Choices In Wedding Music

American weddings have come a long way over the years. In a society that is made up of people from so many different cultures, lifestyles, religions, and backgrounds, it is no surprise that the traditions in the wedding ceremony are as vastly different as well. Wedding music is no exception. From the ceremony itself to the party atmosphere of the reception, the wedding music sets the tone for the event.

Traditional Wedding Music:

At most weddings we can expect to hear selections that have come to be known as traditional wedding music. Titles like Ave Maria, the Minuet from Don Giovanni, and, of course, The Bridal Chorus and The Wedding March have long been the standard music for a wedding. Particularly religious ceremonies may include hymns like Amazing Grace and a Jewish wedding almost always includes a hora danced to a medley of tunes like Hava Nagila, and Siman Tov U Mazeltov.

The traditional wedding music holds a special place in our hearts and many think that a wedding ceremony is incomplete without it. The couple must decide whether or not to use traditional wedding music in the ceremony, as well as how much of it to use. If this part of the wedding tradition is important to you, then traditional wedding music is the way to go.

Modern Wedding Music:

Often couples will forgo the traditional wedding music selections and instead include modern or popular music in the wedding ceremony. This practice is so common that some titles are becoming traditional wedding song selections themselves. It is not unusual to hear When a Man Loves a Woman, Always and Forever, or I Will Always Love You sung, performed, or played at weddings today. Often more modern titles like these will appear in a ceremony along with the more traditional wedding music.

Avant-Garde Wedding Music:

As people’s attitudes change and varying forms of wedding ceremonies take place, the choice of wedding music often changes right along with them. Occasionally couples will choose music for their wedding that reflects the stark difference in their personalities and makes a unique and bold statement. While your wedding ceremony is primarily for the couple getting married, it is important to remember that it is an event attended by your family members as well. While you may wish to make an impression on your guests with your choice of music, you should still be cautious not to offend your respective grandmothers. As such, a selection by an artist like Marilyn Manson may never be appropriate for a wedding ceremony. This does not mean that your wedding music choices are restricted to traditional classics or sappy love songs. I once attended a very avant-garde wedding where three couples married in the same ceremony. It was a beautiful event and was made memorable by their choice of music. The couples strode down the aisle to the sounds of Pink Floyd’s Signs of Life, an instrumental track from the album A Momentary Lapse of Reason. It was a wedding ceremony that I will remember forever.

Music Software 101

Which Music Software Programs Fit Your Needs?

Want to find out how to listen to all your favorite songs whenever you want? If so, you’ll want to learn more about music software and how you can install some programs onto your computer. Here are some descriptions of some basic music software programs you will want to learn more about:

CD Ripper

A CD Ripper program allows you to convert tracks from a compact disc to your mp3 player, or onto your computer. You can make your own mp3s from audio CDs, so that you make your own song selections. You can also convert batches of WAV decoded files at a time to mp3 files on the CD Ripper, and if you want to download this program onto your computer, you’ll need to have Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or 2000, and a CD-ROM drive. For most CD Ripper programs, you can try a free download first before purchasing the product.

Audio Editors

If you are into recording and creating your own music, an audio editor program may be a good investment. An audio editor program allows you to save your own studio sessions or songs to modify later. Most include a metronome (to keep music and vocals in rhythm) and an audio mixer. The mixer allows you to adjust different music track settings like tone, pitch or volume. On some programs you can even ‘beat match’ between tracks, thus allowing for a smoother transition between songs. One audio editing program you may want to try is Blaze Media Pro, a program which is also a CD burner and converter. And, if you’re recording a large file, most audio editors will be able to support your files with no problem at all. If you are using a multi-track editor, one thing to keep in mind is whether your sound card and memory capabilities are up to the task of handling large volumes of songs.

Although most audio editor programs are commercial (and not freeware) and have a standard price tag, you can receive free trials for audio editor programs as well. Be aware of the memory and sound card requirements as designated by the company who produces the software. Depending on who makes the software, it may be available for Windows XP, Windows 98, ME, 2000 and even Mac OSX.

Music CD-R vs. Data CD-R: Is There A Difference?

You wouldn’t believe how many times I run across this question. Is there a difference between music CD-Rs and traditional data CD-Rs? I think what people really want to know is if I buy a data CDR can I still put audio on it and vice versa. Well, hopefully this article will shed some light on the confusion and give you some insight into which type of blank media best suits your needs.

The simple answer to this question is yes. There are differences between music and data CD-Rs. However there is a big neon green flashing asterisk next to the yes that indicates to the informed consumer, that no there is not a difference. Let me explain.

Depending on where you gather your information, there are some articles that indicate minor differences between data and music CD-Rs. For starters, there is the name difference, but that’s obvious. There have also been rumors that the recording industry receives a very small percentage of each sale of blank music CD-Rs. However, that rumor has yet to be verified to my knowledge.

What is known is that there are technical differences in what is embedded in blank music CDs in comparison to blank data CDs. These embedded differences center upon bytes within the sub channels of the actual blank music disc. But does that really make a difference in quality or what types of information can be stored on the disk?

Not really. Both audio and data can be duplicated onto both music and data CD-Rs. I’ll say it again. Audio and data can be burned onto music and data CD-Rs. However, whether or not you can get data onto a music CD-R depends on what type of hardware is used to burn the blank CD.

If you are using a PC to do all of your burning, then it doesn’t matter. PCs do not differentiate between music CD-Rs and data CD-Rs. They simply see a blank media and duplicate information on to it pertaining to the settings you have outlined in the software you are using to burn the CD.

However, if you are using a separate home CD burner, it may or may not allow you to burn data/music onto a generic blank data/music CDR. Proprietors are funny like that. They really only want you to use blank media with brand names that they have approved of.

So my advice is if you are doing most of your CD duplication on the computer, it doesn’t matter which type of blank CDR you use. They both will work fine in most cases for storing audio and data. However, if you are using a CD writer outside of your computer for you burning needs, check the manual and see what they recommend.

What Makes Relaxing Music??

Music is the key to a thousand emotions. We associate music with the places we have been, the times we have experienced and the people in our lives. Music is all around us. There is no denying the effectiveness of music, so why not use it to affect our own emotions and enhance our personal environment? Relaxing music, relaxation music, meditation music... call it what you will. There is no question that it can help us to shape our environment effectively and can be changed to suit or influence our mood.

In todays society, wherever there is radio, television, cinema or the internet, we will be exposed to music. Music is all around us and is a commodity so important that is used by virtually every company on the planet to sell us their products and services. Very often we are completely oblivious to the sounds drifting out of those in-store speakers or the impact and drama of an action-movie soundtrack placed in a car advert. Music is a complex language that can convey any emotion or conjure a response from any audience. At the same time music is simple and universally understandable.

We are used to others using music to influence our emotions and therefore decisions. However, we rarely use music's benefits to help ourselves. Relaxing music or relaxation music (also marketted as meditation music or yoga music) can be used to relieve stress, unwind after a hard day at work, promote good sleep or as a focus of concentration during yoga or meditation. As a composer of music for relaxation, for a long time have researched the benefits of music for health and wellbeing. Music is just a part of relaxation, but can be the key to calm and relax your mind and body. A good habit can be built; find a quite room, put work worries to one side and allow yourself time to unwind - dim the lights, light some candles or incense or whatever you find calming. Close your eyes and focus on the sound of your breath. Take in the same amount of air and breathe longer breaths but less often. Relaxing music is a great focus for an exercise like this or any relaxation technique. Listen to relaxation music at a volume level that is high enough to mask any background noise but not so high as to be overbearing. In a busy workplace or home, headphones are useful.

The music should not be too distracting and should be carefully composed to be easy to listen to. Music should be upbeat but also interesting and different enough to capture the imagination and become a suitable focus for relief. Nature sounds enhance the experience as this helps you to imagine a place of peace, calm, tranquility and serenity. It is best to use music written specifically for relaxation, although you could use any music that you find particularly relaxing. This technique is most useful if it can be practiced for a significant amount of time - more than half an hour. However, it can be effective if used for no more than just a few minutes at break times.

Family (Music) Business

If you're a musician or songwriter, your manager and your attorney should always be two different people, your agent and your manager should always be two different people, and you, your manager, and your agent should all have different attorneys, all of whom should work at different law firms.

But that's not all...

Your manager shouldn't be in your immediate family. In other words, don't get a parent or spouse to do the job of a professional. Management is a real job that requires real skills.

Parents screw things up. They believe the publicist-generated hype, are too close to the situation, and are often living their own dreams through their "client."

Worked with a 15-year-old maybe two years ago. She was a very nice, very attractive, and very talented singers. She was good and everybody who heard her demo wanted to help her. In fact, she was so good that a couple of major labels were interested. Everything looked bright for her.

But her father... That guy was a passive-agressive jerk who made it very difficult to get anything done. He was extremely high-maintenance and was constantly taking up valuable resources that would have been better used on his daughter and her career.

My time is too valuable to deal with idiots, so I stopped working with her.

A few months later, at SXSW, her name came up in a conversation. I was talking to an established music attorney who was interested in her, but had reservations because "her father is a real asshole."

