Micmacs Review

I had no clue what Micmacs was and hadn't even heard anyone say anything about the film. When I looked up the title on the IMDB website, there on the cover was a middle-aged man looking a little dumbfounded, wearing pants with suspenders and a long-sleeved wool sweater. So I was completely lost as to why this would be a suggestion for us to write a review on. Then I started to look at the page more closely to discover that the film was directed by Jean Pierre Jeunet. He is a wonderful, self-taught director that has done some really great foreign film work. He has an interesting way of visualizing how a movie should look, showcases different camera angles, has good character development and overall tells an enchanting story.
Micmacs begins with a boy, Bazil, whose father is just killed by a landmine in Morocco. On the day of the funeral, a messenger returns the father's belongings to the family. The young boy discovers a collection of photographs in a box taken after the incident. Upon closer investigation, he discovers the manufacturer of the landmines is La Vigilante De L'armement. His mother, dealing with her grief, sends her son away to a Catholic boarding school. Bazil cannot stand the harsh treatment inflicted by the nuns and runs away.
We meet him again 30 years later and he has become a video rental clerk at Matador Video. We find him one evening relaxing at his job watching an old Bacall and Bogart film, lip-syncing the lines of the movie. The film has ended and his attention is now drawn to the sound of gunfire outside. Someone in a black car is dueling with a person on a motorcycle. A bullet flies through the air, strikes the front glass window of the video shop and soars right past Bazil. Then suddenly the car crashes, the driver falls out and shoots one final shot at the biker. The biker slips on the wet pavement and loses his grip on the gun. The weapon goes soaring up and strikes the ground just so, that it fires again. The bullet, has found a new home, right in Bazil's forehead. The doctors at the hospital contemplate whether to remove the bullet because if they do he could become a vegetable. If they don't, he could die any second. They flip a coin and the decision is to leave it in. "He'll drive airport security wild."
After being released from the hospital, Bazil returns home only to discover that the landlord has changed the locks and his poessions are gone. He still has his job so not all is hopeless. When he arrives at work, he finds that he has been replaced by a young and attractive girl. As he is leaving, she runs up to him and hands him the shell to one of the bullets that had been fired the night of the accident. He takes it obligingly and looks it over to see the name Les Arsenaux D'Aubervilliers printed on it. He puts it in his pocket and decides to find someplace to sleep for the night. Now homeless, jobless, and without a family, he takes refuge in the streets. His only form of income is from the coins that passersby drop into his hat as he performs pantomime in the plaza.
One day while performing, a fellow homeless man calls him over. The man introduces himself as Slammer, due to his time in jail, and that he might know of a family that would be willing to adopt Bazil. Intrigued, he follows Slammer to a junkyard and enters a home built from of all sorts of trash. Inside the cavernous heap he is greeted by several other residents. There is Tiny Pete, a mechanical master, Calculator, who can eye exact measurements with ease, Remington, an ethnographer, Buster, a human cannonball with the mission to get back in the Guinness Book of World Records, Mama Chow, a motherly type, and the Contortionist. He is welcomed to the family.
After salvaging some interesting rubbish, Bazil is returning home in his three-wheeled truck. A few things fall out while he is driving and he stops to retrieve them. Bending down, he sees in the reflection of a puddle a familiar image. It is the office of La Vigilante De L'armement and across the street is the office of Les Arsenaux D'Aubervilliers. A little shocked that the two companies, that have brought the most turmoil his life, are right there beside him. He decides to go in La Vigilante to speak to the president about the bullet that now resides in his head. The president Mr. De Fenouillet wants nothing to do with him. After being thrown out, Bazil sneaks into a party for the chief at Les Arsenaux. Mr. Francois Marconi is giving a speech about how happy he is that the company is doing so well and how he regrets nothing. At that moment Bazil plans to take revenge against both of these men and their companies with the help of his new family.
Jean Pierre Jeunet has directed such films as City of the Lost Children, Delicatessen, Amelie, A Very Long Engagement and a few others. He has the most interesting way of presenting a film and the cinematography is just so unique. The colors have this muted strength like the intensity of when it is about to rain and the sky turns a purplish gray which causes the leaves on the trees to appear a more vibrant green. Jeunet's films are always a delight to watch and it's enjoyable to find Dominique Pinon. He is in every one of Jeunet's films. It's like a Where's Waldo, but you are looking for this short stocky man with great big wrinkly smile. I really enjoyed  and would be willing to watch it again, but the storyline wasn't hugely memorable. Interesting, but not necessarily memorable.

Main Characters of The Lord of the Rings Series

The Lord of the Rings is one of the world's most popular and well-known high fantasy series, one that has and always will be one of the greatest series in its' genre for all of time. Over the course of the series several characters are introduced, here are the details about the main characters. In The Lord of the Rings Frodo Baggins, Bilbo Baggin's "nephew," is tasked with casting the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor.
His best friend Samwise Gamgee is there with him every step of the way, carrying and encouraging the both of them when Frodo feels that he cannot go any further. Samwise Gamgee is in some ways more of the hero than Frodo himself. He goes to great lengths to protect Frodo, and his love and loyalty is nearly incomparable to any other character in the saga. He is even willing to set aside his obvious dislike and distrust of Gollum in order that he and Frodo may complete their quest. Meriadoc Brandybuck, also known as Merry, is regarded as one of the more perceptive characters in The Lord of the Rings. He is one of Frodo's closest friends and a relative as well.
Peregrin Took, also called Pippin, is one of the youngest characters in the series. He is also one of the more resourceful members of the fellowship, displaying surprising levels of bravery as a soldier in the Army of the West. Gandalf the Grey is a mighty wizard. His power is one that is subtle, nearly unrecognizable beneath his plain robes of grey as he travels leaning on his gnarled staff. After his two day and two night battle with the terrible Balrog where he met his end, Gandalf was sent back stronger and more powerful as Gandalf the White.
Aragorn was known as Strider in the beginning of the journey, but later went by his true name when the joined the fellowship. Aragorn is soon revealed to be the next King of Arnor. He is a rather grim character, hardly ever showing emotion except in brief, unexpected moments. Legolas is an Elf hailing from the Woodland Realm; he also serves as the Fellowship's archer, and as leader after Gandalf's "demise." As an elf, he has several gifts and advantages that other members of the fellowship do not such as a degree of immunity from the effects of the elements and excellent eyes and ears.

