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So, you think you’d like to learn to play guitar, but you’re put off by the high cost of lessons? You don’t want to put up with a teacher showing you a bunch of theory and boring songs that you don’t want to learn and won’t get you where you want to go? Look no further, online instruction is now available that provides comprehensive beginner guitar lessons to anyone who wants to learn to play guitar quickly and easily.

Do I need to read music? No! Most online programs use a very visual approach, using picture diagrams and videos that actively demonstrate techniques so you hear what you need to play, not read it. The advantage to this is that you learn directly how to play, without having to take the time to translate everything through a book that’s full of complicated theory and diagrams. You can take beginner guitar lessons online that will show you how to play everything you want, without ever opening a book.

Many fine instructional programs are available on the net -we ‘re talking about this on our site. These instructional programs will take you through your first beginner guitar lessons and have you playing songs right away. Many of these programs are designed to be fully completed in 30 days, not the years it may take to master the guitar the traditional way.

Don’t think that online guitar instruction is just for the novice, though, because many of the available lessons will teach you, not only the basics, but many advanced techniques as well. These are specially designed to take anyone, from the beginner to advanced student, where they want to go.

So grab hold of this awesome opportunity and start playing the guitar now!

George Nellas has more tips and useful info on online guitar learning lessons that you can find on his website at: http://www.guitar-4u.com.

Do you want to learn how to play chords on the piano? Can you already read sheet music or basic notes on the treble and or bass clef?

Do you look at the notes on a piece of sheet music and are unable to name the chords?

Or do you look at a piece of sheet music, see the letter “C” and are not sure which notes to play?

If you answered yes to the first and second question this is easy to remedy. Knowing which chords are being represented by notes in sheet music comes with practice just like reading the basic notes does.

Chords are three or more notes played together. When you see these groups of notes on sheet music start saying aloud which chord is being represented. Of course in the beginning this will go slowly. You could start daily for about 15 minutes and probably quickly become proficient in a matter of weeks (if you are already reading sheet music). You will need a chord chart so that you know which chords you are reading. Visit my website at http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us and go to the free downloads page for a chord chart of the primary chords in each key. This is notation not the keyboard picture. This will help you to quickly see chords in notated music.

If your problem is the third question then this is even easier to remedy. You will be amazed how quickly your hands memorize the positions needed to play chords. Using the chord chart located at http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us in the free downloads page. This chart lists the primary chords in each key in music notation or written out on the grand staff.

Daily practice will also make you more proficient here. But instead of reading the bass clef in sheet music to know what chords look like written out, take an easy song that stays in one key and that lists the chord letters above the melody. Go through the chord chart and find the primary chords for that key. Practice playing those chords several times and then try them with the song. Work on a new key as soon as you feel proficient in the current one. Go through the chords using the circle of fifths or fourths (also a copy of this at http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us in the free downloads page). In no time at all you will be comfortable playing these chords and ready to move on to more!

K Quinn is a church pianist and author of the book The Struggling Church Pianist. Visit her website and download some free musician tools at http://www.strugglingchurchmusician.us

Any one that owns an ipod will no that its a pain to find cover art for there tracks!

In this article il basicaly tell you how you can easly get album cover in all different sizes for all types of ipods and mp3 players and alos cover some dvds and game covers.

Its realy realy simple! basicaly all you have to do is go to to http://www.covertastic.com and type in the name of the album and they gather all the images for your search and display the relivant ones. it also displays three different sizes for you to use. Ie. if you own a nano and got a small screen and want a small file size image then you can use the smallest if you own a 60gig version then you can use the larger images.

covertastic.com also lets you get dvd covers and cd covers and this is totaly legal it just dose what every one dose already and gets the images from amazon for you. no more searching multiple sites for cover art just 1 site.

anyway sorry for boring you all just thought id share my tips

Have you entered the iPod and MP3 world? If you are like me and my kids, listening to a compact disc is a rare thing because we are now using iPods. But, I still have a ton of discs that I want to keep. I also have a lot of computer back ups on CDR that I need to store. So what’s the best thing to do with all of those CDs? What is the best storage method?

