Practical Sheet Music: Music Teachers Resources

By: Earl Marsden

Are you a music teacher who has been dedicated and committed into passionate yet effective teaching to future music specialists? Do you have such passion and heart for teaching music to all learners as well as the beginners? If yes, you certainly have to be informed and updated with the latest music teachers’ resources, trends and techniques. In this page, you will learn the importance of virtual sheet music as one of the innovative and efficient music teachers’ resources. Sheet Music Defined Primarily, sheet music is defined as either manually or digitally printed form of musical notation. In the advent of internet and technology, access to musical notation may also include downloading from online sites and presentation on computer screens – modifying the traditional medium of sheet music. Sheet music generally refers to the print publication of commercial music in concurrence of newly released films, show, record albums and other music-related events. Uses of Sheet Music As sheet music can be handed out as individual pieces or collections, it is being utilized as a record, a guide, a means to perform or any musical pieces. Understanding sheet music demands a special form of skill and literacy – the ability to read and get familiarize with musical notation. That is why it is important to your music students to get into both modern and conventional sheet music as well as acquire the necessary skills to adopt and apply such beyond the learning process. Effective Sheet Music 101 As people always settle and go for convenience, it will also be applicable to integrate the use of Internet and other means of technological innovation into a variety of teaching and learning strategies. Sheet music may now be accessed virtually either through downloads, video streaming and many others. This will surely make your students in music be more inspired to learn their musical pieces as well as stay more motivated in participating in their activities in the music classroom or studio. As each sheet music now comes in different formats, types and styles, each learner will certainly appreciate your resources and strategies. These kinds of sheet music – modern or classical can also be good for beginners as they come in categorized and organized packages: per instrument or by complexity. Music teachers may now search on the net the latest sheet music available as well as the corresponding effective and efficient trends and methods to teach each. Sheet music is considered as effective music teachers’ resources and tools that students will surely look forward to and enjoy. Both inspirational and instructional, music teachers’ resources must be comprised of fun, entertaining and motivating techniques and tools that are all aimed towards the betterment of each music student. Nowadays, there have been a wide variety of available software and reliable websites that can help most music teachers around the globe reach academic superiority. So, what are you waiting for? Click your way to digital sheet music and music teachers resources to give your students what exactly they deserve – working all the possibilities towards the excellence to music education. Enjoy each musical teaching and learning experience today!

More articles about sheet music and teaching tips may be found on this music teacher’s resources. – Earl Marsden Music Teacher Articles Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Learning To Play The Guitar At Home - 3 Ways To Learn

By: Sam Marks

So you want to learn to play the guitar, but for whatever reason, seeing a private teacher isn't an option for you? Don't worry – it's perfectly possible to become a great guitarist by learning at home. If you choose to go this route, here are some tips to consider: Choose Your Instruction Carefully People teach themselves to play the guitar using a variety of methods. All can be effective (at least to some degree), and you'll need to choose the one that is best suited to your personality and resources. The basic options are: Playing Along With Music You Like Many guitarists have picked up their skills by playing along to their favourite records. Playing by ear is a very valuable skill to have, and this type of practice should always be part of your routine. But if you really want to develop into a well-rounded guitarist, you'll also need some more formal instruction, so you can learn scales and other technical exercises, music theory etc. This could come from tutor books and/or from online lessons. Guitar Tutor Books & DVDs Go to Amazon or any music store and you'll find a bewildering array of guitar instruction books and DVDs. These can be a great way to learn – you can go at your own pace, and the good ones will provide thorough explanations of all of the concepts you need to learn, along with clear diagrams/photos, and exercises and tunes to play through. Many books also include CDs which help you hear how the music should be played, and which you can jam along with. On the plus side, books are usually relatively inexpensive, and can cover a lot of ground. On the other hand, some people find it difficult to learn from a book, and do better with video or other modalities.  Online Guitar Lessons In recent years online guitar instruction has become increasingly popular, and today there is a wide variety of sites offering instruction in the form of videos, written material, audio recordings and software. These online lessons can be a great way to learn, as the choice of media can really help to present the material in a more useful way than books alone. Some of the course providers charge a fee (generally a one-time payment for lifetime access), whereas others are free. Among both types, the quality is very variable, so if you opt to go this route, make sure that the person doing the teaching is both a skilled guitarist and a competent teacher, and that their materials are well put together. If you have a course in mind, it's always a good idea to Google for reviews, so you can read about other peoples experiences with it before investing your time and maybe money too.  So as you can see, there are lots of different options available to those wishing to teach themselves to play guitar, and whatever your circumstances and personal preferences, you're sure to find one to suit!