3 Simple Steps to Tune an Electric Guitar

Novice guitar players usually have a problem with how to tune an electric guitar. However, this is an easy process that can be mastered with time and patience. Tuning an electric guitar can either be done electronically or manually. The first option makes use of a gadget known as pitch folk or an electric tuner device while for the later tuning is achieved by listening and then using your fingers to adjust the electric guitar headstocks.
Herewith is a step by step guide on how to go about the tuning business.
Step #1: Learn the Notes
Before taking a shot at it, you have to learn the various notes. The notes on an electric guitar are arranged in the following order-top to bottom: E, A, D, G, B, and E with the strings ordered from the thickest to the thinnest. Having known that, you need to establish a reference point.
Step #2: Establish a Reference Point
The reference point can be easily worked out by use of a pitch fork / electric tuner to obtain a standard pitch. Count five steps from the nuts and you will find the fifth fret mark. Strike the First E note and check the pitch on the tuner. Once you have the reference for the first pitch, the top E string, you can begin tuning the electric guitar.
Step#3: Work the Strings
Press the A note on the fifth fret and strike the string while adjusting the relevant head stock. Adjust the A note until it matches the pitch of the First E-Note.
The Third string to work on is the D string. Strike the D-string while holding it down at the fifth fret. Adjust it accordingly using the A-note above it until you obtain a matching pitch.
The next string on line is the G-string. Once again, count five frets and hold down the string then strike it. Adjust it accordingly so it matches the pitch of the D-string above it. When learning the methods of synchronizing an electric guitar, you will have to use your ears keenly to detect subtle differences in pitch between the notes. This skill is learned with time and depends on individual talent and ability. You can however notice the pitch differences by hearing a vibrating noise when you strike two strings that are out of tune.
After adjusting the G-String, work on the B-string. This string is quite different from the others and calls for a different approach. When tuning the B-string, count four frets from the nut and hold down the G-string directly above it. Adjust the B-string to match the pitch of the G-string using your ears to detect the changes.
Only the B-String is adjusted using the fourth fret as a reference. Once it is in tune, you can move on to the last string which is the E-String. The E-String is tuned by holding down the B-string above it on the fifth fret. Adjust the pitch until it is in tune with the B-string and your guitar is ready for playing.
Finally play a few chords to make sure everything is right and make adjustment if need be. And that's it; you've tuned a guitar by following the above three simple steps.

The Importance of Quality Music Accessories

Who isn't a fan of music? Every culture has a form of music. While music is different around the world, people are always moved by it. Music lives on in your memory for decades. It has the ability to alter your mood and make you feel happy. Hearing a song can make you go back in time to a memory of the first time you heard that song.
If you enjoy music, you want to be able to enjoy it to the fullest extent. That is made possible by having quality equipment and musical accessories. When you listen to music on an mp3 player, you can enjoy your experience even more if you have the right headphones and earphones.
If you are a fan of music, it is important that you own a pair of high quality headphones. Headphones are two speakers which rest on top of your ears. Headphones that are poor quality do not allow you to hear your music the way it was meant to be heard. While headphones come in a variety of price points, buying an inexpensive pair will make your music listening experience less than what it could be if you spent a little more money.
When you buy quality headphones, you can enjoy listening to music the way artists meant for it to be heard. And, quality headphones, like Denon headphones, can last for years to come before they wear down and need to be replaced. Headphones Sennheiser also offer quality headphones that produce a high quality music listening experience. Sony is a trusted name brand for quality products and their headphones live up to the standard of high quality.
Earphones are another must have accessory. Earphones go directly in your ear, and it is important that these are high quality as well. There is nothing worse than having an earphone fall apart while you are wearing it. Cheap earphones are uncomfortable and flimsy. They don't last very long, and the quality of the music is terrible.
A recent trend with this accessory is wireless headphones. If you like wireless accessories, you might want to upgrade your current headphones to wireless headphones. If you are a fan of music, it is important that you invest in quality musical accessories such as headphones and earphones. If you have inexpensive accessories, you might consider upgrading to higher quality music product. You might be surprised at the difference that it makes when you listen to your favorite music.

Piano Lessons - Modern Methods of Teaching Piano

Crossover artists and their overwhelming rise in popularity brought fresh dimensions to the international music scene. Music education around the world has also grown with this development. Institutions and teachers in many countries, especially those that are among the world's sources of talented artists and musicians, have embraced the arrival of this new genre.
Music schools before were highly concentrated on classical training, especially when trying to learn how to play the black and white keys. These days, institutions, big and small, offer classes that make students proficient in playing classical and the more modern genres like ragtime, jazz, blues and even rock, among others. Some even encourage students who wish to start learning by playing a portable keyboard to go ahead and do so. The teachers would even provide them assistance on particular functions of keyboards and would be happy to discuss comparison of keyboards, acoustic pianos and electric pianos.
Many teachers and schools that offer piano lessons now also entice students into learning by letting them play the music pieces they want, even if it is rock, pop, jazz or anything that is not classical. Gone are the days when you are strictly confined to start playing the instrument using classical pieces. To further promote appreciation of and excitement in learning music, particularly in the young ones, institutions and teachers now also include chord chart reading in their courses, aside from playing according to notes. Perhaps, educators have realized that most of these students would use their talents in music genres other than classical, anyway.
Progressive piano courses are also currently among the famous types of beginner piano lessons in different countries. These courses are aimed at cultivating in students not just music reading ability, but also eye-hand coordination, understanding various music styles and other relevant skills.
Achievement of serious goals is also an encouragement for the more intense students. Some schools provide training to make sure students pass international accreditations, certifications and competitions. Select schools in the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia prepare students for grueling examinations for the musically gifted like those of the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), which is the top musical assessment body in the world. Success in these tests and contests would open doors for flourishing careers in music.
Whether it's for leisure or for a real music career, there are varied ways to start taking piano lessons. Before beginning to attend one, you might want to check if the concentration of the school or teacher fits your style and your needs.