There are many CD storage alternatives and your perfect CD storage solution is probably different than mine. Factors including how many CDs you have and how long you want to keep them will influence your storage method.

Here are a few CD storage alternatives:

CD Jewel Cases
Pros - You probably already own one for the disc and they offer good protection. They can hold your cover art and are easy to line up on a shelf.
Cons - They break. They take up a lot of space.

Plastic CD Sleeves
Pros - They’re cheap and thin so they are easy on the pocket book and easy on the shelf space.
Cons - They’re thin and don’t offer much protection. Plastic sleeves are not recommended for long term storage. I’ve seen cases where they stick to CDs and pull off labels and even the metal surface. Plastic is what it is, it takes a long time to biodegrade when it gets into landfills.

Paper CD Sleeves
Pros - They’re inexpensive and don’t take up a lot of space. They are great for many short term storage needs.
Cons - They’re thin and offer limited protection.

Paperboard CD Sleeves
Pros - Paperboard sleeves are much thicker than paper sleeves so they protect your discs and they are relatively inexpensive.
Cons - They might be hard to seal if that is required.

Tyvek CD Sleeves
Pros - Tyvek sleeves don’t take up a lot of space and they are inexpensive. Tyvek is generally recommended for long term CD storage.
Cons - They’re thin and don’t offer much protection.

CD-ROM Disc Cases - with the Flip-Up Cover
Pros - They can hold a lot of CDs in a small space and may help keep out dust.
Cons - Reading CD labels is a pain.
CD-ROM Drawers
Pros - Keeps CDs out-of-site.
Cons - Keeps CDs out-of-site. Some people just prefer to see their collection. They take up space.

CD Wallets
Pros - They hold a lot of CDs in a small area and may help keep dust off the CDs.
Cons - If a discs is stored in a plastic wallet for a long time or if they are exposed to heat the label may stick to the plastic.

Three Ring Binders
Pros - They can hold your CDs and the CD cover art in one place. They sit on a bookshelf.
Cons - If a disc is stored in a plastic wallet for a long time or if they are exposed to heat the label may stick to the plastic. You have to flip pages to find your CD.

CD Spindles
Pros - They are cheap and hold several hundred CDs in a small stack.
Cons - Sorting through the stack of discs is a pain if you are searching for one specific disc.

JP Busk has been in the compact disc business and media packaging business for over 15 years. His wife’s business, Buskerdoo, sells CD and DVD storage products including CD Sleeves, CD Mailers, and www.buskerdoo.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=22“> CD Labels.

Major chords are the most important as all the other chords are built up from them.

There is a major chord for each note on your keyboard. the notes are A B C D E F and G so you are now going to learn the major chords that go with each of these notes. Sounds daunting? Well here is something really nice which you will be very pleased to know. The rule for forming major chords is exactly the same for every note so you only have to learn one simple rule.

The first note of any major chord is always the note which bears the name of the chord. So the first note in the chord of A major is A. The first note in the chord of B major is B. It’s pretty easy so far isn’t it. These first notes are known as the TONIC note.

Now for the simple rule.

Simply remember the numbers 1, 5, 8. Say the numbers 1, 5 and 8 over and over to yourself until it’s really sunk in. Now here is the simple secret of how to form chords:

Play the first (TONIC) note and say 1 then count the keys up from the tonic note and when you count the keys in this case include the black keys as well,

2, 3, 4, 5. play the 5th key as this is the second note in you major chord. Now count 6, 7, 8. and play the eighth key as this is the third note in your major chord. Try this with the chord of C major.

