning poor singing habits, so learning to sing as an adult will require the help of a qualified singing teacher. However, with the right training and plenty of practice, you can develop a singing voice that you will be proud of!

Drum Lessons on DVD - Learn at Your Own Pace

A huge number of people, and this is growing all the time are starting to realise that the drums are one fantastic instrument. There was a time there that all the people were playing guitar hero computer players and were forgetting about other instruments but with new games available for all instruments, people are remembering how great drums are. This is having a really positive impact on the number of people who want to learn to play drums. It is possible to study your new instrument, or indeed learn about its origins and famous players via dvd or by using the Internet. If you would like drumming tips that you can watch when you want and when suits you best there has never been a better time to take up this instrument and start developing your talent.

The drum kit has always been one of the most important instruments in heavy metal, hard rock and rock music but there are times when people forget how great an instrument it really is. A lot of this may be due to the fact that drummers tend to sit at the back of the stage and it is not often that they get to do a lot of singing. These issues can cause some people to overlook drumming but there is a lot to enjoy and with so many options of learning, there is no reason to turn it down. With drum lessons on dvd, everyone can learn at their own pace and level.

Modern technology is here to help

That's right, you can use modern technology to learn at a pace that suits you and find your own level. A dvd grants you the time to stop, pause and replay some sections in order for you to get it right. Any assistance that can convince a person to learn to play drums should be encouraged as vigorously as possible. Taking up a new instrument can aid people gain confidence and develop other skills and this new method of learning is becoming very popular. With a huge range of learning options, picking up drumming tips has never been easier and it has never been simpler for budding musicians to start.

Obviously many people will take up an instrument so that they can form a band and get a chance of playing gigs, making music and generally having a brilliant time. However, this is not for everyone and a lot of folk would like a quiet life and will only learn an instrument for their own fun and pleasure and perhaps occasionally play to friends. Drums are a perfect instrument for any person who wants to add some new excitement to life and who wants to develop their skills in a new walk of life.

Drum Lessons on dvd make it simple

Having the opportunity to study at a desirable pace will make taking up a new instrument to be a much more pleasurable experience for a great number of people and hopefully many drummers will be starting their development right now. There has never been a better time to decide to learn to play drum and there is a wide variety of lessons and options to ensure everyone can find the right way to learn and develop. Whatever option is selected, drumming tips are a great source of fun and knowledge for many drummers.

Elvis and The Beatles

Elvis Presley was emotionally never far from the two-room shotgun house in East Tupelo where he was born and raised. Artistically, it served as the very cradle, crucible and inspiration for the most successful singer and most beloved star in history. But it was the rich, vibrant gospel music he heard in church and the Black R&B he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager which were the primary and diverse influences that shaped Elvis, who ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.

After starring in a string of highly successful films as the highest paid actor in Hollywood, Elvis became increasingly dissatisfied and frustrated. "I've got to do something more meaningful; there's something else I'm cut out to do. I owe it to my fans, I owe it to myself. I've had it making teenybopper movies. They're all just the same damn ol' flick; all they do is change my character's name and throw in a few new sets."

Ironically it was with the arrival of The Beatles that a seed was planted in the fertile soil of his frustration, later to germinate into another of Elvis' accomplishments - one of the greatest in his music career.

It was the summer of 1965 when The Beatles arrived in Los Angeles to perform their historic Hollywood Bowl concerts. After repeated requests, Colonel Parker finally agreed to speak with their manager Brian Epstein. Together they arranged an historic meeting to take place on the evening of August 27, at Elvis' Bel Air house on Perugia Way. We were all very excited. Everyone in town wanted to meet The Beatles, but the only American they wanted to meet was Elvis.

That Friday night I drove up to Elvis' house in my steel-gray Mercedes. The word of the Fab Four's visit had leaked out, spreading through Los Angeles like brushfire. Elvis and The Beatles were stars to the stars, so I wasn't surprised at all to find Elvis' house under siege. Perugia Way was teeming with hundreds of people, carefully scrutinizing each car as it slowly passed, and craning their necks to get a glimpse of one of The Beatles. There were policemen everywhere, and it was obvious that the security had taken a great deal of planning. The cops apparently had a list containing the make, model, license-plate number and other information about who would be driving what and who should be admitted. I was waved right through and went inside the house.