What to Look for in a Classical Guitar

For one reason or another, you have your heart set on getting a new classical guitar.
Whether you've been playing for two days or two decades, the same question applies - what is the best instrument you can get for your budget? The good news is that you do not have to pay an arm and a leg for a decent instrument.
There are many brands available out there and many are low cost, but expect to spend at least $150 on a decent, playable instrument. On a side note, my very first classical guitar was a Suzuki concert guitar that my parents paid $100 for in 1978. Given that quality wood is getting more scarce and expensive with each passing year, my guitar is worth 4 to 5 times as much today!
Some famous companies such as Yamaha, Ibanez, Washburn and Fender make classical guitars in a wide range of prices including some beginner to mid-level models in the $150 to $350 range. At the upper-end of the spectrum, top-notch brands such as Ramirez, Kohno, Bernabe can be had for prices approaching 5 figures!
And no, that $20 guitar you bought on that trip to Mexico will not serve as a good instrument to learn on. It is a roughly made decorative piece that cannot play in tune and belongs on the wall next to that sombrero!
At this point you might be wondering if choosing a good classical guitar is simply a matter of price. Rest assured, it is not. While price gives us a general indicator of the quality of an instrument, you can also find some real gems at stores that sell used instruments or even at your friendly neighbourhood pawnshop!
Let's now look at some things to look out for when choosing a good classical guitar.
A classical guitar is, by definition, a nylon-string instrument. The top three treble strings are made out of pure nylon, not unlike fishing-line, while the bottom three strings are nylon wrapped by a nickel outer core. This is the main difference between a classical guitar and a steel-string acoustic guitar. And one should never, under any circumstances, attempt to put steel-strings on a classical guitar as this will result in severe damage to the instrument!
The first thing I would look at when buying a classical guitar is the type of wood used. Good quality instruments always have a top made of solid wood, usually spruce or cedar. The back and sides of the guitar can be made of rosewood, mahogany or nyatoh. Depending on the quality of the instrument, the top, back and sides may be constructed out of solid-woods or wood-ply. Wood-ply is commonly found on beginner-level instruments as it is cheaper.
The top is the sounding-board of the instrument, and is the main resonating surface where the strings attach to the bridge. A solid-top guitar will always have a richer, more well-defined tone than one with a laminate or wood-ply top. It is also not uncommon to find guitars with solid-tops but with wood-ply backs and sides.
A guitar salesperson will always try emphasize that the guitar they are selling has a solid-top - sometimes even when it is not. Buyer beware! A good way to check is look closely at the grain pattern of the top on the outside of the guitar and compare that with the grain pattern on the inside, looking through the guitar's soundhole. This takes a keen eye, but if the little striations in the grain pattern of the wood match up on the outside and on the inside, you can be sure you have a solid-top instrument in your hands. Then again, I have played some plywood-top instruments that sound fine and are perfect beginner guitars.
A good sounding classical guitar wouldn't amount to much if the guitar's neck wasn't in good shape. Play the guitar on every fret, from low to high on each string, and listen for unusual buzzes or notes that cannot be played cleanly. This could be due to frets that are of uneven height, or more seriously, a sign that there is some warpage in the neck or fingerboard. If you're new to guitar-playing, ask the store salesperson to play the instrument for you at various points on the fingerboard, and listen closely. This will also give you the chance to check out the tone of each of the different classical guitars in the store, but from a listener's perspective, which will help you in your decision on which one to buy.
A good classical guitar will usually have a neck made of mahogany, but nyatoh is also becoming popular because it is as sturdy as, but cheaper than mahogany.
Higher-end classical guitars will always come with ebony fingerboards. Rosewood, usually dyed black to look like ebony is the more common fingerboard wood of choice for lower-end instruments. You can usually tell a real ebony fingerboard from its very fine wood grain - it is jet-black, sometimes with streaks of light-brown, and is almost mirror-smooth. Rosewood, on the other hand, is reddish-brown and has a coarser grain texture.
Inspect the guitar closely for cracks or splits in the wood, especially at the glue joints. Higher-end guitars with nitrocellulose finishes will sometimes exhibit light finish cracks at seam points on the body or where the guitar neck joins the body. This is due to the guitar being subjected to sudden drastic changes in temperature or humidity. These shouldn't be mistaken for physical cracks. Nitrocellulose is a hard, crystalline finish and is very unforgiving in this regard.
Regardless of finish-type, all guitars will benefit from an occasional wipe down with a clean polish cloth and a good quality guitar polish. My favorite guitar polish is manufactured by Maguire's - it polishes to a high sheen and even keeps fingerprints away!
Check also that the bridge is well-seated on the guitar's top. There should be no gaps between the bridge and the guitar's top and there should definitely be no signs of the bridge lifting or pulling away from the body. Here, it is also a good idea to check if there is any swelling on the lower bout of the guitar's body, after the bridge - a sure sign that the instrument has absorbed too much moisture due to high humidity. This is easily remedied by placing the guitar in a low humidity environment, such as in an enclosed room with a dehumidifier.
As far as choosing string for your classical guitar, I've always been partial to high-tension nylon strings. These give the guitar a crisp, well-defined tone with the added bonus of an increase in overall volume and projection.
Lastly, always keep your guitar in its case when you're not playing it and never leave it in a high-temperature environment such as the boot of your car on a hot afternoon. With some basic care, your new classical guitar should give you many decades of playing enjoyment!

Tips On Effective Music Promotion For Amateur Singers

A musician aspires nothing else but to make his/her music be heard and appreciated by the masses. Well-known bands and solo artists have the advantage of getting backed up by the largest music brands in the industry. But how about the newbies who are still trying to prove that they have the talent and what it takes to become the next big thing on everybody's radio and iPod? If you want to promote your songs even without the support and influence provided by major music labels, here are a few effective tips on how you can make your music be heard. You don't need to spend a load of cash to promote your songs. All you need to do is to believe in your talent, have lots of patience, and never lose sight of your goals.
Make a Web Presence
The Web is the biggest community that is visited by hundreds of millions of people every day. These people often visit social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube. Why not take advantage of this large traffic of individuals and sign up and upload your videos and songs? Signing up is free. What you have to invest on is the time of adding new friends regularly so they can get to know your songs. Many music wonders such as Justin Beiber got discovered online. Wouldn't you want to become the next singing sensation by simply posting your songs?
Make Multiple Digital and CD Copies of Your Songs
Any professed professional singer should have multiple copies (in digital form and CD) of his/her songs. You should take advantage of every opportunity to let your songs be heard by other people. If they ask for copies, let them have a copy of your songs with the title and name of the artist recorded at the beginning and end of each song. There are numerous success stories of how talented amateurs got discovered because of demo tapes that have passed through several sets of hands and landing at the "right" one-usually a person connected to music labels.
Join Contests
The best way to showcase your talent to an interested and watchful crowd is to join music contests. Remember how sensational the American Idol series is? Now, even if you don't manage to become part of the final contestants, getting seen on TV with your "minute of fame" is, sometimes, the only thing you need to get discovered by the people who can help boost your career. Aside from contests, you can also participate in night gigs and play a few songs for the crowd. Who knows, a musical producer may be there and was commissioned by fate to witness your stunning performance and help your career get a move on.

