by: Scott G (The G-Man)
"What does it cost to get a record on the charts?" The question was directed to Mike McVay, programming consultant to about 400 radio stations owned by media giant Clear Channel.
A hush fell over the audience, as this was a piece of information that could determine the fate of independent artists everywhere.
McVay pulled no punches. Depending on your genre, the amount is "a hundred thousand dollars up to a quarter of a million."
And suddenly, the economic reality of the airplay portion of the record business was in full view.
In a different part of the day's event, someone asked another of those all-important, career-shaping questions: "How many slots are typically available to independent artists?"
This time, the question was directed to Shane Bourbonnais of Clear Channel Entertainment. "Not many" was his reply, albeit in the nicest tone imaginable.
Did these terrifying facts of life appear to dampen the enthusiasm of most of the artists? Nope. After all, hope springs eternal.
Judging from the questions to other panel members during the day, it was clear that many artists in attendance thought that somehow they would be the one who got past the gatekeepers, the one whose awesome talent would cause cold-eyed business people to waive the entry fees, the one whose marketability would get them the major label contract and backing to enter the game with a large checkbook behind them.
And why not? Why shouldn't they be hopeful? Are they not talented? Judging from the CDs handed to me, there were some amazingly gifted artists at the conference known as the Boot Camp workshop, which was organized by Blak Dog Promotions in association with The Beat 94.5 FM and the Western Canadian Music Awards.
Consider some of the artists: Smokekiller makes music that vibrates with consistent excitement. Ultimate Power Duo blends equal parts modern punk and retro Liverpool sounds for an album that is fun from beginning to end. Lyricist Jacqui Leddy has written lines that make you feel the inside of the human soul.
There also was silky, subtle and seductive jazz from Sandy Foster; strong rock from Scott Douglas; evocative country from John Wort Hannam; excellent rap from Don Castro; and power plus glory in the heavy grooves of Aly Young. Not to be outdone, event organizers Shawn Smith and Chin Injeti are themselves supremely electrifying recording artists.
The quality of the acts was of the highest level of any event at which I've been a panelist. Group after group, artist after artist were very impressive. Karen Howlin' Fowlie seems to put megawatts of electric power into even her softest vocal passages. Sonicjoy delights in fusing electronics with rock 'n' roll. This is not to overlook Rallycar, Green Door Club, Chesterfield Rock, Morgan Mayer, Maurice, and James Pender, all of whom are excellent.
Here's hoping this music gets to your ears. And if would be terrific if someone was recording the panels, because a lot of valuable information was presented by a lot of very smart people, including:
Chris Myers, Program Director, The Beat
Michael McCarty, President of EMI Music Publishing
Michael Persh, Music Manager, E! Networks
Jonathon Simkin, Co-owner, 604 Records
Christopher Ward, Songwriter (Alannah Myles, Ming Tea)
Bob Power, Producer (MeShell N'degeocello, The Roots, David Byrne)
Jim Vallance, Songwriter (Bryan Adams, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons)
Terry O'Brien, SOCAN
Tom Wilson, Songwriter (Billy Rae Cyrus, Jimmy Rankin)
The event was well-run by Smith, Injeti, Natalie Rhodes, and a large contingent of volunteers. Attendees seemed uniformly pleased: "Extremely informative," said singer and voiceover artist Marina Seretis. "The whole day was very encouraging," stated Mitch Helten of SPI International. "It was enlightening," said singer Jafelin. "This was great," said Jacqui Leddy. You can't stop people with this kind of enthusiasm.
About The Author
Scott G, a member of NARIP and NARAS, records as The G-Man. He is voice artist and producer of radio commercials for Verizon Wireless, DIRECTV, Goodrich, Micron, NASSCO, and the Auto Club. Songs from his 4 albums may be found on iTunes and Real Rhapsody, at www.delvianrecords.com, www.myspace.com/thegman, and www.gmanmusic.com.
scott@gmanmusic.com
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Marriage, Children and Divorce: When "Le Music" Stops
by: Marshall Colt, Ph.D.
It can happen in many ways. Sometimes, suddenly, out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever. Other times, the music slowly, gradually, fades to a deafening silence.
Divorce is the great plague on American families today. More than 40% of adults under 40 are children of divorced parents. The U.S. now has the highest divorce rate (roughly 44%) of the Western nations, though it's slightly declining. Avoiding it, preparing for it and dealing with the consequences of when the music stops involve millions of us every day.
Here in France, where the "use" of a lover is accepted and frequent, the current divorce rate is 39%, having more than tripled since 1970. The trend is alarming. Even the French find their own institution of marriage "moins formidable" than before.
Sitting in this near-empty café, I'm struck how the odds those lovers smooching on the Seine might marry, but then divorce, has shot up like my blood pressure now, thanks to my less-than-attentive waiter. Infidelity, financial strains, sexual problems, parenting differences, poor anger management, career incompatibility and, of course, the catch-all "irreconcilable differences," cause marriages to dissolve and families to suffer.
