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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Celebrity Standard Ovation Left Hand Guitar

By Zane J Freeman

For a start, the Ovation Celebrity Standard left handed acoustic/electric guitar is good with the honey burst finish. For aesthetic purposes, it is absolutely beautiful with a bright orange/yellow color at the center and a darkening fill to a red on the sides.

The first thing one notices on the Ovation left handed guitar is the absence of a pick guard. If you have a lot of movements on your pick attack, you could end up damaging the beautiful finish around the area of the string. If you would not like to cover up that lovely finish, you can either alter your picking technique or select another instrument with a pick guard.

With clear, precise tone and solid tuning keys, it ensures you stay in tune with the sound of an Ovation left handed acoustic guitar which is second to none. Very solid and easy to restring each time, the bridge is designed so the strings are pulled through from the bottom.

Negative: Because of over stretching, the strings can cause the body to warp or crack over time with no adjustments. While the amplification works wonderfully (I have played mine with a distortion pedal! wow!), it also includes an equalizer that allows you to sculpt your sound to a tee. Ovation electronics are hard to beat in their acoustic/electric lines. It sounds like an acoustic still retaining its acoustic characteristics. When attached to an amplifier, this left handed guitar can easily imitate the best of any electronic guitar.

The Negative Side: The amplification modules take a 9 volt battery and they consume a lot of power. While unplugging the cord helps save the battery, it would be advisable to carry a spare one just in case!

The Ovation left handed guitar, like all Ovation guitars, has a rounded back. Some players complain that it slides off when playing in a seated position. This is easily remedied with a good strap or just practice. That rounded plastic back is what gives Ovations their signature sound.

Thinner than almost any acoustic you have ever played, the Ovation left handed acoustic guitars have a slim neck. Hence, with lay down solos or chunky rhythm lines it is easy to play. While It may take some time to get used to, it is well worth the effort to purchase one.

Do note, a portion of players have complained that the action is too high on this guitar. As a matter of preference with any player, you can always have the neck adjusted to lower the strings action. You have No reason not to buy this model! For playability, affordability, versatility and quality, the Ovation left handed guitar is right on target as a starter for left handed instruments. I highly recommend them as I am an owner myself (Ovation Celebrity Performer series). There is really is no better choice than one of these Ovations guitar. - 18418

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Key Notes When Choosing Your Left Handed Guitar

By Zane J Freeman

We are always passionate about left handed guitar playing and would like to provide left handed guitarist with a guide to help them understand the advantages and the weaknesses of four popular left handed electric guitars and acoustics. We intend to give you the advantages of making a well informed decision when purchasing youre your next left handed guitar.

Some left handed musicians would buy a right hand guitar out of convenience because it is readily available and most musical sheets are written for the right hand musicians. However, a left handed guitar is a far better choice for the left handed musician as opposed to a right hand guitar because it allows the left hand musicians to use their stronger hand and develop much quicker. Having mentioned this, the choice of guitar handedness depends on the preference of individual musicians.

Logistic problems will always arise when jamming with other right handers in a gig on stage. However a left handed player can be positioned to the right of center and the right hander to the left of the center, in that way there is a perfect visual balance and guitarists are clear of each others way. Blues grass accommodates left handed guitarists well and being a left handed musician makes you stand out from the rest.

Left Handed Electric Guitars:

The advantages of a left hand electric guitar is that it come in semi-hollow and solid body models , and there are many others made as remakes of classic look guitars, with perfect features and tonal value than the originals. There is a wide range and variety of brands, styles and models available to choose from on the market. These left hand guitars are typically the instruments that are used for blues, jazz, pop and the popular rock music. Popular models may considerably more expensive than acoustic left hand guitars and in addition to its cost an amplifier is a must.

Steel Guitars, Resonator Guitars and Arch-top Electric Guitars:

Amongst left hand guitar electric styles are steel guitars, arch-top hollow or semi-hollow guitars or resonator guitars. Some of the left handed electric guitars come in twelve string models, there are variations of how these left hand guitars played or differ in how the sound hole is shaped or the bridge formation. Some are played horizontally which may not suite some styles of music, however, for country western, folk and ballads these are models that are typically preferred.

Left Handed Acoustic Guitars:

Many left hand musicians begin on a hollow bodied acoustic guitar and then progress on to other guitars, like steel guitars and banjos, which are prime choices for western and folk music. Acoustic guitars dont need amplifiers to be played, however an electric pickup can be attached for performing.

Left Handed Bass Guitars:

Left handed bass guitars are typically left handed electric guitars that carry the lower octaves and typically are the rhythm in most music. They are much more simple to learn than other left handed guitars, although, many left handed lead guitarists will tend to play both and not limit themselves to playing one. The disadvantage of bass guitars, whether acoustic or electric bass is that they are not played to carry the melody of the music but rather the rhythm and mainly chords.

Conclusion:

Being a left handed musician no longer has the difficulty of finding the left hand instrument of your preference as it used to be in the past, because now left hand musicians have a wide range of choices to choose from. There are a wide range of brands , styles and instruments of all price ranges. No matter which left hand guitar you are looking for you will be able to find the guitar of your preference on www.lefthandedguitarmall.com . This site is a recommended site for all music lovers looking to buy a left hand guitar of simply looking for information. - 18418

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Interested In Learning To Play The Piano? These 5 Tips Can Help

By Michelle Edward

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with playing piano? Many people go through great lengths in learning to play the piano but for some reasons, they are unable to.

Learning to play piano lets you express any feeling you may have; it's an instrument with a wide dynamic range which you can use to convey a full range of emotion. The piano has always been one of the most beloved of instruments since it has an unparalleled power to stir us.

Some people encounter certain problems in learning to play the piano. If you're one of them, just read the contents of this article and you will learn in no time at all. Here are five tips for learning to play the piano.

Tip 1: When you're learning to play any instrument, you're not going to get anywhere unless you have an instrument to practice with. You'll have to purchase, rent or borrow a new or used piano or electronic keyboard or have access to one to get started.

Tip 2: You'll need to take piano lessons. There are different ways to do this. You can take piano lessons from a teacher, take online lessons, or use self-guided materials like piano lesson books, CDs and DVDs. If you're in a hurry to learn, then you may want to use a combination of these methods to give yourself a leg up.

Tip 3: Don't hesitate to ask advice from experts. They are the ones who can recommend the best areas that you can concentrate on. The different forms of piano lessons have different approaches but you will learn a great deal about piano playing. You have to follow every lesson seriously.

Tip 4: Practice regularly. You should make time every day (or at least 4-5 days per week) to practice. Take a minimum of fifteen minutes to practice daily and more when you can. Warm up before each practice and you'll get more out of your sessions.

Tip 5: Be patient. No one sits down at the piano for the first time and starts playing complex, difficult compositions. Start like everyone else does: with the basics. You'll need to learn some music theory and how to read sheet music if you don't already. You'll begin playing by practicing your scales and working on some elementary exercises. Master each exercise and each piece you learn before you move on to the next challenge. Refresh regularly by incorporating pieces you've already learned into your practice sessions even as you work to master new and more challenging pieces.

Those are the five tips for learning to play the piano. It's not that difficult, right? You simply have to follow the steps and in no time at all, you will be playing your favorite piano pieces with grace and finesse. - 18418

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The Early Years Of Van Morrison, In To The Mystic

By James Morrison

George Ivan Morrison AKA Van Morrison, OBE, was born on 31 August 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was the only child of George Morrison, a shipyard worker and Violet Stitt Morrison, a singer and tap dancer in her youth. Morrison's father had one of the largest record collections in Ulster and the young Morrison grew up listening to artists such as Ray Charles, Lead Belly and Solomon Burke.

He is renowned for being stubborn, but is critically acclaimed with a devoted fan base and he often gives astounding live performances. His albums Astral Weeks and Moondance are often rated as being some of the best records recorded.

When he was eleven, his father bought him his first acoustic guitar and learned a few basic chords from a teach yourself book and it was clear that he had an aptitude for music. Van started performing in the late 1950s having become competent on the harmonica, guitar, keyboards, and saxophone and has already honed his trade in a number of cover bands playing the latest tunes of the era.

Morrison formed his first band "The Sputniks", named after the recently launched Soviet satellite, Sputnik 1. In 1958, the band played at some of the local cinemas, and Morrison took the lead, contributing most of the singing and arranging. His father was ever supportive and he talked him into buying a saxophone, and took lessons in tenor sax and music reading.

Morrison left school in 1960 with no qualifications. As a member of a working-class community, it was expected that he would get a regular full-time job, so after several short apprenticeship positions, he settled into a job as a window cleaner" later alluded to in his songs, "Cleaning Windows" and "Saint Dominic's Preview". However, he had been developing his musical interests from an early age and continued playing with the Monarchs part-time. Young Morrison also played with the Harry Mack Showband, the Great Eight, with his older workplace friend, Geordie Sproule whom he later named as one of his biggest influences.

At age seventeen, he toured Europe for the first time with the Monarchs, now calling themselves the International Monarchs. This Irish showband, with Morrison playing saxophone, guitar and harp, in addition to back-up duty on bass and drums, toured steamy clubs and US Army bases in Scotland, England, and Germany, often playing five sets a night. While in Germany, the band recorded a single, "Boozoo Hully Gully"/"Twingy Baby", under the name Georgie and The Monarchs. This was Morrison's first recording, taking place in November 1963 at Ariola Studios in Cologne with Morrison on saxophone; it made the lower reaches of the German charts.

He rose to prominence in the mid-1960s as the lead singer of the gritty Northern Irish R&B band Them and recording the classic "Gloria", which he still plays now. Upon returning to Belfast in November 1963, the group disbanded, so Morrison connected with Geordie Sproule again and played with him in the Manhattan Show band.

His solo career began under the guidance of pop impresario Bert Berns with the release of the hit single "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967. Warner Brothers bought out his contract after Berns died and allowed him several sessions to record Astral Weeks in 1968. Poorly received initially by the public, but critically acclaimed, it has grown to become an all-time classic. Moondance, established Morrison as a major artist, and throughout the 1970s he built on his reputation with a series of critically acclaimed albums and live performances. Morrison continues to record and tour, producing albums and live performances that sell well and are generally warmly received; sometimes collaborating with other artists, such as Georgie Fame and The Chieftains. In 2008 he performed Astral Weeks live for the first time since 1968.

Morrison has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and appearing on several "Greatest Artists" lists as well as receiving six Grammy Awards. - 18418

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Music Theory Affects Business Psychology of Everyone

By Bjorn Bringhorman

Ever since commercials have existed they have been based on the nature of psychology. Using music theory has only served to make this even more obvious.

There may be an advertisement for a food product that has a soulful tune, evoking the memory of some special moment. When at the store later the viewer purchases the product without much thought of the price. Business has once again won in the psychology of the shopper. The advertising industry has many options to choose from with the wide variety of musical tunes at hand. Most importantly the music has to engage the consumer and marry the product across many populations.

Just like when stores put the higher price, name brand products on the eye level shelves - this is reinforcing all the ads people have been exposed to. There may even be a cook making food samples for shoppers to try. All this is a reinforcement of the advertising that has been done. And just like the importance of visual marketing - music theory plays a great part in promotion. When exposed to the tuneful ads for products consumers experience memories. They are of good experiences drawn up from the subconscious. In the same moment new thoughts are produced, also becoming stored.

Awareness of what draws the consumer to buy has been well researched. Billions of dollars are spent to brings products to the forefront. People who are well aware of music theory are often employed to take an equal part in ad development. Melodies that are unique, old standards or more contemporary are connected to product promotion. Of utmost importance the choice of music has to have a positive effect on the psyche of consumers. It has to be music that says "yes" when consumers are shopping. For some products such as health or home care items the tone may be quite different. There may be a stronger tone to emphasize that a product is powerful.

What is most amazing about the affects on the psyche of the consumer is that the rationale to choose is greatly affected by advertisements. Even if the savings would be better for another brand it doesn't matter most of the time. Once again music theory comes into play as the foundation for greater sales. And while the results are not going to be across the board they are going to be phenomenal. Possibly this could be the future for people wanting to get into the business world. Classes is music theory may become just the the right mix with courses on business. - 18418

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