Guitar Tutorials: Finding Ways to Get Educated on Your Own

By Gabriel Cooper-Smith

Good Tutorials can be hard to come by but is definitely the initial step to learning to play the guitar. As well as teaching you how to play the instrument it is also great to learn about the instrument itself and a little about guitar history. If you learn about the guitar and truly understand how they work you will be able to play it much more easily.

Finding guitar tutorials is easy if you know where to look. Many can be found at any local music shop and others can be found with a simple search on the Internet. Since guitar playing is probably the most common instrument that people play you will have no issues in tracking one down that will best suit you whether you are playing electric or acoustic. Many of them will also have large chapters pertaining to getting started and to the novice player. Using the resources that are available is necessary and when there is such a plethora of information out there you have no excuse to not get started.

Guitar tutorials will teach you the basics about learning how to play guitar. For the most part if you are dedicated and take the time to practice on a consistent basis you will find picking up the guitar is not that difficult. In fact its the easiest instrument to play because much like a piano all the notes are right there on the fret board with easy access. Teaching yourself anything is always more productive when you have guidelines to follow and guitar tutorials will give you an outline that will give you direction and knowledge.

Many of you will already know how to read music and that is great, however if you don't, that is also ok. A lot of people think that learning to read music must always be done before actually playing the instrument. I tend to disagree as it is far more useful to understand how the guitar actually works as this will help you to play the instrument the way you want to.

There are many guitar tutorials so picking the "right" one is not that important. Just pick anyone and stick with it. Make sure you constantly play and practice your guitar as people say "practice makes perfect" Remember that hard work and dedication is what will ultimately transform you into a competent guitarist.

The only thing that your skills will need to feed off of is time and practice. Most music teachers will tell you 30 minutes a day is a good base to get started but the more you play guitar, the faster you will see results and the better you will become. - 18423

About the Author:

Guitar tutorials are an great when teaching yourself the guitar. A great tutorials is called Jamorama. If you are interested in finding other lessons and information on Jamorama Click Here Guitar Tutorials

Wonderful Music Memories: My Time With U2 Live Music Concerts

By Ian Sawyer

The year was 1987, when I was 15 years old, my father took me to see U2 at, what was then, Foxboro Stadium. It was the Joshua Tree Tour, in support of their Grammy winning album that would go on to catapult them to the top of the rock 'n roll food chain. I was old enough to appreciate the vibrant synergy of the audience and the incredible hold the band had over so many people. But I was too young to fully commit to each song, and took away more of the awe of being amongst 50,000 people than the awe of being in the presence of Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton. I remember squinting to see Bono, in a cowboy hat and an arm sling (he had separated his shoulder the night before in New York) because he was so far away. For days after the show, I wore my concert t-shirt with pride even though it was too big for me and hung lifelessly off my bony frame. My friends, and even some strangers, would praise me in the hallway, impressed that I had actually seen U2 live. One year later, the t-shirt would be worn through and reduced to a dust rag.

By the time U2 returned to Foxboro in August of 1992, supporting Achtung Baby!, I had just turned 20. Things had certainly changed. While I wasn't technically of drinking age, I will admit that the pre-show tailgating before the concert was one of the most glorious times I'd ever had in a parking lotuntil then, at least. The show itself, featuring an immense stage, inspired set list, and compelling onstage antics, would go down in the history books as one the most over-the-top and impressive live concert events ever. To say that the crowd was into it is like saying a starving man is into filet mignon. It was awesome. Highlights of the Zoo TV Tour included a stage so tall that blinking air-traffic lights were required, a gorgeous belly dancer seducing Bono during "Mysterious Ways," and Bono phoning the White House to talk to President Bush between songs. In retrospect, the entire production was one long highlight.

Five years would go by before U2 returned to Foxboro, and I made sure I was there. The Popmart Tour, supporting a combination of POP and Zooropa came to town in July of 1997, and I was 25-a pretty good year all around. I was newly single, had a good job, and was living in the Boston area. I had already seen the band in Philadelphia on the same tour and was as big a fan as you could find back then. While many people consider POP and Zooropa to be less than stellar albums, at least by U2 standards, I've always found them quite enjoyable. Similarly, the Popmart Tour was considered, by some, to be weird and self-indulgent-a far cry from the successes of Zoo TV. The infamous giant lemon-shaped disco mirror ball, and the enormous yellow arch (suggesting half of the McDonald's golden arches) were meant to reflect the album's themes regarding pop culture and commercialism-elements that were lost on many concertgoers. However, I was a big fan of the set list and the techno-heavy nuances they brought to their songs, new and old.

In the 4 years between Zooropa and U2's next studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, the band shrugged off the flawed character-driven cultural study of the Popmart era and embraced their more personal lyric writing roots. Songs like "Beautiful Day" and "Walk On" were inspiring and uplifting. Appropriately named the Elevation Tour, U2 took the opportunity to leave outdoor stadiums behind, playing strictly arenas. Inside, U2's heart-shaped stage and cutting edge surround sound system were a welcome departure from the overwhelming grandeur of past tours. The Elevation Tour was more intimate, and more accessible for fans. I caught a couple shows at Boston's Fleet Center in June of 2001. Having an Irish-based affection for Boston, U2 pulls out all the stops when in town, and I am always proud to be present at a U2 concert in my hometown.