Perhaps the pain becomes too great. Or the notion things are hopeless and won't change, or it will take too long and be too much work cause couples to pull the plug, give up. Hopelessness is a powerful force, robbing us of energy and initiative.
Of course, the stressful consequences of divorce can be devastating emotionally, financially and on any children. How parents inform their children and negotiate future parenting responsibilities affect how children will react to the news.
It's best to tell your children together, simply, honestly and directly. Don't go into detail about why or bash your spouse. It's okay to reveal your sadness, while allowing them to also show their feelings. If you're separating and not sure about divorce, don't make predictions or promises you can't keep. Try to keep things as consistent as possible.
Let your children know they're not responsible, that nothing they've done is causing the separation, and they can't do anything to make you get back together. Do not use your children as communication go-betweens. Assure them you both love them and will continue to take care of them.
Most people entering marriage expect it to last. Success worth having is worth fighting for...through both the exhilarating highs and mind-numbing lows.
Barring physical abuse, couples can repair and improve their marriages. I've seen 'em do it countless times in marriage counseling. Sometimes it's quicker and easier than expected. Sometimes it takes time.
Well, the music between my now-empty café waiter and me has dropped to one decibel. Clearly, he has more important things to do than attend to beaucoup-euros-paying little ol' me. I consider divorcing him (C'est la vie, c'est la guerre), but decide to give it another shot. Monsieur!...pardon, monsieur!
Okay, I've had enough. The music's died. I'm leaving. Hey, bud, Happy Bastille Day! Wait! Mon Dieu, he's coming over! I hear music.
Before you bid adieu to your duet, consider the assistance of an experienced, well-regarded marriage counselor.
For more information: http://www.advance-counseling-denver-boulder.com/
About The Author
Dr. Marshall Colt is Executive Director of Advance Counseling, LLC - Denver/Aurora/Lakewood/Boulder, serving the Front Range since 1994 (www.advance-counseling-denver-boulder.com). Licensed in Colorado, California and Florida, Dr. Colt has been in private practice in the Denver/Boulder area for over 11 years, working with a variety of people dealing with the challenges of adolescence and adult life.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
It can happen in many ways. Sometimes, suddenly, out of the blue, with no warning whatsoever. Other times, the music slowly, gradually, fades to a deafening silence.
Divorce is the great plague on American families today. More than 40% of adults under 40 are children of divorced parents. The U.S. now has the highest divorce rate (roughly 44%) of the Western nations, though it's slightly declining. Avoiding it, preparing for it and dealing with the consequences of when the music stops involve millions of us every day.
Here in France, where the "use" of a lover is accepted and frequent, the current divorce rate is 39%, having more than tripled since 1970. The trend is alarming. Even the French find their own institution of marriage "moins formidable" than before.
Sitting in this near-empty café, I'm struck how the odds those lovers smooching on the Seine might marry, but then divorce, has shot up like my blood pressure now, thanks to my less-than-attentive waiter. Infidelity, financial strains, sexual problems, parenting differences, poor anger management, career incompatibility and, of course, the catch-all "irreconcilable differences," cause marriages to dissolve and families to suffer.
Perhaps the pain becomes too great. Or the notion things are hopeless and won't change, or it will take too long and be too much work cause couples to pull the plug, give up. Hopelessness is a powerful force, robbing us of energy and initiative.
Of course, the stressful consequences of divorce can be devastating emotionally, financially and on any children. How parents inform their children and negotiate future parenting responsibilities affect how children will react to the news.
It's best to tell your children together, simply, honestly and directly. Don't go into detail about why or bash your spouse. It's okay to reveal your sadness, while allowing them to also show their feelings. If you're separating and not sure about divorce, don't make predictions or promises you can't keep. Try to keep things as consistent as possible.
Let your children know they're not responsible, that nothing they've done is causing the separation, and they can't do anything to make you get back together. Do not use your children as communication go-betweens. Assure them you both love them and will continue to take care of them.
Most people entering marriage expect it to last. Success worth having is worth fighting for...through both the exhilarating highs and mind-numbing lows.
Barring physical abuse, couples can repair and improve their marriages. I've seen 'em do it countless times in marriage counseling. Sometimes it's quicker and easier than expected. Sometimes it takes time.
Well, the music between my now-empty café waiter and me has dropped to one decibel. Clearly, he has more important things to do than attend to beaucoup-euros-paying little ol' me. I consider divorcing him (C'est la vie, c'est la guerre), but decide to give it another shot. Monsieur!...pardon, monsieur!
Okay, I've had enough. The music's died. I'm leaving. Hey, bud, Happy Bastille Day! Wait! Mon Dieu, he's coming over! I hear music.
Before you bid adieu to your duet, consider the assistance of an experienced, well-regarded marriage counselor.