Obviously, this could happen with somebody you are not related to, but it's not likely, especially if you're careful about selecting somebody to work with. Professionals in this business understand how to work with people and know how to do it in a way so that things get done.

You wouldn't get your relatives to play on your record, so why have them do something that is just as important?

This rule also applies to your spouse, by the way. Watch Spinal Tap and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about. While the movie is a joke, the situation when it happens in real life isn't nearly as funny.

How To Choose The Right Music For Your Wedding

The great American wedding has come a long way over the years. In a society that is made up of people from so many different cultures, lifestyles, religions, and backgrounds, it is no surprise that the traditions in the wedding ceremony are as vastly different as well. Wedding music is no exception. From the ceremony itself to the party atmosphere of the reception, the wedding music sets the tone for the event.

Traditional Wedding Music

At most weddings we can expect to hear selections that have come to be known as traditional wedding music. Titles like Ave Maria, the Minuet from Don Giovanni, and, of course, The Bridal Chorus and The Wedding March have long been the standard music for a wedding. Particularly religious ceremonies may include hymns like Amazing Grace and a Jewish wedding almost always includes a hora danced to a medley of tunes like Hava Nagila, and Siman Tov U Mazeltov.

The traditional wedding music holds a special place in our hearts and many think that a wedding ceremony is incomplete without it. The couple must decide whether or not to use traditional wedding music in the ceremony, as well as how much of it to use. If this part of the wedding tradition is important to you, then traditional wedding music is the way to go.

Modern Wedding Music

Often couples will forgo the traditional wedding music selections and instead include modern or popular music in the wedding ceremony. This practice is so common that some titles are becoming traditional wedding song selections themselves. It is not unusual to hear When a Man Loves a Woman, Always and Forever, or I Will Always Love You sung, performed, or played at weddings today. Often more modern titles like these will appear in a ceremony along with the more traditional wedding music.

Avant-Garde Wedding Music

As people’s attitudes change and varying forms of wedding ceremonies take place, the choice of wedding music often changes right along with them. Occasionally couples will choose music for their wedding that reflects the stark difference in their personalities and makes a unique and bold statement. While your wedding ceremony is primarily for the couple getting married, it is important to remember that it is an event attended by your family members as well. While you may wish to make an impression on your guests with your choice of music, you should still be cautious not to offend your respective grandmothers. As such, a selection by an artist like Marilyn Manson may never be appropriate for a wedding ceremony. This does not mean that your wedding music choices are restricted to traditional classics or sappy love songs. I once attended a very avant-garde wedding where three couples married in the same ceremony. It was a beautiful event and was made memorable by their choice of music. The couples strode down the aisle to the sounds of Pink Floyd’s Signs of Life, an instrumental track from the album A Momentary Lapse of Reason. It was a wedding ceremony that I will remember forever.

Is Your Music Player Spying On You?

In today's times spyware is a very serious issue and all computer users should be aware of the possible damage it can cause. It is estimated by well known industry insiders that nearly 90% of all computers are infected with some kind of spyware. This no surprise as spyware programs can be highly contagious and spread from computer to computer via emails and network exchanges rapidly.

Spyware's main intent is usually to track where you go on the internet. This includes websites you visit, what you buy from the internet, and generally what you use the internet for, all the while the spyware program will report this information back to the publisher. The publishers of spyware are rich with all the information of thousands of computer users surfing habits and they make a huge profit by selling this information to third parties who may not take your privacy concerns in to account.

You may think that running anti-virus programs and firewalls on your computer will be enough to protect you from this threat but think again. Spyware can easily slip past these programs as spyware disguises itself as a part of a program that you actually want to install on your computer. Programs that you use daily may be harvesting spyware.

One of the most popular music players on the internet that millions of people use to play, download and organise their favourite music with is actually spyware. Can you guess what it is? RealPlayer is not just a feature rich jukebox anymore, it's spyware. If you read the agreement before you install the player for the first time, RealPlayer actually tells the unsuspecting user that it will record all the information about what music you listen to, what videos you view and how often. It then transmits this private information back to it's corporate office using your resources while doing so. This information is kept on file and used to profile you. Unfortunately you have no say in what information they have access to.

Spyware detection and removal software is imperative to keeping your private information private and keeping your computer healthy. It's a scary thought that companies are armed with the technology to snoop on you when you are simply enjoying music and watching videos you enjoy in you own home.

New Age Music - How It's Made

Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all pretty much agree on that point. For example, Jazz uses seventh chords almost exclusively. This, and the kind of chord progressions used in Jazz gives it its unique flavor. But what about new age music? Does it have it's own special ingredients? Yes it does.

Now, there are no hard and fast rules here but for the most part, new age music is a consonant music. That is, there is little or noharshness going on in the music. No Saxes wailing and what not. Having said that we can eliminate most of the tense jazz chords and their voicing. So what are we left with? Mostly Major and minor chords based on the regular scales and the modes. The chord progressions are simpler and usually start on the l chord. No ll-V-l progressions here.

What about melody? In jazz, we have a soloist who usually plays a lot of chromatic notes. This is rare in new age music because it would create dissonance. New age melodies tend to be softer and more on the spiritual side. Solos, if there are any, are not so much concerned with the expression of the self than they are with letting the music express itself. A subtle but very important distinction. Jazz players may have some ego invested in their performance. New age musicians learn to let the music play them. They learn to become a channel for the music itself allowing it to speak through them. Of course, I'm not saying that this can't happen in Jazz, but, just watch a Jazz performer and you'll see what I mean.

Last but not least is rhythm. Let's do a comparison/contrast between Jazz and New Age music. Jazz has a definite discernible rhythm. It is what makes Jazz Jazz. New age music can have a pattern or an underlying rhythm to the music. It can be used to create trance like states in the listener. Drums are usually a part of Jazz music. Percussion is mostly absent from the New Age sound simply because it would not add to the atmosphere most New Age musicians create. Timing is very important to the Jazz musician. The soloist has the freedom to play whatever he wants as long as he maintains the meter and stays in time. New Age music is more elastic in that timing is there, but is not a master of the player. The New Age player can disregard time altogether. Just listen to Zen flute music as a good example of this.

Now, what does all this mean for the aspiring New Age musician? A couple of good things. It means that there is a definite new age "sound" out there. That it is here to stay and that people like and need to hear it. And it means that there are some guidelines out there for what defines the meaning of New Age music.

Using Music To Calm Your Baby

Music is a wonderful way for you to calm and soothe your baby, especially during the first year. How many times have your heard parents say that there was nothing that they could do with their crying, fussing baby until they tried music. This is because music does indeed soothe the savage beast, or in this case, the baby.

There are certain distinct sounds that have been proven to calm even fussy babies: the sounds of nature, white noise, and music. Even if your baby isn't fussing or crying you may want to use music as often as you can to encourage that feeling of calm and peacefulness. All it takes is a few minutes every day and before you know it your baby will be looking forward to hearing that certain song emanating from the CD player.

There is nothing complicated or mysterious about introducing your baby to music from day one. You don't need to search for the perfect song or a certain type of music. All you have to do is start by having your baby listen to your favorite songs and music. If jazz is on the top of your list, let your baby listen to the sounds of John Coltrane as he sits in his baby seat watching you in the kitchen. It doesn't matter if you play the schmaltzy songs of the eighties or some wicked African beat, your baby is going to listen and his mood is going to be altered by any musical sound that he hears.

Besides the music that you yourself can introduce your baby to, there are hundreds of CDs on the market today that are filled with baby songs and lullabies. At the end of the day you may want to play a CD of quiet baby songs that have a slower beat. There are so many CDs for you to choose from that you will have a hard time making up your mind. Choose something that interests you. Many baby CDs will have lullabies and faster beat songs on the same CD.

Playing music has other benefits besides soothing your fussy, crying baby. These benefits include:

- Babies are introduced to musical sounds.
- Music enhances your baby's behavior and cognitive skills.
- Relieves stress for the entire family.
- Will stimulate curiosity and an interest in music.

Take time to find a variety of music CDs for your baby to listen to. You'll soon notice which music your baby is most drawn to and can use that music when he is particularly fussy or is crying.

Why Does New Music Suck?

I’m not old, but I’m old fashioned. Or, maybe I just long for the good old days like those before me, and like those will after me. I’m certain the music that I grew up with was probably mediocre at best, and that it absolutely grated upon the ears of my elders. Styles, tastes and the definition of what is current and relevant are always changing with the times. And for older music fans, there is always a quiet war to stem the tide of what is popular – and, maybe more interestingly, what will be popular. The most obvious document of that battle are the Grammy Awards. While now they celebrate all forms of music, they were initially designed and developed to “award” excellence to certain forms of music, and ignore other kinds – namely that new style of song called rock and roll.

So, in risk of appearing old and crotchety, I will pose this question: why is there so much crummy music being released these days? Seriously.

Now, I know that the music that I like will be considered lame and awful by most people, and I understand that. But, for the sake of argument, let’s assume that I know everything and that I am right. There are many factors that have led to the decline of the quality of music that is being released. It could be as simple as the artists being signed are just not as talented, innovative or intelligent as artists and groups from the past. There’s just no source of creative inspiration to really tap into - and that lack of resource shows in terms of the music being produced. It’s just there, and maybe that’s a reflection of the artist.

