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Monday, 4 July 2011

Electric Guitar History - The Creation of an Icon

Electric guitar history is the story of the creation of one of the most popular instruments in music history. In the beginning of the twentieth century, the guitar had already proven itself to be a noteworthy instrument. Originally considered to be basically a folk instrument, the guitar had been established by formidable players such as Andres Segovia as a serious performance instrument.
The guitar was originally used as an accompanying instrument mostly used for rhythm or melodic accompaniment. In the '20's and '30's, however, the guitar was overpowered by the brass sections popular in Swing, Big Band and Jazz music. The acoustic guitar simply could not compete with the volume levels of the other instruments. Not even the addition of steel strings was sufficient to prevent the guitar from being drowned out by the other instruments.
In early 1930, George Beauchamp, a Hawaiian guitar player and Adolph Rickenbacker, an electronics engineer, met at the Dopyra Brothers guitar manufacturer in Los Angeles, California. Together, they eventually developed the schematic for a revolutionary idea: an electronic guitar. The premise was simple: by fitting the guitar with two magnets, a magnetic field was created which could pick up the vibrations from a string and transfer it to a resonating wire coil. In 1937 Beauchamp along with Paul Barth finally succeeded in creating a working guitar pickup.
The guitar was now successfully amplified but there was still a huge problem. The allure of the volume was definitely appealing but there was a major problem with the earliest guitars. An acoustic guitar is designed to be very resonant. This design causes quite a bit of feedback when the guitar is amplified and was definitely detrimental to the music of the time. There had to be a solution.
The solution came in the late '40s. Les Paul, a prominent Jazz musician and inventor, was convinced that a solid body guitar was the answer to the resonance problems. In order to prove that his idea was the solution, another piece of guitar history came into being. Paul created what he dubbed "The Log", which was essentially a 4X4 piece of pinewood fitted with two pickups. Spectators were less than enamored of the "Log's" looks so Paul glued two cutaway halves of an acoustic guitar body to it to make it look like a guitar. In 1946, Paul took his new guitar to Gibson but Gibson was not enthusiastic about the idea of a solid bodied guitar because previous attempts to produce and market a solid body guitar had failed. At this point, Leo Fender stepped up to the plate.
In 1949, Fender released a production version of an electric guitar called the Esquire. The Esquire was eventually renamed the Telecaster and one of the most iconic instruments in electric guitar history was born. It eventually became very popular with rock musicians. The Telecaster's "trebly" sound made it an excellent choice for the emerging rock and roll musical style and established it as the first true rock and roll guitar.
Fender's success with the Telecaster caused Gibson to re-assess the situation. Gibson took a second look at Les Paul's solid body design and in 1952 decided to build a solid body guitar that would become the industry standard. Both Gibson and Fender continued to make electric guitar history by creating some of the most iconic instruments in the industry. Fender introduced the Stratocaster while Gibson introduced the SG, the Explorer and the Flying V. The modern electric guitar was born.
Today there are many different brands of electric guitar on the market and more electric guitar models than you can shake a stick at. In addition, as Rock, Blues, Jazz and other forms of music evolved, electric guitars have evolved to enhance the changing styles as have amplifiers and effects equipment. From its humble beginnings in medieval times, the guitar has become one of the most important and influential instruments of all time.