Find out more about how to play guitar at my site, which has tips for beginners and more advanced guitarists. If you're looking for a professionally produced, fun and affordable online guitar course which will help you develop a solid foundation and some impressive skills, I recommend checking out this one, which offers introductory lessons for free. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Understanding The Basic Guitar Types

by: George Stanley

If you are inexperienced, one guitar is the same as any other. Of course, there is the obvious difference between an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. But, aside from this main characteristic there are many important differences in guitars. The importance of these variations are determined by the style of music to be played. For example, country musicians will use a different type of guitar than a classical musician or even a rock guitarist. And jazz players will use a different style of guitar than either of the three above. Another important distinction of electric guitars is that some have a hollow body and some have a solid body. Each type of body delivers its own unique sound. 

Acoustic Guitar Body Styles 

Classical guitars have a very wide fingerboard and use nylon strings and, since a pick isn't used on a classical guitar, it doesn't have a pick guard. Usually, the classical guitar rests on the left knee with the neck angled up. It is not necessary to play them this way but that is the traditional position. The wide fingerboard makes it easier to place your fingers on a string without touching the other strings. Plus, the nylon strings aren't as hard on the fingers while plucking them or creating notes on the neck. 

The dreadnought is a large six string guitar and is the style that is typically used for country and other styles of music. A jumbo guitar is a bit larger than a dreadnought and is more curvy and rounded. Some basic guitars are smaller in size. Guitars called 1/2 or 3/4 guitars are designed for small children. Also, some guitars designed for travel and back packers are more compact in size. 

A cutaway guitar is one that has part of the body cut away where the neck joins the body so the player can get to the higher frets. These guitars are often equipped to be amplified. 

Electric Guitar Body Styles 

Blues and Jazz guitar players often play an f hole guitar with an arched top. The "f" hole are two "f" shaped holes in the top of the guitar. These guitars are hollow bodied or semi-hollow bodied and are usually thinner than an acoustic. They are equipped to be amplified. 

Electric guitars with solid bodies can have a variety of different shapes. Many have the traditional guitar shape but some look like arrows or squares even circles and many others. 

Guitars typically have either six or twelve strings. The most common guitar is a six string. The twelve string duplicates the all of the strings with the lower four pairs being an octave different. 

About The Author George Stanley loves to play the guitar. If learning to play guitar is your dream then vist http://www.howtoreadguitarnotes.com and learn How to Read Guitar Notes. You can also visit http://www.howtoreadguitarchords.com and learn How to Read Guitar Chords