Play the note C and include this in your count 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

We know note 1 is C and we have now discovered that count 5 brings us to E and count 8 brings us to G. Remember when counting to include the black keys. C E and G are the notes making up the chord of C major. Try the same exercise with the other tonic notes and listen to the different sounds thus created. Concentrate on three important chords, C major, G major, and F major. Once you know these chords and learn to play them with both hands you will hear a vast improvement in your playing. You will use these chords frequently in many different pieces of music so take the time to learn them properly.

Hotel Costes, Vol. 6 kick starts things right off with In The Black Of The Night by Slow Train. It’s a beautiful, soulful, jazzy track with excellent female vocals. We then head off to Reality Check by Stigmato Inc. Not one of my favorite tracks on here but still OK. It gets thing ready for the next track called Metropolitan by Emmanuel Santarromana. An amazing track with the beautiful sounds of the accordion. I’m not sure what language it is but I think it could be Italian. Right after that track things really start moving with Surround Me With Your Love (Mental Overdrive Mix) by 311 Porter. This track is a Spanish/Latin flavored piece with enough energy to set the dance floor on fire yet still having a moody feel to it that you can chill to. It does have the vocals Surround Me With Your Love - I Need Your Love. Magnificent!

Right up next we head into familiar territory with Rolf Royce by Tosca feturing Stephan Graf Hadik Wilnder. I’m familiar with Tosca and everything else they have done and this is another one of their amazing downtempo tracks and fits here excellently in this mix! Things slow down a bit on the next track. Morenito (Bossa Mix) by Stephane Pompougnac featuring Clementine is a beautiful Latin/Brazilian flavored track that has enough of a beat to keep you grooving but not heavy enough to really tire your ears. Next up things pick up again with a fun Latin House track. This is an excellent track to get things going. It’s just a fun party tune. Snowblind by Minus 8 is fun, moody and groovy perfect for this set. I love the vocals on here. It fits excellenty in the track. Up next is my favorite track on this collection. Come On (Sket Remix) by Dutch Rhythm Combo featuring Annik. What an amazing track this is. It’s got great vocals by Annik complementing the delightful beats behind it. AMAZING!

Next up we have You Fly Me by Fingathing. This track reminds me of a score from a 60’s/70’s romance flick. This actually sounds much better than what music would sound like back then but it just reminds me of music from romance flicks from that era. It actually gives me goose bumps just listening to that piece of music. Bluesless (Radio Mix) by Spiro Projecto featuring Josefina Sanner is another jazzy, instrumental electronica track. It’s very upbeat and it has minimal vocals. It’s actually really fun and keeps this mix moving forward into the next track. Sometimes it reminds me of early 90’s techno and rave music but not obnoxious sounding to not be able to fit in this mix.

Up next is The Breeze Is Back (Moonstar Remix) by Zimpala. I have to say this is not one of Zimpala’s stronger pieces. I really love the track Sugar by Zimpala. I just love that track but this track doesn’t compare at all to Sugar. The vocals actually get a little annoying after a while. Luckily the vocals are short and they end pretty quickly. Things start winding down from now on with Party’s On by Grand Palace and finally Un Monde Sans Frime by Doctor Jazz’s Universal Remedy. The stronger of the latter two tracks is Un Monde Sans Frime. This track has beautiful vocals and the music is excellent.

Overall Hotel Costes still has it going for it and Stephane Pompougnac is the man behind the higly successful Hotel Costes series. Hotel Costes 6 is definitely a winner. So go get it and listen to it or enjoy with your friends while having a cocktail party.

You’re sitting at the piano playing your favorite song but you can only play the notes on the sheet music in front of you. You long to play that song the way it is running in your head but you just don’t know where to begin. Does this sound like you?

Years ago I could only play the music in front of me. I knew the sound I wanted but I couldn’t understand how to play it. Then one day I was listening to a cd of some favorite tunes and I could recognize what the pianist was doing. In a nutshell he was playing the scale notes in between the melody! Along the way I discovered there was a bit more but I have it down to formula that works for me now.