For more information: http://www.advance-counseling-denver-boulder.com/
About The Author
Dr. Marshall Colt is Executive Director of Advance Counseling, LLC - Denver/Aurora/Lakewood/Boulder, serving the Front Range since 1994 (www.advance-counseling-denver-boulder.com). Licensed in Colorado, California and Florida, Dr. Colt has been in private practice in the Denver/Boulder area for over 11 years, working with a variety of people dealing with the challenges of adolescence and adult life.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
The Positive Effects of Ambient Music
by: Mark Altman
Ambient nature sounds have the ability to aid sleep, reduce stress, and provide a relaxing atmosphere for activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation.
Most of us spend our days surrounded by the sounds of vehicles, televisions, and office machines. Nature sound recordings can offer us an escape from these unnatural surroundings, and allow us to reclaim our balance. Popular sounds used in ambient recordings are: ocean waves, creeks, waterfalls, wind, rain, thunder, and birds. Our sense of hearing can have a strong influence on our emotional health. Through experimentation, you can discover the effects each of these sounds have on your moods and emotions. Because our life experiences and environment are so diverse, each person reacts differently to the various sounds of nature. Below are a number of common benefits that nature sounds may offer:
Consistent sounds, like rain or waterfalls, act like a “white noise machine” that masks household noises such as refrigerators, heaters, and creaking floors. These types of sounds often help light sleepers and infants sleep better.
The sound of steady, rhythmic ocean waves provides a sensation of relaxation and calm. The hypnotic consistency of waves can also help to lull you to sleep.
Creeks, especially a slow babbling type creek, is a warm comforting sound. The gurgling sounds are unique and quickly conjure up images of a countryside getaway.
Thunder can help to mask low rumbling sounds like motorbikes, loud cars, or boom boxes.
Singing birds is a joyful sound, and may remind one of a day off at the lake or in the back yard.
Storm sounds can help you to relax or concentrate on work while you’re at home. When it feels like a stormy day we tend to relax, thinking that we can’t go out to work in the poor weather.
You might associate many of the nature sounds with a pleasant experience or location. Ocean waves, creeks and waterfalls are some of the sounds that are common on vacations.
If you spend some time listening to ambient nature recordings, you will quickly discover how each sound effects you. Put in the time – I am confident you will be pleased with the results.
About The Author
Mark Altman is the webmaster of www.soundsleeping.com, a website containing sleep-aids, stress reducing tools, relaxation advice, free relaxing music, and an active discussion.
Ambient nature sounds have the ability to aid sleep, reduce stress, and provide a relaxing atmosphere for activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and meditation.
Most of us spend our days surrounded by the sounds of vehicles, televisions, and office machines. Nature sound recordings can offer us an escape from these unnatural surroundings, and allow us to reclaim our balance. Popular sounds used in ambient recordings are: ocean waves, creeks, waterfalls, wind, rain, thunder, and birds. Our sense of hearing can have a strong influence on our emotional health. Through experimentation, you can discover the effects each of these sounds have on your moods and emotions. Because our life experiences and environment are so diverse, each person reacts differently to the various sounds of nature. Below are a number of common benefits that nature sounds may offer:
Consistent sounds, like rain or waterfalls, act like a “white noise machine” that masks household noises such as refrigerators, heaters, and creaking floors. These types of sounds often help light sleepers and infants sleep better.
The sound of steady, rhythmic ocean waves provides a sensation of relaxation and calm. The hypnotic consistency of waves can also help to lull you to sleep.
Creeks, especially a slow babbling type creek, is a warm comforting sound. The gurgling sounds are unique and quickly conjure up images of a countryside getaway.
Thunder can help to mask low rumbling sounds like motorbikes, loud cars, or boom boxes.
Singing birds is a joyful sound, and may remind one of a day off at the lake or in the back yard.
Storm sounds can help you to relax or concentrate on work while you’re at home. When it feels like a stormy day we tend to relax, thinking that we can’t go out to work in the poor weather.
You might associate many of the nature sounds with a pleasant experience or location. Ocean waves, creeks and waterfalls are some of the sounds that are common on vacations.
If you spend some time listening to ambient nature recordings, you will quickly discover how each sound effects you. Put in the time – I am confident you will be pleased with the results.
About The Author
Mark Altman is the webmaster of www.soundsleeping.com, a website containing sleep-aids, stress reducing tools, relaxation advice, free relaxing music, and an active discussion.
ASCAP and MySpace.com, Fantasy International Film Festival, Script Consultant Pilar Alessandra Talks, Hip-Hop Flmmaking, Country Music Awards, Head No
by: actorschecklist.com
The Sixth Annual Latin Grammy Awards features 43 categories and is set for November 3 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Latin Grammy Viewing Parties, set up by the Recording Academy that hosts the award, take place in Miami and New York City November 3. AFI Fest 2005 features international competitions of new films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the latest work from film masters, in addition to a November 11 tribute to Johnny Depp. ASCAP and MySpace.com host a new showcase series (visit the site to enter your band), and has featured performers on hand for a November 4 showcase at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. World Mythology, Fantasy, Mysticism, Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Legend and Archetype, are essential elements covered by the Fantasy Worldwide International Film Festival through feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation, etc., running November 4-6 in Toronto. An educational seminar for aspiring filmmakers, actors, writers and producers takes shape in "A Conversation with Filmmaker Jean Claude LaMarre and Actor Gabriel Casseus" held in the Rosenthal Pavilion at Kimmel Center of NYU, November 5 in New York.