I found Elvis sitting in the den; he jumped up when he saw me and motioned me to follow him into his bathroom. We had developed a comfortable routine of endless talks when I took care of his hair, but this night was different. Elvis was stone quiet; his eyes took on a faraway look. He seemed fidgety - his fingers snapping on the marble top, his right leg bouncing nervously. Suddenly his demeanor changed and he turned to me. "Man, I know exactly what those four guys are going through; I've been there and done it. That's where it's at, getting up there in front of live people, feeling the energy. Maybe that's what I need to do again. To tell you the truth, Larry, I'm embarrassed. I mean, they're out there doing what I used to do, and I'm here making these dumb-ass movies that don't mean a thing, same as the music they make me sing."

Several weeks later Elvis was at the wheel driving his Dodge motor home as we headed back to Memphis. He turned to me and said with quiet certainty,"Something came to me Lawrence, an' now I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to record a gospel album. I want everyone to know who I am, and where I came from."

The gospel album he recorded was "How Great Thou Art," for which he received his first Grammy Award. Globally, Elvis has sold over one billion records, more than any other single artist or group who ever recorded. Yet the King of Rock 'n Roll never won a Grammy for rock, pop, country or any other genre for which he was famous - only for the music of his soul.

To this day The Beatles have no idea of the very special influence they had upon Elvis.

Vintage Violins

Vintage violins are used and old violins from specific time periods. Older the violin the costlier it gets. Vintage violins cost lot more than new ones. There are many shops around the world which repair and sell vintage violins. Each and every year a number of old violins are discovered and are brought in to the open market. Some famous instruments of the 17th and 18th century are now sold for millions.

Vintage violins are beautifully designed and are usually made of high quality materials. They acquire historic value over their product value. All Vintage violins are usually found to be in very good playing condition. Many violinists believe that vintage violins are better than the new ones. Most famous vintage violins are old German, French or Bohemian.

Many companies offer vintage violins through their online sites. They provide pictures of each violin they have. You can choose through age, country, model or price. Many let you bargain. You can pay through credit card, Pay Pal or through money order. The instruments are shipped usually within 2 days. Most companies provide 2 to 10 days approval period. You can return the instrument if it does not meet your expectations.

Selecting of a vintage violin needs much more attention than playing it. Always look for violins in good playing condition, never buy one with lots of cracks and repairs and easily breakable parts. Good vintage violins are available from $200. Some famous affordable instruments are 1700s Tyrolean violins (around $2500), 1920s Nippon violins (around $350) and Old American fiddles (around $275).

Vintage violins need much more attention than new ones. They are more sensitive to changes in weather, bumps, and humidity. Most vintage violins need frequent replacing of worn-out parts. Well maintained Violins always provide excellent value for money, and time never diminishes their market value.

Joe Cocker - A Soul Story

Disappointingly for Joe Cocker, his 1964 debut single would not be the full-blown Ray Charles treatment of Georgia on My Mind which he had performed with a 22-piece orchestra at Decca's London recording studio.

A & R man Dick Rowe felt that its commercial appeal was limited so Joe was summoned back to cut a cover of Lennon & McCartney's I'll Cry Instead, from A Hard Day's Night,that had Jimmy Page and Big Jim Sullivan on guitars. It was the end of the road for his current persona as Vance Arnold and the Avengers, and time for Joe Cocker's Big Blues with a revamped line-up. He was granted six months' leave of absence from his gas fitter's job and a nationwide tour loomed alongside Manfred Mann, Little Eva and The Merseybeats.

That was a disaster from the word go, a loss-maker that ended prematurely. The record also bombed, no surprise to Joe who never thought the bread-and-butter pop tune showcased his vocal ability. Bookings were lean as New Year 1965 arrived. A last-minute invitation to trek around US air bases in France saved the day, though the band had to SOS for a girl singer to keep the servicemen happy. On the return to Sheffield, things were even leaner and no gigs meant no more Big Blues.

