Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Alicia Keys Songs In A Minor Pop Music CD Review

Songs In A Minor is the latest Pop CD put out by the extremely talented Alicia Keys who once again has delivered a brilliant collection of tracks. I'm confident Alicia Keys fans, and Pop fans alike will be pleased with this one.

Refreshingly, this was one of those CDs I was able to just pop in and comfortably listen to from beginning to end. Every track is enjoyable and was pretty easy for me to listen to from start to finish.

Pop music fans will recognize some of the well known contributors on the project including Kerry Brothers and Cindy Mizelle plus a few other notables as well.

Alicia Keys Songs In A Minor Pop Music CD Review

I'm of the opinion that Songs In A Minor is certainly Alicia Keys's best work in a few years. A totally enjoyable CD and an outstanding release. What I call must have music. I give it two thumbs up because it's a collection that even the casual Pop fan can appreciate and enjoy.

While this entire CD is really very good some of my favorites are track 3 - How Come You Don't Call Me, track 14 - Why Do I Feel So Sad, and track 16 - Loving U

My Bonus Pick, and the one that got Sore [...as in "Stuck On REpeat"] is track 1 - Piano & I. Good stuff!

Songs In A Minor Release Notes:

Alicia Keys originally released Songs In A Minor on June 26, 2001 on the J-Records label.

CD Track List Follows:

1. Piano & I

2. Girlfriend

3. How Come You Don't Call Me

4. Fallin'

5. Troubles

6. Rock Wit U - (with Isaac Hayes)

7. Woman's Worth, A

8. Jane Doe

9. Goodbye

10. Life, The

11. Mr. Man - (with Jimmy Cozier)

12. Never Felt This Way

13. Butterflyz

14. Why Do I Feel So Sad

15. Caged Bird

16. Loving U

Songs In A Minor Album Notes Personnel: Alicia Keys (vocals, various instruments, piano, keyboards); Jimmy Cozier (vocals): Gerald "G" Flowers, Arty White (guitar); Miri (violin); Isaac Hayes (Fender Rhodes piano); Brian Cox (keyboards); Richie Good (upright bass); Tim Shider, Vic Flowers, Rufus Jackson (electric bass); Norman Hedman (percussion); Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, Anthony Nance (programming); Cindy Mizelle, Tammy Saunders, Andricka Hall, Paul L. Green, Kandi B (background vocals).

Producers: Jermaine Dupri, Brian McKnight, Alicia Keys, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers.

Alicia Keys Songs In A Minor Pop Music CD Review
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The History of Celtic Music

Celtic Music is a term typically used to describe traditional music from Ireland and Scotland. It includes the use of many unique instruments and even includes some traditional dances. This history of Celtic music opens up a window to the history and culture of the Irish and Scottish people.

Fretted instruments are a large part of the Celtic musical tradition, but it is widely believed that they are a relatively new addition. In fact, this is not true and there are records of fretted instruments being used in the very earliest of Celtic music, dating back to the early 1600's. These instruments include the lute and the mandore, which is a treble lute with four strings attached.

Traditionally, the most popular type of song in Celtic music is the ballad. Ballads are stories written in verse and intended to be set to music. They often tell sad stories and what makes them even more haunting is the fact that, in most cases, we do not know who wrote them. These songs continue to be an important part of the Celtic tradition and give a unique view into the past.

The History of Celtic Music

Another important aspect of this classic music that has transcended generations is the dancing. The most commonly known types are Scottish and Irish step dancing. This long standing tradition is one of the most beloved in Ireland and Scotland and many people of Celtic descent in other countries learn step dancing as a way to keep in touch with their heritage.

Ireland and Scotland are both beautiful countries with deep cultural roots that are observed today. One of the best examples of this is found in the history of Celtic music. These traditions have been observed by families for generations and continue to provide a tie from the past to the present.