Blogs in Music Education – Great Teacher Resources

Educators, school administrators and curriculum developers around the globe work hand-in-hand to improve the kind of teaching styles and techniques they have for their learners. One great way that they think would benefit majority of the students is the integration of technology – innovative and effective ways to make both teaching and learning fun and enjoyable.  Likewise, in the music education setting, music teachers and facilitators have integrated various means of innovation and technology such as the use of online learning and communication through the power of Internet as well as the inclusion of writing and reading blogs related to learning and teaching music. With these kinds of music teacher resources, both the teachers and the learners experience the convenience, the fun and the excitement of music in a general perspective. Initially, the word blog comes from the key terms web log, which is referred to as a web-based application where the authors write and post articles or anything that interests him. This is also considered to be an online diary or journal of many students, writers and professionals all over the world. In the advent of this innovative way of expressing oneself, blog has grown and turned into an effective and practical music teacher resource where millions of individuals from different interests use to communicate and learn.  Over the years, blogging in teaching and learning music has been proven beneficial to create an environment or an online community where good discussions reign at all times. It is also true that music teachers are introducing and incorporating new kinds of technologies into the classroom.  With this objective, a wide variety of music teacher resources has been utilized and developed all for the betterment of music education. This may even include not only such improvement in the means of learning, but also a change in people's attitude to teaching or learning.  Blogs as means of teaching and learning can be a useful tool for both students and teachers. Through this, they can keep in touch anywhere at anytime via online – providing a way to communicate openly without overspending and necessarily having to meet face to face. Educational blogs create a new kind of classroom where students and teachers can meet beyond the four walls of the classroom and go further the boundaries of the school yard, improving their skills through continuous communication. When music students are being exposed to writing and reading musical and educational blogs, they tend to have the possibility to effectively interact with the other students and be able to explore knowledge, ideas and skills in music. Therefore, using blogs helps the student bloggers in their daily activities; thus, it also increases their levels of interests and motivation. Participating and communicating more in online activities, students can surely enjoy each social interaction experience. In a world that is constantly changing, it is riskier to plan, control, and do little than to continuously try things out. So make your music students involve with various innovative and effective music teacher resources. Make your active learners write, read and participate in music-related blogs today! Enjoy each blogging experience and see a more positive result on the academic excellence of these bunches of students.

This music teacher resources blog provides helpful tips for teaching, practicing, performing, managing your music studio, music teacher software reviews, and more. – Earl Marsden Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

‘10 Bands you MUST listen to in 2009’

By: James Hay

1-Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir; S.A.P. Recordings

As wonderful & curiously obscure as the name suggests, AMGC are the last staunch advocates of a musical tradition quickly disappearing. Whereas many supposed ‘Americana’ outfits are indulging in ‘countrified’ pop, AMGC are delving into America’s musical roots taking Americana to a whole new, highly antiquated, level. Each song is a cataclysmically clear observation of the human condition, as raw and dusty as the Mid-America itself.

2-Blood Red Shoes; V2

Blood Red Shoes consist of the song-writing partnership forged between the bands only two members; Laura-Mary Carter & Steven Ansell. Emphasised by their inclination towards relatively linear musical narratives, the main distinction being between ‘Noise’ & ‘Noisier’, Blood Red Shoes are oddly reminiscent of a stripped-down Velvet Underground. With a follow-up to 2008’s ‘Box of Secrets’ rumoured to be coming to light this year, Blood Red Shoes should be overwhelming a major festival stage near you!

3-School of Language; Memphis Industries

School of Language is strangely hypnotic, oddly effervescent invention from the creative powerhouse behind Field Music, David Brewis. Like a slow running locomotive, Brewis’ creations grow from the smallest musical fragment, gaining immense momentum, until reaching invigorating height then relinquishing again, back into the mist of Brewis’ inventiveness from whence they came. With a small UK tour scheduled School of Language could prove to be one of the most reclusively electrifying live acts of the year.

4-Anthony & The Johnsons; Secretly Canadian/Rough Trade

Despite a Mercury Music Prize and infinite critical acclaim, Anthony & The Johnsons are still one of the most unjustifiably commercially underrated acts in recent memory. With the 2009 release of ‘The Crying Light’ we see The Johnsons strike an altogether more upbeat chord. The trademark melancholy is still present, yet there are moments of undeniable warmth & tenderness, far more consumer friendly than the unrepentant despondency of The Johnsons previous offerings.