Joe started work at a wholesale news agent's warehouse, but, despite not gigging for a year, he remained convinced that he was destined to perform. Out of the blue, he put a quartet together for a Sheffield University booking then talked, tentatively at first, about a return to the road. The Grease Band was in the making and Joe would find a rapport with a new bassist, Chris Stainton, who would become his trusted friend and collaborator. The partnership would see Marjorine tickle the UK Top 50 in May 1968 and explode in a reworking of The Beatles' With a Little Help from My Friends hitting No 1 later the same year.

There would be US fame but no fortune and Joe would be grateful for the help of real friends who, unlike rock's hangers-on, were not out to bleed him dry. The road would be long and bumpy, but the man would survive.

5 Ways to Amplify an Acoustic Guitar

Most people learning acoustic guitar probably have at least some interest or aspiration of performing in live settings.

One issue that arises is volume. Acoustic instruments are only so loud.

In larger venues, this simply is not practical. Venues with excellent acoustics, multiple instrumentalists playing the same parts, and quiet, attentive audiences work for orchestras, but it is quite impractical for acoustic guitarists. Instead, electrical amplification is the predominant solution. This does not mean playing an electric guitar, per se, but instead focusing on equipment that more faithfully projects the actual tone of an acoustic guitar.

1. Microphone

A very common option is simply to place a microphone near the guitar and play through the PA. This is one of the easier solutions, since most venues do have a PA already installed. It is also probably the most faithful reproduction of the sound, while increasing the volume. However it is the most problematic:

The microphone can feedback
It does not selectively pick up the guitar
Slight changes in the guitar's distance from the microphone will create an audible change in volume.
The guitarist must be absolutely still while performing.
It requires more time for set up to ensure there are no feedback issues.

2. Magnetic Pick Ups

Magnetic pick ups usually affix to the sound hole of the guitar and work similar to the pick ups on electric guitars. The string movements are detected by magnets, which relay the signal to the amp. This is one of the more hassle free solutions. As an add-on, a lot of magnetic pick ups can be put on and taken off a guitar with ease. A very nice benefit for people with vintage or expensive guitars. These pick ups do not work for classical guitars because the nylon strings do not effect the pick ups.

3. Piezo Pick Ups

Similar to the magnetic pick ups. However piezo pick ups are put into the bridge of the guitar and detect the vibration of the string. Since it is detecting the string vibration directly, piezo pick ups work on classical guitars. Attaching piezo pick ups could require permanent alterations to the guitar. A large amount of modern Acoustic-Electric Guitars come with these installed.

4. Specially Made Guitars

There are quite a number of hybrid guitars out there made specifically with acoustic amplification in mind. Some are more electric guitars with a piezo bridge to give an approximation of an acoustic guitar sound without having to change guitars. Others are acoustic guitars with piezo bridges. There are also designs that attempt to more thoroughly hybridize the design. Whether it is worth getting a new guitar is going to vary depending on a person's needs. Quite often the main reason for hybrid guitars is simply to eliminate the need to carry separate acoustic and electrical guitars to performances, even if some sound quality is lost.

5. Acoustic Amps

Modern electric guitar amps are usually voiced specifically for electrical guitars, sometimes to the extent of having specific genres and styles in mind. While a standard electrical guitar amp can be connected to an acoustic guitar, it is not as good of an option as using an amp intended specifically to amplify an acoustic guitar. The qualities an electrical guitarist look for in an amp are not the same as what an acoustic guitarist looks for, something to bear in mind when looking for an amp.

How to Properly Tongue on the Saxophone

Tonguing is a way of starting a note. Basically there are two ways: start blowing, and start blowing preceded by your tongue. The steps to tongue are simple. First, the mechanics of tonguing are simply touching the tip of your tongue to the tip of the reed as if you were saying the word "Tah." If you say out loud "Tah Tah Tah," you will notice that your tongue comes up to the top of your mouth.

If your mouthpiece is in your mouth, the tongue would be touching the tip of the reed. Just before you make the "Tah" sound, you'll notice that the air is stopped behind the tongue. When you release the tongue with the "Tah" sound, the air comes rushing out. This is called tonguing. Start by picking any note, placing the tip of the tongue on the tip of the reed. Release the tongue with the "Tah" sound and then repeat three times. You don't really want to say "Tah", but just let your tongue go through the motions of saying it.