Martin's Build Your Own Guitar Kits

In terms of traditional instruments Martin is most definitely one company held in very high esteem. Therefore it's really no wonder many people lift an eyebrow when they first hear Martin offer DIY guitar kits. For a heavily respected brand in the guitar industry it comes as a surprise to many that they would consider letting the general population loose on an instrument that bears their name. Typically The very first thing you hear when discussing with a fellow musician about these guitar packages is "Are they really any good?" and then "How much do they cost?"
Rumour has it the components that make up a Martin Acoustic guitar kit are seconds that weren't quite up to scratch, but don't expect to see scratches nor dings.To put it succinctly these kits are a bit pricey when compared with other packages on the market but they truly are a step up from your typical entry-level guitar kit (You will be looking at just below five hundred dollars for the whole package) and if you succeed in putting together the guitar you will own a wonderful guitar. You will however have to knuckle down and earn the right to own it. You will also have to lay down some money for tools but more on this later.
What's already made for you
Side Shaping
Fret Slotting
Neck Joint Machining
Thickness Sanding
These kits come with all parts included just for you. You really do not need anything more except for the tools you'll use to construct the guitar. The difficult aspects of creating a guitar are carried out for you, tasks such as side forming (Which alone is probably too difficult for the new guitar builder to deal with) and generally require specialist luthier tools to even think about trying. Other parts of the set up are already accomplished for you which includes soundboard polishing, fret slotting, neck joint machining and width sanding. All you really have to do is assemble the guitar. However please don't be misled easily into thinking this could be as simple as it looks.
Recommended Browsing
The assembly procedure really does come back to your standard of knowledge of handling solid timber. Our suggestion is to purchase a great manual (the instructions by Martin are not actually going to provide you with enough information if this is your first guitar) such as (Building the best Martin-style Acoustic Guitar Kits made by Bill Cory for $34.95) Bill Cory is actually a respected name and the book comes highly recommended.
The Verdict
Our own overall opinion is this is a top quality bundle but it just isn't for the faint hearted, you simply must make the time if you want a great musical instrument as it is a challenging task. But the manufacturer has done what they can to assist with the process. For one, having the sides pre-formed along with the thickness sanding completed for you by an expert luthier genuinely does help you stay out of danger.
If you have the time and abilities with timber then this has the possibility of being a superb musical instrument for you. In the event you don't back yourself or would prefer dipping your toe in the water, to get started. Why not start with something a little less costly like one of the many guitar kits from Grizzly or Saga and work your way up.

The Legendary Gretsch Guitar Legacy

What do "Snowbird", "I Wanna Be Your Man", and "Stray Cat Strut" have in common? They're all songs that have been performed using legendary Gretsch guitars. In a sense, Gretsch is to guitars as Stradivarius is to violins. Established in 1883 by Friedrich Gretsch, a German immigrant to America, the company became known in its early days for fine quality acoustic archtops. Friedrich passed away only 12 years after founding the company, which was taken over by his sons Fred and Bill.
Gretsch's fortunes took off when their instruments were endorsed by Chet Atkins, who became the artist most associated with Gretsch guitars in the 1950s. Atkins became known as the "Country Gentleman", a title used for the 17" signature model of Gretsch guitar launched in 1957. The Chet Atkins models were distinguished by their state-of-the-art technology and bright orange finish, at odds with the traditional naturalistic look that had prevailed in country music's ethos. The electric guitar was a key catalyst for the changes that the music was undergoing, broadening its range. With Gretsch guitars, Atkins pioneered what was to become known as the "Nashville Sound". He displayed an intense passion for the guitar as an instrument as well as a technological device. Atkins' distinctive finger-style approach and unusual demands fueled his interest in the sonoric qualities of the electric guitar.
With the advent of the Atkins series, Gretsch guitars began to play a large part in the development of rock n' roll. George Harrison and John Lennon gave the company its second big boost, destroying the monopoly that rival companies Gibson and Fender held. Gretsch guitars had weekly television exposure when the company supplied the guitars and drums for the Monkees beginning in the mid-1960s. The Monkees' fan base of teenage girls was not the prime demographic of the ideal Gretsch customer, however.
In 1967 the Gretsch Company was sold to Baldwin, and its fortunes ebbed. Customers said that quality slipped as production moved from Brooklyn to Arkansas. Fred Gretsch never found an adequate replacement, and after he died in 1979, Chet Atkins withdrew his endorsement. Eventually, in 1989, another Fred Gretsch, nephew of Fred Jr., and his wife bought the company back from Baldwin. George Harrison suggested a Traveling Wilburys model, which, while not like the great Gretsch classics, signaled that the company was back. In the 1980s, rockabilly revival or "hyperbilly" player Brian Setzer reignited interest in Gretsch guitars with his band the Stray Cats. The revival of Gretsch models continued with musicians spanning the range of rock to "country-fed punk" to heavy metal.
In late 2002, Gretsch and Fender reached an agreement giving Fender most control over marketing, production and distribution of guitars. With an array of models based on vintage designs being introduced, the "Gretsch sound" has continued to evolve-no two Gretsch guitars sound like. Raw, grainy, and gritty, the Gretsch guitar has retained the idiosyncratic charm of past and present.