5-Lisa Hannigan; Lisa Hannigan

You might recognise Hannigan as the sultry songstress whose presence edified Damien Rice’s otherwise relatively insipid debut. Since her untimely departure from Rice’s backing band, Hannigan has begun to flourish as an artist in her own right, and seems all the better for it. Hannigan’s innocuous refrains instantly lift you from the unsympathetic monotony of Winter, her gentile aura enveloping you wholly. Hannigan’s latest LP, ‘Sea Sew’, will be an album to warm to during the coldest Sundays of February, while all around is frostbitten.

6-Brakes; FatCat Records

Brakes are one of those delightfully abrasive bands who can effortlessly interweave soothing melodies with crashing upheaval to create a burgeoning, unstoppable monolith that one doesn’t know whether to dance to, or run away from. Currently on tour promoting their latest full-length, ‘Touchdown’, Brakes’ quirky pop idealism will undoubtedly warrant a definably brief blast in which all hearing ability will be lost, all pop sensibilities will be questioned & all non-believers will be converted.

7-Ant3lop3; DISCHORD

One could argue that Ant3lop3 fit the DISCHORD paradigm perfectly; the progressive time signatures, the tortuous repetitive guitar lines & oblique world outlook, and I suppose such arguments would be right, but where Ant3lop3 really come into there own is in the live setting. Each song becomes an event, swirling masterfully between Ant3lop3’s three, Mike Andre gestating uncomfortably as the lyrics pour from him with such intensity it almost looks as if such action is actually proving harmful. It may be some time before we see Ant3lop3 on our shores again, but it will unquestionably be worth the wait.

8-The Last Republic; Unsigned

As a perfect example of the Indie ethic, The Last Republic have been honing their own brand of ambient dissonance for what seems like a lifetime. With several name changes, a van wistfully named ‘Thunderchild’ and an impressive array of gigs up and down the country, it finally seems The Last Republic have grown out of youthful pomposity, into fully fledged artistic maturity. The bands rigorous attention to detail ensures a highly polished live show which will hopefully come to national precedence through 2009.

9-Jeff Finlin; Yep!

Jeff Finlin is the constant purveyor of American road-worn minimalism, his songs as deeply etched as the lines upon his face. With his sixth release ‘Ballad of a Plain Man’, Finlin cements his place among the undergrowth of American literary greats. Jeff is one of the best songwriters never heard of. Immediately accessible, so many off ‘Ballad of a Plain Man’ are identifiably multi-layered and worthy of countless listens, yet never overly intrusive, it’s easy to see why Bruce Springsteen sites Finlin as one of his favourite songwriters.

10-Hem; Waveland Records

The dreamy soundscapes created by Hem are equally as beautiful as they are fragile. Centred on Sally Ellyson’s dulcet vocals are often reminiscent of pre-WWII jazz recordings, whilst the background musicality slips between genres, delicately finding something which is problematic to define. Every vignette is steeped in a dense summer mist, the perfect soundtrack to those long, dry summer afternoons.

The Top Reasons To Learn To Play The Piano

by: Lauren Paltrow

Below we have put together just 10 of the many reasons to learn to play. The piano is a marvelous musical instrument Also, it’s one of the best things that you can do for yourself- it can make you feel great, and it’s not as difficult as you might think! There’s no-one who doesn’t appreciate the incredible sound that can come from those ivories! If you have even the slightest inclination towards learning, then there’s no reason not to.

1) With the advancements in communication and the easy availability of multi-media, playing the piano is incredibly easy. There really are no obstacles in your way. Consider professional teachers, online tutorials, or you can even learn now by watching a DVD!

2) For the cost of a good meal in a restaurant, you can buy a really good standard instruction DVD or a tutorial book. The cost of learning to play has also gone down considerably over recent years. Think of the DVD as your own private teacher at your beck and call 24 hours a day! Personally, I prefer the DVD route, as you can learn to play at your own leisure – you can pause to make a cup of tea whenever you want, and you can learn at your own pace. Also, you’ll find that the vast majority of the good standard course books are these days accompanied with their own audio cd, which is always a help.

