About Music Blog

By Paul Malcolm

Everyone always remembers the music of his or her youth. Certain songs seem to have a timeless ability to bring us back to a point in our life long past. The impression that live music can have on us is amazing. While pop culture is always evolving, many groups today have started their careers as Internet sensations. However, many bands and artists have stuck to the traditional method of promoting themselves by playing live gigs and winning over fans one show at a time.

While some may argue that live shows are a lost art, live music is arguably just as popular as it ever was. Though many venues now regularly rely on DJs to provide sound for the crowd, many still have live musicians playing their instruments as music for the masses. Usually clubs rely on DJs while bars and pubs would be more inclined to have a band or artist serve as the musical entertainment. Depending on the vibe you are looking for, there are websites dedicated to promoting different types of events. Particular sites focus on which live bands are playing in various cities around the world, specifically informing visitors as to where and what type of live music can be found one any given day. Many of us who want to enjoy live music on a night out are unsure where to go. These sites aim to take the guesswork out of locating venues where this occurs.

In the past, bands tried desperately to get signed to major labels and relied on these business to make a name for them. With the capabilities of modern equipment and home studio technology, it seems that the major label is no longer needed. Bands can work independently to produce their own music, and subsequently promote themselves. This has brought the art of the live show back from the dead. Most of the biggest artists in the world make a huge percentage of their income from live shows. This business model is not lost on the smaller guys.

Bands and artists now have the ability to create music without boundaries, to make music without any big business telling them how to sound. This has allowed unparalleled creativity to come from all corners of the globe. More importantly, this has allowed bands the freedom to play whatever songs they like, wherever they like. In the past even small bands would be ‘encouraged’ to play their top songs at venues their managers deemed suitable. Without these chains, many musical acts are free to put on shows that truly display their creativity and originality. This is great news for the fans of live music.

Whatever genre suits your fancy, there is a local venue that will cater to your needs. Many of these venues will have regular bands that perform on weekends, while others choose to vary their lineup weekly. The point is that there is no shortage of artists to see; it’s up to you to choose where you would like to go!

When looking for live music or shows be sure to visit www.livemusiclistings.com and find out all the live music in Toronto and concerts in your neighbourhood.

By Jim Blevins

Until he and his fellow students Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Richard Wright formed a rock band, Roger Waters was a student of architecture at London’s Regent Street Polytechnic in the mod 1960′s. By 1966, the group settled on the name Pink Floyd, and in August, 1967, the band released their debut album, a psychedelic rock collection called The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, which was largely written by Barrett. The following year, Barrett left the group and was replaced by David Gilmour. The musical genius Roger Waters expressed as the new leader propelled the band into new styles of progressive rock.

Roger Waters musical style was instrumental in Pink Floyd’s truly creative ways of expression. Waters wanted their work to be a cohesive unit, so he developed concept albums that told a complete story. The group produced four albums during the 1970s:

• The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973

• Wish You Were Here, 1975

• Animals, 1977

• The Wall, 1979

Two of these, The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall are among the best-selling albums of all time and continue to contribute to Pink Floyd’s enduring popularity among its loyal fan base.

In 1985, Waters decided to leave Pink Floyd and pursue his musical career on his own. There was a long legal battle over the music and the name Pink Floyd that ensued. During this period, the creativity of Roger Waters music led to more concept albums, including:

• The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, 1984

• Radio K.A.O.S., 1987

• Amused to Death, 1992

Waters’ creative genius in his solo career is most apparent with his live productions of the two classic Pink Floyd albums The Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wall. The first of these performances was The Wall—Live in Berlin, which was staged in 1990 before an audience of 200,000. Guest musicians included Sinead O’Connor, Cyndi Lauper and Van Morrison joined him onstage as the story of Pink, the central character of the album, was revealed. Following this, The Dark Side of the Moon Tour began in 2006 and continued into 2008.

Displaying the depth of his musical genius, Roger Waters reaches for new heights in his current tour, The Wall Live. The performances feature fireworks, giant puppets, crashing airplanes, and, of course, The Wall. This tour is now well into its second year with U.S. shows scheduled from May 1st in Houston through July 14th in Philadelphia. The tour’s band includes guitarists Snowy White, Dave Kilminster, and G.E. Smith, keyboardist Jon Carin, organist Harry Waters, and drummer Graham Broad.

Attending a Roger Waters concert is at the top of the list of Jim Blevins favorite things to do. Ticket Sizzle is a great resource for locating Roger Waters and Dave Matthews Band tickets.