It could also be that today’s music-buying public do not have the attention spans that are required to listen to a finely crafted song or a well-though out album. There is such a bombardment of entertainment choices and options, and so little time to digest and enjoy them all, that something simple, catchy and requires not too much thought is the only way to go. One brilliant song, surrounded by filler, and you have a top selling album. But, even that argument can be quelled. Because more and more people are apt to simply download their favorite songs on their own and avoid the rest, there is no need to create a great album if only the hit single is going to be listened to.

In the old days of tapes and records, the hit songs were sometimes purposely placed in the middle of the tape or record. That forced listeners to locate the hit songs by fast forwarding or rewinding. And the listener would maybe found another gem of a song that they otherwise would never have located and discovered.

Maybe musicians aren’t taking their craft seriously anymore. It’s hard to concentrate on crafting a quality record when you have to film the reality show, design the clothes, remember your lines in the movie cameo and lend your voice to your video game. Today’s music artists – or the popular ones – now consider themselves businesspeople or entrepreneurs rather than artists and musicians. The music itself is now simply a division of Artist X international.

I know I am probably coming across as old and lame, and that I believe all music should have ended after Robert Johnson passed away. But, here’s something that sometimes puzzles me: let’s assume that EMO music is the most popular style of the day. All the top songs on all the important hit lists are EMO songs done by EMO artists. If EMO is so popular, then why is it that the most popular concerts and tours are done by older, classic groups and singers?

A group like Fall Out Boy may be popular and have all their videos playing, but compared to a group like the Rolling Stones that hasn’t tasted relevance in years, they are small potatoes. Of course, a group like the Rolling Stones will probably never be in heavy rotation or heavy requests on music and radio stations either. So, the door swings both ways.

I should probably shut my ears and listen to oldies for the rest of my life.

Music For Love

Romance isn’t the same without soft music playing in the background. When you are planning any type of romantic encounter, choosing the right music is vital. There are many different genres of music and since people have various tastes, personal choice in what constitutes romantic music may vary. However there are definitely some favorites that everyone can agree upon. Here are some choices to consider when choosing romantic music.

From Him to Her

1. You Are So Beautiful: Joe Cocker

This song continues to be a favorite among those in love. The lyrics are beautiful and it truly describes the adoration he has for the love of his life. Joe’s heartfelt cry makes this one of the best love songs of all time.

2. When a Man Loves a Woman: Percy Sledge

The soulful serenade from Percy Sledge describes how every man in love views the object of his affection: in perfection. What woman wouldn’t want this song dedicated to her?

3. Have I told you Lately: Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart’s smooth tones are perfect for telling her that you love her. There isn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t melt as you gaze into her eyes and tell her how you feel, while Rod is singing this ballad in the background.

4. Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love: Barry White

There is nothing more romantic than the soothing bass of Barry White. He was often referred to as having a Velvet Voice, and when creating a romantic environment, Barry White delivers every time.

5. Always and Forever: Luther Vandross, Heatwave

Whether you listen to the classic by Heatwave or one of the newer remakes, Always and Forever continues to lead the way in top romantic songs. It is also perfect for weddings, or anytime you want to let your woman know that your love is eternal.

From Her to Him

1. Because you Loved Me: Celine Dion

Celine seems to be the epitome of romance. When it comes to singing the words that express how you feel towards your man, there is clearly no better choice than Because you Loved Me.

2. Endless Love: Mariah Carey, Luther Vandross; Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross

Both of these versions are incredibly awesome. The lyrics are perfect for declaring your unfailing committed love to your partner.

3. Here We Are: Gloria Estefan

This must be one of the best songs for women to play when they want their man to know that they want some intimacy.

4. You Light Up My Life: Debby Boone

You Light Up My Life is one of those songs that just says it all. When you want to tell your man how you feel play this song in the background.

5. When I Fall in Love: Celine Dion and Clive Griffin

What better song to express your truest sense of love, honor, and lifelong commitment then When I Fall in Love.

Whether it is dinner for two, a quiet evening by the fireplace, or if you just want to say I love you, by using these songs, you can ensure that your romantic evening will be complete. So light the candles, pick your song, and let the romance begin.

Careers In Music

There are many different careers in music that you may be interested in pursuing. The fact of the matter is that the entertainment industry is always on the rise, and getting involved is something that a lot of people are interested in. But before you can start a career in music you need to know what is available. If you do not you may end up missing out on a career choice that is perfect for you.

The most obvious career in music is to be a singer or member of a band. Not only is this the most obvious choice, but it is also the most difficult to break into. When it comes down to it the music career is a very competitive one across the board. If you want to make it as a singer or with a band you are going to have to be very good, and also get a few breaks along the way. But with that being said, you should chase your dream until you reach your goals. It may be tough to break into this niche of the music industry, but every year people are successful. Hard work may mean that you are next in line.

Another great career in music is working for a record label. These are the companies that work directly with the musicians and bands in order to release songs, etc. With so many jobs available at record labels you should not have a hard time finding one that suits your needs. You can find jobs ranging from marketing assistants to the president of certain divisions. Expect to get in on the ground level, and then work your way up the ladder as you become more experienced.

As you can see, there are many careers in music that you may be interested in. There is a lot of competition in this industry, bur if you take your time and know what you want you can work towards reaching all of your goals in the end. Get started today, and you will be well on your way to success in your chosen field of work.

Japanese Music

Music in Japan is called ongaku, which when directly translated can be taken to mean as sound for comfort. Although mostly identified nowadays by the outside world for its pop, “bubblegum” type of songs, Japanese music is essentially an eclectic combination of musical influences from all over the world. Much as it is steeped in local tradition and history, the scales, instruments and styles however were borrowed and loosely adapted from neighboring countries such as China, Korea and Indonesia and has evolved to integrate Western musical styles such as jazz, rock, ska and reggae.

There is a definitive emphasis on words rather than the instrumentation and one East Asian musical scholar has attributed this to the Japanese “love for storytelling and preoccupation with ritual.” Some examples of this would be the shomyo, or Buddhist chanting and the Japanese folk songs or min’yo. There are all sorts of min’yo but can be generally categorized according to occasions when they are sung. There are work songs, religious songs, songs used during special gatherings like weddings, funerals and celebrations and songs for children or lullabies. These songs are most often passed or transmitted through family generations. One old form of traditional music coming from the Ainu people in northern Japan would be the yukar, or mimicry – a form of epic poetry or epics in songs.

Most Japanese music genres even up to the present make use of the shamisen, or a three-stringed musical instrument most commonly referred to as the Japanese guitar. In kouta, or short songs typically sung by geisha and nagauta or long songs as those performed in Japanese theatres noh and kabuki, the shamisen provides the backbone for instrumentation. An evolution from the jiuta or the earthy, classical style of shamisen music and developed by blind musicians Shirakawa Gunpachiro and Takahashi Chikuzan is the tsugaru-jamisen where there is more free improvisation and flashy fingerwork on the instrument.

Another instrument most often used in Japanese music is the taiko, or the Japanese drum. This percussion instrument dates as far back as the 6th and 7th centuries, and during periods of war was used mainly to keep the enemies at bay and to communicate commands to the warriors. The taiko comes in various sizes and is usually an integral part of the musical ensembles especially during festivals. There are other traditional Japanese instruments like the biwa, a short-necked fretted lute; the ryuteki, a flute made of bamboo and used in gagaku which is the style of music associated to the Japanese Imperial Court; the kokyu, a string instrument played with a bow which has a shape, sound and fabrication unique to Japan unlike the shamisen. The kokyu has even figured in non-traditional genres such as Japanese jazz and blues.

Developments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries opened the ears of the Japanese people to new genres such as the enka, the Japanese version of American melodramatic country ballads, Western pop or kayokyoku. Kayokyoku later on evolved to J-pop or Japanese pop - a style with a more definitive Western influence. With rock and roll sweeping the whole world in the 1960s and 1970s, J-rock or Japanese rock invaded the Japanese music scene as well. More noteworthy however is how Western classical music and jazz has flourished in Japan to the point where the country has produced several famous musicians like Sadao Watanabe for jazz, composer Toru Takemitsu and conductor Seiji Ozawa. Japan is also identified as one of the most important markets for these types of music.

Want Music Just Download It

Making music downloads legal seems to be the perfect solution to stopping music piracy, which really encompasses downloading music for than anything else. Many people like to download music because it is easy and the quality is of decent quality but most people are concerned about doing it illegally. Here are some reasons why downloading music makes sense. 1. You are able to listen to music for free before purchasing the entire CD. 2. You can are able to listen to new artists.

Just a couple of years ago people were able to download, share and upload music on the original Napster site for free, this was the controversy to the record companies and artists if this was legal. The big popularity of music downloads started with Napster which was initial company which allowed you to download software to share, upload or download music without paying for it. This was revolutionary and showed the power of the internet.

Since Napster has been closed down and not allowed to give out free music and other similar websites have been closed most have been re-invented to provide legal music downloads. When illegal downloading started artists and companies were outraged about this, and they were especially angry with Napster, Napster allowed multiple number of people to connect to each others computer and download and share music without paying for it.