A Good Line Sings Well With the Melody

Sing this:
Daisey, Daisey, Give me your answer, do
I'm half crazy, all for the love of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet, upon the seat
Of a Bicycle Built for Two.
See how each line seems to fit the music? See how words like "for" "the" and "of" are on unstressed notes while "Won't" and "Can't" are on stressed notes and therefore get more attention.
If your song takes the language and bends it like a pretzel to fit the music, it will distract the listener. He'll have his attention on the way you wrote the lyric rather than what the lyric says.
Words like "Wonderful" have an accented syllable followed by two unaccented syllables. WON-der-ful. As in:
WON-der-ful, MAR-vel-ous, YOU be-long to ME.
So if you wrote that your girl is won-der-FUL, or won-DER-ful, it's going to be distracting for the listener.
If you have words like "a," "the," and "and" on accented notes, it will again be awkward and people will notice the writing instead of the song.
Try singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" to the tune if "Bicycle Built for Two"
TAKE ME OUT TO, THE ball game TAKE me out.
See? It doesn't work. The words don't fit. Of course, they don't. They were written for a different piece of music and fit with that one. Your words should fit with the music.
Check the accented and unaccented notes in your melody line. Once you have that, write words that fit the pattern.
In "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" the music is 3/4 time with the accent on the first beat, so it goes:
TAKE me /OUT to the /BALL /GAME /
TAKE me /OUT to the /CROWD.
See? None of the accented words are on the 2nd or 3rd beats. If I only showed you TAKE OUT BALL GAME you could guess which song that is.
Another thing, if you are saying that thinking of her makes your heart soar, make the music soar as well. If you are feeling down, make the music go down. A song about how flat the land is in this part of Texas should be pretty flat itself.
You can use this straight or play with it. I wrote a song called "Hollywood is Upside-Down" and all the lines were that way with the music. The notes on "Upside-Down" went up. The notes in the line about the sky were down, the notes in the line about the ground were down. It made people laugh and they didn't know quite why.
Have you got a simple lyric with a few words held out long? You can give it a complex melody with lots of movement. Look at Dolly Parton's "I will Always Love You." She sings "I-I Will Al-ways Love You" and that melody just flies away with us. There's lots of movement because the lyric is simple.
On the other hand, if your song is wordy, complex lyrically, put a simple melody with not much movement to the words. You don't want the melody to get in the way of the lyric.
Note the repetition in the melody of "For What It's Worth."
There's something happening here
What it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware
I think it's time we stop, children, what's that sound
Everybody look what's going down
See, lots of repetition, simple melody, they wanted you to get the lyric without being distracted by an intricate melody.
Note where the emphases is in "STOP, children, WHAT'S that SOUND, EVerybody LOOK what's GOin' DOWN."

How To Improve Your Lead Guitar Playing

Do you have a hard time coming up with guitar solos that sound like real music instead of a "combination of guitar licks"? Have you spent a lot of time looking for countless guitar exercises, new scales and guitar licks to play on the internet, only to realize later that these things are NOT making you a better lead guitar player?
The guitarists who attempt to make their guitar solos more creative by using the approach above, typically end up frustrated with their slow rate of progress and start to lose hope in their potential to become great guitarists. Very often they also start to believe in the common misconception that their ability to create great guitar solos is restricted by their amount of natural talent.
Fortunately, it IS possible for anyone to greatly improve their lead guitar soloing skills with the right approach. If you haven't reached this goal yet, I want to show you the most common reasons why guitar players struggle with creating truly GREAT guitar solos and give you the steps you can take now to massively improve your lead guitar playing.
The truth is that most guitar players focus on entirely the wrong things when trying to improve their lead guitar soloing and improvising skills. Many guitarists assume that the solution to their guitar soloing challenges is in learning more "new" skills (innovative soloing concepts, new guitar licks/scales/arpeggios etc...). In reality, simply acquiring new musical skills will not (in and of itself) make your lead guitar playing better, just like having a lot of ingredients in the kitchen will NOT make you a "better" cook. While having a lot of musical skills will give you more options to choose from, these skills will NOT "increase your ability" to create great guitar solos until and unless you learn how to "integrate" them to make the best musical choices possible in any musical situation. For the vast majority of musicians, it is this lack of ability to fluently APPLY and INTEGRATE their existing skills that prevents them from mastering the art of lead guitar soloing.
Now that you understand more about why the traditional ways of improving your guitar solos are ineffective, here are some specific steps you need to take to begin to integrate your existing lead guitar playing skills on a deeper level and greatly improve your guitar solos in the process.

• Learn The Guitar Fretboard Inside And Out - True mastery of the guitar neck goes much deeper than simply being able to identify a specific note/fret on the guitar. In order to really know your way around the guitar, you need to be able to play all the scales and chords used in your style of music everywhere on the neck, and be able to combine these shapes fluently. Guitar players - from Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughn to Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen - all have/had this exceptional awareness of scales and chord shapes on the fretboard. This skill enabled them to improvise great guitar solos effortlessly in any key without "getting lost". In contrast, guitarists who struggle with making their lead guitar solos sound like music, often do not have this skill well developed and become stuck with soloing in the same 1-2 positions every time they play lead guitar. Regardless of how many scales you actually know, if you cannot fluently play them all over the guitar neck, you will have a VERY hard time with using them creatively in your lead guitar soloing.
• Master Aural Skills (Train Your Ear To The Fullest) - Most guitar players (even the RARE few who actually practice ear training exercises on a regular basis) do not have a clear understanding of what it really means to "have a good ear for music". It is commonly believed that ear training is all about "being able to identify any interval, chord, or scale" after hearing it. Although this skill IS "a part of" having a good ear, in reality, ear training plays a much deeper role for your lead guitar playing. At the highest level, aural skills are "the link" between all of your musical skills (guitar technique, music theory knowledge, phrasing, mastery of scales and chords and more) that enable them to work TOGETHER to create the most expressive guitar solos possible. Master musicians use their ears to imagine the music they want to hear and direct their hands to produce that sound on the instrument as quickly and naturally as you speak your thoughts when holding a conversation. Without good aural skills, your musical skills can only work in isolation and your ability to create great guitar solos will forever remain limited (more on this below).
• Create Music With Your Mind Instead Of Your Hands - Most guitarists approach the process of lead guitar soloing in a mechanical way by "playing scales over chords". After learning the key of the chord progression, most musicians simply begin to solo by running through familiar scale shapes and licks. Essentially their mind goes on autopilot and all of the "creating" is done with the hands.

In contrast, great lead guitar players rely on their ears and their mind to imagine what they want to hear before playing a single note, and use their hands (guitar technique) as well as their music theory knowledge, mastery of the fretboard, and other musical skills to express what the mind wants to hear. Although they also end up "playing scales over chords", the overall level of creativity and expression achieved is much greater because all of their musical tools/skills are integrated together as one "creative whole".
Although the steps above happen very fast (and almost always occur on a subconscious level), this kind of thought process is key to creating truly great guitar solos.
The most important thing I want you to notice is that most of what actually "creates" a great guitar solo needs to be done with your mind and your ears. This is totally different from the thinking process of inexperienced guitarists, whose guitar solos are merely an attempt to "fill up space/silence with notes".