Tools and exercises which deal with writer’s block in such areas as plot point, characters and scenes will be discussed by script consultant Pilar Alessandra in a talk she gives at the monthly Alameda Writers Group Meeting, November 5, in Glendale. The Irish Film and Television Awards, hosted at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, November 5, honors and celebrates all the talented people in Ireland and also open to Irish craftspeople who working in the international arena. In a "Sing For Cash" contest, the November 6 start of a new showcase in Lakeland, start with top studio performers and local groups, then moving onto an open vocal contest with amateurs welcome and Karaoke available. At the Tivoli Theater in St. Louis, The CinemaTech Directors Workshop a monthly forum in which local filmmakers will have the opportunity to see their feature-length narrative films screened before an appreciative audience, gets underway November 7. At the "Daytime Drama Forum," you can audition live and meet one-on-one with some of the industry players in daytime soap during a session in New York City on November 8. The California Lawyers for the Arts hold a media business seminar sponsored by ASCAP, November 12 in Los Angeles. BHERC African American Film Marketplace and Short Film Showcase, an annual event presenting African American filmmakers showcasing and networking opportunities, is held this year in Los Angeles, November 12 to 13.
The businesss of Hip-Hop filmmaking and the evolution of Hip-Hop in the film industry will be captured at H2O IFF - Hip-Hop Odyssey International Film Festival - being held November 13-19 at various venues within New York City boroughs, and opening with a VIP gala at Brooklyn's BAM. Performers already announced for the 2005 Country Music Association Awards include Dierks Bentley, Big and Rich, Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, CMA hosts Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, and many more coming to the Garden, November 15. The Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference is a two-day seminar on the role of music in film and television with sessions and panels on music for film, TV, Internet, gaming, commercials and other industry related topics, for two day, November 15-16 in Beverly Hills. For the 33rd International Emmy Awards, Oprah Winfrey to receive Special International Emmy Founders Award from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, when the awards take place November 21 in New York City. Animation Festival "Animadrid", opening November 25 in Madrid, was organized with the purpose of fostering the film and audiovisual arts by promoting independent animation productions and providing an assembly point for artists and audiences in the international community.
The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Experience the newly relaunched picture and ecard gallery on The Actor's Checklist which you can find at http://actorschecklist.com/coppermine/.
About The Author
The Actor's Checklist serves as a news and information source for media arts and communication professionals, and entertainment entrepreneurs. It achieves this by providing networking and connection tools site visitors use to accomplish their goals. Chief among this are dynamically updated news and information items found throughout the sites many pages as typified by the news and events page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. There is also a site blog archiving all events, an RSS/XML feed to plug into a news reader, an SMS text alert group that signals your cell or Blackberry of news and information updates.
actorschecklist.com
The Sixth Annual Latin Grammy Awards features 43 categories and is set for November 3 at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Latin Grammy Viewing Parties, set up by the Recording Academy that hosts the award, take place in Miami and New York City November 3. AFI Fest 2005 features international competitions of new films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the latest work from film masters, in addition to a November 11 tribute to Johnny Depp. ASCAP and MySpace.com host a new showcase series (visit the site to enter your band), and has featured performers on hand for a November 4 showcase at Local 506 in Chapel Hill. World Mythology, Fantasy, Mysticism, Magical Realism, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Legend and Archetype, are essential elements covered by the Fantasy Worldwide International Film Festival through feature films, shorts, documentaries, animation, etc., running November 4-6 in Toronto. An educational seminar for aspiring filmmakers, actors, writers and producers takes shape in "A Conversation with Filmmaker Jean Claude LaMarre and Actor Gabriel Casseus" held in the Rosenthal Pavilion at Kimmel Center of NYU, November 5 in New York.
Tools and exercises which deal with writer’s block in such areas as plot point, characters and scenes will be discussed by script consultant Pilar Alessandra in a talk she gives at the monthly Alameda Writers Group Meeting, November 5, in Glendale. The Irish Film and Television Awards, hosted at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin, November 5, honors and celebrates all the talented people in Ireland and also open to Irish craftspeople who working in the international arena. In a "Sing For Cash" contest, the November 6 start of a new showcase in Lakeland, start with top studio performers and local groups, then moving onto an open vocal contest with amateurs welcome and Karaoke available. At the Tivoli Theater in St. Louis, The CinemaTech Directors Workshop a monthly forum in which local filmmakers will have the opportunity to see their feature-length narrative films screened before an appreciative audience, gets underway November 7. At the "Daytime Drama Forum," you can audition live and meet one-on-one with some of the industry players in daytime soap during a session in New York City on November 8. The California Lawyers for the Arts hold a media business seminar sponsored by ASCAP, November 12 in Los Angeles. BHERC African American Film Marketplace and Short Film Showcase, an annual event presenting African American filmmakers showcasing and networking opportunities, is held this year in Los Angeles, November 12 to 13.