3) Sharing. It’s a real treat to be able to share music with those around you – loved ones such as grandchildren, children or that very special someone. It’s a wonderful gift to give someone.

4) A quick visit to your local library will present you with sheet music for all levels of expertise. You can even go online and print off sheet music – some websites even let you listen to the music online as you play, so you can get a real feel for the song. Have you got a favorite song? Then playing the piano will enable you to play it and hear it any time you want! If you’re like me, then you will have listened to a song and then thought to yourself that you wished you could play that! What, exactly is it that is stopping you from doing so?

5) Entertainment! For hundreds of years the music of the piano has brought people together – imagine if you could initiate a sing-song with your family! There’s really nothing better for that bonding experience. To take it a level further, get them to join in – there is a great deal of music that can be played by two people at once – believe me when I say it really is a special experience for all the family.

6) Lifetime guarantee! It’s like riding a bike – when you know, you know. And even better than riding a bike – you never need to stop! When you’re ninety years of age, a ride around the block on a bicycle may present a bit of a challenge – not so the piano. Also, the longer you play, the more you are able to learn.

7) Versatility. The piano itself is a massively versatile instrument – one of the few instruments that you can play simultaneous notes on without to much difficulty. This is often why the piano is chosen as the instrument of choice for composers – it’s like having your own mini-orchestra.

8) You will find yourself understanding how music is put together, and this in itself will give you a much better idea of what exactly the composer was trying to get across. When you play an instrument such as the piano, you will find you have a much better understanding of the music you hear every day. You may even surprise yourself by thinking up better ways to play, or even to improve it!

9) Its physically easy! Other instruments (such as the violin or the guitar) take a degree of flexibility and exertion. The piano, however, requires none of these. Like we mentioned earlier, people play the piano expertly well into their nineties – they can because the physical toll on the body is absolutely minimal.

10) The tradition of the piano is well-founded. Almost any concert you go, anywhere and at any time will have a keyboard somewhere on the stage. The piano has also influenced countless genres of music, and has also given rise to many more since it first arrived on the scene 250 years ago.

You won’t regret it! I promise you that learning the piano will be one of the best things you ever do for yourself. We could go on forever, and I’m sure you can think of some that we haven’t mentioned. These, of course, are just a few of the reasons to learn the piano. I urge you to do it, even if you have only the slightest inclination somewhere in the back of your mind.

About The Author Lauren Paltrow of http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnpiano, specializes in helping aspiring pianists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Lauren leads her team of piano experts in constantly reviewing new courses and products in the market to make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out her honest and unbiased independent reviews of the best piano courses and products at http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnpiano. You can also get her free piano lessons online there too.

Choosing A Guitar – A Guide

by: Liam Gibson

If you have no friends who can play to ask for advice, or, like I was, you are not all that clued up about the genre, then buying your first guitar can be a difficult task. Probably the first obstacle you will have to face when you decide to learn to play the guitar is buying one to start with. 

Many people, me included, make the mistake of buying a nice economical purchase to start learning on, and find that it does not even come close to meeting their needs. Also, a lot of people take the advice of the shop assistant, which can often turn out to be a little misguided and driven by his desire to make a sale rather than getting the best deal for yourself. 

The following are all questions that you really need to know the answers to before you step foot into a guitar shop. If you are in this situation, and are looking seriously into the possibility of buying a guitar in order to learn, then there are a few things that you should be considering before you depart with your hard-earned cash. 

1. What style of music do you want to play? 

It may sound quite obvious to say that an electric guitar is more suited to rock music whereas an acoustic guitar is better for strumming and singing along. However, many people make this mistake. Make sure you keep this in mind so that you don’t get pressured into buying something that will not be suitable for your needs. You will know what you want to play, and what you want to learn. 

