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Thursday, July 2, 2009

Learning Acoustic Guitar: The Parts of the Guitar and Proper Posture

By Scott Forrester

Some people may think otherwise, but in truth learning to play the guitar is pretty easy. The only thing that you need to do is learn where to start, and the proper place to start is by learning the different parts of a guitar. By doing this you will learn the way it works, and then you'll understand the importance of aspects such as string and pick selection. There aren't that many parts in an acoustic guitar, so we'll go over them fast:

1. The biggest part is the body. This is where all the sound comes from, and it emits those sounds through a hole that is carved in the center. This is also where the strings run through from the neck of the guitar.

2. Next there is the bridge. What is the bridge? It is right behind the hole, and the strings are attached to it. This part is usually made out of wood, at least on most guitars.

3. The next part to concern yourself with is the neck. Where is the neck? It is way on the other end of the guitar. It's very hard to miss because it's the only part on the guitar that's long and skinny. The strings of the guitar travel up the neck and attach themselves to the tuning keys.

4. In order to make different notes and sounds with your guitar, you need to place your fingers behind the frets. The frets are the golden bars running across the neck, and there are normally twenty four of them.

5. The next part is the nut; this is a divider that goes between the neck and the head stock. Normally this is grooved and keeps the headstock from sliding about while you play your guitar.\

6. Next there is the headstock, which is the topmost section on the neck. This is where the tuning keys are situated.

7. Tuning keys are the metal tabs which you'll see on the headstock itself. This is where the other end of the strings is situated, and you can use the tuning key to change the tone. This is usually referred to as keeping the guitar tuned.

So those are the basic parts of the guitar. After you have learned that you will need to learn to keep good posture while playing, that way your instrument will sound great when you play! Next we will tell you exactly how to accomplish that.

For right handed players: Begin in a sitting position, and raise one of your knees just a little bit. Put the guitar body in such a way that you are holding the neck to the left. Take the neck with your left, and then put the pick in your right. This is a decent posture, and one suitable for playing the guitar. If you need to, you can always use a strap.

If you are not right handed, then you are obviously left handed, and there is a specific way to do that as well. You need to make sure that you are comfortable first of all, and because of that you are free to sit in any way you want. All you need to do is reverse the posture of the right hand player and everything will be fine, just try it out a little, try a few different cords, and see what feels right. - 18780

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Downloading Movies Could Be The Easiest Tactic Yet

By Beverly T Brooks

Right now you have an array of countless options that you can use if you want to see a new show. You can head to the video store and stand in line to get it; if they have it you can be watching it in just a short time. You can join a mail-in service and wait for the film to come in the mail, or you can do the easiest thing of all and that is to download it straight to your computer. If you do that you can be watching the movie in just minutes.

In the recent past the only folks that were downloading movies online were doing it illegally. They used a peer-to-peer file-sharing program like Bittorrent or Kazaa. The movies were generally pirated and the applications were violations of the copyright laws.

However, now there are lawful businesses and websites that are offering movies for sale and for rent online. The variety of movies varies from site to site, along with the system requirements and the terms of use. Most of them work in a like method but they may convey the movies using diverse applications. Most are extremely simple to learn.

Most of the sites are set up so that you can easily search under a selection of criteria to find the movie that you want. Some sites require a download manager to acquire the movies while a few may require you to download and set up a particular video player.

Almost every site will need you to set up an account. You may be able to get monthly service that will allow you infinite downloads for the month while other sites may just cost for the download.

The reliable and official sites all have special software that allows them to determine the royalty fees that they owe the owner of the rights to the movies. This makes sure that the copyright is not violated.

After you have taken care of the details of which movie you prefer and how you will pay, the site will then allow you to download the movie and it will notify you when it is completed and you can begin watching. Many of the better sites also have a software program that will allow you to move the motion picture to a disc so that you can watch the film from the comfort of your own TV rather than your computer.

Downloading movies can be a great way to get the best movies you want to see, quickly, efficiently and without problems. Just experiment a bit with a few of the sites and you will see how easy it can be. - 18780

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Guitar Instructional DVD: Repeat Your Lessons Many Times As You Need To

By Jonathan Crummey

Like you probably have done, I have read a ton of interviews with great players and articles written by many of these same players. I often found it frustrating whenever the subject of learning to play guitar came up or when advice was offered on improving one's playing. With a small number of exceptions, very little time and space was offered on this.

Despite the fact that many successful don't really talk much about this, you can find some that do. Believe me, becoming successful is a lot more than just practicing and luck! REMEMBER that their strategies won't necessarily work for you because your goals may be different than theirs were. Still you can learn from it.

Remember that its ok to daydream and fantasize about where you are planning to go, but it can't stop there. Don't wish without planning! Don't dream without doing! And always, always, have a strategy.

You may need to revise certain aspects of your strategy as time goes on and that's ok, but don't try to go forward without one if you want the maximum results in the shortest amount of time. In my early days learning to play guitar, I wasted a lot of time aimlessly desiring to get better without having a clue as to how to plan for it. Sure I practiced a lot, but without direction and without an efficient path to follow. Most of my substantial progress as a musician came only after I developed a strategy and worked with it.

The way you view yourself (as an artist and not merely someone who owns a guitar and plays it sometimes) is very important to the way you will think about what you are doing musically. The way you see yourself will also effect the results you will get as you are expressing yourself.