Beats for Sale - Tips Before You Buy Beats Online

If you are an aspiring musician, singer or rapper, then you are probably always on the lookout for good background music, beats and instrumentals that you can use for your compositions. One of the most convenient ways to get music for professional use nowadays is to buy beats over the Internet. There are many websites that are offering beats for sale. But before you rush to one of these websites, here are some tips that are worth keeping in mind.
Buy Only from Credible Producers
Like other things on the Internet, the world of commercial music is also filled with scams. You would be surprised at the number of individuals who sell pirated or stolen music to unsuspecting individuals. You could get in trouble if you will use stolen music for your creations even though you didn't know it was stolen in the first place. To avoid such a nightmare scenario from happening, you must only get music and beats from credible sources. Before you buy beats online, make sure that the site is run by a legitimate producer. How to do this? You could do some background research on the site owner. Most legitimate sites have information about their creators that is readily available.
Stick With a Budget
With some beats going for as low as $20 a piece, it is very easy to overspend when you buy beats online. This is not a problem, of course, if you are an established musician already with money to spare. But if you are just an aspiring artist, it is wise that you be more mindful about where and how you spend your money even if its is for your craft. One of the best ways to save money when shopping for beats for sale is to be on the lookout for websites that sell beats by bulk or as packaged deals. Before you even plan to buy beats online though, you must determine your budget first.
Exclusive vs. Non Exclusive
There are basically two types of beats for sale, exclusive and non exclusive. Knowing the difference between the two before you buy beats online is important. When you buy a beat that is exclusive, it means that you are the sole owner of that piece of music. After the purchase has been made, the owner of the website will take it down from his site. Non exclusive beats, on the other hand, can be owned by a number of individuals. Understandably, exclusive beats are much more expensive. If you are on a tight budget and don't mind sacrificing uniqueness, then you can simply get non exclusive beats.
Get a Printable Licensing Agreement
One of the most important thing that individuals who want to buy beats online must do is to make sure that they will get a printable licensing agreement after they make the purchase. The licensing agreement says what you can and cannot do with the beat that you just bought. If, for instance, another party questions you about your use of the said piece of music, then you can always show him or her the licensing agreement.

5 Ways To Regain Your Guitar Playing Inspiration

There have been so many times, that I've just wanted to take my guitar, put it on the tracks and watch a train run over it. Then there are the times that I'm so upset I wouldn't have the energy to put it on the tracks because I lost all my inspiration. Here are some tips to get you back on the fretboard.
1. Jam to a song you know how to play.
Seek And Destroy by Metallica is my life savor. Everytime I was at a loss of inspiration, I'd play it, and my inspiration meter overloaded and the top blew off! When you play a song you know how to play, you get that vibe of energy, and you're reminded of the reason you picked up guitar.
2. Try adding fills to songs you already know.
I remember I'd use to play Beat It by Michael Jackson a lot, trying to nail the solo. When I failed miserably, I would try and fill the ending with a solo until it faded. After a while, you'll find exactly where to play and how to make it flow with the song. That's always a good feeling.
3. Try playing some basic arpeggios
This may not sound like a lot, but basic arpeggios can sound absolutely beautiful, even if you play random notes in them. No matter how many different ways you play them, they're always right.
4. Try doing some fun stuff with your guitar!
There are a lot of techniques which can be used in weird goofy ways to give you a laugh. Weird effects on your amp, WAH WAH bashing. Have fun with it! That's one of the best parts of playing guitar, you can have so much fun with it! If you have an amp with a rack of effects, mess with them. Be like Tom Morello and invent your own crazy effects!
5. Watch other famous guitarists live, or a documentary of your favorite band.
I can't even begin to tell you how inspiring Metallica is to me. All of them just give off such a vibe of inspiration that makes you want to play until your hands fall off! Guitarists like Steve Vai, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton, Kirk Hammett, and Joe Satriani (just to name a few). All have HQ videos of them playing live. Watching live videos is one huge inspiration boost for me. Because, when you think about it, that could be you one day. That idea in itself is such an inspiration for me it's crazy. Metallica's Some Kind Of Monster and A Year And A Half In The Life Of Metallica is a huge inspirational documentary for me. It shows you how a real band is just like a family. Families stick together no matter what That's what Metallica did. They're just a group of people who started playing and got lucky. Look where they are now? One of the most well known bands in the WORLD. It could be you, never doubt yourself.