2. What sort of budget do you have? 

What you are doing when you buy your first guitar is investing – you are investing in yourself and your own musical development. This should be considered as you set about finalizing exactly how much you want to spend. If you have never played guitar before, then spending thousands of dollars on a top quality instrument is probably not the way to go. Realistically, to begin with, you should be looking at paying somewhere in the region of $250-$300 (US) for a decent electric guitar, and around $150 (US) for an acoustic. 

Now that you have decided on the style of music and how much you want to pay, then you need to take a look at the guitars available and ask yourself which one you want!! This is a tricky bit, and to get it right will take a little time – but remember that this is an investment into your musical future – the time taken is worth it! Bear in mind the points below. 

• Try before you buy. Try as many guitars as you want! Buying your first guitar is a little like buying a new car – you wouldn’t just take the first one you see, right? There’s also no reason why, at this stage, you shouldn’t be looking at guitars that might be outside of your budget – by doing this you will be getting a good idea of the range available to you, and the big differences that exist from one guitar to another. 

• Pay special attention to the playability of the frets. Take a look at each fret, and play a note on each. If you listen to the sound that this produces, you may find that there is a small buzzing sound – if this is the case, then it means that the action of the guitar is not set properly. It could even point to a case of poor workmanship on the instrument. Also, look at the condition of the frets – are they worn out? Do they show signs of excessive usage? 

• Many people buy guitars online, and it can be a quick and easy way to purchase your first guitar. The advantages of this are that it can be cheaper than a high street store, and it will often arrive straight to your door. If this is a road you wish to go down, then make sure that you fully check out the reviews of that particular guitar, and look at the user reviews as well to get a better idea of whether this guitar is right for you. 

• Be comfortable! Make sure you select a guitar that you like, and that you feel comfortable with. If you find one that fits you like a glove and makes a sound that you genuinely enjoy, then there is a much higher chance that that guitar will stay with you for a much longer time. 

Whatever you do, do not get pressured into spending more than you want to append, as this will breed resentment before you have even begun. For the beginner attempting to learn to play the guitar for the first time, then you should be considering all of the above before you start. Playing the guitar really can be a wonderful pastime, always rewarding and great fun to boot. 

Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson (Pro Guitarist) 

About The Author Liam Gibson of http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnguitar, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out his honest and unbiased independent reviews of the best guitar courses and products at http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnguitar. You can also get his free guitar lessons online there too.

Learn By Ear - How To Play The Piano

by: Lauren Paltrow

The majority of the workings of the human ear are muscle, and, just like any other muscle in the human body, it can be trained to work even more efficiently. Your ear is a marvellous organ - the human ear can identify literally thousands of different sounds.

For some people, playing the piano by ear comes quite naturally - they know as soon as they hear a particular series of notes or chords how that combination was played and where the persons hands were on the keyboard. By hearing the same piece of music over and over again you will find it much easier to recognise. Think of it like training a dog - the more you shout a command at the dog, the more it gets used to hearing it and what the necessary response is.

If you got a (very patient) friend to sit at your piano for two days straight and play nothing but major thirds (for example C and E or F and A, etc), your ear would be trained for the sound. Then, the next time you are walking down the street and you hear a car horn, I bet you would immediately identify that sound as a major third (this is because the vast majority of car horns are "factory-tuned" to a major third).

It can be done, and it can be done relatively easily. Once your ear is actually trained to identify these certain sounds, you'll be amazed at how much you recognise them as they occur everyday life all around you. Train whistles, car horns, even tannoy announcements! If you can identify a train whistle as producing a tritone portamento descending, then do you see how easy it would be to learn to play the piano by ear?

It can be difficult to find a friend who doesn't mind playing the same chords over and over again whilst you listen, so the best solution to this that we have found is get hold of a tape recorder, and record the music. If you can find a recorder with a numerical counter on it, all the better, as you are then able to rewind to any specific spot you like. This is really the initial step - you have to listen to the sounds in order to be able to recognize them.

When teaching, most piano teachers prefer to begin with melodic intervals such as skips of a major third or a perfect sixth, so this is a reasonable place for you to start also. Chord progressions can be more fun than the melodic intervals (and will keep you a little more engaged).