The businesss of Hip-Hop filmmaking and the evolution of Hip-Hop in the film industry will be captured at H2O IFF - Hip-Hop Odyssey International Film Festival - being held November 13-19 at various venues within New York City boroughs, and opening with a VIP gala at Brooklyn's BAM. Performers already announced for the 2005 Country Music Association Awards include Dierks Bentley, Big and Rich, Bon Jovi with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland, CMA hosts Brooks and Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss + Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas, and many more coming to the Garden, November 15. The Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film and TV Music Conference is a two-day seminar on the role of music in film and television with sessions and panels on music for film, TV, Internet, gaming, commercials and other industry related topics, for two day, November 15-16 in Beverly Hills. For the 33rd International Emmy Awards, Oprah Winfrey to receive Special International Emmy Founders Award from Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, when the awards take place November 21 in New York City. Animation Festival "Animadrid", opening November 25 in Madrid, was organized with the purpose of fostering the film and audiovisual arts by promoting independent animation productions and providing an assembly point for artists and audiences in the international community.
The above events are only a sampling of what is listed. Many of the events above have a submission process for indie and/or performing artists to take part in. Complete details are on the "Media, Entertainment and Performing Arts Industry News and Events" page at http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. Experience the newly relaunched picture and ecard gallery on The Actor's Checklist which you can find at http://actorschecklist.com/coppermine/.
About The Author
The Actor's Checklist serves as a news and information source for media arts and communication professionals, and entertainment entrepreneurs. It achieves this by providing networking and connection tools site visitors use to accomplish their goals. Chief among this are dynamically updated news and information items found throughout the sites many pages as typified by the news and events page at: http://www.actorschecklist.com/news.html. There is also a site blog archiving all events, an RSS/XML feed to plug into a news reader, an SMS text alert group that signals your cell or Blackberry of news and information updates.
actorschecklist.com
Wedding Reception Music- Top Tips on Enhancing Your Wedding Drinks Reception and Wedding Breakfast
by: Jennie Evans
Setting the mood for a celebration
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony is a time for congratulations all round. Musicians striking up as the newly married couple and their guests arrive sets a buoyant mood from the outset.
Any style which puts a spring in the step is appropriate. Light classical or Swing Jazz gives a "Ritzy" up-market ambience to the event. If you're after a more friendly family feel, you might consider traditional tunes ... Irish style.
Live Music in the background
Music for the wedding reception and breakfast is strictly a background affair. The main focus of attention, of course, is the bride and groom. The wedding music enhances the aura of happiness around the couple. It engenders a sense of relaxed togetherness and encourages chatter, rather than detracting from it.
The number of guests usually dictates the number of musicians needed to create the desired effect. With careful amplification, a duo will provide sufficient atmosphere for a party of up to 70 people. If your celebration is larger, you would be wise to consider a trio or quartet.
Later, your musicians can serenade the guests at the beginning of the wedding breakfast. The added quality and atmosphere that only live music can bring to an event is just the thing to turn your wedding breakfast into a truly memorable occasion.
Making the most of your wedding musicians
Make the best use of the musical skill at your disposal. When you book musicians to perform for you, you can expect them to perform (typically) three sets of live music, each approximately 45 mins long. Use the first set to make your wedding ceremony really special. Any band or ensemble will be happy to discuss in advance your options for each part of the service in order to help you make the best choices. Use the second set to create an up-beat atmosphere at the drinks reception. The final set will kick the wedding breakfast off to a really special start.
With careful use of your investment in live music you can add that extra-special "je ne sais quoi" that transforms an event into a truly memorable celebration ... without breaking the bank! To find out more about wedding planning and wedding music in the UK, check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk.
About The Author
Jennie Evans runs Hop Till You Drop, a company that provides music of all styles and types for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in the UK. To find out more about all aspects of wedding music planning and to get up-to-date info on live music for weddings in the UK, why don't you check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk? Hop Till You Drop is a company run by musicians, so you can be sure that all the important aspects of your live wedding music will be attended to by knowledgeable, experienced professionals.
Setting the mood for a celebration
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony is a time for congratulations all round. Musicians striking up as the newly married couple and their guests arrive sets a buoyant mood from the outset.
Any style which puts a spring in the step is appropriate. Light classical or Swing Jazz gives a "Ritzy" up-market ambience to the event. If you're after a more friendly family feel, you might consider traditional tunes ... Irish style.
Live Music in the background
Music for the wedding reception and breakfast is strictly a background affair. The main focus of attention, of course, is the bride and groom. The wedding music enhances the aura of happiness around the couple. It engenders a sense of relaxed togetherness and encourages chatter, rather than detracting from it.
