Pump Up The Volume

Gibson guitars have ruled the rock and roll roost for many years. Ever since the nineteen thirties when pioneer electric guitar player, Charlie Christian took to them, Gibson guitars have always been very popular with guitar players. They have the magic combination of technical excellence and prestige and pizzazz. As pioneers in the electric guitar field, they have always made good use of every opportunity to get their guitars played by the leading guitarists. The company began in 1936 but Gibson guitars took hold of the 1960′s with both hands and gave the era a big tongue kiss. With the phenomenal growth of rock ‘n’ roll the solid body electric guitar which evolved in the fifties became the ultimate accessory for the young gentleman wishing to have loads of sex.

The era produced many famous Gibson guitar models like the Double Cutaway SG, the Firebird and the Flying V. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Peter Green, Chet Atkins all big names of the guitar, played Gibson guitars. And one of Gibson’s triumphs – the Les Paul model was, and still is, in the hands of a boatload of guitar playing pioneers. The Les Paul model was the company’s response to public enthusiasm for the electric guitar. Les Paul was arguably the most popular electric guitar player in the world who had previously invented his own solid body electric guitar. He was signed up by the Gibson company to lend his name to their new guitar and actually made some design suggestions which may or may not have been followed up, according to who you listen to.

But the world of making great guitars was not all cheese and crackers. In the late nineteen fifties the world was obsessed with “modern” things. Space travel was on the minds of many creative people working in a multitude of areas of industrial design. So it was one morning that the Gibson Flying V awoke and attempted to take flight. Unfortunately it only survived for about one year. It slept then until the flamboyant nineteen seventies welcomed it once more to the world. Some famous guitarists, Jimi Hendrix among them, played it for a while and it found its way into the shops again, but only for a short time. The Gibson company tried to rescue the situation by introducing the Firebird, a variation on the Flying V thought up by a car designer. The result looks more like a bad drawing of an electric guitar.

Recently Gibson has added an astounding feature to the world of guitar playing. The Powertune system. It gives electric guitars the ability to tune themselves, thus making sure that the secret of many professional guitar players remains perfectly safe. Another thing that might surprise some people is the fact that Gibson has held its own quite well in the area of acoustic guitar manufacturing. There is an Arlo Guthrie guitar in the Gibson Artist Signature Series of guitars. Possibly somebody in the early seventies thought Arlo was going to be really, really big. Other artists to have Gibson acoustic guitars named for them are Elvis Presley, Sheryl Crow, Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson and Pete Townshend.

So if you find yourself wondering what makes Gibson guitars so special the answer is in the company’s ability to keep its name alive in the mind of the guitar playing public.

By: Ricky Sharples

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That’s music to my ear is a common phrase used to express a person’s emotional response to how a particular tune can make them feel. Some people listen to music all the time. Some study the art of playing an instrument. It’s therapeutic; it’s enriching; it’s a way of creating moods in any environmental setting. If you are interested in music for more than the pure enjoyment people get out of listening to it, then learning about music theory is an ideal mode for you.

Music theory can be an important attribute in a person’s life, for many reasons. People often ask, “Is music theory necessary?” “Why do we need it?”

First of all, even though you don’t have to understand how to read sheet music to perform as a musician, you will need an understanding of music theory. It opens so many other doors for you in the world of music. Music theory will not show you how to understand music, but with music theory you will be able to communicate musical ideas, explore music in whole new ways, and redefine the tremendous scope that entails the magical world of music.

Music theory allows you to voice your opinion with others in the field, expand your musical horizon. Give a little input to a fellow musician and you’ll get something in return.

Notations And Communicating With Other Musicians

Music lovers all develop a keen sense of awareness, musically speaking. Sometimes, musicians explain that if they study music theory, then it’ll stunt their creativity. Wrong! The world’s greatest composers were all masters of music theory: Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, J.S. Bach. These experts composed a keen understanding of the theoretical concepts. Years were spent studying the concept, down to some of the smallest details.