Many companies were worried about the loss of profits from music fans downloading the music instead of going to stores and purchasing the entire CD, so many bands, record companies have tried to enact laws about people downloading from free music sites. When downloading music and you see that you can download music and it has the same quality as buying the CD and easier it makes sense to most people to sit in front of their computer and download the music.

Well, free downloads brought down Napster and they’re illegal - why even risk it. There are sites that offer free music downloads you just need to find them. Napster now offers music at a price. There are many other sites that offer the same deals. You can download many different types of music from ITunes. The cost of this is fairly inexpensive and you do not need to join a club. You can also download videos to view on your video ipod.

When downloading be careful of viruses and or spyware, these programs are usually embedding in the file itself and when you open it or unzip the file your system becomes infected. Look on the internet for reputable music download sites. Another point to remember is that these download site can now record your IP Address. By doing this that can find out what provider is using the range of IPs and once found they can get the records and find out which IP address is assigned to whom. If caught you might have to pay a fine or you could be sent to prison. Think twice before downloading illegally.

Music Preferences

Music is a wonderful thing. It can make people laugh, cry or feel happy or sad. It can calm a crying baby, or even motivate a person to exercise. There are all types of music, too: Rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, and many other genres as well as sub-genres. And everyone listens to some type of music. Whether it’s classic rock or gangster rap, there is a type that appeals to every person in the world. But what makes a person like a certain type of music?

Some people claim that environmental factors have a lot to do with the type of music a person prefers. Most of the time, this is true, but not necessarily. Most music buffs have diverse tastes when it comes to what they prefer to listen to. They may have grown up in a predominantly urban area where almost everyone listens to gangster rap, jazz and R & B, but grow up preferring to listen to rock and county.

Why do people find it so strange for someone of a certain race to listen to what they consider another race’s type of music? This is stereotyping. Just because a person grows up in a rich family and lives in a big, plush home in the suburbs doesn’t mean that they can’t enjoy listening to rap music. And there isn’t a thing wrong with it, either. Just as there is nothing wrong with a person who grows up in the inner city, and chooses to listen to alternative rock music. Music has no color. If it sounds good, people will listen, no matter what race, age, sex, or socio-economic status.

Many people, especially children and teens, would find it hilarious if their parents were to listen to ‘young people’s music.’ Yet there is no such thing as this type of music. All people have different preferences, and if a 40-year-old prefers listening to Staind over Led Zeppelin, then what is the big deal? Just as music has no color, it also has no age. Lots of young people prefer listening to classic rock and oldies but goodies, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this.

Again, it is just their personal preference. It doesn’t matter if they grew up listening to a totally different type of music, because once they reach a certain age, they will start listening to different radio stations and watching music videos. This will introduce them to a whole new world of music diversity, and they just may discover that they like totally different music than their peers. This is not a bad thing; it just proves that everyone is an individual and likes their own personal genre of music.

The Music Of His Presence - 3

I would like to briefly highlight one of the most powerful dimensions of the music of His Presence—the song of the beloved.

There is a song that our Heavenly Bridegroom sings.

As the prophet Isaiah said: Let me (as God’s representative) sing of and for my greatly Beloved (God, the Son) a tender song of my Beloved concerning His vineyard (His chosen people)” (Is. 5:1 Amp).

God is the creator of music, and He is the best musician and singer in the entire universe. The music of His presence carries the passion of the Bridegroom’s heart for His bride. It is an expression of the ravished heart of God—a manifestation of His intense desire.

The book of Song of Songs, the most excellent song ever written, portrays King Jesus singing out His burning desire for us:

“How beautiful you are, my darling, Oh, how beautiful!” (S.g.4:1, NIV).

“You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; you
have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes” (S.g.4:9).

The music of His presence is an expression of the deep and strong affection that Christ has for His people. His sweetness and majesty are indescribable. They are a live reflection of the passionate heart of our amazing God.

The music of His presence is part of your glories inheritance...

To end this article trilogy, let’s review 4 key points we have studied:

1--The music of His Presence will be one of the distinguishing characteristics that the Church of the last days will have. It will completely revolutionize our worship services and will carry us to behold the very glory of the King-–

2--The music of His presence flows from the realm of God’s glory. It’s a combination of melodies and harmonies that come from the throne room of heaven and break into the earth realm--

3--This music is like a powerful river of which you are in the middle and its current takes you wherever it wants. It is like extending your wings and flying impulsively on the wind without limits or pressure, in absolute and perfect liberty—-

4--The music of His presence carries the passion of the Bridegroom’s heart for His bride. It is an expression of His ravished heart—a manifestation of His intense desire--

Right now where you are... there is a door standing open before you, a portal of light that leads to the throne room—the realm of God’s glory and beauty.

It’s time to engage this revelatory realm. It’s time to go up in worship...

Hear His voice calling you, wooing you to ascend, saying:

”Come up Here, and I will show you...”

The Music Of His Presence - 2

There is a door that separates the natural realm from the realm of the Spirit. This door was very real for the apostle John (Rev. 4:1-2). He looked and saw an open door in the heavens, and a voice said unto him, come up here. In other words, the Lord was saying, “Down there you are not going to be able to see anything, you need to come up here; you have to pass through the door and enter into My world.”

This was new to John. Despite the fact that in the past he had heard the voice of the Lord say, ‘I am the door…’ (Jn. 10:9), he was finally beginning to understand the magnitude of what the Master had said.

When John passed through the door, he left the world of reason and entered the world of the Spirit. He left the natural in order to enter the supernatural. In the twinkling of an eye, John found himself before the throne of God, and he beheld the worship of heaven.

Was this experience just for John? Of course not…

The following words should be received as a testimony, not as doctrine or law. Our God is creative and does with each person as He desires. You will not find the music of His Presence trying to imitate a particular experience, but rather by encountering the Fountain— God.

It is not easy to describe it, but while I am ministering to the Lord with the piano (during a service or in my personal devotions), there are moments in which He opens a door in the realm of the Spirit and invites me to come up. Upon passing through the door... it is no longer I following Him, but rather He carries me. The harmony and the melody begin to flow with an indescribable freshness, difficult to express. It is like a powerful river of which I am in the middle and its current takes me wherever it wants. It is like extending my wings and flying impulsively on the wind without limits or pressure, in perfect liberty.

The Scriptures declares, “Those who wait upon the Lord will rise up wings like eagles.”(Is.40:31). The eagle extends its wings and surrenders itself to the power of the wind, at high levels, where the air currents are very strong. She moves its wings to reach the level of the current, but when it gets there, it extends its wings and allows the wind to propel it along. In this way, the eagle arrives to heights that could not be reached otherwise. Something similar occurs in the realm of the Spirit...

I can extend my wings and surrender myself to the wind of the Holy Spirit without any effort because it is He who moves me. In doing so, the harmony reaches new heights and then descends majestically. After descending, many times the music will begin to intensify (in crescendo) again, gaining more strength and power in proportion to the increase of the Spirit. It is as if the Lord (above all, in services of corporate worship) wraps up all those present in His wings, lifting them to new heights of the glory of God. The music becomes inexpressible, powerful, majestic, and glorious.

At other times, it is as if the Cloud rests upon a chord, giving it sharpness and depth and bringing a holy silence to the place. Then He begins to descend like sweet dew, full of the presence of God. (Ps. 133:3). The music flows and tenderizes the hearts of the people, preparing the ground so that the seed of life will fall on good earth. As the book of Numbers declares: ‘And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it’ (Num. 11:9). When the dew of His presence drenches the human heart, then it is ready to receive divine nourishment— the Word of God.

The music of His Presence finds different expressions with every prophetic worshiper. What I’ve shared it’s just the testimony of my own experience—which is just a drop in a big ocean. It takes all of us to express the fullness and richness of this heavenly sound.

The Music Of His Presence

A new sound is coming to earth. It will be very powerful, like nothing we have heard or experienced before. One of the components of that new sound is what I call— the Music of His Presence.

It is music that has been born in the heart of God. Like a torrent of freedom and power that descends from on high and changes everything in its path, something very difficult to describe with words, but yet very real. It is music full of the majesty and the glory of God. I firmly believe that the music of His presence will be one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Church of the end times. It will completely revolutionize our worship services and will carry us to behold the very glory of the King.

The music of His presence flows from the realm of God's glory. It's a combination of melodies and harmonies that come from the throne room of heaven and break into the earth realm. As we will see, this heavenly sound flows through a growing generation of prophetic worshipers. They are an army of lovesick singers and musicians that will hear, taste and become the sound from heaven.

God said to Moses: “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you... Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain... Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud” (Ex. 24: 12, 15, 16). When Moses went up to Sinai, a cloud covered the mount, and the glory of the Lord rested there for six days. This was a powerful experience. Nevertheless, Moses continued waiting. During those six days the Holy Spirit covered him, and he felt the glory of God that rested on the mount, but there was more. On the seventh day, while he was in the midst of the cloud, the Lord called him again.

This call was distinct and much more intense...

