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Monday, June 15, 2009

Use of African Drums in Local Communities

By Benedict Perez

African drums are a very important part of African music. Majority of African music is highly dependent upon the playing of drums. African musical style is very rhythmic.

The fast-paced and upbeat rhythmic style of drumming can be heard in many of the drum playing of a majority of tribes all over Africa. This is especially true of the Western African tribes. Although, there are music styles that are not so dependent on drums, like Township music in South Africa.

It is not only in dance and entertainment that drums are used. Local communities use drums to serve a purpose in their daily routines. Drums are used to communicate and as a form of cultural expression.

African drumming is characterized by fast and intricately multilayered rhythmic compositions.

Drummers can play at the same time in separate rhythmic beats that clash, the main beats somehow never corresponding. Musically, this is an incredible exploit of African drums, since two drummers usually perform together, sometimes more than three. The music will increasingly get more complicated with hand claps, and then eventually song added into the mix.

One drum will stand out from the rest playing as if the lead drums or vocal. Every separate drum with its own rhythm plays a part, chipping in a contribution. All of these parts playing together create a diverse sound that makes African drumming such a unique form of beats and rhythm.

A few of the better known drums of African are the djembe, atumpan, entenga, and ingungu. The djembe, which belongs to the membranophone musical family, is normally made from wood and shaped into a goblet. The atumpan of Ghana is called the talking drum.

The atumpan drummer plays it standing up using two sticks in the shape of the letter L. The entenga drum chimes of Uganda is a set of tuned African drums that play melodies derived vocally. The ingungu drum is used in the nobility rites of Zulu girls. - 18423

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Bagpipes Are Not Purely Scottish

By Benedict Perez

They are usually associated with the Scottish Highlands, but the origin of bagpipes is very old with versions in many parts of the world. This musical instrument belongs to the aero phone family of instruments. It produces sound by fill the bag with air which is blown out and controlled with the hands.

The most popular of these are Scotlands Great Highland Bagpipe and the Irish uilleann pipes. You could find this musical instrument, though, in the Caucasus, the Persian Gulf, throughout Northern Africa, and Europe. It is a traditional instrument in lots of cultures from Spain going east into Turkey, and Poland going south to Tunisia.

A bagpipe set has a bag, an air supply, a chanter, and often a drone. Many of these instruments have spare drones (and chanters) in diverse combinations. The air is put into the bag normally by blowing into a blowpipe or blowstick.

Bellows were used to supply air beginning in the 16th or 17th centuries. In the case of these coldpipes, the players breathing does not heat or dampen the air, letting bellows-driven instruments to use more delicate reeds. Young people usually of Celtic ancestry want learn how to play the bagpipes, maybe because of a longing for history.

Those who are just starting out use a beginner's pipe. The pipes are the only parts of the instrument that are permanent, because the bags and reeds for both chanter and drone are frequently replaced. Novice pipers usually use the chanter until they master it.

One uses only one drone then proceeds to two or three drones, since these are complex and difficult to play. The number of drones is added gradually as the student gradually masters playing the pipes. It usually takes half a year for the student to play the full bagpipes with a decent level of ability. - 18423

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Finding The Right Guitar Learning Program

By Jesscee Clark

A complete guitar learning program can allow a guitarist to learn all the basics, and provides practice lessons for better playing.

Life has become so complex and busy that one is unable to find appropriate time for small things, which gives use personal satisfaction. It can be a hobby or some interest. This demands for new and innovative ways to pursue them that saves time and if possible, money. Whatever the motive maybe, it is necessary that you learn each and every technique completely. One of the best sources to learn this skill is a guitar learning program.

There are a number of programs available on the internet, and many of them can also be purchased from music stores One way to go about it is through finding a complete and comprehensive course that contains all there is to know about playing a guitar. Another approach is to find a number of different sources that offers you resources that enable you to excel in guitar playing. Other approaches include the use of videos, tutorials, exercises and guitar learning program.

It is now possible to learn from the comfort and ease of your home and become a pro with persistent effort. You can avail a number of options when it comes to mastering the art of playing guitar.

One of the most important things to learn is here is that a guitar learning program must be a complete package that involves all the basic techniques, and must be reliable. In order to check the reliability of such a program, you must always seek help from the internet.

Practice allows a person to master the skill, and helps to correct mistakes. Having a comprehensive and thorough understanding will allow you to become more resourceful and innovative in guitar playing. But, an important to remember when using any program or course for that matter, is that you should ensure the source is reliable and authentic.