Music can be played by ear, picking out tunes without the aid of written music. Your ears can be your guide. The reason this is brought to light is that some musicians with strong theoretical training often disregard the art of playing by ear.

Think of playing music by ear this way: We’re all born as non-verbal creations. Communication begins with crying, making sounds, displaying body language. Parents quickly become experts on baby talk. It’s an innate sense. Over time, language develops by mimicking sounds. Toddlers don’t learn nouns and verbs; they learn to speak by example. Music can be the same way. Hence, the reason so many people pay top dollar for live performances. It’s invigorating, magical.

Understanding Harmony And Chord Progression

Chord progression and harmony, two features of music theory, help broaden any musician, regardless of their genre of study. Chord progression is a series of chords that are used to harmonize music. All compositions use chord progression. Those that improvise – which, as already mentioned, adds charm and magic to the environment of music – invent brand new melodies that blend in with an existing chord. It’s a musical transition, something that must be practiced, repeatedly. The great composers and musicians develop chord progressions and transitions until it becomes natural, a second-natured maneuver.

If a musician improvises in a more interconnected manner, these new melodies show the musician the progression as one whole unit, and not a series of bumpy transitions. The more practice that goes into this aspect of music learning theory, the more interesting substitutions they will develop along the way. Once the concept of chord progression and its structure is understood, it will be easier to remember. Jazz musicians, therefore, show a keen interest in the study and analysis of chord progression.

The study of music theory will show musicians and musical scholars that the objective, initially, is not to consider an entire composition in one sitting. Instead, musicians, students and teachers alike, view a chord progression in segments, or units. These units correspond to musical sections known as stanzas.

A stanza is the complete statement and development of a single musical idea. It’s a fairly simple act of dividing pieces into small manageable sections, with the melody itself forming, or suggesting the boundaries for sound.

Tonality, another element of chord progression, means different things to different people. Some would consider it to be this: any piece of music with a well-defined key center. Others envision any music that uses the conventional chords as tonal.

Music without the use of chords in a functional manner to reinforce a tonal center is not tonal. It is referred to as non-tonal music. The names of these styles are not always agreed upon between musical connoisseurs. But expressing difference is one key element that makes music such a beautiful art form, with countless possibilities.

So, if you are considering studying music, be it to play an instrument, teach music, or simply hone in on personal curiosity, learning music theory is a must for you.

By: Kevin Sinclair

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With a wide variety of musical styles, the guitar has significant ancient roots and classifications. This unique musical instrument is recognized as one of the primary sounds in most musical arenas to include blues, country rock, some elements of pop, and flamenco. To highlight these distinctive musical icons, a musical instrument such as that in the guitar was specially crafted using certain guitar wood, for specific sounds and styles.

The guitar is typically made up of six strings, yet there are guitars available that have four, seven, eight, ten and twelve strings. Coincidently, the key ingredient for the success of the guitar is the wood. Believe it or not, the specific type of wood that the guitar is built of provides the actual element that has a convincing effect on sound. The different tones present distinctive quality, character and/or a sympathetic connotation for pitch and clarity.

In addition to the effect that the wood has on its sound, it is necessary to support the tension of the 4 to 12 strings. The alternating types of wood that the musical instrument is built upon will highlight the individual personality of the music while simultaneously offering a stylish appearance. An important piece of information here is that you should not speculate or predict the sound of any guitar. Each has its own arousing identification and more so, if you expect the same sounds you may want to get the same model made by the same manufacturer.

There are many types of wood that is used to build guitars. One of the most popular woods for guitars is the spruce. Because spruce is light and has a tight grain, it enables the wood to vibrate much like a speaker cone. The spruce is commonly used for acoustic guitar tops, as it is effective in regards to strength-to-weight ratio. Specifically, the persistent manoeuvring of the strings demands that the top of the guitar is to be extremely sturdy. On the other hand, to produce an instrument that exploits that optimal sound, you must have a light top. The spruce’s existing texture is brightened, enticing the quality of the wood.