Country music is well and alive, being enjoyed worldwide. Country music is as popular in far away Germany and Asia, as much as it has been in the deep south of America. And the more that country music widens in popularity, there’s more and more mixtures of pop crossing over, groups such as Rascal Flatts and Lady Antebellum, plust the birth of pop queens such as Taylor Swift. Over the years, counry music songs have been written about home town loyalty, to lost and new found love. But New country songs and pop have invented a new flavour of music, with a hip beat, whilst keeping the fantastic deep storylines that country music is so well known for.

While country-pop is crossing over with a growing popularity, traditional country songs and pop have been mixed for years. The song “Rhinesone Cowboy” was an awesome hit by Glen Campbell, and other artists like John Denver have carved a hot trail into this new country song journey since the 1970′s. Olivia Newton-John even brought out a great new country pop style song in the 1970′s called “Let Me Be There”. Since then other country pop style songs have been written by the drove, Dolly Parton, with such popular hits like “Why’d You Come Here Lookin’ Like That” and “Yellow Roses” as well as her awesome self-penned hit “9 to 5″ and she popularized “I Will Always Love You” the amazing soundtrack from the movie “The Body Guard” with Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston.

The country pop genre experienced a revival in the 1990s in the hands of country queens like Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood and LeeAnn Rimes with hits that topped both the country and pop charts such as “Independence Day” and “Can’t Fight the Moonlight”. Groups like the Dixie Chicks and Lonestar were able to attract fans from both traditional country music listeners and contemporary and pop music lovers.

Recently, new country songs and pop singers are flooding into the country music genre, creating exciting new styles of hybrid new country music. The Grammy Awards had the presence of Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift, with Swift winning 4 awards and Antebellum topping it with 5 awards won. Taylor Swift has been recorded as the youngest and only soloist to win the country album of the year with her new album, “Fearless” which is an incredble effort.

There’s definitely a place in modern country for the creative rythm and hip beat of crossover pop singers and it’s only becoming more popular. There’s a trend growing faster than ever for country and pop lovers to follow a wider audience of both styles and many in between, and this has created a very unique opportunity for artists in both genres. So whether you a die hard Alan Jackson fan, or really love the latest Lady Gaga style pop songs, get ready and clear a space on your shelves for the new country music songs in your CD shelf or MP3 player.

CD cases you can make in your house include paper CD cases, reused food box CD cases, and cardstock CD cases.

CDs are affordable materials for holding different information. When you purchase them in bulk, they become a lot cheaper. Nevertheless, they all just come in a single case. CD cases help protect your CDs from dirt and damage. If you have a lot of CDs with no cases at home, you can make CD cases by yourself.

Paper CD cases

Applying paper items to build CD cases is a very convenient and simple method to store your disks separately. They can also be printed with the disks details. While you can try this yourself, there are websites that can help you create customized CD cases. One of these websites is the Paper CD Case. They will offer you a form in which you’ll fill up with the CD’s necessary details, such as the title of the album, title of the songs, the names of the performers, or other related details if it has things besides music tracks. After which, a PDF will be created with the CD’s details. All you have to do now is print the file using your printer with standard paper. Directions on how to fold the paper will also be given, so you can create the structure of the case very easily. You don’t even need any type of cutting tools or glue to create the case. Moreover, since paper CD cases aren’t sturdy materials, you should place them in a more secure place, like floppy disk holders to protect them from destruction.

Re-cycled food box CD cases

Rather than throwing out your breakfast cereal boxes, you can recycle them and make them into CD cases. Start making the case by preparing a ruler, cutter, a pair of scissors, bone folder, big sewing needle, and embroidery thread. Prepare the container by opening it and folding it. Then, using your ruler, measure 5.5 inches by 10 inches on one part of the box and cut this measurement with scissors. Then, measure five inches from the shorter side to the middle and fold the cardboard in two. Use the bone folder to build a crisp fold. After which, get your big needle and make some holes on the sides of the cardboard. Run the thread through the holes while keeping the cardboard folded in two. You must then make a slit on one side of the case where you will insert the CDs.

Cardstock CD cases

Cardstock is also another material you can utilize to create a personalized CD case. They’re slightly thicker compared to ordinary paper, and they also come in various beautiful colors. You can start creating the cardstock CD case by selecting which color you want to use. Then, get a ruler and any object you can use to create a score, such as the back tip of a pen. Measure half an inch from both long sides of the card stock and score these. Then, measure five inches from one of the shorter sides and score this, as well. Make another measurement of an inch on the other smaller side and score this, too. Then, eliminate half an inch from the sides that measure one inches and five inches. Fold the card stock in the middle to create 2 equal sides. Then, glue the tabs on the edges to finish the card stock CD case.

