Category: General Articles

Promote Your Music Online – Top 5 Ways to Get an Online Fan Base

One of the popular ways to sell your music or land in a record deal these days is to use the power of the internet. In fact, a lot of budding artists, singers and musicians are promoting their stuff online just to get noticed, create a fan base and of course, land on a record deal that is probably the ultimate goal of singers and artists.

If you want to start to promote your music online, there are actually a lot of ways to do it. However, it is important that you have to be ready and well-prepared for everything. Keep in mind that even if you are starting online or in your own little ways, it is important that you have to think big. Don’t just think about what you can offer but think about what record labels are looking for and think about what can make you get a good fan base even on the internet.

Here are seven of the things that you may want to start with if you want to promote your music online.

1. Build up your image and make sure you have a total package that is marketable in these times. You may want to check out your style, make it different from what is already in the music industry. Keep in mind that fans and record labels are not looking for someone who can sing like the already-famous singers but they are often on the look of someone that has something unique to offer and someone who can actually outdo those who are already in the music industry. With this in mind, make sure that you just don’t have the talent. You should also have that marketable image.

2. Create a website. One of the things that you can start with is to have your own website that will allow you to introduce yourself to people online. Put everything you have to promote in your site – your music, your gigs, your style of music. Promote your site as well. This will be your first steps in getting a good internet fan base.

3. Go to YouTube, Facebook and other social networking sites and use them to your advantage. YouTube and other sites that hosts videos are very good avenues to post your demo videos. Of course, even if you are making a home video, make sure it is also presentable, of good quality and something that can also stand out from the rest of the people who are also trying to pitch their songs online.

4. Find music directories online and submit your videos or your website link. If you want to promote your music online and eventually get a recording contract or get in touch with record producers, then go to music directories to be discovered. The nearer you are to the people in the music industry, the better are your chances of getting discovered.

5. …

Flamenco Guitar – Stars and Superstars

Flamenco Guitar stars are not as numerous as stars in other musical styles. But they definitely exist. Leading the pack, without a doubt, is Paco de Lucia. Easily the most Internationally recognized Flamenco Guitarist. And, with good reason. Paco’s innovations, plus his ability and desire to explore other musical genres while respecting his Flamenco heritage, introduced Spanish Music to a wider audience.

A child prodigy, who received no formal instruction, Paco began performing professionally at the age of 17, with Jose Greco’s dance company. Later he spent 8 years accompanying the legendary Flamenco singer – Carmen De la Istra.

His tour with fellow guitar stars, John McLaughlin and Al Di Meola, with their live CD, “Friday Night in San Francisco”, took Flamenco Guitar Music to a new plateau. Solo, and with his group, Paco continues to explore new musical territory, while remaining true to his musical roots.

Paco’s integration of Jazz, Pop, Rock, Classical and World styles into his music has, logically, influenced and inspired the current generation of Flamenco Guitar Stars. Canadian |Jesse Cook with his Rhumba rhythms. Lawson Rollins, referencing many locations on the musical globe. The awesome technique and passionate performance of Miguel De La Bastide. Trinidad’s most celebrated musical export.

But none of these great guitarists could have become “Stars” – without the “Superstars of Flamenco. ” The pioneers who developed and innovated Flamenco Guitar Music. These “Roots Superstars” made two game changing contributions to the evolution of Flamenco Guitar Music.

First, and most importantly, They elevated the Flamenco Guitar from it’s accompanying role to a solo one. Second – They took Spanish Music on tour. Bringing, for the first time, authentic Flamenco Music to an International audience. These “Pioneer Superstars” – The original Legends of Flamenco – were Ramon Montoya, Sabicas, and Nino Ricardo.

Like most early Flamenco Guitarists, Ramon Montoya came from humble origins. A Family of Gypsy cattle traders. But through sheer talent and determination, he evolved into the most important guitarist of his generation. For one principal reason. Ramon Montoya was the first to establish the Flamenco Guitar as a solo instrument. Taking it away from, and beyond it’s traditional role accompanying dancers and singers.

But it was Sabicas, the next Flamenco Guitar Superstar, who continued and expanded Montoya’s accomplishments. Leaving Spain in 1936 with the outbreak of civil war, Sabicas toured South America and other countries. Bringing Flamenco Music to an even wider audience. Noted for his exceptional technique, Sabica’s received the ultimate compliment from the late American guitar superstar Chet Atkins, who commented in an interview: “The best technique qround has got to be Sabicas, the Flamenco player. “

Perhaps the saddest note in the History of the Flamenco Guitar Superstars is the life of Nino Ricardo. An enormous talent, with a unique tone and style derived from upward curving fingernails, Nino was universally regarded as the best guitarist of his day. Celebrated, and, of course, widely imitated. He died of liver failure at …

Need a Cheap New Laptop? Here’s How to Get the Very Best Deal!