• Continuously Work On Your Guitar Phrasing - Many lead guitar players continuously search for "notes to play" but neglect looking for better ways of HOW to play (phrase) those notes. Good guitar phrasing involves much more than applying an occasional bend or vibrato to a note. When I train my students how to master guitar phrasing, I show them how this skill consists of "macro" and "micro" level components. "Macro" level phrasing refers to how each phrase fits into the big picture of the lead guitar solo and the song itself (much like phrases flow in a conversation). "Micro" level phrasing deals with ornamentation applied to individual pitches of the phrase. It is important to understand the difference between the two components and to have effective strategies for training both of these areas of phrasing.
• Get Regular Feedback On Your Lead Guitar Soloing From More Experienced Guitarists Or From A Guitar Teacher - Unlike improving your guitar speed, where you can measure your own progress in a tangible way, improving your lead guitar playing is a very "intangible" skill. This means two things:

1. It is very hard to become aware of specific flaws in your lead guitar soloing when you don't know what things you should be listening for.
2. It is also challenging to determine whether or not your guitar solos are actually improving and what areas of your lead guitar playing still need work.
You will make the fastest progress when you have your guitar solos analyzed by a guitar teacher who can not only point out specific flaws in your guitar playing but also can create an effective lesson strategy to help you overcome the specific challenges that are holding you back from creating truly great guitar solos.
Now that you understand more about what it takes to improve your lead guitar playing, you should become excited as you realize that all of your musical goals are entirely within your control to achieve. When you begin to implement the steps I have outlined above, your lead guitar soloing skills begin to improve rapidly.

Guitar Accessories: A Case for Cases

One of the many guitar accessories that you can't do without is a guitar case. It is so important to your guitar that many manufacturers include the case in the price of the guitar. Many manufacturers make cases specially designed for particular models and ship the guitars inside these cases to the retailer. This practice makes buying the guitar without the case difficult - and rightly so.
To buy a serious instrument and then try to carry it away from the store without the appropriate guitar accessories and quality protection is a foolish way to save a few bucks. The most important gesture of respect that you can show your instrument is to give it a safe place to sleep.
Cases come in two basic types: the hard or hard-shell type and the soft variety. Each has its advantages, and the protection factor is proportional to cost: The more expensive the case, the better the protection that it offers your instrument.
1. Hard cases
The hard case is the most expensive option (50 to 74 pounds and more) but offers the best insurance against damage to your guitar. It's composed of leather- or nylon-covered wood and can even survive the rigors of airline baggage handlers, providing crush-proof protection to your instrument. They can drop heavy objects on the case and stack it safely under other luggage items without any damage accruing to the precious guitar inside. The safest thing to do is to go with a hard case, unless you have some really compelling reason not to. If you don't already have a case for your guitar and are thinking of buying one, try to think of any situation where a hard case may not be appropriate. If you can't produce a quick and ready response, spring for the hard case and be done with it.
2. Soft cases
The soft case isn't completely soft, being in fact more stiff than truly soft. It usually consists of some pressed-particle material, such as cardboard, and can provide some protection for your instrument - for example, if someone drops a coffee mug on it (an empty coffee mug, that is). But that's about it. You can pick up these cases for about 19 pounds.
The soft case is the inexpensive alternative to the hard case because it enables you to transport your instrument without exposing it to the elements and at least prevents an outside intruder from scratching it. But these cases easily buckle if put to any real stress (such as getting caught in an airport conveyer belt) and cave in, fold, and puncture much more easily than a hard case does. In most cases, however, a guitar accessories such as a soft case provides protection against the daily bumps and grinds that would otherwise scratch an unprotected guitar.

Steinway Piano Bench Buyers Guide and Helpful Tips

The most popular, elegant and well known pianos in the world are made by Steinway & Sons, who have a tradition of making their top-of-the-line instruments for over 150 years. Steinway however, is solely a piano bench manufacturer, and do not make their own piano benches to go along with their pianos. They in fact contract out to Jansen & Son exclusively to make benches for their products. Thus, if you are looking for a Steinway piano bench, you are in fact looking for a Jansen piano bench.
A brief history about Jansen: they are an American piano bench manufacturer in Wisconsin, who have been in business for over 50 years. They are known across the globe for making the highest quality benches available, using superior maple hardwood (from the East Coast of the United States or Canada), and thick, furniture quality vinyl. Jansen is best known for their artist benches, which features their heavy-duty, silent "micro-adjustable" raising mechanism (which is the best adjustable mechanism on the market).
Taking this into account, if you are looking for a piano bench to go with your Steinway piano, the two most common options are either a wood top bench, or the above mentioned artist bench (the other option would be an upholstered top bench, which while more comfortable, does not highlight the elegance of the Steinway piano as much as a finished wood top bench does, and thus is less popular).
Of the two choices, the most popular is the Jansen artist bench, for both its design and usability. If you've seen a Steinway piano in a concert hall, the adjustable artist bench with it is a Jansen (and its quality is such that it is perfect for performance halls, teaching studios, and home use).
A Jansen artist bench is the Cadillac of benches, and it is reflected in the price. Compared to other benches however, even those made by other American manufacturers, it is definitely worth the price, and like everything else is life, you get what you pay for. Take into account, that their benches are meant to last for many years, if not decades (they do use a thick, heavy duty polyester foam which will not break down), and that you are placing the piano bench next to a multi-thousand dollar instrument. When the piano is the focal point of your room, you do not want to put something cheap next to it, and putting a cheap bench next to a Steinway piano, it will definitely stick out.
All of this being said, given these economic times, buying a Jansen artist bench can still be a significant financial commitment for a lot of people. And while Jansen piano benches are sold online, for those who have never seen one of their benches in person, it's not uncommon for a person to want to examine one up-close before buying something over the internet. The best way of doing this would be contact your local Steinway dealer, and ask if they have any Jansen artist benches in their storeroom next to their pianos. That way, you can do to your dealer, sit on the bench yourself, and see the actual quality of the bench.