You can feel the tongue touching the tip of the reed and bumping it. I tend to think of tonguing as one of those sprinklers that moves from side to side with a little metal part that keeps bumping the water and causing an interruption in the flow. Your air is flowing over your reed and causing it to vibrate. When you touch the reed with your tongue, the vibrations stop for a moment, and the sound continues. You should begin every note with your tongue to get used to the way it works. Later on you will have times when you will not tongue; this is called slurring. It simply means that you just move your fingers.

A few things to watch out for when tonguing: always touch the tip of the tongue to the tip of the reed for the shortest amount of time possible. If you use the back or middle of your tongue, you get a harsh "thud" sound that is not desirable. TIP to TIP. Some people like to think of it as licking your fingertip and then touching it to a hot iron or stove top. You'd want to do this for the shortest amount of time possible.

Starting With the Piano

The piano is a very popular instrument to play. It is not hard to start. It is very easy to get a sound out of, unlike wind instruments, and it is not physically straining on your hands such as the calluses you develop from string instruments. Better yet, you don't have to have a piano to play. There are many places to get access to a piano without buying one such as at schools, churches, and recreation centers to name a few. If you have decided you want to start playing an instrument, the piano is a great one to start out with.

When you first start out, you need to make a huge decision. Are you going to stick with it? What's great about the piano is that if you are using an existing piano, meaning you don't have to go out and buy one, you can work at it for a little while and only lose the time and expense of a few teach yourself books or a few lessons. If you are okay with this and you really want to give the piano a try without making the commitment, you can. Playing the piano should not be the type of commitment you stress about. On the other hand, if you are the type who starts things all the time and always gives up, you should think about making this more of a commitment. Making a commitment is obviously a hard thing for you that you need to work on, and starting small will help you later on when you need to make bigger commitments.

Now that you are ready to start, you need to decide if you are going to take lessons, or if you are going to teach yourself. If you have trouble with self discipline and don't mind spending the money, or if you are not very talented in music, you may want to get a teacher. Piano lessons can be expensive starting as high as $20 for 30 minutes every week or much more. For many, piano lessons are worth it because you can learn things you could learn in a book, especially if you want precise classical training. If you aren't looking to spend so much money and you feel you can teach yourself, you should do so.

If you are going to teach yourself, make sure you have the proper learning aides. Get some beginner piano books, teach yourself piano books, and any other learning aides such as CDs and DVDs. You can find any of these through the link below. Try to get teaching tools that cater to the kind of piano you want to play such as classical, jazz, improve, or chords.

Once you begin, set up a plan to stick with. Get a book of Hannon exercises to build strength and agility in your fingers. Practice every day for at least 30 minutes or more. Continue practice and improving and before you know it, you'll be playing songs and having a lot of fun.

The Fender Stratocaster - A Quick Know How

An icon in the musical industry and one of the big 3 enduring guitars models, the Fender Strat was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Tavares in 1954 and has been manufactured since The Stratocaster is noted for its bright, clean and 'twangy' sounds. The neck pickup has a mellower, fuller and louder sound compared to the brighter and sharper tone of the bridge pickup. The Fender Strat's design was radically sleek and its contoured body shape marked a significant difference to the more solid design of the Telecaster. With Double cutaways it allowed players easier access to higher positions on the neck, combined with a single knob to control the volume on all 3 pickups it allowed for easier sound manipulation with the right hand whilst playing. Early finishes on the guitar on generally sunburst however in during the 70's there was a switch towards more natural finishes on the guitar.

The Strat features 3 single coil pickups, the output was originally selected by a 3-way switch, however guitarists were quick to discover that if you jammed the switch between the first and second position the bridge and middle pickups could be selected, and similarly, the middle and neck pickups could be selected between the 2nd and 3rd position. As this trick became widespread responded with their own 5 way pickup selector that has now been a standard feature since 1977.

Buddy Holly was one of the first users of the Strat and used it in almost all of his songs with The Crickets. During Peggy Sue Crickets rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan wasn't required so he would stand by Buddy and switch the selector switch from the neck pickup to the bridge pickup for the guitar solo.

Since 1998, many high-end US-made Fender Stratocasters such as the American Deluxe, American, Hot Rodded American, American Special and American Standard series came with an HSH pickup rout instead of a "swimming pool" (or "bath tub") cavity to increase the total amount of wood that actually can resonate, producing a more complex tone.