Now that we have the proper attitude in focus, let's talk about how to go about "managing" the process of changing bad playing habits. How do we actually conduct ourselves, and our practicing and playing? As I have said, some people become paralyzed, afraid to play, afraid of undoing work done in practice sessions by what they do when they play. And for those who play professionally, it is of course, absolutely necessary that they continue to play, even if they are doing "remedial" work on their technique.

What I didn't know was that even though I was learning to keep up with these chord changes, I had so much muscle tension in my arms and other parts of my body, that I was locking in tensions that didn't have to be there, and would come back to haunt me a few years later as I attempted the classical repertoire, where you don't really get away with things like that. As the years went by, and especially in teaching others, I realized that it doesn't have to be that way for anybody! There is a way of going about it that doesn't create or allow this situation.

For instance, practice chord changes. Perhaps switching from an F barre chord to a D open is driving you crazy. Spend ten minutes going over and over the change. - 18780

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Guitar Instruction DVD: Study With The Best Teachers In The World

By Ryan Dorsey

After you decide the path you want to take to learn (online, self-taught ect..) there's nothing wrong with dabbling in other paths too just to broaden your knowledge and learn a new tip or trick here and there. There are also guitar lessons for beginners online to consider that will usually start you out for free and are a great way to get started. These are great because they're build by well educated instructors and your lesson is there waiting for you each time you log onto your course.

If you are going to invest in one on one lessons in the real world you are going to want to make sure that you set aside to practice on a regular basis. You are investing money in the lessons. Therefore, you are going to want to make sure that you follow up these lessons with solid practice. As part of your practice sessions, you will want to utilize finger picking techniques.

Second, there are larger sites that offer a wide range of different types of educational tools to assist you in learning guitar online. For example, these sites might offer to you video presentations that can assist you when it comes to learning guitar, including such techniques and practices as finger picking.

We want a healthy regular 6 string practicing lifestyle that will create healthy practice habits. Avoid the get quick fix guitar diet of always hungering for the next "learn to play fast musical diet." You will find that by making a healthy commitment to learn your guitar on a regular basis will lead to a healthy normal part of life that includes practicing your instrument the right way and for the long term, rather than just for a little while.

You've got the blues, you've got a guitar--now you need to learn the scales. Those distinctive, southern, pre-Elvis post gospel scales. When it comes down to it, there are only 3 chords you really need to master. Every blues song consists of three chords. They're the one the four and the five.

Using backing tracks you will be always playing in time and you will find that you are looking forward to your guitar practice because you enjoy playing with a band in your bedroom. When you have obtained some backing tracks to help you with your guitar practice, start using them right away. And if you find after a week or so that you are beginning to practice without using your backing tracks, make an effort to go back to using them.

There are guitar players who swear by either of these ways of playing and some who use both. Generally speaking the advantage of having a stiff wrist is speed. A relaxed wrist does not take as readily to playing fast but many guitarists feel that it gives then greater control.

These days, the easiest way to do that, to start your blues guitar lessons, is to download Jamorama, or Guitar Guru, or Music Master Pro--instead of hiring a teacher. There's probably a dozen or more other programs you can download that will show you the blues scales (or jazz scales, rock scales). They run about $20 to 50, depending on how in depth and how much you want to learn (still cheaper than hiring a tutor) - 18780

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Funky House Is Storming Across The UK

By Darren Poil

UK funky house music has had a large increase in the number of clubbers supporting the music style. The sudden rise in interest for the genre has resulted in many music producers, artists and deejays acknowledging the growing trend for funky house in the UK. This recognition has meant that funky house music is getting a considerable amount of play across major UK radio stations, nightclubs and music television channels.

"UK funky" is the term used to describe funky house music in the UK; it is a type of house music. Its a blend house music and electronic dance music from Africa and the Caribbean. The composition of UK funky music mainly consists of soulful vocals, synthesizers, samples and percussions.

The widespread success of UK funky House music can be attributed to the unique dance moves associated with the genre. Clubbers throughout the country have taken a liking to these dance moves named "skanks" and many have even upload videos of their attempts to social networking sites such as YouTube. A very successful UK funky house dance is called "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" and was introduced by the K.I.G Family.

Musicians and producers formerly involved with UK garage, grime and dubstep, are starting to merge house music's 4/4 beat with their previous work and are creating a UK funky house music vibe and culture. As a result of this new culture there has been a increase in the amount of tracks aimed at UK funky listeners. By adapting there style to suit funky house musicians like DJ Marcus Nasty and Donaeo are benefiting from UK funky's increasing popularity.

Music event promoters and nightclub owners have become aware of the importance of funky house, and are specifically targeting its audience. There are now several funky house only club nights and events. These events are sometimes called "raves"; many of these events often take place in major venues like SeOne and Ministry of Sound.

The genre is also being heavily pushed by UK radio stations and television channels, such as BBC 1xtra and MTV Base. The support of these organizations has helped boost the popularity of UK funky house music.

World renowned deejays such as Tim Westwood have hade a substantial effect on the impact of funky house music. Their continued support for upcoming UK funky artists by allowing them to appear on their shows, has added credibility to funky house. Also many Dj's find it essential to incorporate funky house songs in their playlists, as its popularity increases amongst nightclub goers.

As the role of UK funky house music grows within the nightlife community, it will continually gain recognition as an influential music style. Along with the support of the UK music industry, funky house is destined have a big impact on British music. - 18780

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