A guitar learning program must offer everything that can help replace a guitar tutor. Some of the most famous learning programs offer a series of DVDs, books, and softwares, which are very effective. Before you go for learning the theory, there are certain basics that must be learned first.

Therefore, it is important that you give particular time and attention before deciding which source to use, and practice throughout the process to verify its legitimacy and usefulness. By doing this, you will ensure that you master the art of playing a guitar in no time and impress your loved ones or pursue a professional career.

A number of guitarists are good without learning the system, but it is important for a better grasp over basics of the art. Now these books are either replaced by e-books, or softwares. Softwares have the edge over books, as they provide you with the opportunity to learn, and play your favorite songs, by following the tablatures.

Learning tablatures is also very important, as it will allow you to learn the basics of playing, such as hammer-on, pull-off, slides, vibratos, and finger picking etc. It is necessary to read reviews on the internet, as they provide the best information regarding learning programs.

The very important basics of music theory include scales, and chords, which are very important for learning any instrument. Once you will learn the theory, you will in a better position to play your favorite songs, and will play them without even looking at the tablatures. - 18423

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A Few Of The Finest Movies From Each Variety

By Angela Hernandez

Many people have a preferred variety of movie, be it action movies, horror movies, dramas, chick flicks or even documentaries. We have our preferred and then we see a movie from a different genre and we end up loving it too.

The reality is that good movies come from all of the diverse genres. Movies are meant to entertain us and that they do. It seems that every movie is appreciated by somebody and of course, some movies are esteemed by many.

All of the lists of the greatest movies are clouded by the estimation of the list maker. Most lists do include the blockbuster hits but no list is ever complete because there will always be a movie that someone loved that is left off the list. You just cannot list every person's favorites.

Some of the most excellent dramas from current years include "The Shawshank Redemption" from 1994, "Schindler's List" from 1993, "American Beauty" from 1999, "Forrest Gump" from 1994. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" from 2004 and "Slumdog Millionaire" from 2008. Of course there are myriad of others. These are barely a few.

There are a lot of fans of horror movies. Some classics that are a be required to see would incorporate "Silence of the Lambs" and "The Shining" and of course no horror movie fan could fail to notice "The Exorcist". Some current bloodcurdling shows are "30 days of Night" and "The Saw" franchise hits. One must always check out the "Friday the 13th" and "Halloween" movies of course. Whatever thing from Stephen King is habitually terrific because he is so capable at scaring us.

Comedy movies entertain every person. Who doesn't fancy a good giggle? "The 40 year old virgin" may only be apt for adults but it will make you laugh till you cry. There are a few actors that seem to go with the comedy movies, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey of course. And all of the former actors on Saturday Night Live put together funny movies. Check out "Baby Mama" with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler or Will Farrell in "Semi-Pro" or "Blades of Glory"

The movies that persons want to view over and over again are often the chick-flicks. If you are a fan of Reese Witherspoon try "Sweet Home Alabama" or "Just Like Heaven". There are older favorites like "Fools Rush In" or "Sweet Home Alabama". A great chick movie from 2008 is "What Happens In Vegas" with Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. Everyone loves a good chick flick.

No matter your favorite sort of movie, there are millions out there to choose from. You can now get them immediately by downloading them straight to your computer, transfer them to a CD and you are prepared to enjoy. - 18423

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Being A Better Musician

By Corey Greek

There are several types of music that depending on your culture and the kind of music you like you can listen and perform. I would like to talk about the types of music that you perform in your daily life.

If you are a lover of the pop music or blues, or something like that, let me tell you that the more you listen to the music you perform from other musicians the better knowledge you will have about the music you are playing.

Music is a very special language that is improved by the ear. The more you listen the better you will perform something. In the case of popular music is so. 80% of the music played around the world is listened music that is not required of knowledge of writing and reading music.

If you like jazz you should listen to a lot of jazz and even start experimenting with blues scales so that you can make your own style which evidently will come from all the music you know. The music that you can listen to and the music you can read or study.

The types of music are today very important in any culture around the world because the music of today is based on fusions of diverse genres and rhythms that can be combined and create new music, styles, trends and new types of music.

This last thing is pretty important because in most reputable music colleges such as Berkley School of Music, they say to all their alumni that the music is not their hobby, now the music will be their careers and this is why the music is based in something very serious that require responsibility and effort. The efforts of many people have led them to create new styles and make important fusions of music. - 18423

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