A cheap new laptop is a prize. A good cheap new laptop, though, might be considered the holy grail of personal electronics shopping. The reward of the careful comparison shopper and patient laptop researcher.

Of course, you’re a smart shopper–and you can figure out how to find a stellar deal and grab the best laptop prices. But why not get a little assistance and benefit from a laptop review blogger’s research? Maybe you’ll find a tip or two here that will save you time and money.

Let the “Early Adapters” Chase After the Latest Technology

It’s easy to convince yourself that you ought to have whatever is cutting-edge and new when you buy a laptop. After all, computers become obsolete so rapidly that there are some good arguments for getting as much as possible of the “latest and greatest” when you go looking for a cheap new laptop. Remember, though, that some bells and whistles are more for entertainment or convenience than for performance. Don’t skimp on performance, but don’t think you have to have the very best DVD and gaming capabilities, either. You’ll pay a high price for these–and insisting on having that stuff may lead you to overlook some excellent laptop values. Here are the minimum performance-related criteria you should be looking for if you are a student or professional:

Processor speed – 2 GHz and up

Memory – At least 1GB of RAM installed

Hard drive – 40 GB to 60 GB

Screen size – Around 15″ for the best blend of portability and viewing experience

Weight – 5 lbs and under

Battery Life – At least 4 hours. (The low-voltage models now offer up to 12, by the way.) Also consider buying an additional battery when you make your purchase.

Buy a refurbished laptop

I’ve heard it said, when seeking computer buying advice, “Once a lemon, always a lemon.” In other words (or so my uber-geek friends have told me), if a computer didn’t work right for the person who first purchased it, it’ll never work quite right for anyone else. I’m sorry–but I just don’t buy this. There are a million reasons why someone might return a computer (including just being too computer-illiterate to know how to use it properly). I have personally had very experiences with buying a cheap new laptop from refurbished computer outlets.

Buy from a total geek

I’m being a little tongue in cheek here, but what I’m really saying here is, if you’re willing to have your cheap new laptop actually be a (slightly) used new laptop, chase after the early adapters. We all know that person whose idea of obsolescence is a year-old computer that can’t run World of Warcraft with quite the smoothness in high-def mode that it once did. Or whose identity is so defined by the computer subculture that it is an embarrassment to have an “older model” laptop. Try looking on Craigslist. …

Most Important Aspects of Gaming Notebook Computers

No more do you have to use a super powerful desktop computer to play games, the gaming laptop is now gaining tremendous popularity due to increased performance of laptops. It seems every year or so we are seeing tremendous breakthroughs in notebook technology such as dual core processors, increase storage, more RAM, faster chipsets, more battery life and many more.

However for performance intensive activities such as gaming, only the top of the line will cut it. Gamers are increasingly demanding on technology, they are on the cutting edge of technology and know exactly what they want. As a result, they typically either build their own laptops or have them built to spec for them by the most reputable manufacturers.

One of the most important considerations for gamers is the ability to upgrade components on a regular basis since the computing industry advances so quickly. In fact, notebook technology changes every year if not every six months significantly.

Here are some of the critical areas gamers focus on when shopping for laptop computers.

Only the Best Graphics Technology

Gamers absolutely must have the fastest and hence the latest graphics technology available. In fact they are obsessed with acquiring the most cutting-edge graphic chipset’s as soon as they are released.

The Most RAM Available

In addition to the latest graphics technology, most gamers preferred the absolute most RAM available for their systems. RAM or random access memory is responsible for processing and graphics files, so it is closely related to the graphics chipset. Additionally, the more RAM you have the more programs you can have open at the same time without worrying about performance issues. So naturally, and gamers want the most RAM possible.

The Most Speed Available

Gamers need absolutely the fastest computers money can buy. The faster a gaming laptop is, the better it can handle 3-D video games without the PC freezing up in the middle of your session

The processing unit or CPU is responsible for the computer speed for the most part. It is essentially your computer’s brain, which does all the data processing. However since it’s the most important aspect of the computer, it tends to also be the most expensive.