1.Sing the song first: Even though at first I was only improvising on songs I already at least had a melody line and chord for, I now improvise a number of songs in my head before even sitting at the piano. Many times your creativity with a song will stop at your fingers. If you sing/humm the song first you will notice a lot more creativity happening because you were proficient with speech first.

2. If you can’t make it then fake it: If you’re having problems coming up with your own tunes, turn to a fake book and start your improvising there.

3. Don’t be afraid to use the whole piano: Next time you are around a good pianist, say the one at your favorite department store, notice how they will do several runs up and down the piano. Or how they play those wonderful deep notes in the bass of the piano.

4. Don’t get discourage by your first results: You’re not going to sound good at first. Well you might but since 99% of us won’t just go with the flow and don’t give up.

5. Keep at it: You will get better with time. Practice makes perfect or at least much better sounding.

Some things to keep in mind. If you aren’t already familiar with chords and scales, get to know them. This will greatly increase your improvising abilities. Invest in some good learning tools, for this. Books or videos the choice is yours. Choose depending on your learning style.

When I found mp3 advance, I was skeptical. Boy was I wrong. You get the music instantly and they provide a burning software for you at no cost. This is 100% legal. This is not like Kazaa, the FBI is not going to come busting in your house. Give it a try, you have nothing to lose. There is a 100% satisfaction guarantee and moneyback guarantee if not satisfied. this is the link

www.mcdonae101.mp3advance.hop.clickbank.net/?gid=&oid=&tid=2&sn=

if it does not link you to the site, please copy and paste it into the web address section

thank you for your time

As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did *NOT* earn $30,000 (or more) with your music alone last year, let’s jump right in and get you started with doing so this year.

Again, bear in mind that the main necessary ingredient is “consistency” of every aspect, and on a weekly basis.

Remember! This is a worst case scenario, in regard to what you should be able to easily earn within each aspect, and you are very likely to earn much more.

The “lead generator(s)” in each aspect reflects the various resources that you will use to obtain results in these areas.

So, here is the financial mathematical layout.

___________________________________________

[—GIG EARNINGS—]

Practically any band should be able to market and promote itself well enough to obtain, at least, one gig per week, whether the band is based in a metropolitan or rural setting, and whether it performs on a fulltime or part-time basis.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s look at getting one gig per week:

1 Gig X 1 Week @ $300 X 4 weeks = $1,200 per month

Lead Generators:

* Contacting venue managers and bookers directly

* Signing on with an area booking agent

* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers

* Contacting area performance theaters

* Host your own gig at an area hall or theater

* Contacting high schools for performances

* Contacting college student activities offices for performances

* Low-cost college newspaper ads for possible gigs

* Low-cost college radio ads for possible gigs

* Your website calendar gig notices/tours

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to prospective clients.

=====

[—GIG CD SALES—]

As you are already aware, most gig employers will allow you to sell your music during performances.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s look at getting sales during gigs, with a minimum of 100 people at each gig, and with 10% (10 sales) of the crowd who, after witnessing your mind-blowing spectacular performance, suddenly realize that life is not worth living, and they simply cannot go on unless they own a copy of your CD:

10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 4 weeks = $400 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $1,600

Lead Generator:

* Your incredible stage performance that left them mesmerized.

* Your website for additional sales

=====

[—TEACHING—]

Right now, in your own area, there are innumerable people who would like to learn to play your instrument, or be able to sing as half as well as you. So, why not teach them how to do so while earning a bit of income doing it as well?

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s say you teach only one day each week, with only two students, at one hour each, while charging $10 per student, per lesson:

1 day X 2 students X $10.00 (per student) X 4 weeks = $80 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $1,680 +

Note: If you decide to devote an entire day of the week to teaching, say 8 students/8 hours, your income increases to $80 per day/$320 per month.

You can also consider contacting area community colleges that will likely be receptive to your classes within their “Continuing Education” program, which can even pay a bit more money. And, if time allows, why not get the best of both worlds, so to speak, by teaching both independently, as well as within the college system?