Another popular type of wood for guitars is the cedar wood. Cedar is very similar to redwood, yet it is darker and more reddish in comparison to spruce, which adds an extra distinctive appearance. As an alternative to spruce, specifically designed for acoustic guitar tops, cedar gives you a slightly crispier increased range and it is effectively more powerful. More over, it is resoundingly mellow. One of the significant characteristics of cedar is that it is a deterrent for moths.

A variety of hardwood makes up the backs and sides of virtually all guitars. The softwoods are not strong enough, nor do they bend well, making it difficult to be used as guitar sides. The sides are not a major part of the vibration frequency, as much as the back and tops. The sides are conventionally used to support the top and back while also defining the body shape. The back is significant in that it provides strength and fullness of tone.

Rosewood and mahogany are two of the most popular types of wood used for the back and sides of a guitar. The Brazilian Rosewood, in particular, is the standard for acoustic guitars. The rosewood is rare therefore the guitars are extremely heavy, bright and/or cost prohibitive. Yet, the sound is immaculate. It rewards with a full base and good high-end twist. It has a resounding distinctive piano-type mid-range to the tone. The mahogany hardwood is lightweight and is actually highly favorable because it has less density. Mahogany backs allow for impressive treble clarity and intensity. The mahogany back is relatively lighter in base while also delivering mid-range frequencies. Unlike rosewood, mahogany is generally economical, durable, attractive, easy to manipulate and flamboyant in sound.

Other hardwoods such as maple, ebony and walnut are all commonly used to construct guitars as well. They are similar to both rosewood and mahogany.

Ideally, they are accepted for their density and predictable tone. The maple is hard and dense and is used in necks or caps of an electric guitar. The wood is too heavy and its quality sound does not incorporate into a solid guitar body. As a cap on the electric guitar, especially the Les Paul Standard, the maple adds alertness to the body while protecting the geniality of the mahogany.

Maple has been noted as the guitar wood to be used for the sides and back of the acoustic guitars, but it is not their norm. The ebony hardwood is used mainly for fretboards. Used more often in pianos, it is strong, bright and durable. In conclusion, the walnut hardwood is a popular alternative for mahogany. Walnut is naturally pleasant and accommodates solid guitar bodies. It is used for acoustic back and sides, yet it is stable enough to use in guitar necks as well.

By: Johnny Stall

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Country music made its mark in the early twentieth century. It was initially popular amongst the people in rural areas of the west and the south. This genre of music has developed from ballads and famous folk tunes. From the days of Hillbilly music, country music is now simply referred to as country, western or country and western. Classic country music is an assortment of tunes from diverse cultures and music patterns.

Each style is different and unique in style. The use of rhythms, chord structures and musical intonations vary. Though modern country music may use contemporary beats, they are adaptations of classic versions. Classic country music has an individualistic character that was developed to suit the artist’s voice modulation capacity and style. These classics are unique and offer inimitable singing styles. This includes the styles of music legends Jimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams.

Vernon Dalhart was one of the first renowned country singers to render an all time hit. Other significant country music artists were Riley Puckett, Don Richardson and Fiddling John Carson. Ernest Stoneman, Charlie Poole, the North Carolina Ramblers and The Skillet Lickers were others who made their presence felt in the field of country classic music in its early days.

Classic country music has a universal charm and is renowned for its easy to understand rhythmic tunes and meaningful lyrics. A number of classic country tunes are recitals of western legends, heroes and events. This meaningful music continues to be a popular choice of music even today. The classic country music industry is a rewarding and profitable business that continues to reap benefits for their age-old copyrights. Millions of dollars are being realized and paid out as royalties even today. Listeners are still able to feel its rustic charm and intention. The fan following for classic country music is immense and continues to grow.