"The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights"(Ex. 24:17-18). Moses could climb up the mount to a certain point, but in order to climb higher, he had to hear the call of God and enter in the midst of the cloud. When Moses entered the cloud, he entered into the Spirit. It was no longer him climbing... The Holy Spirit carried him. He had crossed the threshold of the door that divides the natural from the supernatural, and entered into the spiritual realm. The Lord showed him eternal things, things that are not seen in the natural.

The music of His Presence is found in this realm of the Holy Spirit. Finding this realm will not only be impressive and revealing, but it will also produce the same longing in you that was produced in Moses, a passionate desire to know the Lord more deeply.

Be sure to read the sequel: "The Music of His Presence - 2"

Music For The “On-The-Go” Lifestyle

Let’s face it: Nowadays, we do everything on the go! We eat our meals while we are on the road. We talk on cell phones while we wheel grocery carts down store aisles. We listen to music while doing our day-to-day activities. We even listen to music while we are working at the office.

The arrival of the ipod, the latest technological invention, came at the right time for the average consumer. This little invention does some pretty big things! Ipods allow the user the freedom to take music wherever they go. They fit in perfectly with the “multi-tasker’s lifestyle. Just about the size of a deck of cards, the ipod is one of the “must haves” of this generation. They fit neatly in a pocket, a backpack, purse, or plugged in while driving. With many special features, various styles, and trendy carrying cases available, ipods can store an incredible amount of songs. Stylish and fun, these musical devices make great gifts for anyone.

The way we listen and interact with music in today’s culture has changed, but people’s desire for music of a particular genre has not changed much over the years. With the ability to burn a personal compilation CD of favorite tunes, the listener enjoys the option of making their own personal music playlist instead of listening to a pre-picked, often dull and predictable radio playlist.

The convenience and affordability of the compact disc player has enabled people of all ages and incomes to own one. Some even have a small portable CD player at their desks while they work. Others have one in each room of the house.

With so many options out there today for the avid music listener, the need for more and more innovative technological inventions in the realm of music will certainly never go out of style.

First Sheet Music

The Historic American Sheet Music, Rare, Book, Manuscript and Special Collections Library at Duke University struggles with the definition of sheet music. Though some might desire to relegate the use of the term “sheet music” to popular or modern music, The Library at Duke has discovered that “Especially in the mid-nineteenth century, a publisher may have issued sacred and secular songs, Lieder, opera excerpts, potpourris, waltzes, marches and descriptive etudes side-by-side.” They go on to describe sheet music as the mere physical product of recording music on paper. Sheet music can also be described as a “score”. However it is described, sheet music is the way in which a reader (one who reads musical notation) can play a piece of music.

Sheet music provides a special kind of potential entertainment. Musical scores, specifically those written for or including the piano, were very popular at the turn of the century as many private homes had pianos. Before radio became the preferred form of entertainment, regular people had to create their own entertainment. A new set of sheet music was like a new TV show, and allowed anyone who could play to entertain themselves with a new piece of music.

Another popular and now defunct function of sheet music was as a carrier for art. In some cases, the art on the cover of the sheet music was as interesting and desirable as the music found inside. Music publishing (in America) began in the 1790’s. At that point it was not big business because unlike a century later, the average consumer did not have a piano in the house and, as America was still expanding, shipping was difficult and costly. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that the visual art on the cover of the sheet music became as important as the audible art found on the inside. One particular artist, E.T. Paul because particularly well known for his song choices and cover art. He began by commissioning color lithographs for his own pieces of composition. It is believed that much of his (wild) success was due less to the content of his music and more to his topic choice and choice of cover art. In the same way that cover art revolutionized the sale and advertising qualities of sheet music, cheap alternatives for shipping took this fledgling American industry from being strictly regional to being able to reach all over the country.

Definition Of Music

The broadest definition of music is organized sound. There are observable patterns to what is broadly labeled music, and while there are understandable cultural variations, the properties of music are the properties of sound as perceived and processed by humans.

A more conservative definition would be: Music is harmonious sound created by the playing of instruments as a whole or individually. It is a direct expression of human emotions designed to manipulate and transform the emotion of the listener/listeners. Music is designed to be felt unlike sound which is heard.

Greek philosophers and medieval theorists defined music as tones ordered horizontally as melodies, and vertically as harmonies. Music theory, within this realm, is studied with the presupposition that music is orderly and often pleasant to hear. However, in the 20th century, composers challenged the notion that music had to be pleasant by creating music that explored harsher, darker timbres. The existence of some modern-day genres such as death metal and grindcore, which enjoy an extensive underground following, indicate that even the harshest sounds can be considered music if the listener is so inclined.

20th century composer John Cage disagreed with the notion that music must consist of pleasant, discernible melodies. Instead, he argued that any sounds we can hear can be music, saying, for example, "There is no noise, only sound,"[2]. According to musicologist Jean-Jacques Nattiez (1990 p.47-8,55): "The border between music and noise is always culturally defined--which implies that, even within a single society, this border does not always pass through the same place; in short, there is rarely a consensus.... By all accounts there is no single and intercultural universal concept defining what music might be."

The composer Anton Webern stated "With me, things never turn out as I wish, but only as is ordained for means—I must", which sets out his view of the underlying generative process of music. The German philosopher Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe believed that patterns and forms were the basis of music; he stated that "architecture is frozen music."

Music To Meditate By

Some people prefer to meditate silently without any music but there are others who prefer to meditate with music. Different people like different music to meditate by. Some like to have music playing in the background while they meditate while others like the form of meditation that involves making music to meditate by.

Meditation is a simple and easy art and even children can easily practice it. With music to meditate by meditation can be made even more interesting for children. You get a choice of meditation music that is especially meant for children.

Whatever form of meditation you choose, it is important to remember that music to meditate by should be simple, calm, soothing and peaceful. It should induce feelings of inner peace and help you to focus. Loud music to meditate by is destructive and unproductive. It is distracting and creates feelings of chaos. The most popular musical instruments associated with meditation include the sitar, flute, Tibetan singing bow and the tambora.

While some people use music to meditate by, there are many musicians who use meditation to calm themselves and to stay focused before any major performance. If you are using music as a means of meditation, you should try and stop doing everything else and just focus on the music in order to get the full benefits of the music. It also helps you to enjoy the music more.

If you are looking for music to meditate by, there are plenty on online websites that offer different kinds of meditation music that you can buy. Some websites allow you to listen to a sample of the music so you can decide if that is what you are looking for. There are even a few websites that offer free mp3 downloads of music to meditate by. Just do an internet search on meditation music and you are sure to find something that is just right for you.

Piano – Thank You For The Music

A piano, short for Pianoforte is probably one of the finest musical instruments ever created by man. The sound of a pianoforte can create a wonderful melody that can stir hidden emotions, make us feel elated or sad and transport us into a private world of dreams and fantasy. A musical instrument that traces its history back to the earliest stringed instruments, the pianoforte has been a symbol of grace and refinement for centuries in the western world.

The predecessors of this grand instrument were at best crude attempts to make a stringed keyboard instrument. But the piano as we know it today was created by Bartolomeo Cristofori de Francisco of Padua, Italy in around 1700 and only three of the original Cristofori pianos from 1720s exist today. The development of the pianoforte benefited the most from centuries of improvisations and development on the Harpsichord, an instrument on which Cristofori himself was an expert.

Playing a pianoforte can be an exhilarating experience and across centuries people have had the desire to own the best pianos built. There have been an equal number of companies and individuals that have crafted the best pianos to relay the most soothing sounds possible. Some of the best known pianos are built by Steinway, Baldwin and Chickering among others.

Two factors have contributed greatly to the evolution of this instrument to its present form. One was the demand for a more powerful sound by composers and pianists and the other was the Industrial revolution that gave manufacturers the high quality raw materials like steel to cater to that demand. Today pianos come in two types: the grand and the upright. Technological development has given us a third kind – the digital pianos.

Since its invention, this instrument has become an important part of music compositions and as a solo instrument everywhere. It is a delight to the player, composer and to music aficionados world over. That is why it is no wonder everyone wants a part of this history in their homes.

Mozart’s Music

The music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is perhaps the most well-known of any composer the world has ever seen. Almost everyone has heard of how Mozart was composing music by the age of five (some urban legends even claim it was at age two) and performing before kings and queens, dukes and duchesses, before he was seven years old. He created more than 600 compositions, from operas to sonatas to full symphonies, and died tragically, mysteriously, before his 36th birthday in 1791. Some of his more famous pieces of music include Eine kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music, 1787) and the operas Don Giovanni (1787) and Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute, 1791).

The movie Amadeus (1984) put into popular parlance the idea of Mozart as an immature and spoiled musical prodigy, given to fast living and obnoxious, braying laughter. It also portrays him as having been tormented by a brooding, jealous rival composer named Salieri, who may or may not have killed him. History paints only a slightly less dramatic picture. Born in 1756 in Salzburg, Austria, Mozart was the only son of a professional musician who very early on recognized the boy’s extraordinary musical talent. Today’s critical and politically correct eyes may look with disfavor on the way that Leopold Mozart exploited his son’s musical genius, but at the time it was neither uncommon nor unacceptable to parade child prodigies through the courts of Europe. The young Mozart spent his boyhood at the feet of kings and queens, performing and composing and perfecting his unique musical vision.