Lead Generators:

* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers

* Contacting high schools to post notices/fliers

* Low-cost college newspaper ads

* Low-cost college radio ads

* News releases to area radio and print papers

* Feature interviews on area radio and in newspapers

* Your website with your class notices

Note: Provide your credentials to student prospects in the forms of a resume and/or portfolio.

=====

[—ONLINE SALES—]

Just a few noted sites include:

CD Baby ( http://www.cdbaby.com )

The Orchard ( http://www.theorchard.com )

Amazon.com ( http://www.amazon.com )

New Artist Direct ( http://www.newartistdirect.com )

With fairly decent online promotion, at the least, you ought to be able to realize an average of 3 sales per week from each of these sites. While all may not produce those 3 sales individually each week, some of them are likely to produce more than 3 sales, dependent upon your promotional efforts, of which should still average out to 3 sales each.

However and again, let’s review a worst case scenario:

4 sites X 3 sales each X $7.00 = $84 X 4 weeks = $336

Our monthly sub-total is now $2,016

Lead Generators:

* Peripheral online sales from gig audiences

* Low-cost ads in area weekly newspapers

* Low-cost college newspaper ads

* Low-cost college radio ads

* Internet marketing and promotion on music message boards, music forums, and within discussion list signature files

* News releases to area radio and print papers

* Feature interviews on area radio and newspapers

* Your website sales

=====

[—WEDDINGS—]

Though weddings occur within every month of the year, the biggest and most traditional month for weddings is June. And, right now, in your own area, there are quite a few being planned for this summer. Weddings are one of the most lucrative income generators for musicians, because families generally are very liberal in spending on them, and go all out, so to speak, for this special day for their daughters.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s say you can get, at least, one wedding gig per month, at $1,000 per gig (more wedding gig opportunities are likely during summer months especially):

$1,000 X 9 months = $9,000

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,016

Lead Generators:

* Caterers & Catering Services

* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers

* Your website notices of your availability for weddings

* Providing your business card to area upscale restaurants that cater wedding receptions and banquets

* Your business card left with flower shops

* Your business card left with jewelry stores

* Your business card left with bridal shops

* Your business card left with tuxedo shops

* Your business card left with bridal services

Note: You should also provide your business card to wedding attendants who inquire about your services for upcoming functions that they may be hosting in the future.

=====

[—WEDDING CD SALES—]

You may also be able to sell your CD at weddings, however, ASK FIRST when coordinating your performance arrangements. Attendants usually interact with the band, as it is a happy occasion.

If you are allowed to sell your recordings at weddings, you should do so passively by having your CDs placed near the performance area in a conspicuous position.

However, I would not “hard sell” (repeatedly mention) the CD from the stage, unless of course, a wedding coordinator decides to do so, or states that you may do so.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s say, at least, 100 people attend each wedding (more are likely to attend many weddings), with 10% of them purchasing your CD:

10 sales X $10.00 (per CD) X 1 month = $100

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,116

Lead Generator:

* Your performance

* Your website notice

=====

[—RETAIL STORE CONSIGNMENT SALES—]

Since stores won’t be laying out cash in advance for your music, you should have very little problem consigning your music to retailers.

A word of advice is for you to not consign more than five copies per store, per 30-day period, at any time. Limiting copies to stores will allow for sufficient time in your product moving off retailer shelves.

Consider getting your product consigned with, at least, five area retailers. However, if there are not enough music stores in your area, consider consigning it with other retailers such as; bookstores, flower shops, jewelry stores, and any other such retailer that gets quite a bit of traffic and might be interested in carrying your music.