The History of Celtic Music
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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

New Female Pop Music Artists - Shaping a New Pop Music Era

How New Female Pop Music Artists Are Making A New Pop Era

The pop music industry is taking on new female pop music artists who are and shaping the world of pop in a whole new way. Let us take a look at how new female music artists are shaping the industry, and the pop ladies who are breaking those boundaries.

As the years went by, music has taken a new course. You can see the change in music televisions and you can hear it on the radio. Artists like Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Beyonce are just some of the new female music artists who are taking the music world by storm and at the same time shaping the entire pop culture around their style of sound. They are setting up a new path for pop and they are leading young future new female pop music artists in the process. To tell the truth, they may be the last chance that the pop genre has.

New Female Pop Music Artists - Shaping a New Pop Music Era

New Female Pop Music Artists and The Industry

We all know that the music industry is one of the largest and the most resistant industries there are in the world. They have mastered the strategies of creating music, recording it, and distributing it to the masses. They tell us what is popular, unlike a few years ago when new female music artists - and men alike - were really known for their hard work and talents. If the radio station could not afford fresh new pop music, they looked for local and unsigned artists' music - many of those being the freshest pop music girls out there today - both female soloists, and bands alike.

Today, the music industry is striving hard to maintain what they had built, and at the same time they are struggling to fight piracy. As the styles of music change throughout the years, the industry has also suffered its own ups and downs, and today, the cost of music creation and production has dropped as well as the cost of distribution and marketing.

Pop Music Ladies - A Bit Of History

In the past few years a lot of new genres have developed, and the industry has called them "micro-genres". A lot of them are combination's of existing music styles. For example, the new genre ska is described as a fast punk with some Jamaican inspiration. Other micro-genres include Nu-metal, which combined hip-hop and hardcore into a song.

The rise and fame of these micro-genres was the beginning of how the Internet changed the music industry. Today, it is very hard to stereotype listeners, because you no longer had to be a part of a single genre-you can now listen to both types and more. Kids who listen to hardcore and metal can also listen to house music whenever they want. The Internet has also made it possible for everyone to discover new songs with just a click of a mouse.

Today it is obvious that the industry is taking on a new wave of female pop music artists and talents who focus more on their appearance rather than their music. They have taken control of the pop culture and they now decide what is "hot" and what is not. A decade ago, it was never like this.

New Female Pop Music Artists Leading The Way

Pop stars like Lady Gaga, Ke$ha, and Beyonce are letting other new female pop music artists have a run for their money. They have created numerous songs that have constantly made its way through the top charts. Although they dress in a peculiar way, their fans know that this is a new era - one to be owned my pop music ladies, and this is the new pop culture.

But other than paving the way for future new female music artists into the new era of pop culture, these artists are showing the music industry that one thing never changes-artists still write about their own experiences in life. Their songs still have that substance, and they still like to include personal stories and experiences as inspiration for their songs. This makes their songs even more close to the hearts of their fans because they can relate to what their favorite artists sing about.

You're Right To Want More Original New Female Music Artists!

But one thing is always right and most important- you and me as the fans. Whatever the artists suggest, the fans know what they want. Despite what many record labels and music bosses might make of the change that you as fans are asking of them, there is no argument that YOU as a fan are correct to love originality, uniqueness and personality in new female pop music artists, and the guys of pop alike.

Inspirational New Female Pop Music Artists You Haven't Heard Of..

New Female Pop Music Artists - Shaping a New Pop Music Era
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Personally, I am thrilled that new female music artists are shaping a new music industry, and breaking the boundaries of pop music. If you're tired of the same old outdated pop too, try listening to some of these original, upcoming new female music artists, for free or click for a heads up on a some pretty cool, brand new female lead pop music around at the moment and listen free to this group of new female pop music artists - Ziggiville, who have just released a fresh new album.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Piano Brands And Review

So you want to buy a piano. What a great musical adventure you have before you. Starting out on the journey, however, can be overwhelming, what with so many types and brands of pianos to choose from. That's why I've provided this primer on piano types and brands for you, so that you can quickly and easily find the right piano for you and get on with enjoying a lifetime of making beautiful music together.