He also spent his childhood suffering from various illnesses—tuberculosis, tonsillitis, and typhoid are just some of the many ailments he is said to have suffered. He was a sickly child and each bout of poor health left him reduced in vigor, more frail, and more susceptible to what would, ultimately, kill him. Legend has it that he was poisoned, but recent, more scientific explanation has it that he died of rheumatic fever, even while working to complete one of his greatest musical accomplishments, the Requiem.

Mozart’s music, like his life, defies easy classification. As a product of what historians term the Classical Era (1750-1825), he perfected the prevalent musical forms of symphony, opera, and concerto, and yet he also turned them on their heads. The upper-crust audiences for whom he played were jarred by his complex, mysterious, sometimes raucous music, accustomed as they were to lighter, more frivolous pieces. In 1782, the Emperor Joseph II even told Mozart that his German opera had “too many notes.”

Such a characterization of Mozart’s music may well seem absurd to us today, who have been conditioned to think of Mozart as an unparalleled genius. Even before birth, babies are rocked to sleep by Mozart’s music being piped into their mothers’ wombs. We relax to his music, we grow to it, we learn through it; his music enriches and inspires our lives.

How To Benefit From Music

In an effort to stay fit and healthy, people nowadays are becoming more and more conscious of their food and are following strict exercise regimens. The benefits of healthy food and exercise are well known. However, there is one more fact that people are not aware of. It is the positive impact of music on health. Young or old, music is an effective means of managing stress and hence can be an important effective tool to facilitate healthy existence. Music can play an important role throughout our lives. Music is based on sound waves that lie between our voice and the meditative brain wavelengths and as a result it can be a medium that can connect us with our higher conscious thereby relieving us of anxiety and tension.

Educationists have long known the benefits of music. Ability of playing musical instruments and making music improves our analytical abilities. In the process of learning music, the reading of musical notes and musical notations works towards stimulating the processes linked with solving mathematical and analytical problems and do extremely well in sciences.

The minds of young people are filled with eternal hope, which reflects in their musical creations. This can be clearly seen while watching them learn to play musical instruments and perform. The combination of young minds and the music evokes joy and hope. Unlike the people who have earned gray hair, the music of young people serves as a reminder to the fact that nothing is impossible.

There have been a lot of studies conducted on the influence of music. In the elderly people, music has been shown to not only reduce tension and anxiety but also the feeling of isolation and solitude. And a surprising revelation of this study was that the subjects enrolled for this study showed an increased production of human growth hormone, which has a positive effect on side effects of aging like wrinkling, osteoporosis, general aches and pains and even sexual function.

Health practitioners can draw an important inference from this study. It shows that group activity and interaction with other is important for a healthy living. It proves the long held belief that music is a means to link with our higher selves and thereby help us lead a healthy life that can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Do I Need Music Software?

Well answer some more questions… Do you like music? Do you find it convenient to download and store music on your computer/ipod(or other type of mp3 player)? Do you hate how long it takes to download music? Do you like to make mixes? Do you find it difficult to keep your collection organized on your computer? Well… if you answer yes to several of these questions than you probably would find it worth your while to invest in some good music software.

Music software is software that makes downloading and listening to music much much easier. There are many services that can be offered by a software package but the basic service of music organization is always there. These programs are set up to evaluate the song(s) and automatically will organize them according to predetermined preferences. The organization is such that you can browse by category, artist, date downloaded, name of song, etc. It also will allow you to do a directory wide search keeping all of the titles on the tip of your finger for maximum enjoyment possibilities.

Other services that music software packages will often provide are links to good sources of online music and account information banks allowing you quick and easy access. Download accelerators are a common feature. Mix creation wizards are a cool and relatively new addition to the digital music world. This is in essence a tool that allows you to automatically create a mix using the entirety of your music collection and answers to questions that you provide it. For instance if you would like to make a 70’s greatest hits compilation than you can order it up and it will happen automatically.

So where would I get music software? Well there are many ways. As usual there is a ton of sites that offer all manner of this popular product. You can also go to most computer stores/technology stores and find good products. My advice is to go online and look at a bunch of reviews and try to select one that has the capabilities that fit you best. Be confident with whatever you buy too because these are great little programs and they aren’t that expensive for the increased power over your music collection.

Music For Manifesting

Each week when I begin my workshops, I play a different song to emphasize the importance of music in our lives. Just as what we think, say, and do creates the experience of our lives, so too do the conscious choices that we make with music.

So, just as you consciously choose the words you use, the stories you tell yourself, the visions you hold, the way you respond to life as it unfolds, I encourage you to begin to choose to support yourself with music for your life.

Music that inspires you. Music that makes you feel strong, competent, capable, invincible. Music that recreates feelings of loving and being loved. Music that makes your spirit soar with delight and joy. Music that will lift you up to your highest potential for passion, freedom, success, and prosperity.

Here are some of the songs that I like to share with my groups.

“Gonna Fly Now”, more commonly known as the Rocky Theme from the series of Rocky movies, may fill you with strength, power, and a feeling of victory. Or perhaps it brings to mind, as the story goes, that Sylvester Stallone was down to about $50 in his pocket in New York City when he wrote the screenplay for the original movie in 3 days and then held to his vision by refusing to sell the rights until he could play the title role.

The theme song for the movie Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On”, may remind you of the story of a woman who chose to break free from a life of oppression to live the life of her dreams with passion. The song might also remind you that this was the most expensive movie ever made at $200 million and still holds the record as the #1 lifetime grossing film.

The theme song from the Harry Potter movies may inspire you to feel playful, reminding you of the magic and miracles of life and the extraordinary potential we all have to step into our power. On the other hand, you might also be subtly reminded of the author, J.K. Rowling, who created the passion of her life while she was on social welfare and then was catapulted to fame and fortune almost instantly. Said to be richer than the Queen, her net worth has been estimated to be over $1 billion.

Or maybe your heart jumps for joy with the theme song from the movie Flashdance, “What A Feeling”, sung by Irene Cara. You might remember the powerful scene as a welder moved into her dream of becoming a professional dancer. As you listen to the song, you might also be inspired by the words: “I can have it all. I can really have it all. What a feeling! I can have it all. Please believe it. Take your passion and make it happen!”

On the path of being a dynamic, powerful creator you might choose to tap into “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly with the words: “There are miracles in life I must achieve, but first I know it starts inside of me. If I can see it, then I can be it. If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. Oh, cause I believe in me. If I can see it, then I can do it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me runnin' through that open door. I believe I can fly!”

Music is made for manifesting! As you hear the beginning notes of a favorite song, reminding you of a particular time in your life when you were full of love, hope, strength, accomplishment, or freedom, your mind automatically recreates a vision of that time, your body responds on a cellular level, and your emotions transform your experience in the moment. Instantaneous. Automatic. Effortless. For fun and for free.

Choose to surround yourself with music that will inspire you to live the life of your dreams, rich in every way!

YOU deserve it!

Each week when I begin my workshops, I play a different song to emphasize the importance of music in our lives. Just as what we think, say, and do creates the experience of our lives, so too do the conscious choices that we make with music.

So, just as you consciously choose the words you use, the stories you tell yourself, the visions you hold, the way you respond to life as it unfolds, I encourage you to begin to choose to support yourself with music for your life.

Music that inspires you. Music that makes you feel strong, competent, capable, invincible. Music that recreates feelings of loving and being loved. Music that makes your spirit soar with delight and joy. Music that will lift you up to your highest potential for passion, freedom, success, and prosperity.

Here are some of the songs that I like to share with my groups.

“Gonna Fly Now”, more commonly known as the Rocky Theme from the series of Rocky movies, may fill you with strength, power, and a feeling of victory. Or perhaps it brings to mind, as the story goes, that Sylvester Stallone was down to about $50 in his pocket in New York City when he wrote the screenplay for the original movie in 3 days and then held to his vision by refusing to sell the rights until he could play the title role.

The theme song for the movie Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On”, may remind you of the story of a woman who chose to break free from a life of oppression to live the life of her dreams with passion. The song might also remind you that this was the most expensive movie ever made at $200 million and still holds the record as the #1 lifetime grossing film.

The theme song from the Harry Potter movies may inspire you to feel playful, reminding you of the magic and miracles of life and the extraordinary potential we all have to step into our power. On the other hand, you might also be subtly reminded of the author, J.K. Rowling, who created the passion of her life while she was on social welfare and then was catapulted to fame and fortune almost instantly. Said to be richer than the Queen, her net worth has been estimated to be over $1 billion.

Or maybe your heart jumps for joy with the theme song from the movie Flashdance, “What A Feeling”, sung by Irene Cara. You might remember the powerful scene as a welder moved into her dream of becoming a professional dancer. As you listen to the song, you might also be inspired by the words: “I can have it all. I can really have it all. What a feeling! I can have it all. Please believe it. Take your passion and make it happen!”

On the path of being a dynamic, powerful creator you might choose to tap into “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly with the words: “There are miracles in life I must achieve, but first I know it starts inside of me. If I can see it, then I can be it. If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. Oh, cause I believe in me. If I can see it, then I can do it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me runnin' through that open door. I believe I can fly!”