The Sharpest Display

The final element to a gamers dream laptop notebook is its display. Gamers need only the sharpest and brightest of displays. After all, the display is what all the other laptop components are working towards. For the absolute best gaming experience, make sure your resolution (display quality) is the finest money can buy. The best way to make sure your display is able to handle the latest 3-D gaming technology, be sure to view your laptop in person and give it the eye test. You should be able to tell what the image quality is like from checking out the laptop and a local computer store.…

Music As Seductive As Casanova

I just came back from my yoga practice and I was angrier then when I entered. I let my mind wonder inwardly and let feelings distract me. Why? Today we listened to classical music, which I found distracting. Other times, the music of the yoga class has been without melody and rhythm; The rhythm of the music influenced my body rhythm. My mind was not still, because I was subconsciously following the melody.

I was singing along Antonioni’s Adagio and Beethoven’s Pathetique. They were sounds and melodies that brought me to a personal place of memories of the past, when I was an active musician.

How seductive, and controlling music is. It is always palpable. The steady beat of the marches coercing armies into war, to the rock and roll sounds to change one’s mood but seeking a connection, the languid Latin love songs and ballads that entice us to love even for a moment, to the languid rhythm to dance to connect sexually, to the lullabies to seduce a baby to sleep.

Still in my post-yoga meditating state, my mind went to The Fez Sacred Music Festival in Morocco, which I assisted in a study, during my doctoral research, on the different responses to music. I remembered how I felt suspended in Fez, listening to the Sufi orchestra. Because I could not sing along with it, I felt very much in the NOW and no personal memories surfaced. Non-western music, syncopated and dissonant with droning sounds; is meant to transcend spirituality and physicality, in attempts to re-experience the union with the divine, rather than attempting to generate humanly love and personal memories.

Where words and melodies of the Western world are meant to connect you with your personal memories, music without words, or words we don’t understand and melodies that we can’t follow or predict have a more transcendence of selflessness. Secular music attempts to generate humanly love. The Supreme connection in sacred music is the Collective Unconscious, the Universe. The connection in secular music is a Personal Unconscious, the union between two people. Where secular music attempts to transfix listeners in the present, sacred music carries us beyond it. Past and future are implicit as they represent the meaning of the ritual.

With Fez music, I felt connected universally and cosmically. This morning I was not able to connect with my inner self, because the melodies distracted me, brought back memories. I felt seduced by the melody that is very much still in my cortex.

As I am writing I am singing to the Pathetique, and it is bringing me to a place that I really did not choose. I want to feel again the divine connection that I felt listening to the Sufi music. I would like to release this sensation in my cortex, and just be.

Yes, music is like the late Casanova. Now I will need the best music of all, silence.…

HP Envy 17 2090NR Notebook for the Serious Gamer

The future of “state of the art”, the HP ENVY 17 2090NR was designed to meet every PC user’s needs and bring their experience to a whole new level with its amazing 3D technology. Being one of the most respected and well trusted brands for personal computers and laptops alike, HP has developed a machine that gives a very unique user experience making it worth every cent. The HP ENVY 17 2090NR includes premium materials and is equipped to perform, it combines the latest designs and computer technology to give a one of a kind 3D experience that excels beyond any other 17 inch notebook on the market today.

Owning the HP ENVY 17 2090NR is like having your own private big screen. Its 17.3 inch Ultra BrightView display boasts a 1080p resolution that brings every detail to life, crystal clear. It comes with HP 3D active Shutter Glasses that sync wirelessly with what is displayed on screen to deliver an amazing, multi dimensional viewing experience. Its laser etched, aluminum finish is really a head turner for the fashion conscious.

Empowered with the latest 2nd generation Intel core i7-2630QM with Turbo Boost Technology and 8 GB’s of DDR3 memory, this PC will outperform all the competition. Equipped with the Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) operating system, it surpasses everyone’s expectation for a laptop. Edit all your word documents, surf the web, browse family photos, listen to your favorite music, play the latest games and watch the biggest movie releases, all in 3D!

HP ENVY 17 2090NR has preloaded MS Office 2010 for your Excel and Word document needs. It has Gigabit Ethernet that lets you connect to any network with ease or connect to a wireless network through HP’s new Wireless-N Technology. It also uses Beats Audio and HP Triple Bass Reflex Subwoofer for an optimum sound quality for both its built in speakers or headphone use. The Beats Audio system is known for its world class audio quality, it has a powerful, clear and crisp sound with deep controlled bass, being highly recommended by professionals and music artists all across the globe.

Included is the Radeon 6850M graphics card with 1024MB GDDR5 of memory, meaning gaming has never been this fun. Imagine your character battling dragons and super villains in 3D. Even regular 2D games will automatically become 3D when played using your HP ENVY 17 2090NR.