Types of Pianos

Grand pianos vs. Upright pianos: Grand pianos have an average of 10,000 moving parts and range in size from 4' 6" to over 9' long. They have a winged shape with a curved right side and flat left side. Grand pianos are generally owned by professional and more serious amateur pianists.

Piano Brands And Review

The two primary types of grand pianos are Concert Grand pianos, the largest of grands reaching 9' and over, and Baby Grand pianos, any grand piano that is smaller than 6' tall. Different sizes of grand piano differ in the potential volume of sound it is able to produce, the tonal quality of its lower register (the bass notes), and the overall sound quality.

Also known as vertical pianos, upright pianos have an average of 5,000-6,000 moving parts. They typically cost less and take up less space than grand pianos, and are more commonly owned by amateur and hobbyist piano players.

Upright pianos come in various types depending on their size, the tallest reaching about 60" in height. The taller an upright piano is, the better the action.

* Spinet pianos - approx. 36" tall

* Console pianos - approx. 40" tall

* Studio pianos - approx. 45" tall

* Professional pianos - approx. 48" tall

It is entirely possible to achieve the same quality with an upright as with a grand piano and, in some cases, better quality of tone than certain baby grands.

Digital pianos vs. Acoustic pianos: In contrast to traditional grand pianos and upright pianos, digital pianos utilize the technologies of audio microchips and speakers to reproduce the sounds of a traditional piano as well as those of other keyboard instruments like organs and harpsichords. Digital pianos also offer players the ability to record their practice sessions and performances.

The following brands produce some of the best digital pianos available:

* Alesis;

* Casio;

* Daewoo;

* Kurzweil;

* Roland;

* Suzuki;

* Technics;

* and Yamaha

Brands of Pianos

Because of differences in materials and construction and design techniques, a piano's sound and action vary greatly depending on where in the world it is made.

American pianos: American piano manufacturers are reputed for producing pianos of top-quality construction and design and, as a consequence, are typically more costly than most European pianos. At the top of the list of major U.S. brands of pianos is Steinway. Steinway pianos are considered by many professional piano players to be the premiere pianos, as well as among the most expensive. Steinway is best known for their line of grand pianos;

Other major U.S. piano brands include:

* Baldwin (also produces the Chickering and Wurlitzer brands);

* Mason & Hamlin (limited production, high-end pianos);

* Hobart M. Cable

* Winter & Company.

Asian pianos: Asian-made pianos are also highly valued today, with the two premiere Asian brands of piano - Yamaha and Kawai - coming from Japan. Yamaha produces some of the world's most revered pianos, which explains why they must produce 200,000 pianos each year to keep up with demand. Kawai is renowned for having been the first to utilize plastic parts in their pianos.

Other major Asian brands of piano include:

* Daewoo;

* Hyundai.

* Nordiska;

* Pearl River;

* Samick;

* and Young Chang

European pianos: Many countries in Europe - the U.K., France, and the Czech Republic - also produce great pianos, though arguably the best European pianos come from Austria and Germany.

Among the finest of Austrian and German pianos are:

* Bechstein;

* Bluthner;

* Bosendorfer;

* Feurich;

* Forster;

* Grotrian;

* Hamburg Steinway;

* Ibach;

* Sauter;

* Schimmel;

* and Seiler.

How to Evaluate Pianos

To decide on what type of piano to get, first consider where you plan to keep it and how much you'd like to spend on it. That will help you hone in on what types and brands you can feasibly choose from. Then you can start looking at (or listening to, as the case may) such other factors as piano tone quality, tuning stability (or life expectancy), action (or piano touch), and piano finish (ie. clear or opaque).

Piano Brands And Review
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