The Steely Dan Mu Major Chord [And Beyond] For Guitarists, Part Two

In Part One we discussed the essence of the Steely Dan Mu Major chord - a root position major triad with the 2nd added and voiced adjacent to the 3rd - and possible 3 note voicings on guitar. In Part Two we look at the evolution of the Mu Major concept in the music of Walter Becker and Donald Fagan, and how to apply these ideas to the guitar.
The Steely Dan Mu Major chord evolved in later albums as the music--and the West Coast Studio musicians performing it--leaned more towards a jazz interpretation of the chord changes, where dissonant intervals [major and minor 2nds], slash chords and quartal harmonies abound. Starting with Dr. Wu [from the Katy Lied album], the Mu Major concept expanded to include minor chord function as well. This approach relies on the bass player to indicate the tonality [root], as the chord voicing replaces root and/or 5th with other scale tones [tensions] to add dissonance and richness.
Home At Last, from Aja, is a good example of this. Although played on piano on the recording, these 3 note voicings are playable on guitar. The intro is a G minor root position voicing on strings 4, 3 and 2, with the 2nd degree [A] replacing the G on string 4 [can we call this G Mu Minor?]. The 2nd chord, same strings, is an F Mu Major, i.e. a root position triad with G replacing F. The other 2 intro chords are an A Mu Minor [same as G Mu Minor, 2 frets higher] and Bb Mu Major [same strings, C D F].
Following the G minor intro, the verse section ["I know this super highway, this bright familiar sun"] begins with an Ebmaj9 chord. This voicing is best described as a slash chord, Bb/Eb, i.e. a Bb major triad with an Eb in the bass. This 4 note voicing can be played on strings 5, 4, 3 and 2 [Eb Bb D F]. The bass player is playing Eb. Like the Mu major and minor chords, however, the function of these chords can change if the bass player changes the root. For example, with the bass playing a C root this becomes a Cmin11 Eb/b3, Bb/b7, D/9, F/11]. This voicing is also used in Green Earrings, from Royal Scam. Starting at bar 3 with the Bb/Eb, the voicing moves in whole steps [Ab/Db, Gb/Cb].
Green Earrings also has an example of quartal harmony, occurring during the Am7 vamp which harmonizes the 1st 8 bars of the verse. These are 3 note voicings stacked in 4ths. These voicings were explored notably by John Coltrane [McCoy Tyner's work on Love Supreme, My Favorite Things, Transitions], Miles Davis [the quintet albums with Herbie Hancock], Bill Evans, etc. in the '50's and 60's. The voicing for the Am7, played on strings 3, 2 and 1 is D G C. With the bass player sounding A this voicing sounds like Am11, but with a G in the bass it's a Gsus4 or G11, F in the bass an F13, etc. Quartal chords are built upwards in 4ths, unlike traditional triad- based harmonies [built in 3rds]. When we invert these stacked 4ths, we end uo with mu major and mu minor- type voicings. For example, the Am11 voicing from Green Earrings, when inverted, would be G C D, and, inverted again, C D G, low to high. This creates a major 2nd dissonance between the C and D. This interval is the essential characteristic of the mu major sound.

The Paul McCartney Discography - Recommended Listens

Since the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970, Paul McCartney has gone on to release over 40 or so albums either under his name alone, under various pseudonyms or with his band Wings.
It would have been nigh on impossible for any of the solo Beatles to come close to the unprecedented quality and success of the band, but all in their own ways made significant contributions to the pop canon, none more so than Paul.
I'd like to highlight a few gems from the Paul McCartney discography which confirm his knack for turning out singles and albums that were not only accessible to the average ear but, on closer listening, were slightly skewed as well.

• Too Many People: a track from the album Ram, released 28 May 1971. A barely disguised poke in John Lennon's chest, resulting in John's far less subtle riposte on the Imagine album, How Do You Sleep. One of the few songs where McCartney comes across as annoyed.
• Little Lamb Dragonfly : a track from the album Red Rose Speedway, released 4 May 1973. A beautiful, meandering structure with some exquisite close harmonies, predicting the return to Beatle level confidence that would manifest itself on Band On The Run.
• Wonderful Christmastime: single released on 16 November 1979. Using splodgy, arpeggiated synth sounds as the main backdrop to a Christmas song shows McCartney's adventurism and willingness to try something off-kilter. Despite this, he still manages to convey a seasonal flavour on a song that is now a staple of Christmas radio playlists.
• The Back Seat Of My Car: a single released in August 1971, backed with another fine song Heart Of The Country, this had been premiered during the Beatles Let It Be sessions in early 1969 but was not that warmly received. It ultimately became the anthemic finale of the Ram album. To my amazement, the single only achieved the lowly position of 99 in the UK charts. How listeners weren't seduced by those horn lines, I do not know.
• Coming Up: the opening cut found on the McCartney II album and released as a single in April 1980, this was the song that reputedly helped inspire Lennon to return to the recording world. It boasted a raucous, variably speeded up vocal, a heavy funk backdrop and some strange, kazoo sounding trumpets parping in between some of the verses. The video was also quite groundbreaking in its inclusion of ten parodic rock music characters, all played by McCartney himself.

Play Blues Guitar: Important Aspects of Learning Blues Guitar

The primary purpose of playing blues is to pass the audience the player's own point of view about the social events, problems, love, life and events. To be able to do so, all he has just a guitar and a story. In blues it is important to express your idea. If you do not have any idea, then what you play has no importance in terms of blues.
The role of guitar in blues is to strengthen this story and empower the words. The most important thing is to support the story with your guitar You can be a good blues guitarist based on the extent to which you can do this successfully. It is not about playing slow or fast; because as long as you can express your ideas with guitar, then you are a good blues guitarist.
Imitation, the ability of repeating what you say at the same time or right after saying with the guitar is an important point of blues guitar. As BB King said when asked, we must try to play things that we hear; we must play them. When learning the blues guitar, the ability to appeal to people's feelings is as important as the technical competency. Of course if your goal is to tell a story.
Another important point is the overlapping of your message with what you play and clearly showing the attitude. If you believe that the guitar you play supports what you sing, then you are on your way to play the blues guitar.
The blues guitar has several patterns; minor blues, 12 bar blues, and boogie which is based on single or two chords are the most frequently used ones. In terms of soloing, the blues has a lot of different opportunities.
Over the years many successful musicians has brought their own interpretations to the blues music. The common features of these musicians is that whatever they did, they were very powerful and peculiar to them. Indeed blues takes its power from this point.
As a result, it is surprising to see how different all these blues guitarists are although they all use the same scale. This magic is hidden under the perception, interpretation and touch of the guitarist.
There are many resources on the internet on how to play the blues guitar. When you learn the blues scales, chords and information on how to combine these together, do not expect to start playing the blues guitar instantly. Playing blues require much more than that. The more you try and practice, the more you will catch the chance to start playing the blues guitar.
It is recommended to read about the blues and listen other musicians who perform this music. Later on practice telling your stories of course after achieving certain technical skills.