How to Buy a Beginner Saxophone

If you're looking to buy a saxophone the options can seem endless. What type of saxophone do you buy? Alto? Tenor? Baritone? Soprano? How much is too much to spend on your first instrument?
You probably don't want to spend thousands of dollars on your first saxophone. Don't worry. You don't have to.
Types of Saxophones - The four most commonly used saxophones are:
  • Alto
  • Tenor
  • Baritone
  • Soprano
Most student's start with the alto saxophone. The alto is the second smallest of the four most commonly used saxophones. It takes less air than the other saxophones. It makes starting out easy.
Although it is a little bigger than the alto, some beginners start with the tenor. I wouldn't suggest starting on the soprano or the baritone though. They are used less often, and they are more difficult to play initially.
Student Saxophones
If this is your first saxophone, please don't go out and spend thousands on an intermediate or pro horn. Student saxophones are made for... Guess who. Students! Not only are student saxophones much less expensive, but some of the more difficult notes are made easier to play. If you find the right kind of instrument you can save a lot of hassle for your beginning student.
The Mouthpiece
All saxophones will come with a mouthpiece and ligature. The mouthpiece is just like the name implies, the piece where you put your mouth. Believe it or not, the mouthpiece is one of the most important parts of your saxophone. Professional saxophonists spend hundreds, and sometimes thousands, on their mouthpieces. The mouthpiece that comes with your saxophone is not the best. Upgrading is usually a plus. But for a beginner, don't worry about replacing the mouthpiece too soon.
Reeds
A reed is thin piece of material that vibrates to make a sound. The reed is attached to the mouthpiece and needs replacing often. A box of reeds will often (but not always) come with the saxophone. A box of reeds only cost around $20.
Ligature
The ligature is what holds the reed to the mouthpiece. The ligature should also come with the saxophone. Ligatures can also effect the sound of the instrument. But beginners shouldn't get held up about how great their ligature is.
A student saxophone shouldn't be too expensive. Once you get the basics down, spend some money and get a really great horn. But until then, a student horn will get you started in the right direction.

How to Buy a Beginner Trumpet

Why rent when you can buy? So many people think that renting is the only option when it comes to band instruments. Luckily, the widely held idea of band instruments costing thousands of dollars is being changed by the internet. Can you believe that you can get a great beginning trumpet for under $200?
Well, believe it. When buying your first trumpet just remember these simple tips. You'll playing the trumpet in no time.
Price Range
First, you have to decide what your budget is. Are there trumpets for under $200? You bet. Would it be worth it to spend over $1000? Probably not. Although we all have big dreams for ourselves or our children, be honest with yourself. Are you or your child really the next Miles Davis? If so, spending over $1000 dollars on your first instrument might be a great investment. Otherwise, you should take it slow. Test the waters with a less expensive trumpet.
Used vs. New
Like any other purchase you can save some serious money by purchasing a used instrument. But is it always best? In the case of a trumpet it may be. One of the best student trumpets ever made is the Olds Ambassador Trumpet. They're so good, that although the company went out of business in 1979 there are still quite a few around today. It may be the best purchase you can make. Try buying a $200 used Olds Amabassador. It may cost between $50-$100 to get it fixed up. But just remember it's not going to have the beautiful shine that a new trumpet would have.
Type of Trumpet
What type of trumpet do you buy? In your searches you might have heard of a piccolo trumpet, pocket trumpet, trumpet in C, trumpet in Bb, cornet, flugal horn, and the list goes on and on. For your first trumpet, stick to the most common trumpet, the Trumpet in Bb (read "B flat"). This is the only type of trumpet used in elementary through middle school bands. Most high schools don't have any trumpeters playing anything other than the Bb as well.
Accessories
Make sure the instrument you buy comes with a mouthpiece and case. Unless you buy a used trumpet this should never be an issue. If you do buy a used trumpet, buying a standard trumpet case is not too difficult. It should cost around $50.
Conclusion
Buying a trumpet can be exciting if you know what you're doing. But don't forget, music should be fun! That's why you should spend a little bit of time finding the trumpet that will make learning the most enjoyable experience possible.