Training your ear to recognize specific sounds and thus transferring them onto the piano is a time-honored tradition that has served many people well in the past. It can be done, and it can be done relatively simply. There's no reason that you cannot do it yourself - learning to play the piano could not be simpler!

Copyright 2008 Lauren Paltrow

About The Author Lauren Paltrow of http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnpiano, specializes in helping aspiring pianists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Lauren leads her team of piano experts in constantly reviewing new courses and products in the market to make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out her honest and unbiased independent reviews of the best piano courses and products at http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnpiano. You can also get her free piano lessons online there too.

What’s The Best Way To Care For My Guitar?

by: Liam Gibson

In order to enjoy the full life and playability of your instrument, it is paramount that you keep it is the best possible condition. Often, it can come secondary to playing, but if you want to continue to play for a longer time, then keeping it in the best condition is vital. We have assembled the best ways to keep it in perfect condition – follow these tips and your guitar will last as long as want it to! 

• Post-practice 

A common problem amongst guitarists is the deterioration of the strings. If they start to rust they become much rougher, and also will be more likely to cut into your fingers. If your fingers are cut, then you are not going to be able to play as well, so it’s vital to make sure you don’t get to this stage. All you need to do is as soon as you have finished practicing, take a soft cloth and gently clean the strings. 

This very simple action will rid your strings of all the dirt, oil and sweat that accumulates. Another good idea is, before you case your guitar, to apply a layer of conditioner. You can pick these up for less than ten dollars, so they are relatively cheap and are great for preventing the oxidization of the strings which causes them to rust. 

• Clean the fretboard 

The next time you change your strings, take a look at the fretboards and clean them with a damp cloth. As well as the strings, there can often be an accumulation of dirt and grease around the fretboards. If unchecked, this can damage the sound of the guitar, and eventually the integrity of the instrument. 

• Care for your body! 

All you need to do is polish it regularly with a lint-free cloth. Make sure you use only guitar-specific polishes – some of the more widely available household polishes are more likely to be abrasive and cause some serious damage. A lot of people neglect the body of the guitar as they focus too much on the strings and the fretboard. Whilst these do need a lot of attention, paying a bit of attention to the body of your guitar will prolong its life by a large factor. 

• Storage 

Whilst most guitars are tolerant to a range of temperatures, excessive moisture will cause swelling which in turn causes the wood to warp and affects the overall sound. For ideal conditions, you should be looking at storing your guitar at around 50% humidity and a temperature of around 25 degrees C. Your guitar is a very sensitive instrument, and is extremely sensitive to the environment in which it is stored. Wood is a porous substance, which means it can absorb moisture. 

• Scratches 

It may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people have made this mistake! Before you even start to play, make sure you have removed all your jewellery and other accoutrements that may damage your guitar. The obvious things are things like bracelets and rings, but I have also seen expensive guitars scratched badly by something as simple as a belt buckle! 

You can prolong the lifespan of your guitar by applying simple common sense in the majority of cases. It’s not really rocket science – and if you treat your guitar with the respect that it deserves then you will find the rewards are much higher. 


Copyright 2009 Liam Gibson 

About The Author Liam Gibson of http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnguitar, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out his honest and unbiased independent reviews of the best guitar courses and products at http://www.ReviewsMetro.com/learnguitar. You can also get his free guitar lessons online there too.