Frank Sinatra and The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

There have been many articles written about Frank Sinatra who was perhaps one of the most important and influential singers of the 20th century.
At times he would be vilified in the press for his short fuse and angry outbursts. At other times though people showed their respect for the man who fought for Equal Rights for African Americans. He played a major role in the desegregation of the Las Vegas, Nevada hotels and casinos. He also got the Rat Pack members and Reprise label artists to boycott hotels and casinos that refused entry to black patrons and performing artists.
His official Recording career started in 1943 when Frank signed with Columbia Records. He then signed with Capitol Records in 1953 and in 1961 formed his own record label called Reprise Records. Depending on who you believe he recorded close to 1,000 songs including such hits as "All of Me," "The Birth of the Blues," "Come Fly with Me," "Fools Rush In," "The Lady is a Tramp," "My Way," and "Strangers in the Night."
Memorable Movies were "On the Town," "Guys and Dolls," "From Here to Eternity" for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, "Pal Joey," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Oceans Eleven" and "Robin and the Seven Hoods."
One of Frank's awards that I am proud to have witnessed him receive is the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. The award is given periodically to someone in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the motion picture business as a whole.
The award is named after Mr. Jean Hersholt who through his acting and movie career was always working for the betterment of all. He was President of the Motion Picture Relief Fund for several years and also served as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Certain parts of Frank's acceptance speech have stuck with me for all these years. It resonated with me because it showed that Frank never forgot where he came from and his humble beginnings in Hoboken, New Jersey.
He told the listening and television audience that most of the time if you're famous, then quite often you get an award for doing some good deeds for others. But he said there are a lot of average people in society who never get any recognition for the many good deeds that they do day in and day out. As he held out the Oscar at arm's length he said 'and so this award belongs to all the John Does out there who have done good deeds but never get the recognition that they deserve. On our behalf I say to them, Thank You.'

Make Your Own Music Video Online

Being an up and coming artist means you need to take advantage of all the tools you have at your disposal to help market your musical talent. This includes having your own music video. Having your own video does not mean you need bags of money, there are many ways you use your ingenuity and achieve your dream while on a budget.
The very first step is writing your song. If you are looking for some great ways to save money, you can visit beat sites or hip hop instrumentals on the internet. There you can lease or buy beats online. You can then use these beats for your recording. Once you have your song recorded, you can now proceed with the video.
The second step is finding the right spot or location for your shoot. You can do it out of doors or within an enclosed room. Make sure that you make a plan about how you want the video to look. Will you need to repaint the room? Props? Is the room well-lighted?
After you have made your plan and have found the right location, you need to have your camera ready. You will need your computer handy. You may also need a sound system so you can hear your song as you shoot the video so that all elements are "in time." You can get a friend to shoot for you or you can use a trusty tripod. The trick is making sure you know the range of the camera is using a tripod or you will be out of frame.
Shoot as many times as you can so you can have ample recordings to edit. The idea is to shoot one scene. Stop, and then shoot another scene. Shooting in the right sequence also helps make editing easier. After the shoot, edit your video and once you are happy with the product, you can now post it online.
If you are doubtful about your video making skills, you can use software that is readily available on the internet that will allow you to edit and add effects to your video. However, this would still require shooting the video. Try asking art or film students to help you out. They would love to be able to practice their craft and you will get your amazing video without breaking the bank.

Mother's Day Songs

Mother's day songs, songs with lyrics that show appreciation for mothers and all their hard work, can be just what you need for mother's day. You don't always have to spend a lot of money just to make your mom feel special and show her just how much you care. Here is a list of heartfelt songs that show gratitude and love towards mothers:

1. R & B - Boyz II Men - A Song For Mama This song extols the virtues of the writer's mother and all that she has done for him. He uses this song as a means to express gratitude to his mother for being there for him.
2. R & B - Ashanti - Mother This is a song of thanks and appreciation towards the singer's mother. In this song, the singer feels "blessed to be raised by a woman so strong".
3. Pop - Ashley Tisdale - I Love You Mom This a cute, simple and to the point song to say thanks to mom for everything she does.
4. R& B - Ryan Leslie - Mother This is a song especially for congratulating mom on her special day. The singer's mother was always there when he needed a hand to hold, when his world fell down, or to wipe the sadness from his eyes.
5. Pop - Mariah Carey - The Perfect Fan (Tribute To Mother) Even if a lot of us are not famous musicians, our moms are still quite often our biggest fans. They are there guiding us, showing us how to grow and showing us love.
6. Hip Hop - 2pac - Dear Mama This song pays tribute to the artists' relationship with his mother and how she had always been there for him and how much she has been a positive influence in his life, despite the struggles and the troubles he has gotten into throughout his life.
7. Soul - Maze feat. Frankie Beverly - Song For Mother In this song, the singer has been away from his mom for a long time, has overcome many challenges and he has realized just how important his mom is and how much he misses her.
8. Hip Hop - Insane Clown Posse - Mom Song This could well be the ultimate (and best-known) song for mother's day, showing appreciation for everything from mom's cooking to supporting every dream a child had.

So there you have it. No matter what you are doing this mother's day, don't forget to make your mom feel loved and appreciated.

Why Are Bands for Weddings Essential to Get the Party Started

You're planning your wedding and trying to decide between hiring a DJ or a wedding band. There are a few distinct differences and it's important to weigh the options when deciding. A DJ stands behind his equipment and sometimes offers short announcements but as for kicking the party in gear, there's nothing like hiring a band for your wedding. Although most DJ's and bands for weddings have play lists the live bands are more apt to take requests.
You decide to audition live bands for weddings. It may seem a tedious process, (how many times can you listen to different renditions of "Celebration") but well worth the effort. Although this might seem the perfect time to play the friend/family card and go with Cousin Joey's garage band, you'll want to set the bar a bit higher. Sure, Cousin Joey's band would do just fine, but how much experience can they really have? This is your wedding day and you do not want to have to worry about the music. The live interaction of the wedding band can make a huge difference.
Remember that bands for weddings are often hired by word of mouth or some other recommendation so be sure to ask around. Be sure to choose one that not only has talent but all importanty personality. A cardboard like figure would not be good announcing the newlyweds for the very first time. The band leader needs to and should pack a powerful punch.
After hiring the band of your choice; be sure that you communicate clearly about cost, time frame, play list, allowed requests, set up time, break down time and exactly how the newlyweds would like to be introduced. Put everything in writing so that each party has a clear idea of exact expectations.
A live band is essential for getting the party started. The interaction between the band and the guests is all important. Be sure the band has plenty of experience and knows not only how to get the guests going but to keep it moving and rock on until the wee hours. Just be sure to keep the microphone away from that certain wacky aunt who wants to "honour you" with her interpretation of "The Rose." She means well but is always just a bit off key. Be sure your band members know to keep a watch out for just such an incident and that they know exactly how to handle Aunt Lulu.