So I've been learning some more tunes. Only more recently through youtube with karaoke shizz. Its all good fun, trying to develop a singing voice for someone with no experience and no real teaching. Karaoke is a laugh, and although it's a backward step from playing live, its worthwhile testing out.

I would recommend it to anyone because there is a potential future out there if you are prepared to work hard :)

Do I put my musical exploits down here?

I could start off by listing all the cover songs I can play....

Or I could list my karaoke tracks that I sing in a pub when half pished :P

Really, and truly, I coul thank the artists though, for giving me the opportunity to learn their songs... lol

Let me see - it might not be alphabetical, but here goes.

Covering songs by: -
Savage Garden
Coldplay
Billy Joel
The Eagles
McFly
Razorlight
Eric Clapton
Athlete
Aerosmith
Bon Jovi
The Commitments
Lionel Richie
Neil Diamond
Elton John
Jesse McCartney
The Beatles
John Lennon
John Denver
Jason Donovan
Van Morrison
Darren Hayes


I'm sure theres more, and when I get a songlist out I might remember more... lol


And as for karaoke tracks.. here's just a taster.

Somewhere Else - Razorlight
Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
America - Razorlight
Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis
Easy - Lionel Richie
Crocodile Rock - Elton John
Paradise By The Dashboard Light - Meatloaf
Breakfast At Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something

Really - I might have to see if I can find youtube videos to these.. because most of my karaoke songs I feel are damned good to learn to sing.. :P (only when you get through most of the shorter ones successfully would I recommend that you try the Meatloaf one.. Its damned hard... lmfao

Do have a browse...

There are a few pages interlinked here. The links page is well worth checking out too.

But there's far more to me than meets the eye - honestly done :)

Learn to Play Keyboard - How To Play Keyboard

I'm not just into the guitar side of things.. here's something I stumbled across while looking to upgrade my own playing skills even further.

Note - the rest of this post is to be found at the web address listed below the article. This enables you to follow any retrospective links.


If you want to learn to play keyboards, you've come to the right place. Many beginners, players of other musical instruments and even folks who have been playing the keyboards for some time are making use of online keyboard lessons and courses.

When I started playing keyboards, I must admit that I had to figure out a lot of stuff on my own. With a guide like some of the good courses available today where you learn to play keyboard using proper techniques, I certainly would have been better off. Nothing beats having someone teach you along the way and have you understand exactly what you're doing.

Recommendation #1 - My Favorite

You can find (what I consider to be) an excellent course where you learn to play keyboard, right here. It's my number one recommendation on this web site (www.yamaha-keyboard-guide.com) and surpasses my previous recommendation by far. I wish I'd come across it earlier.
How to play the keyboard. What I particularly like about this course Learn Piano and Keyboard (Piano For All) is its uniqueness. It's not like those other courses that give students a false hope. Of the many courses I've seen online on how to play keyboard, I'm sure that this is one of the best ones. You can check it out yourself and arrive at your own conclusions. It's just my personal feelings.

The course, Learn Piano and Keyboards (Piano For All) consists of 10 ebooks, 500 audio piano lessons and 200 video piano lessons! I like its step by step approach. There's so much in there, and it's worth the price. I think I'll stop here and let you check it out yourself at their website. They certainly do a better job than me at explaining what the various lessons entail. Check it out yourself, here.

It is my hope that the above recommendation helps you learn to play keyboard and become an accomplished keyboard player through the guide that it provides.

Learn How To Play Keyboard & Piano - Recommendation #2

Rocket Piano is another high quality course on learning to play piano and keyboards. I bought the downloadable version for $39.95 and was totally impressed. It's worth much more than they're charging.

Rocket Piano includes several comprehensive ebooks, great videos and software, and hundreds of audio files. It is suitable for beginners, intermediate players and advanced pianists alike.

I love the way the lessons are structured. The format is so easy to follow. I like the fact that this course is so much fun, unlike the traditional way piano is taught. This helps to motivate you and promotes learning.