Mp3 Players’ Music Downloads For Everyone

By: Zalatoy Vato

If downloading music has been your passion, then you must have faced several problems while downloading. The biggest problem that is faced in music search is the proper place to get the music of choice. A search may yield several results, but when you actually visit the site, you are disappointed. Maybe either the specific music is not present there or even if it is present it required several searches and clicks, until you were frustrated with the entire process. This is the main problem of many people who are searching top music of the year or any kind of music of their choice. Today teenagers and youngsters are almost addicted to mp3 player’s music downloads and often they exchange their music collection among themselves. There is no better way to remain happy, than to listen to the best music of your choice. But in all this what happens when you do not get the music of your choice. In our fast and stressful life today, most of us do not have so much time to search several hours for our popular music in the net. We often search for good quality mp3 downloads and in an easy way. Keeping in mind the requirements of so many users, there are many companies who have come up with their own versions of top music download. In these websites you will find music of your choice, from national to international music. Wermp3 is one such online destination which provides music for every music lover. There is a variety of music from hard rock, techno, punk/new wave, pop rock, dance, roc, rap and pop. You just name the music and you will get it in this online store. Not only this, you can get yourself registered in this online music store. If you are worried about the payment terms, then you shouldn’t worry, as you can make payment with your credit card. To download music to mp3 player you need to visit the download section of the website and follow the instructions that are required while downloading. It is easy and hassle free and completely secure. This website has become popular among the music lovers in a very short duration of time, mainly because of its huge selection and some popular top music. Nowhere in the internet will you be able to find such a huge selection of music download and that too at such easy pricing methods. What more can you ask for? So, the next time when you are thinking of some top music download, just think about some of the best websites, from where you can download music. It is easy and convenient for every user. Keeping in mind the requirements of all its users, it is indeed easy to navigate in the website and unlike other sites; here you will get the music of your choice within just a few clicks. You will not be forwarded from one section to another to get your favorite download. Just try out and feel the difference.

Wermp3 is a top music download site for soundtrack downloads and new music. Music lovers can listen to millions of songs and the latest music at Wermp3. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Lead Guitar Solos And The Guitarists Who Played Them

By: Ricky Sharples

In the early hours of the morning have you ever wondered where the great lead guitar solos came from and how did the guitar solo get firmly wedged into today's popular music? Did it all start with Chuck Berry in the nineteen fifties or with The Yardbirds or The Rolling Stones in the sixties? Or did it all start with the guitar solo in Rock Around The Clock by Bill Hayley And The Comets? Of course before rock and roll took off as a musical force, Les Paul who was one of the earliest electric guitar players. The team of Les Paul and his wife Mary Ford made many records and had their own TV series, and most of the songs included a guitar solo in some form. But I don't think I have ever read of any lead guitarist being inspired by the solos of Les Paul. You could change the question to "who was the first guitar player to make his lead guitar solos stand out noticeably?" Chuck Berry and Carl Perkins certainly made their own distinctive impressions during the early years of rock and roll but the nineteen sixties really brought the electric guitar into its own as a solo instrument through performers like The Shadows, The Ventures and Dick Dale. There were also the simple but exciting instrumentals of Link Wray and Duane Eddy. Probably a contributing factor to the age of the guitar instrumental was that, apart from Hank Marvin of The Shadows, none of these guitar players could sing. The era of the guitar instrumental filled the three or four years before The Beatles and The Stones changed the face of music entirely. By the time Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton emerged as the original guitar heroes, the instrumental groups had come and gone but they were very real influence on the guitarists of the late sixties. George Harrison's guitar solos with The Beatles were always very tuneful but a lot of people say that George himself was not very good at composing solos and he just played what Lennon and McCartney suggested to him. The riffs on Day Tripper and Ticket To Ride are said to be the work of John Lennon. The element of rock and roll that we refer to as the riff has been around for many years. The guitar was brought out of the jazz band rhythm section by men like Charlie Christian and Django Reinhardt. Once Jimi Hendrix had arrived on the scene it seemed as though every rock and roll guitar player had the world's permission to create lead guitar solos. And they are still doing it.

Do you want to learn to play the guitar? Learn How To Play A Guitar For Free is a constantly updated blog which contains all the resources you need for: learning to play solo guitar, how to learn guitar chords, how to learn to read and play easy acoustic guitar tabs, finding a free online guitar tuner, looking for free guitar lessons online, and how to learn guitar scales. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com