Personalize your homemade CD case. Decorate it with stickers or in any way that you desire.

Written by Patricia Strasser. Know more about floppy disk holders by heading to http://www.everydayplastics.com/FloppyDiskHolders.php

We are in the midst of a podcast renaissance. If you look hard enough, you can find a podcast for just about any interest you have, whether it’s comedy, movies, or plumbing (yes, there is a plumbing podcast). If you like to geek out on music, there are a host of music podcast options.

For indie music fans, check out the Low Times podcast, hosted by Maggie Serota and Tom Scharpling. You may know Tom from The Best Show on WFMU. Low Times highlights include interviews with Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh, Dean Wareham of Galaxie 500, and Peter Prescott of Mission of Burma and the Volcano Suns. Indie music fans should also check out Music That Matters, put out by college radio station KEXP in Seattle. This podcast has more music than talk, and is a great place to turn to if, like me, you don’t have enough time in your life to source out new music and rely on the music review work of others. Sock Monkey Sound is also a great podcast for the hard-core indie music fan, with in-depth interviews and news. If you’re a fan of 90s British indie rock genres like Brit-Pop, Shoegaze, and Twee, check out Indiepop Radio, which is broadcast out of the UK. Lastly check out the Noise Pop podcast, put out by San Francisco radio station KQED.

If you’re into more niche genres of music, there a panoply of choices: If you’re into Irish and Celtic music, check out Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Podcast, which features music from such artists as Sean Orr, Burning Bridget Cleary, and Rambling Sailors. If you’re a Jazz fan, check out In The Groove, Jazz and Beyond, distributed by WHUS in Storrs, Connecticut. If you’re into garage punk, check out Garage Punk Hideout, a network of podcasts dedicated to garage punk and surf music. Speaking of surf music, check out Surf Guitar 101′s podcast. For sheer diversity, check out radio station WFMU. WFMU puts up many of their shows as podcasts. You can listen to everything from free-form radio to punk to 60′s soul and funk Fans of Japanese punk should check out NIssei Sindex. And followers of roots, country, alt-country, and Americana music should definitely go to Twang Nation.

Lastly, for sheer diversity, you can’t beat WNYC’s Soundcheck. where you can find out about everything from Andrew Bird to a show dedicated to creating a playlist of what Don Draper of Mad Men would probably listen to.

By Paul Malcolm

In the world of music, quality equipment plays a major role in determining the quality of the sound and whether the music is joyed or not. With the ever increasing number of musical instruments, it is difficult for music lovers to make the appropriate choices. However, with Steinway pianos, things tend to be a bit different. This is because they have been designed to meet the needs of the musician. They come in different sizes designed to meet the needs of different players and what is more, they also have varying features. Because these are meant to cater to different markets, they also come in different finishes, designs and vary in costs.

Before going even starting to look into the market to make a purchase, it is advisable to determine what the budget will be. Also top on the list of things you need to consider before you buy a piano is the physical size. Since there are various shapes and sizes of pianos it is recommended you consider the space available in order to make the appropriate selection. It is best to avoid the embarrassment and inconveniency that comes with having to return it to the piano stores with a few simple measurements. Also consider the path the piano will have to take to get to its new location.

Pianos come in different sizes; grand, upright grand, and apartment are the usual types. But there are some features that are the same for all pianos. When shopping for a piano, one feature that it is advisable to opt for is one that has weighted keys. These will have the ability of delivering a wide range of sounds in accordance to how hard they get pressed. Another aspect of the weighted keys is the sensitivity to touch. This is also referred to as the action of the piano. This varies from piano to piano. Some people prefer a light touch for classical music which has quick flowing sections. Rock players might prefer a heavier action because they primarily play chords and groups of keys. This demonstrates the need to try out the piano you are considering and to understand what your preferences are.

It is precisely because of this reason that you need to visit different piano stores and compare what they have on offer before making your purchase. There are hundreds of piano stores to shop from and while this is the case, you have to make your choice after much thought and consideration. In this regard, you should only shop from reputable stores and what is more, you ought to take time and compare different deals in order to make an informed choice.

When you visit the piano stores, also ask them several questions about the Steinway piano in order to get one that meets your needs. When carrying out your research, you should not leave anything to chance but rather, take time to ensure that you have all the facts at your fingertips in order to make an informed choice. Buying a piano is an investment and it is advisable to carry out thorough research and compare different deals in order to make an informed decision.