If you want to learn to play keyboard and piano, or you're looking to take your playing to a higher level, you should certainly check out Rocket piano.

http://www.yamaha-keyboard-guide.com/learn-to-play-keyboards.html

Join Me at Joini5

Join Me at Joini5

Guitar Chord Construction

One of the things that makes the guitar such a nice instrument is the fact that it is based on the chromatic scale. What I mean by that is that, unlike the piano, there are no "black notes", there is just a straightforward sequence of notes moving smoothly over the fretboard. Why is that good? Because in truth, there are no special notes in music. The black notes of the piano are not black because they sound any different than the white notes.

Music theory calls the piano's black notes "enharmonic", because they can be named as either the sharp or the flat of their neighbor. But you know what? The white notes can also be named that way, depending on the context. A B can be a Cb, or an F an E#. That is because music theory, and the piano, is built around scales, particularly the major scales. So everything is... quite honestly... very confusing.

Then comes the guitar! Simple design, straightforward. Only complication comes when you try to fit traditional music theory with it. Suddenly, you don't know where things are. You are confused. Where is that sharp!? On the piano the notes were clearly marked by the geography of the black notes, but now you are lost. Relax...

See, all chords are built on a simple template. The major chord for example, uses a root note, the note four "frets" after that, and the note three "frets" after that. Or, the 1st, the 5th, and the 8th. Every single major chord uses this exact format, which is why we can play barre chords (you can't do that on a piano, can you?). Other chord types have other formats, but they are all pretty straightforward. The only "scale" you need to know is the chromatic one, meaning you need to know how to count "frets" while moving from string to string, but that is easy.

Then just figure out the most convenient way to play all the notes in the chord, and only those notes. As a fingerstyle guitarist, your options are huge. As a strummer, you are more limited, but it's still reasonably easy. You can tune the guitar to a particular chord template (an open tuning) and make things even easier. If you see a chord type you don't know the template for, just deconstruct it from an example chord, and you'll know how to build that chord for any note.



Master guitar chord construction by following our guide at http://www.iMasterGuitar.com.

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Do you write your own lyrics?

It doesn't matter whether its lyrics for a song, or even just a piece of poetry, to have your own 'compositions' promoted out there, who knows, the right person may stumble across you one day. How would you feel if this was best blog out there (its not at the moment because its only just starting), and you'd missed out on a serious opportunity?

Even if you sit there with writers block, give yourself 30 mins 'chill out time' and you might come back sooner because you've not 'over-thought' about it.

Bring yourself together. I'm sure you will get somewhere quicker if you devote the time and effort required into 'affiliation'. What is affiliation? It is something that allows someone else to promote you in return for either a payment, or you promoting them.

Happy writing.

Basic Equipment Needed For Recording Original Music on a Computer

It is surprising how little equipment is actually needed for recording original music on a computer. However, it is important that you know the ins and outs of that equipment, and the function of each component to produce a quality recording. The quality of each piece of equipment will ultimately have an effect on the sound quality of the finished product. This being said, however, most people start out with very basic level equipment and work their way up. So don't be shy to start out small. Your recordings will improve with time and knowledge concerning the equipment you use.

Basic hardware components include, but are not limited to: a microphone and instrument, or instrument that plugs in directly, a sound card, a computer, headphones or speakers, and cables to connect the components together. Basic software components include a sound card mixer with which to route the audio signal, and recording software. This is the bare minimum. So if you've got all the components, you're ready to record.

Understanding recording means understanding sound and how it works. The signal always starts at the microphone (or instrument), where it travels into the Mic Input on the sound card. This is where it is converted to a digital signal, then moves to your recording software. Once it is here, it is stored as a WAV file. When the recording is finished and you play it back, the recording software reads the WAV file, and passes it on to your sound card. Here it is converted back to analog, then travels to the Line Out jack and into your speakers or headphones. It is a very basic path, and very easy to understand. However, understanding this is vital to setting up for your recording process. As mentioned, each component of the path will affect the final sound of your recording, and so they must each be considered.