Music is made for manifesting! As you hear the beginning notes of a favorite song, reminding you of a particular time in your life when you were full of love, hope, strength, accomplishment, or freedom, your mind automatically recreates a vision of that time, your body responds on a cellular level, and your emotions transform your experience in the moment. Instantaneous. Automatic. Effortless. For fun and for free.

Choose to surround yourself with music that will inspire you to live the life of your dreams, rich in every way!

YOU deserve it!

Each week when I begin my workshops, I play a different song to emphasize the importance of music in our lives. Just as what we think, say, and do creates the experience of our lives, so too do the conscious choices that we make with music.

So, just as you consciously choose the words you use, the stories you tell yourself, the visions you hold, the way you respond to life as it unfolds, I encourage you to begin to choose to support yourself with music for your life.

Music that inspires you. Music that makes you feel strong, competent, capable, invincible. Music that recreates feelings of loving and being loved. Music that makes your spirit soar with delight and joy. Music that will lift you up to your highest potential for passion, freedom, success, and prosperity.

Here are some of the songs that I like to share with my groups.

“Gonna Fly Now”, more commonly known as the Rocky Theme from the series of Rocky movies, may fill you with strength, power, and a feeling of victory. Or perhaps it brings to mind, as the story goes, that Sylvester Stallone was down to about $50 in his pocket in New York City when he wrote the screenplay for the original movie in 3 days and then held to his vision by refusing to sell the rights until he could play the title role.

The theme song for the movie Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On”, may remind you of the story of a woman who chose to break free from a life of oppression to live the life of her dreams with passion. The song might also remind you that this was the most expensive movie ever made at $200 million and still holds the record as the #1 lifetime grossing film.

The theme song from the Harry Potter movies may inspire you to feel playful, reminding you of the magic and miracles of life and the extraordinary potential we all have to step into our power. On the other hand, you might also be subtly reminded of the author, J.K. Rowling, who created the passion of her life while she was on social welfare and then was catapulted to fame and fortune almost instantly. Said to be richer than the Queen, her net worth has been estimated to be over $1 billion.

Or maybe your heart jumps for joy with the theme song from the movie Flashdance, “What A Feeling”, sung by Irene Cara. You might remember the powerful scene as a welder moved into her dream of becoming a professional dancer. As you listen to the song, you might also be inspired by the words: “I can have it all. I can really have it all. What a feeling! I can have it all. Please believe it. Take your passion and make it happen!”

On the path of being a dynamic, powerful creator you might choose to tap into “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly with the words: “There are miracles in life I must achieve, but first I know it starts inside of me. If I can see it, then I can be it. If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. Oh, cause I believe in me. If I can see it, then I can do it. I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away. I believe I can soar. I see me runnin' through that open door. I believe I can fly!”

Music is made for manifesting! As you hear the beginning notes of a favorite song, reminding you of a particular time in your life when you were full of love, hope, strength, accomplishment, or freedom, your mind automatically recreates a vision of that time, your body responds on a cellular level, and your emotions transform your experience in the moment. Instantaneous. Automatic. Effortless. For fun and for free.

Choose to surround yourself with music that will inspire you to live the life of your dreams, rich in every way!

YOU deserve it!

Music For Self Improvement

Would you like to pop in a CD and have a better quality of life, and even self improvement? There are three ways you can use music to accomplish this.

Music For Motivation

Put on energetic music, and even doing housework seems less like work. Using music to motivate yourself or change your mood is an area where you can trust your experience and experimentation. When you find the music that energizes you, relaxes you, or makes you happy, keep it ready for when you need it.

Music For Intelligence

Music creates neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Studies show that music trains the brain for higher forms of thinking. In one study, three-year-olds were split into two groups. The first had no special training in, or exposure to music. The second group studied piano and sang daily in chorus.

Eight months later the musical three-year-olds were much better at solving puzzles. They also scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence than the other group. There's also anectdotal evidence that listening to music, especially from Mozart's era, can help you study and learn better.

Hopefully there will be more research. In the meantime there's no reason not to do your own experimentation. I've heard that Stephen King writes with loud rock music playing, so the benefits of music may be according to your own tastes or brain-organization.

Music For Brainwave Entrainment

Want to listen to some music, and get smarter, or have instant easy meditation? There are products now that "entrain" your brainwaves, in order to put you in a meditative state. Music is embedded with beats and pulses that entrain your brain waves to a specific frequency. Put in the right CD or MP3 for your activity, and you get better brain function. Science? Partly.

Brain wave frequencies vary with mental state. Daydreaming and light meditation take place in the "Alpha" range of frequencies, for example. So if you listen to music containing beats at a frequency of 10 Hz you will generate more brainwaves at a 10 Hz frequency and enter a relaxed Alpha mental state. Do these things really work?

Yes. I've found two products that put me in a peaceful state unlike any other music or meditative practice. Studies will prove the effects (some have already), and disprove the wilder claims. Given my results, however, I wouldn't wait for more research. Many things work long before the scientific proof arrives.

If you are skeptical, you can wait for more evidence of the benefits of brainwave entrainment. Meanwhile, why not try classical music when you study, just to see if it helps? Experiment with music - Mozart isn't dangerous.

Making Music With Your PC

Up until a few years ago, making music meant a massive investment in time and money. Those days are fortunately gone now, you can use your computer to record and edit your vocals or instruments, and burn a CD of your work afterwards, ready to be played on your CD player.

In order to make music with your computer, the minimum you need is a soundcard and good software. Modern computers usually ship with a built-in soundcard already, which is sufficient to start with - just connect an amplifier or headphones to it. Nearly all soundcards have Mic In/Line in connectors as well, so if you wish to record vocals or instruments, you only need to purchase a microphone and connect that. Although some soundcards come bundled with a microphone already, those are usually of poor quality and not suitable for decent music production. Thus a good idea here is to seek advice in your local music store.

Next you need to find good music software. Fortunately there is a lot of applications available for all common computer platforms, no matter if you are using Windows, Linux or Mac OS X. To find good applications for your platform, type something like "Music Software for PC" into your favourite search engine.

A good idea is to start with free software, then move on to commercial software once you got the hang of it and your requirements grow. You might also want to look at the applications that are given away for free on cover CDs of music magazines, or those that come bundled with your soundcard. Some music software developers give away older, discontinued or feature-limited versions of their software for free. Often such software is a lot more capable than software which has always been distributed freely.

The Music Of A Wedding

Wedding songs can be a lovely addition to a wedding. Which wedding songs should you use? Do you need a soloist for the wedding songs? How do you go about finding wedding songs that are appropriate for the ceremony or reception? These questions about wedding songs will be addressed in this article.

Many wedding sites have ideas and suggestions for wedding songs. Online wedding sited may list wedding songs that are appropriate for every type of wedding. Wedding sites may also have lists of musicians in your area who can perform the wedding music.

If you are planning to be married in a church or other religious facility the pastor or minister of music will be able to answer any questions you have about wedding songs. You will need to decide which wedding songs you want to use. It will also be important to think about whether you want to have the guests sing any of the wedding songs or if you would prefer to have a soloist.

There are many people who choose to have wedding songs sung by a soloist or small group of musicians. This decision is one that should be made with some thought. Cousin Alfred may have offered to sing wedding songs at your wedding but it would be a good idea to make sure you are a fan of the guys voice. Have you ever been to a wedding and wondered what the bride or groom was thinking when they agreed to have that particular soloist sing?

There are also times when the bride or groom plans to sing one of the wedding songs. Some people can pull this off and others find the experience far too sentimental. If you are not sure the wedding song can be sung without a breakdown by either bride or groom you can always have the song sung at the reception instead. This is often a less emotional choice.

You may wish to have a group sing wedding songs at the reception. This is a more relaxed arena for wedding songs and you may find a much wider choice of selections. Before you hire a band to sing at the wedding reception, listen to their music and make sure you like their sound and the choices they offer.

There are many ways to incorporate wedding songs into your wedding day.

Music Inside Us

Everyone of us has music inside. And it is not an abstract statement, but scientifically proved fact. Molecules of DNA "sound" inside us and it is very important if music from outside is in keeping with music inside us.

Scientists pay great attention to researches concerning music’s influence on human beings. Attention to such researches has increased recently and their results are interesting and convincing. For example, after listening classical music cows have increased their yield of milk and mimosa and petunias have grown faster and burst into bloom 2 weeks earlier. 120 breast-feed mothers took part in experiment in Japan. Some women listened classical music, other women listened pop and rock music. In first group the amount of milk increased in 20 per cent, and in second group - reduced twice.

Such researches are the attempt to synthesise science and art (music). But in ancient India science and art were considered to be the parts of single creative power. All knowledge of ancient India one can find in the Vedas (Holy Indian Scripture) and one of four main Vedas Sama-Veda is entirely dedicated to music. According to the Vedas the creating of the world started from the primordial sound "OM", which appeared while division of the Almighty (Sadashiva) and his creative energy (Adi Shakti). "OM" was the foundation of the universe and the first musical sound.

