Published on: 23 November 2018
Last Updated on: 24 July 2024
In the 21st century, an odd pattern has emerged in the field of music sales. While the sales of CDs have plummeted since the inception of mp3s and digital streaming services, the sales of vinyl record. Once looked upon as a curious novelty from times past – has seen a significant uptick.
The uptick, in fact, has been so significant that most vinyl record pressing facilities are overloaded with orders. Therefore, bands and labels need to get their orders in well ahead of the schedules release date. Casual music listeners who stream on Spotify or Apple Music may be asking, why on earth would anyone pay for a clunky, cumbersome record? This post has your answer.
Quality of Sound From Vinyl record :
Music connoisseurs care immensely about high fidelity in their listening experience. It may pay immense amounts of money for a tube-driven amplification system and high-quality speakers. Not only do records offer an analog warmth, they also offer a rich listening experience that lets you hear the attention to detail in the mix. Aficionados might liken streaming services to watching a film that was designed to be seen in 3D in 2D.
Even if you buy a scuffed record second-hand, there’s still something pleasant about hearing a bit of crackle on an old Duke Ellington LP. Furthermore, most re-issues and new albums come with a code to download the music in mp3 format. Or else it would become lossless FLAC format for the true geeks. Rather than streaming on Spotify, most music nerds would prefer to load high-quality files onto an iPod for listening on the go.
The ‘All Or Nothing’ Approach:
The general attitude of the vinyl record buyer is that they either want no physical object at all (streaming/ mp3s). Or else they want a very large physical object to incorporate into their collection. If you really care about an album, andshelling out thirty bucks is not so insane. You can actually appreciate the album art, rather than squinting at a tiny thumbnail.
The Elegance of the Object:
Many bands and musicians take great pains to design their album covers or commission an image from an artist they admire. Bands with a particularly savvy sense of promotion may even engage professional graphic design services to design the album art. This integrates it into an aesthetically cohesive marketing campaign. Like the quality of the actual music, the quality and details of the album art are also lost when it appears in miniature on a smartphone. When you buy a record, you’re not just buying the music, you’re buying a physical piece of art, as well.
Paying the Band (a compliment):
When you go and see your favorite band live, the biggest compliment you can offer them is purchasing their album on vinyl record. Because there is no middle-man in this transaction, you can feel secure knowing that the money is going into the project you love. Also, often the band works their own merch table, so you may get an opportunity to chat with them!
Whether not this post has converted you to the cult of vinyl, hopefully, you have a better sense of what is driving the trend.
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It is not very clear how the banjo came into existence. It looks like the kora, a West African instrument, where fingers pluck the strings and a hard skin covers the body of the device. The key difference between the banjo and the kora is the neck. The kora has a stick neck, while the banjo has a wider and fretted neck. The banjo has come a long way over the years. It has become a mainstream instrument, and more and more people are learning how to play the instrument. Here are some things that you need to know if you are planning to learn how to play the instrument.
Different Things You Must Know While Playing The Banjo
These are some of the essential facts you must know before you play the banjo for the first time. Do not make your choices in grey while you want to play the Banjo to clear your doubts.
1. Gauging the quality
If you are on the lookout for your very first banjo, it is quite easy to measure its quality. The first thing you can do is to press down on each string along the fingerboard. They should touch the frets easily without hurting the tips of your fingers. If the strings do not reach the frets when you press down on them with the right pressure, chances are you will have a hard time producing sound without getting your fingers sore. Another technique is to strum and pluck the strings. The banjo should produce clear sounds without any rattle or buzz.
2. Types of banjo
There are three major types: the 4-string, 5-string, and 6-string. There is also a 12-string variety, although less common than the first three mentioned. The most popular type is the 5-string variant. These types can either be open-back or resonator-equipped. The open-back variety produces softer and more mellow sounds than the resonator-equipped variety.
3. Accessories
The strap is one accessory that you need to have if you prefer to play the instrument while standing up. It supports the instrument so that your arms don’t get tired from bearing the weight of the banjo. Another accessory is the capo. It helps in producing higher pitches. The tuner makes tuning the instrument a lot easier and more convenient. And lastly, the strings. If you often use the banjo, you will have to replace them eventually.
4. Getting started
If you are short on budget to pay for a banjo tutor, you have several ways of learning how to play it without having to spend any money. The Internet is an excellent source of tutorial videos that you can watch and follow.
Look for free videos online that teach beginners like you how to be familiar with the instrument and how to handle and play it correctly. You only need a few days to a few weeks to thoroughly learn the ropes, and you can surprise your friends and family with your banjo playing skills.
The Dueling Banjos is probably the most famous banjo piece you can play together with someone who will play the guitar. It is easy to learn how to play the banjo; with dedication and persistence in learning the ropes, you will find that in no time you will already be able to play Dueling Banjos correctly.
Final Take Away
Hence, these are some of the essential facts that you need to know about handling the banjo while developing your concept in this. Do not make things complicated for yourself while you make use of the Banjo. Try to make the correct application of the most famous instrument. It will help you to achieve your objectives for learning the banjo in the best possible ways.
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There are certain things in life that everyone would like to do. Most people would place ‘learning to play an instrument’ at the top of this list. After all, it is an impressive skill that can easily be used to entertain and wow people.