Within this simple setup, you don't really need too much in the way of cables. The speakers that would accompany a desktop computer are outfitted with cables and plugs that would work with a standard sound card. This is the same for most headphones as well. A standard desktop microphone also will generally fit into the Mic In jack of a standard sound card. If this is not the case for your equipment, you will find everything you would need to do you recording at a local electronics store such as RadioShack.

A final point to make here concerns the quality of the sound found generally on PCs and laptops alike. Standard sound cards are typically 2-channel. Better quality-consequently more expensive-sound cards tend to perform better conversions between analog and digital sound, have more channels, and better quality results. This may require a more complex setup, but it can oftentimes be advantageous. As previously mentioned, however, you can achieve a decent recording using minimal quality equipment and work your way up. Regardless, understanding the path of sound is essential for recording original music on a computer. Once you do, you'll be set up for success.

For any additional information, visit http://www.AudioMinds.com.

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Cover songs

Well, One of my most favoured ways to start learning how to develop various chord changes whether its using a guitar or a keyboard, is to find websites that offer chord patterns with lyrics.

I frequently surf through google to find myself older songs, or even more recent songs. The latest one that I am developing is Coldplay's Viva La Vida. Obviously for just fun of learning, I find that some songs have really simple chord patterns and changes.

But while there are so many sites out there with lyrics only for songs (and not all are 100% accurate), its refreshing to see a number of people picking up on this and giving information about chord patterns with them.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com is one such resource, that not only combines chords with lyrics, it also frequently shares tablature. (For those that do not understand what tablature is - do check back because I will describe what tablature is and what it does.)

Primary aim for chords/tablature sites is for guitarists, but if you are adept at figuring out what the notes are, you can practically play the tablatures given to you on any instrument you can find that covers the range required.

Also, you must be aware that while learning cover songs can be fun, performing them may come up against obstacles. Obtaining Licences and performing permissions could potentially be costly, but if you are successful enough you can make the revenue back through the gigs and merchandise.

I'm sure i'll update here again soon.

Better Alone

As an example. This Post is about lyrics to a song that I have personally written. I would appreciate it if you respect the fact I have single handedly created every facet of this song from lyrics to chord pattern, and structure to instrumentation.

There will be a youtube video added to this as I was able to create one before my laptop decided to play 'cracked screen image' games with me.

One of my favourite songs of mine. Ok, so lyrically it might not be 'the best', and vocally too, but the idea behind this song was to say there is more fish in the sea, whilst having the self-belief that you are good enough for someone, and positively acknowledging you are 'better off without your ex'

Here's the lyrics.

Verse 1
A heart like mine
Is hard to find
But many just dont see
That as I should
I look for good
In everyone but me

Verse 2
Its not stable
But i'm able
To carry on each day
No matter what
Others forgot
When they chose to stray

Chorus
Going under the skin, To find whats within
Is a mystery to all
Although I cry inside, I wont let my pride
Come before a fall
As I seem to have done, by having my fun
With you, I am worn out
Now I know that i'm free, and I can clearly see
I'm better off alone there's no doubt

Verse 3
Without a love
There is enough
Time to do what we please
By turning the frown
Upside down
No talk of birds and of bees

And finally, as promised, here is my video for this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwyqDcZTmjU

How to Clean and Polish Your Guitar

It is very important to keep your guitar clean all the time for maximum performance. Nobody wants to see dirt on their guitar because not only does it ruin the image of the guitar, but it can also change the sound. You can clean your guitar as often as you want. There are three parts of your guitar which need constant cleaning: the headstock, the fretboard and the body.