You will, generally, be required to present retailers with your own consignment form, and I have created one that you can freely download and customize for your own use at:

http://www.MuBiz.com/CnsnmtFrm.html

Just be sure to duplicate it so that both you and the retailer have copies.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s look at your area retail possibilities:

5 Stores X 5 copies X $8 (your take) = $200 per month

Our monthly sub-total is now $3,316

Lead Generators:

* Low-cost classified or display ads in area newspapers

* Low-cost radio ads

* Low-cost cable television ads

* News releases to all forms of media

* Feature interviews at local television, radio stations and print media * Music reviews in your area print media

* Your website listing area stores carrying your music

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to retailers in order to further influence their decision in consigning your product.

=====

[—PRODUCTION—]

Did you produce your own CD? If you did, and if people are raving about how great it is, why not consider producing other area bands as well for some extra cash?

Between now and the end of this year, you should be able to produce, at least, two acts for, at least, a $1,000 fee each.

Lead Generators:

* Word of mouth and fellow musicians you know

* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers

* Low-cost college newspaper ads

* Low-cost college radio ads

* Your website notice of your production skills

* Fliers in music instrument stores

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to contacts.

As our monthly sub-total is $3,316, providing a grand sub-total of $29,844, when you add on your $2,000 production fees for both bands that you produce, your minimum grand year-end total comes to $31,844.

As I stated at the beginning of this article, each of these aspects contain ‘bare bones’ minimum figures in respect to what your earning potential is within them.

=====

* Special Note: In each of these areas, it is very likely that you will experience repeat business, as well as word of mouth promotion, which will further add to your annual income this year, thus, creating the potential for doubling or even tripling your income.

As the popularity of credit cards and Internet shopping grow, so does the chance that you will become a victim of Identity Theft. One’s information can be easily accessed by anyone who has your social security number and other identifying information such as credit card bills or processed checks.

Before becoming a victim of identity theft you can go on the offensive and practice prevention in 10 basic steps. These steps will not guarantee that your information does not get into the hands of a criminal, but it gives you a better chance against a syndicate of International identity thieves.

1. Buy a Shredder. Shredding your old bills, invoices, receipts and credit & bank statements is the first and possibly most effective way to stop dumpster divers from access your information. Before throwing away anything with private information, shred it.

If you’re not sure that the info can be used to steal your identity, shred it anyway.

2. When using an ATM be weary of those standing next to you. If someone is standing too close behind you, do not be afraid to ask them to step back.

3. Hidden camera detectors. In addition to prying eyes, also be aware of surveilance devices in stores, ATMs, gas stations, and anywhere you may be using a credit card or signing your name. There are many small and affordable hidden camera frequency detectors on the market. For more information see AntiSpyCam.com.

4. Treat your checks like money. Would you stuff your mailbox with wads of cold cash? Mail theft is probably easier than dumpster diving when it comes to stealing private information, and much cleaner. Mail checks by dropping them off at the Post Office and if you do order bank checks via the web or mail, have them delivered via registered mail or FedEx.

5. Biometrics services like fingerprint or voice recognition are becoming popular in the war against identity theft or account hacking. Voice biometrics works by digitizing a profile of a person’s speech to produce a stored model voice print. Many banks are now offering this service, ask yours about adding this to your bank account security options. More info on Voice Biometrics at VoiceVerified.com

6. Make a list of all of your credit card numbers, passwords, usernames and bank account numbers and guard them in a safe place. Do not keep them on your computer, especially if you use peer to peer file sharing software.

7. When applying for a credit card request that your photo be placed on the card. There are also companies which will place your photo on your checks. For more information see UniqueChecks.com

8. Write on the back of your credit card “Ask To See My ID” , most people at the register treat credit cards like cash not asking for ID. If they do not ask or forget to do so, ask them why they have not.

9. When you move be sure to register your new forwarding address with the Post Office and also inform all of your credit cards, banks, and subscriptions services personally of your new address. If they are still sending private information to your old address, cancel your card or account.

10. Don’t carry your social security number or credit cards you don’t use on you. You are not required to carry a social security card so lock it up. If you’re not using your credit cards, keep them in a safe place with your social security card.

Mrs. Suzuki is a freelance technology and marketing writer and has never had her identity stolen.