Nothing changed from the Elevation Tour to U2's next tour. Again taking place in arenas, the Vertigo Tour came to Boston's Fleet Center in December of 2005 in support of How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The heart-shaped stage was now a giant circle, and a vast curtain of high-tech light bulbs surrounded the stage, making a floor-to-ceiling see-through screen. The stage was nearly centered in the arena and fans enjoyed seating pretty much all around the stage, upping the intimacy factor. The show I attended was one of the best sounding concerts I have ever been to and, as usual, the crowd was hanging on every guitar riff and vocal chorus.

When U2 recently released No Line On The Horizon and is in the midst of warming up for their next world tour. On September 20, I'll be attending U2 360 in Foxboro. Early stage design research suggests that U2 will be playing in the middle of stadiums on a huge, circular, rotating stage. Reports claim that every seat in the place will afford fans a totally immersive experience. While ticket prices border on outrageous for high quality seats, I feel I owe it to myself to be as close to the band as possible since I've supported them on every tour since 1987. For almost 30 years U2 have provided me with a lifelong soundtrack that's gotten me though the best and worst of days. It's likely that this will be the last time I'll have this opportunity to enjoy the tailgating, the crowd, the stage, the lights, and, above all, the music. Hopefully it will feel more like a thank you than a goodbye. - 18423

About the Author:

Ian Sawyer is a Freelance Writer for YouMusic.com, The Social Networking Site for Musicians, Featuring a vibrant Music Community has Music Chat Rooms, Music Forums, Music Blogs, Instant Messaging, Music Groups and Concert Tickets such as U2 Concert Tickets

Looking For A Power Amplifier with Great Sound? Try The QSC 2450 Power Amplifier

By Arnold Nacksky

QSC is short for QS Control, also known as Q's Control. Lots of music-types have tried the QSC RMX 2450 and loved the sound that they get! It's small and made to fit into your rack. The amplifier offers everything you need, and has 2400 watts of power to boot! This amp will delivery all of the performance quality you need and even has clip LED indicators so you can hear how well everything sounds!

You've been searching for that perfect amplifier that will give you all of the sounds that you need; well, look no further than the QSC RMX 2450. You can own a 500 watt, 8 ohm unit. A 4 ohm unit has 750 watts, and 2 ohms has 1200 watts of crystal clear sound. You can have all of that for $700.00!

The unit features a 3-year warranty, and you can also buy an extended service contract. Unlike lots of units, the gain controls are mounted on the front, which makes for incredibly easy access. It's a light 45 pounds, and is quite compact at 16" deep. It onliy uses 2 rack spaces, which is incredible for a unit this powerful! It even has fans which keeps the whole unit cool without sacrificing any of the power you need.

You sure have lots of options with all of the power amplifiers on the market today. But it's hard to know how good an amplifier is without trying it out. An amplifier selection tool can help you find out how much your equipment can handle. There are more expensive units from companies like JBL and Yamaha, but, dollar for dollar, the QSC RMX 2450 is a great bargain!

You should shop and compare all the other brands out there; it won't take long for you to realize which ones won't be able to stand up to your banner expectations. You don't want to sacrifice anything and if you want reduce distortion the QSC RMX 2450 amp will make you the most popular kid on the block.

You can pump up the volume with this in the studio, or in a dance club. It is going to be the most amazing amp you've ever seen. It uses clip limiters at both ends of the frequency spectrum, and be used separately. The music will sound great on one side or the other. This unit will give you exceptional range when used at home.

An amp will take a whole lot of abuse, just by being moved form city-to-city on tour, or even from studio to studio! It can handle any instrument that you play through it; it's equally good with guitar voice, bass, or drums. You can even use it as a Karaoke machine if you'd like! It can connect up to eight speakers, all with one cable!

The QSC RMX 2450 power amplifier has been compared to many other brands that cost a lot more and if you want the purest sound then you really should test drive this amp. Its as simple as plugging it in because you don't have to change anything on it. Some movie theaters are finding that the QSC RMX 2450 gives their venue a sound that keeps patrons coming back for more. Inside or outside this amp delivers more than you ever bargained for, ditch the rest and go with the best. - 18423

About the Author:

Arnold Nacksky loves musical equipment. He has been a music lover and a professional musician for 20 years. Mr. Nacksky musical equipment opinions have been read around the world. To find out more about the qsc rmx2450, click here.

Frank Sinatra And Nelson Riddle: How It Happened

By David Glisan

Frank Sinatra is now known as the greatest popular singer in history and canonized as 'The Chairman of the Board'. That wasn't always the case, however. It's easy to forget that there was a period of time when he was just another aging teen idol trying to stay relevant in the music business. He also had personal problems that are famous--particularly his tempestuous romance with actress Ava Gardner--as well as damaged vocal chords. There was a point after his 'bobbysoxer' success that he was in bad shape financially and professionally.