The number of guests usually dictates the number of musicians needed to create the desired effect. With careful amplification, a duo will provide sufficient atmosphere for a party of up to 70 people. If your celebration is larger, you would be wise to consider a trio or quartet.
Later, your musicians can serenade the guests at the beginning of the wedding breakfast. The added quality and atmosphere that only live music can bring to an event is just the thing to turn your wedding breakfast into a truly memorable occasion.
Making the most of your wedding musicians
Make the best use of the musical skill at your disposal. When you book musicians to perform for you, you can expect them to perform (typically) three sets of live music, each approximately 45 mins long. Use the first set to make your wedding ceremony really special. Any band or ensemble will be happy to discuss in advance your options for each part of the service in order to help you make the best choices. Use the second set to create an up-beat atmosphere at the drinks reception. The final set will kick the wedding breakfast off to a really special start.
With careful use of your investment in live music you can add that extra-special "je ne sais quoi" that transforms an event into a truly memorable celebration ... without breaking the bank! To find out more about wedding planning and wedding music in the UK, check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk.
About The Author
Jennie Evans runs Hop Till You Drop, a company that provides music of all styles and types for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in the UK. To find out more about all aspects of wedding music planning and to get up-to-date info on live music for weddings in the UK, why don't you check out http://www.hoptiludrop.co.uk? Hop Till You Drop is a company run by musicians, so you can be sure that all the important aspects of your live wedding music will be attended to by knowledgeable, experienced professionals.
How to Play Piano and Write Music
by: Ronald Worthy
You are neither too young nor too old to play piano and compose. If you think otherwise, get that fairy tale out of your head.
A few geniuses began at age 3 and burned out in middle age. Gustave Mahler, a modern symphonic artist and Jazz Guitarist legend Wes Montgomery didn't start serious composing until they were well in their 30's. Verdi was still going strong at 87. Some of the great pop, jazz, and rock music of our time has been written by musicians who consider the age of 25 as "over the hill."
Conclusion: forget about age.
What about music theory? Does it have anything to do with playing the piano and composing a piece of music?
Sounds come first. Theory books and systems tag along behind, explaining in words what you've already experienced by ear.
Composing is a "hot" creative act. Studying theory is a "cool" analytical act.
Theory explains what is going on in a piece of music. It shows us the machinery that makes the music tick. Training in theory helps sharpen our understanding, and helps the player and composer organize his or her musical materials.
Absorb theory for what it has to offer. But watch out for the trap of "rules." In the early stages of playing piano and writing music, rules can be helpful disciplines to help focus our thinking. But given too much importance, rules become handcuffs; break them if you know what you're doing.
Use your good ears to break through the endless blanket of sound that surrounds our lives.
Direct you hearing. Sharpen your perception. Isolate sounds. Listen, and make yourself aware of your sound-world.
A painting, a statue, and a building have a certain kind of life. All of their parts exist at the same time. But music is like a movie or a stage play: it unrolls slowly, bit by bit. A movie begins, continues, and ends before your eyes. Music does the same for your ears. Your piano playing and compositions live and breathe.
Guidelines for Playing Piano By Ear to Write Music
Begin your sketches with a simple, basic idea: a sound you like, a group of pitches, an interesting harmony, and attractive rhythm pattern, an idea for lyrics, and so on.
Next step: think out a number of possibilities for developing, expanding, exploiting, and contrasting your basic idea.
For example:
1. A group of pitches can be played forward, backward, upsidedown, or with its order rearranged.
2. You can keep the overall shape of a pitch group (the way it moves up and down), but change it by opening up or tightening the distance (interval) from one note to the next.
3. The same pitch group can be varied by changing its speed, meter, or rhythm... or by changing its "color" through changes of instrumental register (high vs. low).
4. A rhythmic idea, no matter how simple, can be stretched, tightened up, fragmented, or transformed into a repeated figure
5. A rhythmic idea can be applied to differnet pitch groups, or used to give movement to your favorite chord progression.
6. A harmony can be intensified by adding "color" tones (7th, 9th, added 6th, suspended tones, etc.); or softened by subtracting chord tones; or given a refreshed sound by the way you voice the harmony on the piano.
Try to keep a relaxed attitude toward you study of piano, and an open mind about new ideas that almost always turn up while you're experiementing with your sketches.
Above all, don't lock yourself into one way of thinking. After a certain point, a piece may have its own ideas about the way it should deveop; don't try to force it into a cookie mold!
Let it grow and breathe.
Copyright 2005 RAW Productions
About The Author
Ronald Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer. To learn more "Trick of the Trade," go to: http://www.mrronsmusic.com and http://www.playpianotonight.com.
You are neither too young nor too old to play piano and compose. If you think otherwise, get that fairy tale out of your head.
A few geniuses began at age 3 and burned out in middle age. Gustave Mahler, a modern symphonic artist and Jazz Guitarist legend Wes Montgomery didn't start serious composing until they were well in their 30's. Verdi was still going strong at 87. Some of the great pop, jazz, and rock music of our time has been written by musicians who consider the age of 25 as "over the hill."