When Fender was taken over by CBS in 1965 players noted a loss in quality of the guitars and they fell out of fashion for a period, however blues-influenced artists of the late 60's adopted the Stratocaster as their main instrument which helped to revive the guitars popularity. In recent times, some Stratocasters manufactured from 1954 to 1958 have sold for more than US$175,000.

Since 2007 Fender has offered a wide line of Stratocasters alongside vintage re-issues, as well as maintaining a custom shop that allows you to build custom guitars to order, but if you're looking for something sooner why no take a look at our collection of Strats here.

5 Guitar Playing Tips - Learn to Play Guitar Chords

Many people are aspiring to learn how to play the guitar. The guitar has risen into a certain level of popularity that it has become a symbol of talent, creativity and "coolness."

However, learning how to play the guitar is no joke. Learning to play the instrument requires one to learn how to play the chords. This article tries to give some helpful tips to individuals who would want to learn how to play guitar chords.

1. Get a chord chart

Playing guitar chords is just like playing chords in an organ. If one is learning to play the guitar alone (without a teacher), having a guitar chord book is his best bet. A guitar chord book demonstrates the different finger positions when playing different types of chords. The pressed strings are usually depicted with dots and the strings which are not supposed to be plucked are marked with an "x."

A chord book is a beginner's best friend. Memorizing chords without the help of a guitar teacher will be an impossible task if not for the chord book.

2. One at a time

There are dozens and dozens of different guitar chords which show themselves in different formations. Trying to memorize them in a single blow is close to impossible. Learning how to play guitar chords requires patience and lots of practice. Try practicing three chords that are can be played together (ex. A-E-D) on a single day and try to familiarize oneself with the transition between these chords. Don't try to take every chord in one sitting, it simply can't be done.

3. Be aware of the right hand

An important thing to remember when learning how to play guitar chords is that the movement of the right hand is as important as the movement of the left hand. Most beginners would find themselves taking breaks in strumming until the left hand positions itself properly for the next chord. This is normal during the first few day of practice, but at some point, the right hand should dictate the tempo of the movements of both hands. Strumming or plucking shouldn't be delayed.

4. Listen to guitar-intensive songs whenever possible

One should learn how to play the guitar with some inspiration at the back of his head. Listening to good guitar players will give one some idea of where he would want to go in the future.

5. Learn the different forms of chords

As stated earlier, guitar chords present themselves in various forms. One should be familiar with the different forms so as to bring flexibility in to playing. One popular form of chords which is widely used in rock music is the "power chords" they are simply and heavy-sounding.

Playing guitar chords is not as hard as one would think. Learning to play guitar chords is a basic and essential part of guitar playing, it lays down the foundation of good guitar playing skills. If one has the perseverance and the passion to play the guitar, he will eventually learn how to play the chords and advance into more intricate lessons.

Learn to Play Keyboard - 3 Things You Must Know to Get Started

It can be a lot of fun when you learn to play keyboard, but choosing the right type of lessons can get a little confusing. There are some excellent online resources that will get you off to a great start for very little expense.  But how do you make an intelligent decision about which course is right for you?

Here are three important things that will help you make the right choice:

1.  Choose lessons that are fun and engaging so they capture your attention and interest from the beginning. This may seem a little silly at first. Whoever said that piano keyboard lessons were supposed to be fun, and how do you do pick lessons like that anyway?

When I was growing up with traditional piano lessons, you first worked hard at all the drills and scales so that one day you could play stuff you actually liked. If there was any "fun" involved, it was probably getting that ice cream cone from Mom as a reward for practicing hard all week. Don't get me wrong: there is definitely a place for learning scales and doing exercises, but if that's the focus in the beginning, both children and adults can lose interest quickly.

Fortunately, there are online resources today which help you learn to play keyboard in a fast paced, results-oriented manner that really is fun. Where do you find those? Look for lessons that emphasize learning chord and rhythm patterns first, instead of traditional teaching which focuses on sight reading and memorizing other peoples musical compositions. (I can still hear my first instructor's stern voice saying, "No, you have to memorize 'Merrily We Roll Along' and 'Frere Jacques' before we go any further!")