By: Ross Bainbridge

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Starting out in music can be a daunting task. As a music beginner you might have a little experience in music or no experience at all in music. One of the biggest challenges can be figuring out how you want to learn music. With the internet there are many ways and options for the music beginner. I am an artist and a producer and even I have found lessons in music online that have helped me out. I’m going to share with you a few options you have as a music beginner in the areas of music software production, learning guitar, and piano by taking beginners lessons online.

First let’s start out with music software editing for the music beginner. I have been an artist since I was in middle school but I didn’t start getting into music software production till recently. I went online to see if I could find any kind of resource that would help me in music production and I found many music beginner courses. So many in fact it took me a while to find the right one. You can get quality lessons in music production that take you through the process of creating music step by step. Sometimes you can find free lessons to get a feel for the product that is being offered. I found just such a thing when I was looking for beginner guitar lessons.

My main instrument currently is piano, but I’ve been trying to find guitar lessons for the acoustic and solo guitar lessons. Now I’m not saying these online music beginners lessons are better than having a personal music teacher. When you’re just starting out, however, it can be more cost effective to go with the online courses. I have just added a beginner guitar course to my website and it has helped a lot of people out. I enjoy sharing these online resources with others because I’m so passionate about music. Which brings me back to the piano.

I personally have taught myself piano by listening to some of the best piano songs and creating my own style. If you’re just starting out however that may not be an option for you. Just like guitar, like I mentioned in the previous paragraph, there a plenty of beginners lessons on how to read piano, piano charts, and an abundance of other content at your finger tips. I have even found for piano free lessons that can get you started and passionate about music.

I hope this article has sparked your interest to learn more about music and the online options you have to get started as a music beginner. Feel free to get in touch with me and I’ll see if I can help you get start in music. Music is a wonderful thing and has given my life more depth and meaning. My pursuit of music has taken me many places. I have traveled all over the United States and Europe all before I turned 18! I want everyone who wants to learn and play music to have the right tools to do so and find success in doing so.

By: Albert Reid

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No doubt, the Disc Jockey is one of the most vital parts of your wedding ceremony. From the moment you enter into the reception area as a married couple, the DJ will be responsible not only for the welcome music but also for the music of the first dances and the general evening wedding celebrations. A DJ is the most important entertainment choice that can set the celebration mood for you as well as the people attending your special wedding day. Having a good DJ is more than just playing music and here are some reasons why:

DJ’s are as important as your wedding ceremony itself

It is your wedding and of course, it can be custom ¬designed and we all agree to the fact that the wedding music played during any wedding ceremony basically comes only second in importance after the ceremony itself. The music your DJ plays is basically meant to be sort of ‘fill in the gaps’ during the non-¬speaking periods. It is to make the guests relish the times when they are being seated, during the time of wedding procession and at the time of lighting the unity candles. The music is like the backdrop and it can’t be ignored.

DJ’s are responsible to end the celebration on the right note

Yes, the DJ’s can actually shape a beautiful ending by playing the song of your choice or one the DJ thinks will spellbound the guests leaving with memories of your great wedding along with them. Choosing and playing the last song is just like the last play of a football game that you are watching and are excited to know what will happen at the end. Think of a couple of options for the last song your self or leave it to a DJ who will always have something in his back pocket to finish the night. The DJ will play the last song of the night leaving everybody feeling complete and joyous.

You can always rely on your DJ to cover the moments when you are not available to attend your guests

A DJ knows best how to entertain your guests. If you have a crowd that is just tearing it up at the end of the night, the DJ knows best to just let it flow and end the night on a very high note. But if you have a lot of couples left at the end of the night and everyone is pretty tired out from the long day of partying, The DJ ends the night on a slow song to relax the crowd a bit and yet make the perfect last song.

By: Daryl Ledyard

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The Electric Bass guitar has been around for over 70 years and has become an integral part in modern music. Whilst there have been a few design changes over the years – the fundamental role of the instrument remains forming the rhythmic, tonal and heartbeat of the music

There are thousands of different basses on the market today but here we list 10 classics of their genre – if your going to get a bass – these are the ones to aspire to.