Conclusion: forget about age.
What about music theory? Does it have anything to do with playing the piano and composing a piece of music?
Sounds come first. Theory books and systems tag along behind, explaining in words what you've already experienced by ear.
Composing is a "hot" creative act. Studying theory is a "cool" analytical act.
Theory explains what is going on in a piece of music. It shows us the machinery that makes the music tick. Training in theory helps sharpen our understanding, and helps the player and composer organize his or her musical materials.
Absorb theory for what it has to offer. But watch out for the trap of "rules." In the early stages of playing piano and writing music, rules can be helpful disciplines to help focus our thinking. But given too much importance, rules become handcuffs; break them if you know what you're doing.
Use your good ears to break through the endless blanket of sound that surrounds our lives.
Direct you hearing. Sharpen your perception. Isolate sounds. Listen, and make yourself aware of your sound-world.
A painting, a statue, and a building have a certain kind of life. All of their parts exist at the same time. But music is like a movie or a stage play: it unrolls slowly, bit by bit. A movie begins, continues, and ends before your eyes. Music does the same for your ears. Your piano playing and compositions live and breathe.
Guidelines for Playing Piano By Ear to Write Music
Begin your sketches with a simple, basic idea: a sound you like, a group of pitches, an interesting harmony, and attractive rhythm pattern, an idea for lyrics, and so on.
Next step: think out a number of possibilities for developing, expanding, exploiting, and contrasting your basic idea.
For example:
1. A group of pitches can be played forward, backward, upsidedown, or with its order rearranged.
2. You can keep the overall shape of a pitch group (the way it moves up and down), but change it by opening up or tightening the distance (interval) from one note to the next.
3. The same pitch group can be varied by changing its speed, meter, or rhythm... or by changing its "color" through changes of instrumental register (high vs. low).
4. A rhythmic idea, no matter how simple, can be stretched, tightened up, fragmented, or transformed into a repeated figure
5. A rhythmic idea can be applied to differnet pitch groups, or used to give movement to your favorite chord progression.
6. A harmony can be intensified by adding "color" tones (7th, 9th, added 6th, suspended tones, etc.); or softened by subtracting chord tones; or given a refreshed sound by the way you voice the harmony on the piano.
Try to keep a relaxed attitude toward you study of piano, and an open mind about new ideas that almost always turn up while you're experiementing with your sketches.
Above all, don't lock yourself into one way of thinking. After a certain point, a piece may have its own ideas about the way it should deveop; don't try to force it into a cookie mold!
Let it grow and breathe.
Copyright 2005 RAW Productions
About The Author
Ronald Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer. To learn more "Trick of the Trade," go to: http://www.mrronsmusic.com and http://www.playpianotonight.com.
Music - Being a DJ for Beginners
by: Steven Kirby
Being a DJ may seem like an easy career path for many people. The fact of the matter is there is an endless stream of would be DJ’s who are just as into the music scene as you and me. The only way to get ahead in this game is to be hard working, self-promoting and flexibility is an essential!
Any music is good!
Under no circumstances must you turn down any opportunity to play any music to a crowd. This is very important for a couple of reasons. Lots of beginners will refuse point blank to play a different genre to the type of music they are used to. This is a big mistake. Playing any type of music to any crowd is a huge confidence builder. You may mess up now and again but, hey, everyone makes mistakes. At least you will be gaining experience and learning, even if it is to a pub full of drunks on a Friday night. The point being, every little bit of experience is good experience, the more confidence you can build, the less likely you are to make mistakes.
Flexibility.
Remember my comments in the first paragraph? “…flexibility is a must!”…This isn’t a reference to your aerobic skills. I am of course talking about your musical abilities. Sticking to one type of genre is all very well for the Tiestos of this world but in the early days of your DJ career you may not be able to pick and choose. Play whatever you think will pay the bills until you become established; everybody has to earn a living.
Learn to use different equipment. There is new music technology becoming available all the time, learn to use it, hire it in if you can’t afford to buy it as long as you can have a go. It’s extremely important that you stay up to date with the latest technology or you will get left behind.
Promoting your music.
It will take hard work and lots of determination. Self-promotion is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for most ‘bedroom DJs’. This is just as important, if not more so, than the music itself. It doesn’t matter how well you play your music, if you cant promote yourself, you may as well smash your decks up now! Self-promotion is easier than ever. There is a whole host of web sites offering free uploads, free downloads, free this and free that. Submit to them all, and get your own site up and running. You would be surprised how easy it is. If you’ve read this far I’m guessing you don’t mind reading to learn, so get reading. Contrary to popular belief, building a web site isn’t hard. It doesn’t have to be flashy, just a few pictures of you, maybe gig pictures. You could have information about your preferred music genre. Getting people to visit the site is the hard part. But if you have submitted all your mixes/music to the free sites then you should have links referring visitors to your site. This might sound like a method likely to fail. Earlier this year (2005) The Arctic Monkeys had a number 1 single in the UK using this method of promotion….As well as offline gigs of course!