2.  Choose lessons which help you play what you want to play right away. In the beginning, most of us want to learn to play keyboard with some favorite songs as soon as possible. With new chord and rhythm pattern teaching methods, students can do this. Both adults and children feel good about early success like this, and they are motivated to learn more and progress more rapidly.

3.  Look for extensive audio and video lessons to be part of the course. It really speeds up the learning process to see and hear what is in your lesson book, and to be able to repeat it as many times as you want to pick up fine points you might have missed the first time around. When learning a certain chord pattern, it is a huge help to have a video to see how the fingers are placed, and to watch how they move from key to key. When you are learning a new rhythm pattern, it makes a big difference to hear it and be able to repeat it instead of just trying to read it from the book.

It is really possible to learn to play keyboard quickly and easily if you find the right instruction. Pick methods which first teach you chord and rhythm patterns. This helps you build a great foundation for more complicated techniques later, and you will have a lot of fun while you learn to crank out those favorite tunes.

Glee: The Music, Volume 3

New Directions has fallen on hard times and teacher Will Schuester has taken the task of restoring the glee club to its former glory. With an unlikely group of students including a couple of football players, a few cheerleaders, a male soprano, a potential diva, and the girl who believes she will be a star, the glee club works to perform at first the sectional then the regional competition. The show has included plot lines ranging from teen pregnancy, to angst over sexual orientation, to the clique driven world of high school, to the separation and divorce of Mr. Schuester.

While the story arcs and characters are well written and well acted, the real star of the show is the music. Each week, the show includes jaw dropping musical numbers ranging from Lady Gaga to KISS; from Les Miserables to Journey; from Madonna to "The Lady is a Tramp." The cast moves from song to song and from style to style with ease and continuously provides excellent music with a dramatic twist. Whether the song is classic rock, Broadway musical, funk, or modern rock, the cast shows their musical chops by performing each song in an exciting and well done manner.

The show has been a ratings success for FOX and has spawned five music CDs featuring the cast and numbers from the show. These albums have included compilation volumes from the shows, and one album dedicated to the show's "The Power of Madonna" episode. The most recent album release is "Glee: The Music, Volume 3."

This most recent release continues to feature the cast and musical numbers from the show. This CD includes "Hello, Goodbye," "The Lady is a Tramp," "One," and others focused on the cast. It also includes special appearances by Olivia Newton-John with "Physical," Kristen Chenoweth with "One Less Bell To Answer/A House Is Not A Home," and Neil Patrick Harris on "Dream On." The album does a good job including songs and talents of a wide range of cast members ranging from Lea Michael (Rachael) to Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes), and Chris Colfer (Kurt) among others.

This album is available in two different versions, the standard and deluxe edition. The deluxe edition includes six additional tracks over the standard edition.

Buying That First Ukulele Part 1

Introduction
Buying a ukulele for the first time can be a daunting experience. The size of the ukulele is an important step in that first purchase. Smaller sizes have higher tones and are generally ideal for strumming and children. Larger sizes produce louder sounds and are more suitable for finger picking and complex chord playing. Equally important is the cost. Buying a cheap ukulele may cause you not to play the instrument. This article is the first in a three part series that discusses these issues in buying that first ukulele. The article concludes with some helpful hints.

The Ukulele Family
Ukuleles typically come in four sizes, from the smallest, the soprano (about 21 inches long in total), then the concert (23 inches), next is the tenor (26 inches) and finally is the baritone (30 inches). The fifth member of the family is the ukulele banjo.

The Soprano is considered the standard size for ukuleles and usually has 12 to 14 frets. It is the smallest of the ukuleles and has the highest pitch. Most people tend to start with the soprano since it is most suited to strumming and chord playing where most people start. Its smaller size makes it easy to hold, easier fretting of big stretches, is perfect for children and easy to carry and store.

The Concert is a little larger, allowing for a bigger sound and has a larger fingerboard, with around 14 to 17 frets and maybe more. The concert is a good compromise between the soprano and the tenor ukuleles retaining that classic ukulele sound. Its larger size allows for a little extra room for playing chords, ideal for people with larger hands and is easy to carry and store.