1 Fender Precision

First introduced in 1951 – this was Leo Fender’s baby that soon became the industry standard. Often called the P-Bass, it’s solid “slab” body with single pickup it has perhaps became the most popular bass of all time.

2 Fender Jazz

Fender’s “other” most popular bass – first seen in 1960 – this one differed from the Fender Precision by having a slimmer shaped neck, two pickups and a countered body design.

3 Rickenbacker 4001

Rickenbacker introduced the 4000 series in the early ’50′s as competition against the Fender series – there have been a number of variations within the 4000 series – (the 4001 and 4002 etc) – As with their 6 string counterparts the Rickenbacker basses have a unique tone and the 4001 has become the rock bass of choice .

4 Hofner

One name – Paul McCartney – usually seen with a 500/1 model (but this wasn’t the only Hofner bass Paul had). This instrument has become iconic – you picture the Beatles and you picture Paul with his Hofner. Not particularly expensive or superbly made but it’s association with The Beatles makes it a bass players must have.

5 Gibson Les Paul Recording Bass.

Gibson’s iconic model – Bass style – introduced in the late 60′s following it’s 6 string sibling- Manufactured with the traditional Gibson Mahogany – it’s a true design classic and despite various design changes over the years it remains much loved by bassists- great for studio use it’s often referred to as the Recording Bass.

6 Musicman Stingray

This one came on the scene in the mid 1970′s utilizing (at the time) innovate features such as humbucker bass pickups, active circuitry. Reminiscent of the Fender Precision (sharing a designer in Leo Fender) but with features that brought it bang upto date the Stingray has remained a favorite every since.

7 Steinberger Bass

Featuring the classic headstock-less design Ned Steinberger’s guitar company were true innovators – a truly composite instrument (graphite and carbon fibre mix). Steinberger released the Q and M series basses and nothing else looked or sounded quite like them – immensely popular during the 80′s/90′s perhaps less so now – but still a true innovation in bass guitar design.

8 Gibson Thunderbird

Our second Gibson on the list the Thunderbird bass was first released in the early 1960′s – sharing a similar design with the Gibson Firebird 6 string the Thunderbird was the direct competition for the Rickenbacker 4001 – Perhaps Gibson’s most popular bass – it has remained popular with the hard rock fraternity over the last 20 years.

9 Fender V

Although short-lived, the Fender V bass gets onto our list by virtue of being the first 5 string bass to go mainstream, a change in the standard design this 15 fret bass had a high C string to allow bassists access to the higher register of tones. Only a handful of these basses were produced making them collectors items today – and whilst generally derided the V is an important stepping stone to the 5 string basses that are common today.

10 Gretsch Broadkaster

Gretsch Hollowbody – great tone – almost double bass like – first released in the 1960′s – a unique tone all of it’s own – Whilst Gretsch are not renowned for their basses this one’s a beauty – somewhat distinctive from the Fender and Gibson basses – a unique sound drawing on the technology from it’s 6 string Gretsch counterparts.

By: Adrian Martin

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If you are a Disc Jockey (DJ) or an amateur music producer, you need the Sonic Producer software to create your masterpiece. Most of us dreamed of becoming the next super music producer such as Timbaland or Jay-z. Unfortunately, we would not have the money to have access to high end recording studio equipment worth millions of dollar.

What we do have is a computer at home, an amplifier and a set of speakers and sub woofer. Luckily that is all you need to have the same music production capability of a Hollywood music studio. The Sonic Producer software will help you create your masterpiece.

There are a few different ways you can record beats with Sonic Producer. You can start recording beats by tapping them out on the time line. There are total 16 time line slots and each have their own individual volume adjuster. The software layout is very similar to the music recording equipment in a studio.

If you are a beginner, you can start producing catchy beats by selecting the sound you want on the “key pad” and then press “Record”. You can also select the sound tonality from the “keyboard pad” and then drag it over to the time line. Again, press “Record” and Sonic Producer will run your mix.

