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.