Looking for a piano store Toronto or Steinway pianos in Toronto? Then visit www.steinwaypianogallery.ca for information about Steinway Piano Gallery, located at 2651 John Street – Unit #8 in Markham, Ontario just outside of Toronto. The number is 905-940-5397 and postal code is L3R 2W5.

By Joshua Taylor

You’ve seen them in action on MTV or perhaps LIVE in person.

Guitar hero Steve Vai strumming the 6-string with ease, as a hynotized crowd watch on, overawed with jaws wide open.

Or the legendary Santana making piecemeal out of a seemingly impossible solo.

Yet, an individual cannot become an expert guitarist overnight.

To improve, it doesn’t just require plenty of practice. Like any art form or skill, it takes heaps of passion to become an above average guitarist. With passion, one becomes dedicated and persistent. With dedication and persistence, one can learn guitar fast enough and in no time.

It is normal for many people to lose patience as they eventually experience the steep learning curve that comes with mastering the guitar. Aside from having passion, picking up tips are a great way to help an individual learn how to play the guitar. For example, you can easily learn those tips from YouTube, where free videos with step-by-step tutorials are widely available.

One of the best tips that can help you to master a musical instrument is this: Get started by learning the chords of a simple song first, instead of a difficult piece that you enjoy.

If you attempt to play a more advanced song such as “Stairway to Heaven”, it might lead to frustration if you suddenly realize that you can’t master a particular portion of the song.

With that basic foundation in mind, here are 4 other tips that can help you to improve your guitar skills fast:

1. Do not rush with the learning process because acquiring a new skill always takes time and practice It may be boring but it is much easier to play the guitar at a faster speed if you first familiarize yourself with the basic techniques.

2. Picking the guitar strings alternately is often recommended. Instead of plucking every note downward, try to do it up and down so as not to lose speed.

3. Enjoy the entire exercise because tension works against effective learning. In playing the guitar, an individual should be relaxed especially when playing fast songs. To ease the tension, the guitarist can shift to a mellower or slower paced song.

4. Learn to wait and be patient. Anyone who wants to improve needs to invest time, practice and above all, discipline in mastering a craft. In fact, these are also important elements that will help you to attain your goals in your personal life!

Joshua Taylor is a featured and syndicated expert columnist on the topic of Arts and Entertainment for the Secret Enquirer. For more Arts and Entertainment tips and articles, visit http://www.SecretEnquirer.com now.

The country music genre has always appeared smaller than less extensive than music critics have given it credit for. Before country pop was popularized in the early ’90′s by the likes of Billy Ray Cyrus, and Leanne Rhimes, there was a very different and wide spread range of pure country roots styles, spanning from the Deep South to Southern California. The list of the top 20 country songs before this modern sound of country pop, may have some surprising revelations.

#20 El Paso, by Marty Robbins. This Grammy hit was created in 1959 and was a crossover into country pop for Robbins. Later on the song was also recorded by the Grateful Dead.

#19 Big River, by Johnny Cash. Sun Records released this song as a single in 1958, when it charted at #4. The Dead version of this song became one of their most played and best loved songs.

#18 Cold, Cold Heart, by Hank Williams. In 1951 this blues balland really represented the honky-tonk era of the 50′s, especially the early 50′s. Then Tony Bennett went and recorded a pop version of the song which hit #1 on the charts.

#17 Walkin’ After Midnight, written by Donn Hecht and sung by Patsy Cline. One of the most beautiful songs of Patsy’s career, this amazingly tender, heartbreaker was just one of many of Patsy Clines, in her long, productive career.

#16 The Ballad of Jed Clampett, by Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt, and Jerry Scoggins. This instantly know song became a hit when it became the them for “The Beverly Hillbillies,” in 1962 and that caused contry and bluegrass to reach a massive audience spread.

#15 I’m a Lonesome Fugitive, written by Liz Anderson and sung by Merle Haggard. This was a song that topped the charts at #3 in 1967, and it really helped outline what “Outlaw Country” was and become the Bakersfield sound for many generations to follow.

#14, John Henry, by DeFord Bailey. One of the greatest African-American country music stars before the mid-century, Baily scripted and performed this song to honor the working man.

#13 Hickory Wind, by Gram Parsons and Bob Buchanan. The short-lived Parsons burned his candle at both ends, dying of a drug overdose at the age of 26 in 1973. His influence can still be felt, however, in songs such as Hickory Wind, which tells the story of a lost childhood amid the emotional pain of worldly success without happiness.

#12 Me and Bobby Mcgee, Kris Kristofferson. This 1969 hit was originally composed and sung by Roger Miller, but it later became a signature of Kristofferson’s. The song tells the story of a doomed love affair that takes place on a road trip.