Materials

- Spray-on guitar polish
- Wood furniture polish (lemon oil)
- Rag
- Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Get a soft cloth which will not scratch the finish of your guitar's body. There are special clothes intended for this. Also look for a nice guitar spray-on.

2. Spray a bit of polish on the guitar's body. Use your soft cloth to spread it around. The most effective way of getting rid of all the smudges is by wiping in a circular motion. This will also give your guitar a nice shine, making it look better than brand new.

3. Next up, you will need to give the fretboard a nice clean. You need to remove your guitar's strings for this so they won't get in the way of your cleaning. You will be using your wood furniture polish of lemon oil and rag for this. Begin by rubbing oil up and down the neck and fret board. After this, you can start scrubbing the grime and dirt off. You can add a bit of oil after when it's clean to keep your fret board smooth and nice.

4. The guitar's headstock is created in a similar way as the fret board. Use a rag and a bit of oil to get rid of the dirt and to give it that nice and shiny, brand new look.

5. Once everything is done, put the strings back, tune them back up and you're good to go! Happy strumming!

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MP3 music download website - be secured, download only legal music

Music plays a great role in our life, without music it would be of course less interesting, exciting and pleasant. Music helps us to find harmony with ourselves when we are in bad mood or to entertain us. People’s tastes differ; nevertheless there are no people who are not fond of music of one or another style.

We like different music, one likes jazz, another one likes rock, one likes pop music, another one – alternative style. Music fans of various music styles like to share their mp3 tracks and their opinions about music. And the amount of music fans is really great, nevertheless the problem of finding music of high quality or mp3 song that is rarely met still exists.

Using of Internet is probably the best decision when you are searching for some unique music, tracks or interesting information about your favorite signer or musician. The amount of music sites nowadays is rather large; each of them proposes its clients a wide assortment of different music, a mixture of styles or mp3 music of one genre or devoted to one or another theme.

If you are fond of classical music or reggae, punk or salsa you can always consult Internet in the process of searching for your beloved tracks. Music in the Internet is available 24 hours 7 days a week, so you can use it any time you like. Despite this fact, there are still thousands of people whose searching for music was not successful. Sometimes it is still difficult to find some rarely met music, music that is not so popular but which nevertheless is enjoyed by music fans and gourmets.

While the registry clients receive $0.30 deposited to their account, it allows visitors of sites to make sure in the quality of proposed services for free. Clients who make deposits by Credit Card starting from 20 USD receive 100% bonuses (20$ payments means 40$ added to the client’s balance, 30$=60$).

Visitors of such sites can also make a payment for example 20$ and receive 0.02$ every day. It is allowed with the help of special Daily Bonus scheme.

Making another payment of 30$ and bonus amount will reach 0.05$ every day.

Another problem concerns prices for mp3 in the Internet. In some cases due to high price of an item, customers can not afford themselves to by it, and in cases with rarely met music this problem is of course more urgent. This site proposes accessible prices for mp3 ru, uk, us, usa so that each client can buy track he likes. Music tracks are divided into a number of different groups according to their style; it makes the process of searching easier and faster, no matter which music genre you like, you are able to find what you like.

The question about legality is also very important as well as the quality of music. All information on this site belongs only to the owners of the company, it concerns slogans, names and other data available on the site. All the services here are also authorized by certain license. Music downloaded from the site can be used only by users who bought it; no information can be sold to the third person, broadcasted by other companies or used by other sites if it’s not agreed by the administration of the site.

While visiting music sites the process of registry is needed as a rule. When visitors register on the site, administration receives certain personal information about the client. It allows securing both of the work of a site and a client, nevertheless confidence is guaranteed. During the time of registration clients usually receive certain personal data (login, password or some other information that helps to regulate the work of a site). Each visit of the site in future starts with entering of login and password of the visitor. To avoid possible problems with security, clients should not disclose this information to other people, that would help to make all processes on sites more secure and avoid any risk. For transferring of the money for needed track customers use SSL connection that also makes the work of such sites more secure. Besides, no data of the client’s transfers is available for the administration of the company.