The Tenor is the largest of the traditionally tuned ukuleles and has 17 to 19 frets. With its larger size the sound produced is louder and fuller than the smaller ukuleles. The larger neck also makes it easier for playing solos and different chords. Its popularity with professional musicians has made tenors ever more popular with amateur players and even beginners. Many guitarists prefer the tenor ukulele.

The Baritone is the largest ukulele, almost the size of a guitar, and has a bigger and fuller sound. Baritone ukuleles have around 19 to 21 frets and are tuned like the top four strings of a guitar. They are popular with former guitar players or people who plan on moving to the guitar.

What to expect to pay
With ukuleles becoming more popular and inexpensive imports from Asia, it is not unusual to purchase a reasonably good instrument at an affordable price. Avoid cheap models that are usually brightly colored or made of plastic and don't be surprised if you have to move up a model or two. Spending fifty to one hundred dollars will get you a decent ukulele that will sound and will feel better to play. Having a nice ukulele will encourage you to play more often.

Helpful Hints
The best advise is to go to a music store that sells ukuleles and ask questions. Pick up the instrument, look at it and see if it meets your expectations and that you will enjoy playing. Unfortunately, there are not many shops that specialize in selling ukuleles and many stores have a limited selection.

There are many reputable websites that sell ukuleles for less that you may find in music stores. Many of the better websites should have a customer support department where you can call or email questions or concerns, if not avoid them.

Here are some helpful tips:

· Prepare to spend anywhere from fifty to one hundred dollars and maybe move up a model or two.
· The Soprano for small hands, buying for a child or just strumming chords.
· The Concert for larger hands and prefer a louder sound.
· The Tenor for playing solo riffs or intricate chords or want a louder sound.
· The Baritone for something close to the traditional guitar.

Ukuleles can bring years of musical enjoyment as you explore its history and musical flexibility. This article just touches on some of the important decisions in purchasing that first ukulele. The second article in this series discusses tonewoods and laminate versus solid wood ukuleles. Until then, happy strumming!

Ukulele Lesson - Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star Instruction

You can actually play melodies on your ukulele! In this ukulele tutorial you will learn to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in the key of C. I will tell you how to place your fingers on the frets so you will not have to read sheet music!

There are many ways to notate melodies for ukulele. The most common way is to use ukulele tablature that consists of four lines representing the strings on your ukulele and numbers placed on the lines to indicate which frets to press down.

In this article I will instruct you with English words how to play on your ukulele. We will play this melody in the key of C. I presuppose that your ukulele is tuned in C which is the most common tuning.

C-tuning means that the first string on your ukulele is tuned in A. The first string is the bottom string when you hold your ukulele in playing position. The second string is tuned in E, the third string in C and the fourth string in G.

The notes I just mentioned can be found in the fourth octave on a piano. That is the octave in the middle of a piano or a keyboard.

Remember, the first string is the bottom string on your ukulele when you play.

Try to use your left hand index finger to play the notes on the first fret, the middle finger to play the notes on the second fret and your ring finger for the notes on the third fret. Practice to play this way and you will experience that this is an effective way to play melodies as you can keep your left hand in the same position as you play the notes and it will also be easier to find the notes.

You can use your right hand thumb to pluck the notes or use a pick.

I will use two ways to show you how to play the melody.

1. First you will find the lyrics to the song, one line at a time. Below the lyrics I will show you the melody in a form of notation that I call number tablature. In this notation every note consists of two numbers, the first number tells you which fret to play and the following number which string to play. If the first number is a 0 it means that you play the string without pressing down a fret.

2. Below this notation I also give you a description on how to play the melody with words.

Here are the lyrics line by line with corresponding ukulele tablature and instructions on how to play:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star

03 03 32 32 01 01 32

Play the open third string twice. An open string is a string you play without pressing down a fret. Then play the third fret second string twice, the open first string twice and the third fret second string.

How I wonder what you are

12 12 02 02 23 23 03

Play first fret second string twice, second open string twice, second fret third string twice, then the open third string.

Up above the world so high

32 32 12 12 02 02 23

Third fret second string twice, first fret second string twice, open second string twice, second fret third string.

Like a diamond in the sky!

The same melody as the previous line!

Now you only have to repeat the two first lines of the melody and you have completed the song!

Learn the melody one line at a time until you master the song by heart and you are ready to play it for your friends!