Quick Tips On Learning To Play The Guitar

Learning to play the guitar will require a great deal of discipline, patience and time, plus a real passion for playing this instrument. Playing the guitar can be a very fulfilling experience and could provide an outlet for different feelings. Most people are taking advantage of resources such as the videos lessons which are available nowadays to play the electric guitar. Continue reading this article to learn more about this instrument and also you can learn how to play it.
First and foremost, you need to how to tune your guitar in order play it. If the guitar is not tuned properly it will not produce good quality music.
Tuning your guitar
Prior to tuning the guitar, ensure that it is not out of tune. You can get help from an expert to tune it or use of the digital or electronic tuners. Remember that tuning will be a very important aspect, so you have to know how to do this properly if you want to become a good musician.
Guitar chord chart
You should have one of these printed charts handy during your learning stage. This is really important because you won't be able to remember all the chords right away.
Select a song
When you are learning to play the guitar it is best to select simple a song for your practice sessions. You should opt for:
•Acoustic song, instead of noisy metal rock, because this will be clean and it will be easier for you to identify the guitar sounds from other musical instruments
•Strummed pattern, since it is the simplest starting point whenever you are learning to play the guitar
•Slow tempo, because the fast tempos have means faster switching chords
•Easier chord patterns such as A, C, D, E or G, absolutely no F or B chords, since these will be difficult in the beginning.
Try to listen to the song as often as possible
You have to listen to the practice song as frequently as possible and then try to grasp the details. This will help to improve your ability to identify tones and ultimately play your guitar by ear. Additionally, this can help you to get the correct strumming patterns and tempo.
Some interesting facts
The acoustic guitar is the most traditional types. In fact, the closest comparative is the electric guitar, which was created during the 1930's. Basically, the acoustic guitar that we know nowadays has been around from about 1779. There are other close comparatives to the acoustic guitars like the lute and oud, which have been in existence for considerably longer, possibly even 1000's of years. When you learn to play the acoustic guitar this will certainly put you in superior company.
Guitar is easily the most versatile musical instrument created to date, because it can play any kind of music ranging from rock to country. Furthermore, guitar players are generally the lead singers in nearly all bands.

Can A Musician Be Happy Learning How To Play A New Guitar?

I found my Yamaha FG700s when I was browsing the local music stores for the best beginner's acoustic guitar. I say "my Yamaha FG700s" because I consider it the best thing that has happened to me. This six string guitar has made me so happy I cannot tell you. I only had to pay $199 for it, and the black and white body design is just what I was looking for!
Well, I am not here to run praises for the FG700s that I own, but since I am here, I might as well talk a little about how wonderful it is. It consists of a rosewood fingerboard and a high gloss natural finish along with a tortoise shell pick guard body that protects it from the normal wear and tear from strumming. But, I won't ramble on about it here. I'll let you have more fun discovering everything about your own Yamaha FG700S!
I am a beginner when it comes to guitars, and I have had a heck of a good time with this one already. My guitar teacher tells me that I made a fine choice by buying this one. I had a ball of a time playing the guitar for my friends who obviously thought this was a professional instrument even though it just cannot sound like a Martin which costs over $3500! My friend who owns a recording studio tells me it sounds great when played in a recording environment. Yes, he asked me to demonstrate it in a studio environment, and I was only too happy to oblige!
I usually like strumming my Yamaha FG700a to soft songs, and it was such a surprise to strum it successfully with hard rock songs. That's right, even unplugged hard rock songs! This FG700S knows its business. I am hoping that it will last through my first gig (whenever that may be) because I have become so comfortable with this guitar and would like to begin my music performing career with it. From what people tell me about it and from the reviews that are on the Internet, I can safely bet this is not going to be a problem.
Playing a Yamaha FG700s gives me all the musical pleasure I can hope to get! My fingers do not hurt when I play this guitar as has happened with several other guitars, and while this particular one may be a problem for someone with a slighter body build, it works just great for me. Of course, it does not consist of the bells and whistles of models which are more expensive and consequently of better quality, but for $200 it is well worth it! Even though I am not a seasoned player yet, I hate the buzzing noises and poor resonance some even pricier models make. That noise takes all the fun out of playing something so beautiful.
I have been told that I should replace the plastic saddle of my FG700S as it is not of that great a quality compared with an ivory one. I am contemplating making that cosmetic adjustment to my guitar. Apart from this, nothing can compare to the dozens of happy hours I have spent so far playing my Yamaha FG700s!