Aside from these features, The HP ENVY 17 2090NR also includes the following, An Intel Quad Core Processor for high speed processing of data, Backlit keyboard for low room light use, Bluetooth for easy Wireless sharing, Multi touch Pad, USB 3.0 with 5 ports, Blu-ray player and many more. This laptop gives you all the power you need from one of the most respected brands in the industry.…

Why Choose The ASUS G73SW XA1 Gaming Laptop

For all gaming fanatics out there, this ASUS G73SW XA1 is truly a must have. Considered as one of the most powerful gaming laptops ever made, this one of a kind notebook had already made its mark for gamers. The best games in the market require superior performance. The ASUS G73SW XA1 does not strive to hit a game’s minimum requirements for play but it dominates them for a much thrilling experience for usual gamers and newbie as well. Equipped with the best performing processors and chips available, this PC gives pumps up the adrenaline and brings gaming into a whole different level.

Powered with the latest Sandy Bridge Intel Core i7-2630QM, quad core processor with Turbo Boost Technology, combined with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system, it can easily give off the fastest speed and responsiveness ever for tasks with high memory usage with no sweat at all. Create your own digital videos, make 3D animations, and for its forte, play the newest high end games with this PC and be surprised with its excellent performance. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460M graphics engine with a stunning 1.5 GB GDDR5 VRAM embedded on this machine is bigger than traditional gaming laptops thus, it can make you stay in front of your PC forever. It enhances video graphics to a full extent for a more dynamic gaming experience. Hyper-Threading Technology on this ASUS G73SW XA1 can process data in eight threads all at the same time. Packed with 750GB 7200RPM hard drive and 8GB of DDR3 system memory, it can easily store game and media files and browse them with convenience at any time. Inspired to look like a US stealth fighter, the ASUS G73SW XA1 has a unique thermal design that switches airflow and directing it away from its user plus it keeps it cool even for prolonged use.

Play your favorite alien shooter or dragon slaying game with a vivid and vibrant 17.3 inch LED backlit Full HD display smoothly and with amazing clarity. This large screen with matrix HD 120 Hz comes with shutter glasses will let you enjoy three dimensional images. Yup, 3D! Gaming will never be the same again with the ASUS G73SW XA1. Complemented with EAX Advanced HD 5.0 Audio that delivers a fantastic and premium sound quality, this PC will blast your ears off. The backlit illuminated keyboard will surely be a lot of help while playing with low room light. 8-cell Lithium Ion batteries that can last up to 3.5 hours even while playing games. Other features of this laptop includes a Gigabit LAN and Wireless Connectivity for convenient network and web browsing, Bluetooth capability, Super Speed USB 3.0 port and three USB 2.0 ports for fast transferring of files and data, Super Multi DVD drive that can play almost anything, an 8 in 1 Card Reader, 2.OM Webcam and microphone.

Never will you regret having one of these ASUS G73SW XA1 gaming laptops. …

The Top 5 Jeff Buckley Quotes

What are the top 5 Jeff Buckley quotes? This question had a friend and I going at it pretty good the other day. For anyone that doesn’t know, Jeff Buckley is one of the most critically acclaimed artists of our time. But that really means nothing. What is more impressive is the massive following of super loyal fans that he has managed to amass, and how he did it with only one studio release. Of course we never did get to see his proper sophomore effort (Sketches is really a collection of demos) before his tragic death, but what he left with us is some of the most magic music of the 20th century. Now, he has some great lyrics, but what really makes them so momentous is the delivery of his vocal performance; the way he sings those lyrics. But we are not stopping at lyrics, he also has a good collection of his thoughts on life that he left for us. So what are the 5 best Jeff Buckley quotes? Here is the consensus that my buddy and I came up with, in no particular order. See if you agree.

5. “… kiss me out of desire, but not consolation” – from “Last Goodbye”, Grace, 1994.

This is one of those examples of how his performance lends greatness to the lyrics. This is from one of the emotional high points of the song.

4. “If you feel blocked, do not turn to others, but look inside, in silence, for the enemy of your progress” – Jeff Buckley

This one is interesting. It is credited to Jeff, but also to Ralph H. Blum’s The Book of Runes. The gist of the message is that often we and not others are the source of the difficulties and obstacles that we face.

3. “I don’t write my music for Sony. I write it for the people who are screaming down the road crying to a full-blast stereo.” – Jeff Buckley

I think this is why he garnered such a strong cult following. He was on a major label, but his music in some ways was very much indifferent to the big label cookie-cutter machine. Look at “Corpus Cristi… ” for example.