Not only was Sinatra's career in shambles, but the A&R people at Columbia Records had no clue what to do about it. The low point of their efforts was an attempt to reinvent the greatest popular singer in history as a 'novelty act' by pairing him with producer Mitch Miller. The most wretched by-product for their brief working relationship was a song called 'Mama Will Bark', on which Sinatra shared the mic with a busty singer named Dagmar while some clown barked like a dog and howled in the background. After these dismal recordings failed to jumpstart his career Sinatra was dropped by Columbia records in 1952.

In 1953, several singers who here friends of Sinatra, most notably Jo Stafford and June Hutton brought him to the attention of Capitol Records A&R man Dave Dexter, Jr. This led to a contract, and begun a nine year association with Capitol that most critics consider the finest era of Sinatra's work. Initially, Frank worked with Axel Stordahl (June Hutton's husband, with whom he had worked at Columbia) and these sessions produced some decent recordings, including "I'm Walking Behind You" and "Lean Baby", but nothing incredibly significant. Dexter wanted Frank to try something different, and with Stordahl leaving to accept a job with Eddie Fisher in New York, he agreed reluctantly to a pairing with Nelson Riddle. Riddle was an experienced big band conductor, known best at that point for his work with Nat King Cole. Dexter had envisioned this pairing ever since he had signed Sinatra, but its doubtful that even he could have foreseen the magic that was to result.

To say that the first Sinatra/Riddle session was a success is an understatement, and "I've Got The World On The String" is somewhat of a 'shot heard round the world' for Sinatra's career and popular music in general. The Ted Kohler/Harold Arlen song is given new vibrancy with Riddle's buoyant arrangement and Sinatra's new found vocal maturity. The song was a modest commercial success at the time, reaching #14 on the single charts, but became a classic. It was also a favorite of Sinatra himself, and he continued to perform the song live, frequently as a show opener, for the rest of his life.

When the phoenix-like rebirth of Frank Sinatra's career is put into a modern context, it becomes even more remarkable. Today one can scarcely imagine a 'teenybopper' idol--say, Jordan Knight from 'New Kids on the Block' or one of the Jonas Brothers-being able to sustain a serious musical career at all after their initial stardom among the adolescent set. Frank Sinatra not only revived his career, but left an imprint on America popular music--and its culture--that is unlikely to ever be equaled. "I've Got The World On A String" can easily be considered the 'big bang' in the creation of Frank Sinatra's world that we all inhabit. It is a celebration of the good life, of which the music of Frank Sinatra will always remain an intrinsic part. - 18423

About the Author:

David Glisan is a journalist covering MMA and boxing. He is also the music editor for The Savage Science, a website covering both MMA and music, and is a noted authority on both heavy metal and jazz. He contributes to many MMA news websites and provides UFC news for mainstream sports broadcasts and websites. He's also a published expert on show biz history and judo.

Elton John and Billy Joel: Blasting the Yellow Brick Road

By James G. Pynn

If it's entertainment you want, there are only two men touring today that can stand, while pounding out a boogie-woogie beat, and deliver. What can you say about Elton John that has not been said over the past four decades? Indeed, what can you say about his close rival for best piano man ever, Billy Joel? Both men have been performing longer than most people have been alive; never mind combining their total years in music entertainment.

As the summer of 2009 looms, these powerhouses are roaming the continent, bringing with them all the thunderous power of the rock gods. Yes, to be sure, these men have not faded softly into that hazy classic rock night that enshrouds acts like Deep Purple or Fog Hat. These fine gents are on their tour buses, bands in tow, looking to rock your local stadium.

Not only are you guaranteed to have the tuna salad rocked out of you, but never forget these giants bring with them a formidable pyrotechnics display. Is it the Fourth of July? No, it's better -- it's Elton and Billy blasting the roof off of Wrigley Field. That's the kind of combined firepower legendary concerts are made of. Not since chocolate and peanut butter has there been a better combining of forces.

Get tickets now before you are left scrambling up to complete strangers outside the venue, hoping they are not undercover cops. Take a cue from MC hammer and go too legit to quit. Buy your tickets, like the decent, law-abiding citizen you are. That little mouse contraption you are holding is the key to the best tickets. Do you think Sir Elton and Mister Joel are worth it? You bet your sweet buns they are.

All the major cities are on the slate for these rock and roll generals as they bring in the noise to North America. The Rocket Man and the Piano Man are on the loose and who knows when anyone will have the opportunity to catch them both, on the same ticket no less any time in the foreseeable future. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Don't disappoint your grandchildren -- give them a great story and book your tickets now. - 18423

About the Author:

Step right up and start rocking out. The place to buy your Elton John and Billy Joel tickets is online. Avoid the crush and purchase your Elton John and Billy Joel tickets before they are all gone.