#11 Ballad of Easy Rider, written by Roger McGuinn and performed by the Byrds. This song became the theme and title of the 1969 film, and its mood of disillusionment and spiritual loss came to symbolize the end of the protest era.

These few songs above just scratching the surface of the top 20 country songs list, however you will get an idea where some of the more modern pop country culture stemmed from.

By Byron Dyson

If you’re looking for a brand new keyboard, or if perhaps you are a newbie looking for your first keyboard, reading keyboard reviews is essential. There are many different sorts of keyboards to select from. As such, it is impossible to pick a final keyboard to obtain without examining a couple of keyboard reviews. There are websites specialized in nothing but supplying good quality testimonials to potential customers who may not know exactly what it is that they want to buy. These reviews range from very simple to pretty complex, but they all provide you with the essential things you have to know: price, user friendliness, and possibilities.

Some keyboards are 61 keys, and some are 88 keys as they vary in size. Each added octave necessitates the addition of more keys. As you can most likely guess, the greater keys a keyboard has, the more expensive it will be. Sometimes this is simply not the situation, though. Sometimes, a keyboard with only four or five octaves will make a high quality sound. On the other hand, some keyboards have up to seven octaves, but the quality of sound is not so great. Make sure you understand how much cash you are prepared to spend before buying a keyboard, though, as the number of keys a keyboard has will significantly affect the expense of the keyboard.

Usability to a keyboard can also be essential. Looking at a substantial number of keyboard reviews on the web can greatly increase your knowledge in this field. Usability refers back to the ease of use that a user will encounter when beginning to utilize the keyboard. For example, an instrument’s usability is comparatively low if the keyboard features a strong learning curve which will require the user to spend a lot of time in learning before playing.

When it comes to playing your keyboard, there are plenty of various options. Effects, recording ability, pitch variation, and also wattage are all critical choices to take into account while reading keyboard reviews on the net. However, if you simply want a keyboard that plays a classical piano sound, the sole options you will absolutely need are volume and tone. If you happen to be more into synthesizer types of play, get a keyboard that provides you with plenty of options for you to tweak and make your very own. You would be impressed by the wide array of keyboard packages they have nowadays to select and choose from.

Reading keyboard reviews online is also fairly simple. Usually all you need to do is visit any major search engine and type in “keyboard reviews” and a great number of internet sites will be presented to you. A good thing to look out for, though, is to ensure the review is not just the opinion of the writer and that they present reliable facts. To acquire a really accurate description of the distinct product which you are interested in purchasing, it needs to be good enough to read about ten testimonials.

Are you planning on buying a brand new keyboard? If so, you need to have a peek at our web site to discover more about digital piano reviews.

For most kids, the school year is spent chomping at the bit, waiting for summer break. Yet, when it does finally arrive, they soon start to flail about in their need for the structure that school provides. They become restless, bored, irritable and irritating. The solution? Summer music, acting or art camp.

Attending acting summer camps gives children the chance to be involved in, rather than just to observe, theater, movie and television productions. A good performing arts camp is staffed with professionals in every field, including writers, actors, performers and directors in every part of show business, from opera to standup comedy. Youngsters learn to act and interact with one another, leading to friendships that often last for life, while simultaneously improving their skills.

Of course, summer camp wouldn’t be camp if it didn’t include traditional activities like swimming, boating, team and individual sports, hiking, horseback riding and evening campfires. The difference between regular camps and music, art and acting camps is the focus on an individual child’s abilities. Each camper receives personalized instruction from a seasoned professional in the field of his/her choice, and has an opportunity to try out new activities in their chosen focus. It’s not unusual, for example, for a child to discover a talent for dancing while participating as an actor or a singer in one of the camp’s productions.

These are ongoing projects, with daytimes spent in rehearsing plays, skits and musical numbers, while the finished product becomes a weekly entertainment for the entire camp, along with visitors who often include agents and talent scouts. More than a few stars of movies, television and theater got their start at summer theater camp, after being discovered by casting companies.

This is not to suggest that theater, music or art camps are all about work. There is, of necessity, a certain schedule every day that includes meals, rest periods and daily chores, but there is also quite a lot of freedom during the day wherein campers are encouraged to write, read, play with their new friends, or otherwise enjoy their leisure.

Aside from performing, acting camps also allow less extroverted youngsters to participate in other creative pursuits, such as stage and prop construction, lighting techniques, costume design and other important parts of putting together an enjoyable production. Most of all, however, the benefits of attending summer acting camp are purely personal: confidence, self-esteem, purpose and enduring friendships are permanently instilled in campers, attributes that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

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