2. “Too young to hold on, and too old to just break free and run.” – Jeff Buckley “Lover, You Should Have Come Over”, Grace, 1994

Many too old-too young sentiments have been bandied about through the years, but Jeff seems to encapsulate the feelings of a young man who wants the benefits of commitment without the willingness to accept responsibility.

1. “Your soul can fly outward, stringed to your ribcage like a shimmering kite in the shape of an open hand. Be still and listen to the evidence of your own holiness.” – Jeff Buckley

What can you say about that one? If only world leaders considered the significance of this quote……

Alienware AM11X-2894CSB 11.6-Inch Laptop – The Gamers Dream Machine

If you are looking for the ultimate gaming laptop for under the $1000 mark, then the Alienware AM11X-2894CSB is the machine for you. Alienware has long been known for producing super high quality and extremely powerful machines and they hold true to their reputation once again. This laptop that comes in at less than 12 inches and under 4.5 pounds helps keep you on the move and not bogged down like other big, bulky, and heavy machines. The long life battery can give you nearly 8 hours and 40 minutes of run time so you don’t have to worry about plugging in during the middle of play.

Technologically speaking, the Alienware AM11X-2894CSB includes a blistering fast Intel Core 2 Duo Processor (SU7300) with 4 gigs of DDR3 1066 MHz RAM; you will be able to outpace your online competition with this gaming machine. The 11.6-inch HD wide-screen with its 720p LCD display will allow you to see even the tiniest details. If you want to surround yourself in the experience, then utilize the HDMI output connection on the Alienware AM11X-2894CSB and connect to the big screen for the ultimate in gaming immersion.

This machine was built while thinking of gamers; so don’t be surprised to find the best HD gaming is on your Alienware AM11X-2894CSB. The NVIDIA GeForce GT 335 M graphics card includes 1 gig of dedicated memory to make image and video processing lag times disappear. Choose between integrated or discreet graphics as you see fit for your power consumption needs. Alienware AM11X-2894CSB comes pre-bundled with Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium allowing for a truly intuitive operation.

While designed for gamers, this machine can also easily handle regular computing tasks required by standard machines. This machine is small, light, and fast allowing you to be at your most creative, work harder, and play faster than you’ve ever done before. That is the Alienware mission.…

Music Tattoos For Men: Best Way To Show Your Love For Music

Sporting a tattoo is considered one way to show your taste for something. In certain cases, people exhibit it in anticipation of certain things. For instance, a fox tattoo is immensely popular mainly because people think etching such a tattoo on their skin may imbibe traits of a fox in their personality. Let us not forget, it’s true a fox doesn’t possess the best of physical attributes in it. Still, when it comes to being cunning and intelligent, there is hardly any other animal which can fit the bill. Similarly, there are numerous men who have a penchant for music. For them, music tattoos for men would be the best option they can explore.

Most men, who prefer to have a music tattoo, find it one way to turn their mood. For example, whenever sight of a musical symbol meets his eyes, it makes a lousy or a bad mood into a pleasurable one. So, if you too are a music lover, you should opt for music tattoo ideas so that you can find an option that meets your parameters. This suggestion holds especially true in case you are a musician or an enthusiast. There are certain specific music tattoos that are widely popular among them who are always on lookout for these tattoos. Some of the examples for the same include treble clef, notes and the staff. There are a couple of musical instruments which has found a wider acceptance among tattoo lovers such as drums, guitar, flute, saxophone, etc.

There is no hard and fast rule that you will need to abide by in case you desire to have say, punk tattoos. According to your choice and need, you can select a tattoo that can be made on any part of your body. Some parts of a body that is often used in this regard would include wrist, sleeve and ribcage. With each individual parameter of likes and dislikes too differ. So, in case you want to try something different which will have an ethnic touch to it, you may easily choose Celtic tattoos or tribal tattoos. Besides looking different, you can also relish curious onlookers giving a glance at your tattoo and appreciating your taste! It is suggested, you should always adhere to a policy of reviewing your tattoo ideas. This will ensure it remains unique and also looks attractive.

History has it, in ancient days, most intellectuals believed discovery of music had a co-relation with sounds of nature. It depicted many things, for instance, the sound of blowing wind, the flowing water, the drizzling rains, the rustling leaves, the songs of the birds, etc.

There many who just adore sunflower tattoos. In their pursuit to have it, they don’t mind in undergoing through temporary pain which normally results from needle work that forms an integral part of this etching on their skin.…