Money matters.
DJs are surprisingly well paid. Because you are working for yourself, the fact of the matter is you wont always be busy. The trick is to be sensible. Save a little money to cover the times when there is no work on, this way it wont seem so bad when there is nothing coming in. Treat it as a normal career; you want to develop yourself as well as your prospects. Eventually you could own an agency or something. Set yourself goals to keep yourself motivated. And always keep things legal.
As a DJ you are classed as being self-employed. As with anybody who is self employed your tax is your responsibility. You will get stung if you don’t sort it out. Again, a little reading maybe needed if you are going to sort your own tax out. A quick search in any search engine will reveal lots and lots and lots of sites regarding tax issues so I’m not going to go into it here. An easier approach is to hire an accountant if you can afford it. They are surprisingly cheap and if you shop around a bargain can usually be found.
Reality of the modern DJ.
The harsh reality is that 90% will never make it to the level they dream of. Weather you are a producer or DJ it takes a lot of hard work and determination to succeed in this industry and many people just aren’t up to it.
You have to be able to take the knock backs and accept that you are going to get rejected now and again and hopefully with a lot of hard work and a little luck you will be able to live your dream of working within the music industry.
About The Author
Steven Kirby
Owner and creator of http://www.onthedex.com as well as being an established dj for over 12 Years.
Being a DJ may seem like an easy career path for many people. The fact of the matter is there is an endless stream of would be DJ’s who are just as into the music scene as you and me. The only way to get ahead in this game is to be hard working, self-promoting and flexibility is an essential!
Any music is good!
Under no circumstances must you turn down any opportunity to play any music to a crowd. This is very important for a couple of reasons. Lots of beginners will refuse point blank to play a different genre to the type of music they are used to. This is a big mistake. Playing any type of music to any crowd is a huge confidence builder. You may mess up now and again but, hey, everyone makes mistakes. At least you will be gaining experience and learning, even if it is to a pub full of drunks on a Friday night. The point being, every little bit of experience is good experience, the more confidence you can build, the less likely you are to make mistakes.
Flexibility.
Remember my comments in the first paragraph? “…flexibility is a must!”…This isn’t a reference to your aerobic skills. I am of course talking about your musical abilities. Sticking to one type of genre is all very well for the Tiestos of this world but in the early days of your DJ career you may not be able to pick and choose. Play whatever you think will pay the bills until you become established; everybody has to earn a living.
Learn to use different equipment. There is new music technology becoming available all the time, learn to use it, hire it in if you can’t afford to buy it as long as you can have a go. It’s extremely important that you stay up to date with the latest technology or you will get left behind.
Promoting your music.
It will take hard work and lots of determination. Self-promotion is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for most ‘bedroom DJs’. This is just as important, if not more so, than the music itself. It doesn’t matter how well you play your music, if you cant promote yourself, you may as well smash your decks up now! Self-promotion is easier than ever. There is a whole host of web sites offering free uploads, free downloads, free this and free that. Submit to them all, and get your own site up and running. You would be surprised how easy it is. If you’ve read this far I’m guessing you don’t mind reading to learn, so get reading. Contrary to popular belief, building a web site isn’t hard. It doesn’t have to be flashy, just a few pictures of you, maybe gig pictures. You could have information about your preferred music genre. Getting people to visit the site is the hard part. But if you have submitted all your mixes/music to the free sites then you should have links referring visitors to your site. This might sound like a method likely to fail. Earlier this year (2005) The Arctic Monkeys had a number 1 single in the UK using this method of promotion….As well as offline gigs of course!
Money matters.
DJs are surprisingly well paid. Because you are working for yourself, the fact of the matter is you wont always be busy. The trick is to be sensible. Save a little money to cover the times when there is no work on, this way it wont seem so bad when there is nothing coming in. Treat it as a normal career; you want to develop yourself as well as your prospects. Eventually you could own an agency or something. Set yourself goals to keep yourself motivated. And always keep things legal.
As a DJ you are classed as being self-employed. As with anybody who is self employed your tax is your responsibility. You will get stung if you don’t sort it out. Again, a little reading maybe needed if you are going to sort your own tax out. A quick search in any search engine will reveal lots and lots and lots of sites regarding tax issues so I’m not going to go into it here. An easier approach is to hire an accountant if you can afford it. They are surprisingly cheap and if you shop around a bargain can usually be found.
Reality of the modern DJ.
The harsh reality is that 90% will never make it to the level they dream of. Weather you are a producer or DJ it takes a lot of hard work and determination to succeed in this industry and many people just aren’t up to it.
You have to be able to take the knock backs and accept that you are going to get rejected now and again and hopefully with a lot of hard work and a little luck you will be able to live your dream of working within the music industry.
About The Author
Steven Kirby
Owner and creator of http://www.onthedex.com as well as being an established dj for over 12 Years.
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