How about snare drums? Yes, you have that option also. With snare drum sound put on the right location, the end result is pretty cool. For some reason, your foot will start to tap to the beats.

Do you like twinkles on your music mix? All you have to do is select the right twinkle sound, use the keyword to select the right tone and then drag it to your music time line. Hit “Record” and the software will run. You have just added another element to your beat creation.

By: Will D. Kepper

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Since the beginning of time, music has been used as an expression of cultural identity. Ancient tribal societies used music as a foundation for gatherings and to express their history, ethnicity, and cultural beliefs. Music has changed throughout the ages, but the use of music as an essential part of cultural and individual expression has changed very little.

Music’s integral connection to identity is often difficult to recognize, especially in today’s society where music may not be viewed as being as message-oriented as it once was. There were times when entire generations or cultures of individuals each knew the same songs. During World War II, entire nations of people sang songs that expressed their national identity with their cause and their connection to their fighting forces. Again, with the protest songs of the 1960′s and 1970′s, the people of the nation explored their feelings about war, youth, and racial unrest. And, as music as a form of expression has grown, different individuals within the same society have come to identify with varying forms of music as their own individual expression of self.

Although music may not be as blatantly descriptive as the songs of decades past, music speaks to the individual in the same way that the individual speaks through music. A nation of parents sat perplexed as their children became entranced by the sounds of rock and roll, and now there are as many types of music to identify with as there are generational cliques to adapt the musical message. Parents are still perplexed by youth who dress like Britney Spears and Eminem and who use language expressed in song. The addition of music videos has also added a note to self-expression through music that wasn’t present until the last few years. Unlike past generations, today’s youth can see how the music is being expressed and can identify visually with their chosen genre. Television and the internet have also allowed international peoples to share their cultures through music.

Whether music is viewed as being an influence on youth or as being influenced by youth, is still secondary to the fact that it has always been present as a socializing factor. Whether that socialization takes place as a part of a group membership or as a way to express individuality, there is no way to ignore the fact that the influence and expression of music expands as the world community shares more of its musical styles. People may find that music speaks to them in a certain way, moves them in a certain way, or that they identify with its message. People may also find that they can use music to express themselves as individuals as well as to conform to a group. Doubtless, music and its connection to individual and group identity will take on new forms as people continue to be exposed to varying forms of music and culture.

By: Rebecca Stigall

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When planning a party, you spend a lot of time deciding on decor and menu offerings. You also carefully include friends on the guest list that you know will contribute to the mood and bring out the best in the crowd. You also need to pay attention to the DJ music. Music provides the background that sets the ambiance of your event. Careful selection is necessary to get the desired results. Don’t just rely on someone else’s mix. Take a minute to assess your party, the guests and the mood you want to create.

When you are working with children, there can a lot of difficulties. First, kids have an unbelievable amount of energy. When choosing DJ music, you need to determine whether you are going to play off that energy or calm your young guests down. Depending on what the particular activity is, you may want to vary the mood throughout the event. If a game is being played, choose upbeat tunes. For the gifts or food, put on something that is a bit more mellow. Another thing to play close attention to the is the content of the music. Try to keep the values of your guests in mind. Even if you find something appropriate, you may have a more conservative family coming. If you unsure, ask a friend or family member whose opinion you trust.

For an adult party, you have a lot more leeway. Your choices in DJ music will vary all the way from classical to hard rock. If you have a diverse guest list, it’s a good idea to avoid extremes on either end. Easy listening, contemporary or modern pop are probably good choices. For a wedding, an eclectic mix of love songs is appropriate. If you are throwing an event celebrating a life event, choose songs that celebrate life and triumphs. Take the extra time to tailor your playlist to your intended mood.

There are many choices when it comes to DJ music and only you can be sure what is the best choice. Even if you hire a professional disc jockey, you will still need to work closely with the professional to ensure that the final product is just what you had in mind. Good music will always be noticed and can really make your event shine.

By: Kristin Long

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