Human subtle system consists of 7 main chakras (energetic centres) and 3 channels, which rule mental, emotional and physical life activity of person. 7 chakras of our subtle body revolve with certain frequency and form an octave, which consists of 7 tones of proper altitude. Intervals between them should reflect intervals between chakras. These tones were called musical sounds - notes (’svars’ in Indian music). They sound - sa, re, ga, ma, pa, da, ni and they are in keeping with chakras - from first till seventh. 5 notes can change (fall and rise), creating 5 additional sounds (left and right aspects of chakras). Thus, these notes are built-in subtle body and represent the ideal "repository" of information, the repository of those feelings, emotions, wishes and thoughts, which composer or performer has.

While listening music a person receives some influence on subtle level, which later appears on physical body. Same notes can bring destruction or good, it depends on the inner condition of person. For example, anger, aggression, drug intoxication and so on, which have power over the mind of composer or musician, will find the reflection in his music. There are some styles and forms in music which reflect only such bad qualities. Such music may do harm not only the musician, but also a person who listen to it. Clear, inspired people, who have lucid mind will never create such music. They created only folk music with great variety and classical music which has its roots in folk music.

Let’s listen to music, which is in keeping with music inside us.

Karaoke Music

Karaoke bars are quite popular these days. People come here to hang out and have fun. The word “karaoke” is derived form a Japanese word and means “empty orchestra”. It started in Kansai, Japan, in 1984, and spread to worldwide popularity. Music of any popular song is taken but the voice of the singer is absent or reduced. So, anybody who is interested can sing along using a microphone, usually the lyrics are also displayed .Some restaurants also have adopted this concept and they either have their in house singer or sometimes even visitors can sing.

Before karaoke music came in cassettes only but with technological advances they were replaced with CDs, VCDs and DVDs.KTV boxes were set up for people to entertain their friends or just to have fun. KTV means karaoke music video where the lyrics are displayed along with the audio track. It has become quite popular in US, Canada and other Western countries. People love it and it is a good source of entertainment.

Karaoke music popularity:

Karaoke music business has also picked up very fast and now one can find karaoke nights every day in almost every restaurant as it drives people to the place. Small karaoke box have been replaced by hi-fi sound equipments and to make the atmosphere catchier they even put lighting effects and have dance sessions. Now almost all kinds of music are available from rock to pop to hip hop and even religious hymns. The fun part is watching even those timid and shy ones, after consuming alcoholic beverages become bold and march towards the microphone and sing their hearts out ,sometimes even humiliating themselves.

Karaoke Machines:

Computer karaoke is also quite popular among the youngsters. Those who are shy to perform in front of people can now be a star and sing in their own room and also for those who want to improve their skills can also have practice sessions quietly in their room. You can pick karaoke softwares which can provide the means to hear music and also see lyrics on the screen. Quite a number of websites also offer this entertainment for their karaoke fans. All you need to do is download the files, load the song in your computer and you are set to begin.

A simple karaoke box consists of an audio input, an audio output and pitch controller. Some bars also have low end machines where they try to suppress the voice of the original singer so that you can hear only your voice. These machines are cheap. But those high in built machines have a technology that can electronically change the pitch level according to the key the singer chooses for the song.

Next time you step into a karaoke bar do not shy away thinking you will be the laughing stock. People come here to have fun and you will be surprised to see everyone cheering for you. Explore your singing talent! This is a terrific way to wind up your soul and just relax. After a hectic day if you are looking for a place to enjoy and meet new people, this is the place to be. Some karaoke bars also hold karaoke nights, where all wanna be singers show off their talents, if you are one of them, go ahead and show everyone what you have!!

Music And Depression

What is music? All sounds are comprised of sound waves. What distinguishes music from other sound waves is the manner in which the sound waves vibrate and decrease from loud to soft. Dropping a metal pan on the floor presents jarring, erratic vibrations. Striking a note on a piano chord presents a softer more uniform and smooth transition from loud to soft. Obviously, a musical note is going to be much more pleasant to the ear.

There’s an old adage about how “music sooths the savage beast.” Not only is this true, it is actually an understatement. Music plays such a profound part of our lives, that we will barely scratch the surface here, but let’s give it an overview.

All of us grew up with certain songs or instrumentals that strike a chord that reverberates through our entire being. For example, when I hear “A Summer Place,” it immediately carries me back to summer months in the fifties. The experience is so profound that I can remember the feel of the sun on my face, the smell of hot dogs cooked over an open fire and the laughter of friends and family.

There is a theory that certain notes or chords resonate with a vibration that is particularly harmonious to specific people. Have you ever heard a song that gave you “goose bumps?” If so, then you give validation to this theory. When this occurs, the music has a profound affect on the subconscious. Add intense emotion to the equation and you have one powerful, indelible, blueprint on your subconscious that will follow you the rest of your life.

For example, let’s say that you receive news of the death of a loved one while a specific piece of music is playing on the radio. That particular music may have a lasting impression. Years later, for no apparent reason, you may find yourself immediately thrown into a state of depression upon hearing that same tune. The same can be true of “positive” feelings as described in the story above.

The subliminal effect of music is a proven fact. How often do you find yourself humming a fragment of a tune that you can’t identify only to discover that it’s a new “commercial” message you heard on your television. The advertising industry pays huge amounts of money to conduct research into why and how music works on the subconscious mind. This is also the reason why you see the recent trend by large companies to reconstitute classics originally performed by some of the greats of stage and screen.

Just for fun, the next time you find yourself humming a tune, try and remember when, where and under what circumstances you heard it for the very first time. The exercise will probably help you to better understand how past events have shaped your musical preferences. And, I’ll wager that the next time you hear “A Summer Place,” you will remember reading this article.

Happy Listening!

What Is Country Music Anyway?

When many people think of country music, they think of sad songs about lost loves, broken down trucks and runaway dogs. In their minds, they are hearing all of these woes sung in the traditional twangy country accents of the south. However, these perceptions of country music are far from where this style of music has evolved. Today, country music is one of the most popular genres of music, normally outsold only by rock and pop genres.

Created in the late 19th century, country music has under gone many changes over the years. There are now many sub-genres to this type of music, with some of the sub-genres being commonly played on top 40 radio stations.

To understand country music, it is helpful to know about the instruments commonly associated with it. In country music, one of the most common instruments used is the fiddle (or violin). Some of these instruments can be expensive, but most are relatively inexpensive and are very easily transports since they tare light in weight and not overly large. When country music first ‘hit the scene’, the fiddle was practically the only instrument used as accompaniment. However, as the country music style became more popular, the addition of other accompanying instruments became normal. The banjo became popular in some country music pieces in the mid 1800s, while the guitar did not break into the country music scene until the early 1900s. Electric guitars did not become a regular instrument in country music until much later in the 50s. Other various instruments used in country music are the piano (introduced in the 1930s) and the drums (used since the 1960s). Rarely used, but distinctive sounding instruments are used in certain country songs: the accordion, the harmonica, and the washboards.

Country music has roots in several different styles of music. Its beginnings started with the settlers that came from Europe. During that time, many couldn’t read or write, so songs were created to pass history down from one generation to the next. Although country ballads have changed a great deal, going from the original songs about objective, though gruesome, events to more personal, subjective ballads without all the gore.

Today, the sound of country music can sometimes be very similar to other genres of pop and rock. Some country musicians, like Shania Twain, have many songs playing on stations that aren’t considered “country”. There are also musicians, like Sheryl Crow, who are considered pop/rock, but have songs popular on country stations.

Music Phones

You sometimes see cell phone manufacturers talk about music phones. What is it then? A music phone is a phone optimized for playing music. The idea with music phones, smartphones and camera phones is that one would have only one device instead of many. A music phone combines a cell phone and a portable music player. Every major cell phone manufacturer has them.

Sony Ericsson introduced the Walkman phones, Motorola launched the ROKR iTunes and Nokia delivers music phones under the XpressMusic phone brand.

More than 100 million music phones were sold in 2005 and that is more than double the number of portable MP3 players and some 12 percent of cell phones sold in 2005 were music phones.

Music Phone Characteristics

Here is some typical characteristics of a music phone. When comparing music phones look at these key features.

- Large memory (hard disk)
- Support for poular audio formats (MP3, AAC...)
- Good sound quality
- Support for the standard headphones 3.5mm jack
- Dedicated music keys
- Good music software (for PC and Phone)
- Easy to upload music to phone (via bluetooth or USB)
- Easy access to OTA (over-the-air) downloads
- Extended battery time
- FM radio

Music Phones 2005

Here is a couple of examples of music phones released in 2005.

Nokia 3250

This phone has dedicated music keys and can store up to 1 GB (Gigabyte) of music and offers 10 hours of music play. You can transfer music with the Nokia Audio Manager. The music player supports standard audio file formats such as MP3, WMA, M4A and AAC. It has a FM radio. Retail price of 350 EUR before subsidies or taxes.

Sony Ericsson W900i

Sony Ericsson W900i is a 3G phone and you can download, transfer, manage and play music from over-the-air (OTA) music download services. Transferring audio files from a PC to the phone is done with the Disc2Phone PC software supplied with the phone.

The W900i's internal 470 MB memory provides space for between 120 and 240 songs. You can increase the storage capacity with a bigger memory stick (available up to 2GB). This phone supports music files like MP3, AAC, AAC+, MIDI, WAV and XMF. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack.