Engage Or Die - The Rise Of User-Generated Content

Why do people spend so much time creating and uploading content for the internet? In the view of MySpace guru Richard Rosenblatt, the answer is age-old: 'People like to express themselves, and they want to be famous. Those are two things we saw from the very beginning of MySpace. Five years ago MySpace didn't even exist; in 2008 it's going to do $800 million in revenue, and generate more page views than anything on the web.' Making the news

As the vice president of research for Hitwise UK, Heather Hopkins is close to the statistics: 'Four of the most-visited sites in the UK are social media sites. Bebo, MySpace, YouTube and Facebook are all in the top 20. Given how new this category is, that's pretty remarkable.'

Heather also sees user-generated sites making a major impact in the news arena: 'Earlier this year, we looked at three major news events: Saddam Hussein's hanging, Zinedine Zidane's head-butt during the World Cup, and the Israel-Lebanon conflict. When we looked at how people were searching for those events, and where they went after they'd searched, we found Google News, Wikipedia and YouTube figured more prominently than the sites of mainstream media news companies.'

Social networking and user-generated content were once the province of IT geeks and teenagers in bedrooms. Not any more. Richard Rosenblatt has seen a huge change: 'Over 50% of MySpace users are over 35, which is a statistic that nobody even believes. Social networks started as a way for teens to express themselves, but the tools have gotten so much better and the demographic has really expanded. That has profound effects, because you're now talking about people of 25- or 35-plus who are interested in producing content.'

Richard's latest, 3i-backed venture Demand Media (see panel) plays to the internet's changing demographics. As users age, Richard foresees a fundamental change in their relationship with the internet, with less focus on general connections and more on shared interests: 'We think the next wave is social media in verticals - like golfing, hiking, gaming or airliners. If you go to our site http://www.airliners.net/, it's a community that generates 80 million page views a month just putting up pictures and talking about planes.'

Building B2B communities

But if the wave of user-generation has well and truly taken hold in the consumer space, what about the vast B2B market? Peter de Monnink, head strategist at Reed Business (see panel) expects rapid growth: 'Currently, the user-generated content on most B2B websites is relatively small but it's gaining strong traction. Whenever we change the platform so users can interact, the traffic goes up. That's good, because once we have the reach, we can start to build engagement. And once we've built engagement, we can monetise the traffic.

'User-generated content is imperative for community building. If titles and brands in the B2B space don't interact with the communities that they serve, the brand gravity lacks a certain element and will be harder to monetise.

'It's also essential to develop a brand which has both an online and offline presence. Print publications with a strong, community-driven presence online are more valuable than B2B communities that aren't supported by print publications. A print publication shows that you have experts in the field, who are able to generate content.'

Democratising expertise

In the B2B market, the distinction between expert- and user-generated content may be vital. But in the wider world, it's a distinction that Richard Rosenblatt questions: 'I think the line between independent content creator and expert is starting to blur more and more. Clearly someone with a PhD in biophysics is an expert but who's really an expert in the best way to cook jambalaya?

'Our tools are getting better and better at letting users determine whether you're an expert. If you are, you'll get paid handsomely because people will click on your ads and read your articles more. The web is great at letting people decide for themselves what's quality content and what's not.'

3i is a world leader in private equity, working with talented management teams to develop businesses that have potential for significant growth.

Article: http://media.3i.com/page/comment/engage-or-die
Podcasts: http://media.3i.com/page/podcasts

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The Secrets to Learning Piano With Independent Hands

When learning piano one of the most difficult skills to master is making your hands work independently. Still this is a fundamental part of the pianists technique so we have to learn to master independence of hands at an early stage.

Some brains just seem to be wired up for learning to work their hands independently from the start. There are many youngsters who find it very easy and many intelligent adults who struggle and despair that they will never master the skill.

There is no need for anyone to despair with piano lessons 'though. Just follow the advice below and you will find it easier to learn to play piano well. Sometimes you may feel you are getting nowhere but, although improvement may be slow it will still be there if you persevere.

Consider these three steps to success.

First of all be sure that the music you are studying is easy enough for you. Don't try to gallop ahead. You'll only get frustrated with the challenge. Adults often try to tackle piano music which is technically way beyond them whereas long term success comes quicker by mastering very simple steps along the way.

With the piano keyboard your brain has to contend with many unfamiliar commands and learn new motor skills. When you think of the story of the hare and the tortoise you can realize that with playing the piano, slow and steady to the finishing line really is the best policy.

Second, practice each hand slowly and by itself until you can play almost perfectly. You should be so confident that someone walking into the room would not distract you from your piano playing.

A powerful practice technique is to learn to play the left hand accompaniment whilst singing the melody of the right hand. This helps to train your hands to be independent of your conscious thoughts as well as helping you to hear how right and left hands fit together before you can actually play both.

Lastly, be sure to take everything slowly at first. When practicing independent hands take a very slow tempo at first. When you put hands together take it at just half the speed you have managed with hands separate. If you make mistakes in notes or timing by playing too quickly then you are reinforcing bad technique. Go as slowly as you need to make it sound right.

Follow this simple advice and you will quickly find you can learn piano well. For some it will happen easily and quickly. For others you may have to persevere but by taking your piano notes steadily without being impatient you will surely succeed in the end.

Rachel Branston has created the ideal beginners course to learn to play piano at home. This multi-media package takes you from playing your first notes through to becoming an accomplished musician. Follow Rachel's advice to play piano at http://www.playyourpiano.com/learn_piano/seven_tips_to_learn_piano_notes/

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Breaking New Ground by Breaking-In a New Violin

It's a well-known and respected fact among strings players that new violins and other stringed instruments have to be broken-in with play for the tone to develop.

Though there are many theories which attempt to explain it and there is validity behind the science but we honestly don't know why they require breaking-in. No matter the reasoning it's a no-brainer we string players accept without precise explanation and trust simply from pure experience.

Anyone who has purchased a violin fresh from the maker has witnessed amazing tonal maturity as the instrument is played regularly. A player see this change within the first few days or even hours of playing a quality new instrument. The tone will warm-up and become more rounded and deep.

Even more tonal maturity is easily apparent after 6 months and a violin is considered fully mature after a couple years of play. The longer you play it each day, the faster you will witness the tone improving.

I had a new violin which changed tremendously over a couple years of frequent play. Not only did the harmonics warm-up, but the tone seemed more "mature" and "solid." I used the violin in studio and have recordings which are proof of the tonal development the violin experienced.

This does not apply to all instruments, however. The new instrument in question must have been well-made in order to mature properly. A junky $200 beginner fiddle will not (maybe just barely with a lot of effort) open-up with play.

A player must carefully select an instrument from a reliable maker such as one who has won awards or where their instruments have supported testimonials from other players that the tone will, indeed, open up.

Musicians seeking to enjoy the many benefits of playing a new instrument may glean some knowledge from the following suggestions:

1. Play it, Play it, Play it!

Simple. Just play the darn thing!

Regular, consistent play breathes life into an instrument. No one knows exactly why this is, but it's been witnessed over centuries that playing an instrument keeps it "alive." Why do you think the top museums and shops have their instruments played daily by professional musicians to keep the tone?

Just pick it up and play it a minimum of an hour a day to witness the tone improve. What do you think we violin shop owners do for hours each day? Sit around and pick our noses? Naw, that gets boring, even for us.

2. New Strings Breathe Life into an Instrument

Would you drive a new Ferrari with ragged all-season tires? Your strings are like the tires on a performance vehicle. Bad strings will drag down your instrument's tone.

Therefore, replace your strings every 6-12 months. Don't let them fade out and blame the instrument for the dull tone. Also experiment with different types of strings to find the tone you most prefer. My strings of choice are Pirastro Evah Pirazzi strings.

3. Upgrade Your Bow

Are you still using the cheap bow that came with your first violin? Naughty musician, no bisquit.

Remember the bow you use should match the instrument and that a good bow makes all the difference in the tone you produce on your instrument. Not only will you find it easier and more enjoyable to produce a better tone, but your instrument will break-in faster.

4. Let your Fiddle Enjoy Your Stereo

It may sound ridiculous, but your instrument will benefit from a daily music listening session by the stereo speakers. Or keep your instrument in a room where the television is on much of the time. The vibrations from the speakers will cause your violin, viola or cello to resonate and will speed up the tonal break-in period.

5. Adjustments & Proper Setup

To follow the Ferrari analogy, you need to give your instrument a "tune-up" from time to time. You've put all this money into buying the darn thing, you should pay a bit to keep it running smoothly!

Always check that your instrument set up properly as you tune it. Correct the bridge angle as you tighten the pegs as it be pulled toward the pegs by the strings. Also check inside the F-hole and memorize where the soundpost is set. The soundpost could be budged loose during shipping and it's good to know what to expect when you look inside.

Even if you can't see visible changes it's a good idea to have your luthier check the bridge/soundpost configuration for optimal tone. Also ask him or her to look for any buzzes, seam cracks, wear or any other problems which may crop up. We owe it to our instruments to make sure they are kept in good health and tone.

6. Careful Storage and Transport

It can never be stressed enough how important careful storage and transport routines are to your instrument's health. What good is a gorgeous-sounding cello if you're going to trip on it in the dark and smash it to bits... That was a rhetorical question, by the way.

Never, never leave your instrument in the car. Big no no. BAAAAAAD viola player. Not only could it be stolen, but it could be damaged by the extreme heat, humidity, cold and dryness which are more extreme in vehicles throughout the year.

When travelling by car make sure the instrument will not fall over or be damaged where it is stored. Try to travel with it in the back seat on the floor rather than in the trunk or boot.

Don't let the airline check your fiddle. Get hostile and froth at the mouth before you let them put it under the plane. Tell them Rhiannon gave you that advice and watch airport security laugh at my little joke. Really, I'm sure they'll get a kick out of your enthusiasm for your music!

Really, try not to fly with your instrument under the plane. It's just a risky proposition.

Use a hygrometer if extreme dryness is a concern where you live. The Dampit is best as it goes inside the instrument and humidifies it from within.

Wrap your instrument in a cloth before putting it in its case. [Not great advice for cellists or bassists: you people should just cough up the cash and get a proper hard-shell case with wheels so you won't break your instrument or your back, hence the wheels.]

Don't keep the violin in its case under your bed, where it tends to be cold and dusty. Instead find a large space on a bottom book shelf where the case can rest.

If you like leaving the instrument out where it is easily accessible, use an instrument holder or stand rather than resting it on its back on your cluttered coffee table or greasy dinner table. [Okay, anyone who knows me has seen me put my fiddle on my paper-infested office desk, but I do have a very nice violin rack which I also use].

Just don't leave your violin *ON* your bed. Dumb thing to do, especially if you are a teenager and prone to throwing things across the room and whacking your violin. Not naming any names... Mary...

7. "Tone Guarantees" Provide a Safety Net

Since some new instruments may take a while to break in, their tone may not open up within the limited time they play it in shop or have on trial period in their homes.

My shop carries instruments from many award-winning and respected Asian, Canadian and European makers. I know these instruments are of substantial quality that I offer the safety-net of an unprecidented "Tone Guarantee."

The tone guarantee promises that the new instruments' tone will improve greatly as played and be completely different instruments after a year of play or your money back. This guarantee takes the risk out of the purchase and helps the player settle into a new instrument which will improve in tone and value.

8. Enjoy your Instrument!

Keep life simple, just play your fiddle or cello and enjoy it. The tone will open up and you will want to play it more every day... until the next upgrade!

**Rhiannon Schmitt (nee Nachbaur) is an award-winning classical violinist/fiddler and music teacher who operates Fiddleheads Violin School & Shop. Fiddleheads.ca has won several distinguished business awards and offers beginner to professional level instruments, accessories and supplies with exceptional personal service. Instrument trials across North America are available and all new instruments are covered by a "Tone Guarantee." http://www.fiddleheads.ca

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Buy Cheap Wii Games - Wii Dance Games

The most popular wii dance games for the Nintendo has thus far been the Dance Dance Revolution or aka. DDR Hottest Party.

DDR was created by the Tokyo based company Konami Corporation which dates back to 1973, they were famous for titles like frogger, scramble and Super Cobra. When Dance dance Revolution Hottest party first came to the US in 2007 it won huge applause, partially due to the fact that it was the only wii dance games that contained the one of a kind dance pad controller.

What makes DDR so different is that using a traditional dance pad with a Wii remote requires participants to match controller movements with the remote and the Nunchuck attachment as well as do the dance steps at the same time. This new innovation causes the whole body workout, giving the top part or your arms something to do as well, which upto now has always been solely focused on feet movements. The game supports up to four players at a time.

If you never heard of or played DDR then some explanations are in order. It's a rhythm game that has you stepping all over a dance mat to hit arrows that match the corresponding arrows on the screen. All this takes place to a the beat of a popular dance track. If your new to this lookout cause it isn't easy, you will have a hard time to keep from tripping over your own feet. Whereas veterans will be hopping back and forth, seemingly hitting all the arrows with ease. The diamonds correspond to hand movements and the arrows to feet movements. The game offer 3 different Play options namely: Free Play , Groove Curcuit, and workout mode.

Lets have a closer look at this game and see what some of the pros and cons are. Whatever method you choose to play Hottest Party appears pretty good. The colors of the game are bright and vivacious, the surroundings are neat and the game characters feel right and are well animated. DDR features extra backup dancers that are an unneeded visible touch, the main character should have been rendered larger, but nonetheless the game looks decent. The audio sounds for the most part ok with a list of approximately fifty tracks. They tried to put something in the music list for everyones taste. The announcer tends to be somewhat of a nuisance, who either compliments you or insults you all at the same time. Kind of like saying "you are really good at sucking!" Might get to you after a while, those kind of comments. DDR comes with one dance pad included, for multiple players each will have to obtain it's own dance pad.

Unfortunately there are not alot of other choices in the Wii dance games niche. There is Dancing with the stars which has received less than good reviews. Which also has dance pad incompatibility problems with the dancepad offered by DDR Hottest Party.

These type of get off the couch Wii dance games are gaining in popularity. I don't think the game will convert the player into the next Fred Astaire but will definitely give you a good work out.

To Buy cheap Wii games and Find Wii Dance games at a discounted price
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Simple Ways To Relieving Stress And Anxiety In Our Lives

Why are we so stressed, why are we so full of anxiety these days? Is there so much pressure on us these days that we have to conform to every one else in society that we have forgotten who we are as people and that we have forgotten what we want in our life.It seems life of today is just one big competition of keeping up with the ego.

The media of today are always throwing so many ads on TV on how you can get this great car, stereo, Plasma TV, house, house extension or just more money and buy what you want for this interest free period and how easy it is to get ourselves into more debt. Then theres more stress and anxiety in our lives because of debt.

People of today have forgotten how to think for themselves, they spend so much time in front of the TV that they dont have to think, its all put in front of them. There are so many subliminal messages coming from the TV. Go do a search on subliminal messages on the TV; you would be surprised on how you are being programmed. Do you want to be programmed?

How about giving up TV all together. I gave up TV 4 years ago now and dont miss it at all. I gave up newspapers and radio. Now I dont have the media portraying to me how I feel today I make the decision how I feel today. People ask me but how do you know whats going in the world? If I really want to know I can look it up on the internet and I read the story for myself, you always know whats going on around the world but you know what you want to know not what the media thinks you should know. Yes we do have choices and options in this world and if we are in control of what is being fed to our brains then the less anxiety and stress we are going to have in our lives because we are taking control. Wouldnt it be an interesting concept that if we had a no TV for a week campaign.

So what do you do instead of TV, how about some music, think about it, when one of your favorite songs come on the radio how do you feel, you feel great and you smile. Then there are other songs that can make you feel sad. So if music can do that to you what is TV doing to you. So for a week try playing all your favorite music every night for a week, play music that is relaxing while you unwind from work and eat your dinner dont watch the news.

Then after dinner you can play high vibration music and turn it up loud let the music vibrate through your body dance around the house and sing, the worst that can happen while youre doing this is you will probably let go, let go of what? Well thats it isnt? Let go of all that doesnt really matter anyway and you will feel good again and thats what is important its about you not anyone else. Learn to let go its the only way to go in getting rid of stress and anxiety in your life.

This article was written by Cynthia Kerry for more information on how to conquer anxiety in your life and a list of high vibration music you can play to let go: http://www.anxiety.guide-7.com

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Sansamp Bass DI

The ironic thing about the situation is the engineer admits now that he did nothing different on that bass sound than he had on the numerous other records he had done. Of course, no one cared much about the bass sound on the other records. It turns out that the only change in the equation was the song and the player. The engineer said that this one particular bass player just sounds that damn good. He has magic hands and no one else comes close.

This takes me to my review of the Sansamp Bass DI. I bought this pedal about the same time I bought my first microphone, so I've had it for years and years. Before I get into it's tone, I must say that bass is something that totally eludes me. Maybe it's just my guitar player instinct, but I never seam to record a bass sound that impresses me all that much. I'm not sure what the problem is, but more than likely the answer to my question was in the first two paragraphs of this article.

I wanted to blame my recording gear such as the Sansamp Bass DI for me not achieving a bass sound that I really liked. However, I'm starting to think that this is not the case. I read the forums where the big dogs hang out. Someone once asked about the Sansamp Bass DI. I was amazed at how many people truly loved it. I'm talking about engineers who had 20 platinum records on their wall. These guys usually refute anything that's not $3,000 but it seamed that no one had anything negative to say about the Sansamp Bass DI. Impressive.

So I sat down one day to play with my Sansamp. To be honest, I never played with the knobs too much on this pedal. I guess it's a little ridiculous, but I just haven't learned what truly sounds good on a bass. I think the biggest problem with my bass sounds (besides the variety of bass players) has been the quality of the basses. Almost every bass that I record with a DI has this over the top, unusable low end that just sounds like crap. While a few bass sounds do make the subs in the car go to town, I find that most of the time, the bass sound is up above the subwoofer level. It's in the low mids region.

I've been experimenting with knocking out a ton of the lows with the Sansamp and I'm getting closer to what I'm looking for. The tone controls on the Sansamp really do seam to do something cool. They do offer a lot of flexibility. I find it easier in my brain to twist a few knobs on a pedal to extreme settings ( if necessary) than I do using a parametric eq plugin.

So for me, I can't give the Sansamp a tremendous review. Honestly, I can't give a review at all right now. I've not hit the bass sound that I'm looking for, but I'm going to keep trying until I find it. I'm not sure that the Sansamp is the cause or the blame for the this.

With that being said, the best bass sound I've ever gotten was done with a very good bass player with a very good bass. We ran him straight into a Vintech 1272 preamp and it did sound excellent. For whatever reason the Vintech preamp did sound much better than the Presonus M80 I was using. The difference was night and day. It's very possible that the preamp you use the Sansamp DI with could make a huge difference in tone. I think the big engineers like it because it has all the knobs right there so they can fool with them as they choose.

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Why You Should Buy Karaoke Music Online

Karaoke is one of the most fun activities to do with family and friends. It doesn't matter if no one can carry a tune or not. Singing with the ones you love, especially from the comfort of your own home, can be a great way to stay entertained. Karaoke is a form of entertainment that gives anyone the chance to sing along with their favorite songs. With the help of a PA system and microphone, you can project your voice so that it can be easily heard above the music. Most of the time the music consists of well known pop and rock songs where the voice of the original artist is removed or faded into a lower level. You sing the lyrics from a sheet or from a prompter. Colors or moving symbols will guide the singer along with the lyrics so they know when to sing which words.

If you want to start having karaoke parties in your home, you will need to invest in a few things. You will need some sort of a microphone setup, and you will need karaoke music as well. A monitor to display the lyrics is option, although many times you can turn your television set into a monitor with the aid of DVD technology. You can also have a computer set up to be able to display the lyrics to the singer. Either way, your hands will be free to hold the microphone and dance while you sing.

You can get karaoke music in a variety of places, but the best place to get cheap, fun karaoke music is online. There are many online resources where you can purchase CDs and DVD videos of karaoke music. That way, you can turn your television set into your very own lyric monitor. But the cheapest way to get karaoke music online is by downloading mp3 files. This way, you will get only the songs that you want and you can purchase them one at a time if you are strapped for cash. There are also some outlets on the internet where you can score free karaoke music.

Getting karaoke music online is a lot more convenient than trying to find CDs and DVDs in a store. And with the option to download the files straight to your computer, you can save on shipping costs and waiting at the mailbox for your karaoke music to arrive. After downloading a few karaoke tunes, you can start having a karaoke party in a matter of a few minutes.

It is a good idea to invest in some type of karaoke music. You never know when you will need it. Whether you want to get eh family together in order to entertain yourselves or you are hosting a party and need another form of entertainment to get the party going, you will be glad that you have some karaoke music and equipment on hand. It is a fun activity for everyone, young and old.

Jordan Mcpelt is a professional author who specializes in Karaoke and Karaoke Music. For more information on Karaoke Songs please visit http://www.karaoke.com

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How To Play The Keyboard - Start With C Major

Playing the keyboard is not as difficult as a lot of piano upstarts think. In fact, the piano is the perfect instrument for music beginners, as, unlike other instruments, its layout is straightforward and easy to understand. Plus, in contrast to instruments like the guitar, to play the keyboard doesn't require a lot of unnatural hand contortions -- at least until you get to more advanced pieces, but by then your fingers will be buff.

When learning how to play the keyboard, the basics are quite simple. Looking at the piano, there are two types of keys -- white keys and black keys. As you may already know, the musical scale consists of the letters A through G with some sharps/flats mixed in. The first important fact to learn is that the white keys represent the letters, while the black keys represent the sharps and flats.

Before going any further, you must find your piano's middle C. You will find it in the middle of the keyboard. Most pianos have the name of the company that made them printed above the keyboard. In many cases, the first letter of the name is directly above middle C. If you still can't find the middle C, consult a diagram.

When starting out, you might as well tell yourself that you're not going to touch the black keys for the first few lessons. For now, focus on the white keys, which make up the C major scale.

To play this scale, place your thumb on the middle C, with the rest of your fingers on the next four successive notes -- D, E, F, and G. Essentially, you're going to play eight notes, beginning with middle C, and ending with the C that is one octave higher.

When you play these eight notes in order, you'll notice that it sounds quite familiar. Even though you may not know it, the C major scale is something that you've probably heard hundreds of times in your life, from various sources. If you do it correctly, to play your first scale should feel pretty satisfying. This is partly because the major scale is designed to musically resolve itself in a nice way.

Piano teachers have specific ways that they recommend playing scales. My teacher, for instance, taught me the standard way of playing the C major scale upwards, which was to play the first three notes with my first three fingers, then cross my thumb under and play the rest of the scale with all five fingers. Whether or not you use this particular method is up to you; the important thing is that you find natural ways to play the scales. As your ways of playing will soon be internalized, you want to find the best ways to play the keyboard.

Once you become good at playing the C major scale with your right hand -- both up and down -- it's time to learn the same thing with your left hand. Essentially, the C major scale with your left hand is the mirror image of the one you've already learned; place your thumb on the middle C, and play all the white keys down to the next C, then go back up.

After you learn how to play the C major scale, it's time to learn chords. Soon after that, it will be time to learn some other scales. For now, though, practice the C major scale as many times as it takes to sound smooth and even. It may be boring, but once you get this down, everything else in the future will be a little easier.

Basically, when learning how to play the keyboard, mastering the piano's C major scale is the bridge toward bigger and more ambitious things. So, practice that scale until you can play it in your sleep.

Duane Shinn is the author of the popular DVD home study course on playing piano titled Crash Course In Exciting Piano Playing!

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3 Simple But Powerful Songwriting Tips

Do you feel frustrated or unfulfilled with the songs you have written? Do you think your songs have to conform to a certain standard before they are any good? If so, what exactly are you comparing them to? You may find you have an unrealistic expectation of yourself or what you think a song is or should be.

If you are unhappy with the songs you have written or think your songs are not what they should be, examine these three songwriting tips to focus your attention on clarifying what you think you want to gain from your songs.

1. Why Do You Want To Write A Song?

What do you want to communicate? Don't dismiss this, answering this question is more important than you think. If you know why you are doing something, your path will be a lot clearer. For instance, do you see yourself performing on some late night TV rock show with the audience going wild for more, or do you want to write a romantic love song to impress your partner? Or maybe you want to perform an acoustic set down at the local bar? The answer will influence your behaviour and your writing style.

2. Write And Do What You Know.

Do you know how to put chord progressions together on the piano and improvise over the top or do you know how to link drum machines and turn tables together to a whole plethora of midi equipment to pump out the biggest, baddest beats this side of Georgia? There is no difference. Your song will have more style and impact if you can find the courage to be yourself and use those talents you have today, not in what you think you should be doing, or what your song should sound like.

3. Develop Your Habit Of Songwriting.

How are you coming up with your ideas? Repetition increases the likely hood of repetition, that means the more you do something, the more you are likely to do it. The more you get into the habit of writing down lyrics in a notebook that you carry with you at all times, the more likely you are to write down lyrics in a notebook that you carry with you at all times. Get into the habit of writing down your thoughts when your inspiration strikes because ideas always strike when you least expect them.

Your inspiration could be in the form of a lyric, a sound you heard in the street, an unusual chord change you heard on the radio or a rhythm your mum was tapping out on her coffee cup. By doing this, you can consult your own wisdom as and when you need it. These are the gems that will determine your style and show you your way forward.

Disciplining yourself to these three songwriting tips will give you confidence in yourself and your music. Realize that to write a song, you do not need to be anybody other than who you are, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Whether you are beating out a rhythm on a pair of spoons or bowing an upright punk guitar accompanied by someone tap dancing in a different time signature, songwriting is subjective. Someone somewhere will love whatever you do, someone somewhere will absolutely trash it as the most unbelievable pile of garbage to ever appear on the music scene in the history of music. The most important question you need to ask yourself at the end of the day is, do you like it?

For A Limited Time You Can Get Free Songwriting Tips To Finally Get Your Ideas Realized!

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What Makes a Real Artist?

While many carry the artist title because they are part of the music industry, very few can actually pretend to be entitled to the golden crown that makes them real artists.

As far as I can look back, music has always been full part of my life. Growing up with classical music with some openings towards jazz and pop music, I have extended my interest to black music including gospel, soul, blues, and of course, hip hop. I am usually open minded about music, as long as it pleases my ear. However, I am very picky when it comes to define somebody as a real artist. Only the Great who influenced music history deserve to be classified as real artists.

Johann Sebastian Bach is one of those real musicians. His music is an example of hard work. His incessant quest for perfection and harmony characterizes his music. Among the Great, you can count people like John Lennon, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington , James Brown, Eazy E, Nas-and yes- Eminem, whatever his haters might have to object. (This list of artists I mentioned here, is of course, non exhaustive)

Despite the fact RIP Proof was less known from the public than other famous artists, he had all the qualities that make a real artist.

So what is the definition of a real artist?

A real artist, a plain artist is a person who makes music for the love of it, not for the money only, even if he is perfectly conscious that he has a family to feed. A true artist must be inspirational to the listeners. Whatever his message is, people must be able to feel the music and to acknowledge the feelings expressed through the voice, lyrics and instrumentals.

A true artist usually has high requirements regarding the quality of his beats, instrumentals and recorded voice. Never satisfied with himself, he keeps working hard over the years in order to satisfy his public.

A true artist will always put his passion for the music, the will of sharing it and to satisfy his audience before the material aspect of the show biz.

A true artist definitely manages to generate a genuine enthusiasm among his audience.

While being on stage, he becomes the music. He and the audience are one and thats the full beauty of the musical fusion created by dedicated artists and a very receptive audience.

When you hear the song, you must be able to feel the artists feelings and to forget about yourself, because during such moments, there is only place left for the music. Yes, this can happen if the artist is a real, dedicated person towards his art.

When you heard a person like James Brown tell their audience: I feel so good I wanna screeeeaaam, you perfectly know that his words werent made up. There is a wonderful chemistry between such artists and the public. Good vibes are in the air and they penetrate into the mesmerized audiences.

Real artists usually stay humble in front of other great artists. Not only do they possess a good musical culture, but they will never mind quoting other legends. I heard James Brown paying homage to Ray Charles, for instance. So did Nas.

I do consider Eminem as a plain artist, because he changed the face of the rap game. He dared to use different themes than the usual themes used in hip hop and proved to be an astute word acrobat, playing with syllables and foolishly putting words together that you would never see side by side in real life. Moreover, his music touched a lot of people from different backgrounds all over the world.

RIP Proof never failed in naming big influences of his like Kurt Cobain, Jerry Garcia and John Lennon numerous times. One can consider D12 s Proof as a rhyming genius too. He had an amazing sense of realness and more importantly, a great passion for hip hop that wont die away since his
murder on April the 11th, 2006.

The Great in the music have the power to influence generations and usually make history. Even their deaths will never erase their contribution to the music history.

Entire artists are the ones who deserve your respect, because you know, deep inside of you, that they are the ones who live and breathe the music for your ears greatest pleasure. Only those guys will live on through their music over the centuries.

Copyright 2007 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

My name is Isabelle Esling. I am an Eminem biographer and a freelance music journalist. I do teach English and German at public schools.

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Staying Power - The Bars And Restaurants That Stand The Test Of Time

Here today, gone tomorrow, bars have a reputation for short-term success. But a few have the ability to ride the times and keep on top of the game.

Ten years ago, I was sitting in The Groucho Club one late summers evening discussing with a now well known haute couture designer, the new wave of drinking culture that was enveloping the capital, arguing that London really had never been so exciting. Up until that point, drinks were very much a secondary element of the overall experience wine was simply white or red, beer came only in a pint glass and vodka was whatever paint-stripper the barman chose to pour. But in the nineties, we were on the cusp of a cocktail movement. New-world wines were making the Chardonnay and Shiraz as commonplace as the Bordeaux, while new conceptual drinks like Red Bull were seriously shaking up the market, broadening peoples drinking landscape and challenging us to think about drinking as more of a lifestyle. Slowly, what was behind the bar appeared to be taking over the focus of the night. People were whispering rumours of late night bars that were open into the wee hours, where glamourous glitterati rubbed hips with the international jet-set over Manhattans and Martinis. They, along with The Groucho, were the places everyone wanted to be seen and their popularity seemed untouchable to all but the most cynical.

Of course, everything has a lifespan, we cynically agreed: fashion is dead in a season, and a fashionable bar well you wouldnt want to bet the house on it would you? We both concluded that fashions simply cant last and those bars, which today were the subject of snaking queues, would quickly turn to yesterdays news as would the drinks that were being quaffed within. Of course, in most cases we werent far wrong. Mondo, Saint, Titanic, Riki Tik... all have fallen by the wayside having once been celebrity favourites of their day. Many others have turned from exclusive A-list excellence to godawful tourist tat. The Gin Sling became the Sea Breeze became the Bramble became the Vanilla Mojito

But its not all doom and gloom. Today, another ten years hence, I am back in the same leather couch of the same Groucho, and ordering from the menu a Red Bull, a drink whose ability to transcend fads and trends seems to symbolise the aspirations of nightlife culture. It has history and heritage and has attained almost timeless appeal. Fashionable works for a while, but every owner, manager and promoter hopes and strives for one thing ultimately and that is to be the next classic. Because the classics, while small in number, exist on a plain far superior to fashion. Dotted amongst the sprawling community of one-off wonders that populate the bar world, a few classics really have stood the test of time, riding the cyclical waves to achieve immortal credibility. The Groucho is one of those timeless classics. Through the years it has always been at the top of its game, its members list comprising the same names that populate the pages of the celebrity press together with the successful and powerful in the world of media.

Nowadays, octogenarian founder members sit comfortably alongside young achievers and its long-term future would appear to be set in stone. Embassy is another long-time winner or more to the point, its ever-present Rock n Roll proprietor, Mark Fuller, who ran the original Embassy twenty years ago with equal success. This most recent incarnation of one of Londons most famous clubs, now with a fine dining restaurant that counts among the capitals very best, and glitzy nightclub in the basement, is a rare constant in the oscillating world of the fashionable. Another face that has always been associated with bar and club supremacy is Jake Panayiotou who ran original celebrity hot-spot, Browns for a decade before moving on in its hay-day. His last few years at the helm of the Wellington Club in Knightsbridge have seen the age-old members club climb to yet new heights. But its not only members clubs that can battle through the ages unscathed. Music-led venues such as Medicine Bar in Islington, Bar Rumba, The Cross, Bar Vinyl and The End have all proved their mettle, while the likes of Hanover Grand, The Gardening Club and Iceni have collapsed into the annuls of hip history.

So, what is it that sets the one-hit-wonders apart from the immortals? What makes a classic? Three characteristics seem to pump through the veins of all the long-term winners.

Quality, choice and adaptability, says Cas, The Grouchos pre-eminent bar manager, as he deftly shakes up cocktails from behind the bar. You have to offer a quality experience in the drinks, the music, the food and the people. You must give customers what they want and you have to adapt to the times. Subtly underlining the point, my Red Bull silently arrives at the table on its own tray, dressed with a single, perfectly folded napkin.

Can staying power really be so simple to achieve? With twenty years of success behind The Groucho, the club is quite an authority on the subject, but it was Darwin who concluded that the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting to their environment. Sounds pretty familiar to me and, lets face it, you cant argue with Darwin.

HERE TO STAY

Our selection of bars that we think will still be doing it in ten years time

MAYFAIR: Embassy

An all-round club for the all-round socialite, Embassy offers food on a par with Michelin starred restaurants, drinks that are as good as any great cocktail bar, a basement club and a guestlist that could double as a whos who of London.

COVENT GARDEN: The End & AKA

One of the capitals most respected dance music venues, with Mr C behind its success. Music is always ahead of its time and drinks are a world away from most dance music venues.

KNIGHTSBRIDGE: Wellington Club

With over 100 years of history, The Wellington has been reborn as an exclusive hangout for the citys hippest. Lounge bar and club rolled into one and popular with the paps and the press alike.

WEST: Woodys

On the banks of Londons longest canal, Woodys has become accepted as the members bar for the music industry. Three floors of food drink and dance with a collection of the best music and cocktail mixologists in the country.

ISLINGTON: Medicine Bar

It was the bar that put Islington on the credible map. One of the original DJ bars that has been made a home to the clubbing community of the 1990s.

CAMDEN: Bar Vinyl

Reputedly the first DJ bar in London, Bar Vinyl combines a record shop with the only bar in Camden really worth its salt. The bar is minuscule, but the offering is enormous and the future is vast.

SHOREDITCH: Home

One of the originators of the Shoreditch movement, Home made its mark before all of the others and continues to hold its own. It has moved from a scraggly basement bar to a slick, but funky cocktail bar and restaurant and continues to define the times.

SOHO: The Groucho

A favourite media hangout, The Groucho is like a party in your own front room with the kind of people that anybody would eat their own right arm to have turn up at their party. Now with a more modern bar on the first floor to complement the leather and wood ground floor classic, it is a members bar that suits all and bound to see in another twenty year term.

HOXTON: Zigfrid

A newcomer to the Hoxton set, Zigfrid is most likely to be here in ten years. Brainchild of leading bar designer, Paul Daly, it appeals to the more creative Hoxtonians and since the district is a hotbed of creativity, its proving pretty popular.

FITZROVIA: Social

A collaboration between bar gurus The Breakfast Group and music gurus, Heavenly Social, this backstreet concrete bunker of a bar offers some of the best DJ-led and live music about. Now with sister venues in Islington and Nottingham, Social is destined for a big future.

Jeremy Mascarenhas has been editorial director of the seminal London Bar Guide magazine http://www.londonbarguide.com for 10 years. He is also global editor of The World Bar Guide, an online guide to the best bars in the world http://www.worldbarguide.com, publisher of The Big Directory (a bar industry bible) and a freelance drinks marketing consultant. He has worked with most of the leading drinks groups including Red Bull, Mot Hennessy, Diageo, Brown Foreman, Budweiser, Asahi, Tiger Beer and Grand Marnier. Through his publishing company Scene It, as well as the London Bar Guide, he has published guides to Sherry, UK nightlife, cocktails, Japanese restaurants, the much lauded London Restaurant Guide and much more besides.

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