The site proposes a wide assortment of various different styles of music. Here only legal mp3 music is available. All rights are reserved, so that each client can be sure that his visit and downloading of tracks is absolutely secure.
Author Resource:- If you are searching some legal and secure mp3 download service (music store) with fresh mp3 content, then, the music store “iomoio.com” - is the Best choice for You. Iomoio.com is well-ordered, legal and secure mp3 music download service. Appreciate fresh and cool music MP3 download collection, and you will be pleasantly surprised.

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Here are some essential ideas for overcoming these hurdles

1. Collaboration
If you're very good at writing melodies but can't seem to write a single line, one solution might be collaboration. Instead of beating your head against the wall for ideas, find someone who is very good at writing lyrics and work together. You may be surprised at the wonders that can emanate from a combination of his excellence at writing lyrics and your brilliance at writing melodies.

2. Lyric writing tools
Perhaps you may be hoping for some other solution. While you don't mind the idea of collaboration, you want to allow yourself to get better at writing lyrics, instead of leaving it to someone else.
As far as I'm concerned, the importance of laying hold on good songwriting "tools" should never be underestimated. Educate yourself as much as you can. Make use of songwriting books, programs, courses, software, articles or whatever valuable resources that you have at your disposal.

3. Motivation
You've probably heard it said a thousand times ... Without motivation, you won't go very far. This also applies to your lyric writing. While the songwriting "tools" outlined above can help you improve, without adequate motivation failure is inevitable.
(2) Here are a few tips to help you generate lyric writing ideas.
1. Use different lyrics to bring the same message across.
Choose a theme which is known to have made a few hits. What message does this theme bring across? Write different lyrics that bring the same message across. A typical example of this is John Denver's "I'm Leaving on a Jetplane" and Wyclef Jean's "Gone till November". These songs made hits in different eras. Their basic message was similar ... Baby, you don't need to cry because I'll return.
2. Add a unique twist to a cliche.
Turn on your radio and you will hear cliches being repeated over and over. Using these very same cliches is simply a futile exercise. My suggestion is to add a unique twist to these cliches. This is something I am focusing on more and more.
A typical example of adding a unique twist to a cliche is found in Dianne Warren's "Unbreak my Heart" made popular by Toni Braxton. The ever popular cliche, "break my heart", was twisted.
(3) Here are three lyric writing suggestions.
1. Write a song about a particular incident. Your song should tell a story.
2. Write lyrics that have absolutely nothing to do with anything you've actually experienced.
3. Get lyric writing ideas from newspapers, magazines, movies, TV and so on.
Overcoming lyric writing hurdles involves a lot of determination, hard work and perseverance on your part. Implement the suggestions presented above and move one step closer to lyric writing success

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Lyrics From Home.

Hi there. I'm Gary. I'm 25, and have been playing keyboard and guitar for a number of years. I am self taught, so I am not as adept as some, but I do get a lot of enjoyment from it. I prefer playing covers. Please do not knock this, as I am not the best at 'writing' my own lyrics, although I have a few that I will be sharing at some point (when I get far enough into my creativity levels to develop further).

Let me take you to where it all began.

I was 10. I was at junior school. I was a teachers dream. Learning anything and everything seemed to come too easy to me at that time, most notably mathematics. From there, I was put forward for piano lessons, but even at that early stage, I was not one for sitting 'still'. I soon got bored and after 4 or 5 goes, it was put to one side.

Fast forward 5 years, and I was at GCSE level - studying music - performing, creating, and worldwide history too. Yes the paper itself was challenging and not my most recommended practice, but I was glad of the work I had put in. I even penned my first ever song and put something together in the order of production just to get somewhere. May 22, 2000 was the date. By the following week I had recorded the music and was just looking to edit it. I didn't even use any instrumentation at that point. I was using a Sony Playstation One, with a program Music 2000.