Well, the good news is that if you are considering picking up an instrument and learning how to play it, there are a number of advantages at your disposal. See, scientists have discovered that training to become a musician can actually improve your brain in terms of memory, planning capability, and information processing speed. This is true, even if you are an older adult!
So, as you can see, you really shouldn’t wait any longer to pursue this passion. However, if you are a little confused as to how to get started with the learning process, don’t fret. Here, you will find all the information and details that you need to know.
What Instrument Should You Play?
Now, if you were to take a poll, you will quickly find out that everyone has their own idea of what the ‘best’ instrument is. This can make it a lot more confusing to figure out which you should actually take up. In this instance, it can actually be helpful to ignore the advice most people give. What you should do instead is to take up the instrument you are actually passionate about. This way, you are much more likely to stick with it and actually learn how to play it. So, if you have always wanted to play the drums, then this is exactly what you should do!
If you don’t really have an instrument in mind, what should you do then? Well, even in this case, there is a good chance that you have one preference over others. So, start with that to determine if you will actually grow to like it. If you find that it isn't the instrument for you, then simply give something else a try. You will find that the process of trial and error, despite being lengthy, will often help you find the answer that you are looking for.
How Should You Choose Your Instrument?
Even after you have settled on a specific instrument, you may find it challenging to determine what brand or model you should start with. Here, it is best if you look online for some expert suggestions. This will allow you to get the perspective of experienced, talented musicians, increasing the likelihood that you get the right instrument for yourself.
Another option would be to head down to your local music store. You are bound to find employees that are well-versed in advising novice musicians on what instrument to buy. This avenue will also provide you with the opportunity to try out some of the brands and models for yourself to see if there is one that clicks with you. Nonetheless, you may not actually want to buy an instrument from such a store. To help save money, you may want to check out prices online. You will probably be able to find what you are looking for at a lower price.
Understanding Your Options for Learning:
So after narrowing down your instrument options and purchasing one, the next thing on your list would be to learn how to play it. Once upon a time, your only real choice would have been to find a music teacher who operated in the same area as you did. While this is still one of the more popular options, there are also a number of other avenues.
These days, you have the opportunity to decide how you want to learn to play an instrument. For instance, if you do want a teacher, there necessarily isn’t a need to have to go to a physical studio. Instead, there are now a number of tutors who operate over the internet, mostly over platforms such as Skype. Here, you will be taught how to play your instrument without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.
If you feel like a tutor is a little bit too expensive, then you can go down the self-teaching route. If you prefer an old-fashioned method, you can always opt for music books – of which there are many. These days, however, free online tutorials are often a much better alternative. Here, experienced musicians will walk you through how to play various instruments. In many instances, they will even break down how to play some of your favorite songs.
In the end, it is all about determining what option works for you best. Some people thrive under close and strict instruction while others need the freedom to learn at their own pace. Just try out both options and figure out which one affords you more progress.
Set a Goal for Yourself:
Before you actually start playing the instrument, it can be useful to set a goal for yourself. What this is, is entirely up to you. For some people, their main goal is to learn how to play their favorite music. Others, want to master every aspect of a particular instrument. Once you have narrowed down your long-term goal, you should try to break it down into smaller objectives. This can help you to track your own progress and can even act as motivation for you to keep going. So, try to set an aim for yourself every week if you can so that you can stay consistent in terms of practice and effort.
Prepare for Disappointment:
Everyone has an idea of what a particular instrument should sound like. For instance, in your mind, you will be able to imagine the tinkling of ivories or the light tapping of a drum set. Well, the truth is, in the beginning, you probably won’t sound anything like what you imagined. In fact, you may end up creating truly horrific noises when you first get started playing. Now, it can be easy to feel discouraged at this point and want to give up immediately. However, you should keep in mind that even the greatest musicians sounded awful in their early years.
The other thing that you shouldn’t worry about is the fact that you may not make progress as quickly as you would like. It is vital to remember that it isn’t easy to learn how to play an instrument. Your mind and body have to be able to grasp a number of different techniques and then figure out how to coordinate with each other. Due to this, there is a good chance that it may take you a bit longer than you first anticipated to master an instrument. Well, there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of – it is completely natural. The only thing you should focus on is succeeding at your current task, regardless of how long it takes.
Remember That Practice Makes Perfect:
When you watch other people play an instrument, they can often make it look so effortless. This is why a lot of people forget that it actually takes quite a bit of practice to become so good. Most professional musicians practice around six to eight hours each day. Of course, you probably don’t have so much time to spend on your hobby but you don’t need to practice this much either. The key here is to set a realistic practice schedule for yourself so that you are actually able to stick with it.
Depending on how much free time you have, try to spend at least 30 minutes to half an hour each day, mastering your musical instrument. If you don’t have a lot of spare time, try breaking your practice up into smaller time slots. Try to practice for 30 minutes in the morning and then spend another half-hour in the evening perfecting your skills.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun:
When you are focused on becoming better, it is easy to be overtaken by the technical aspects of the process. As a result, you might forget to actually enjoy yourself and this can be a real shame. It is important to keep in mind that you are learning to play an instrument for yourself. So, you really should be enjoying this time. If you find yourself getting frustrated, try to switch tactics for a short while. Take a break and try to learn a short, crazy tune just so that you can help yourself ease up a bit. After all, there isn’t too much sense in continuing if you aren’t having fun.
Join Other Beginners:
If you are used to playing by yourself, it can be easy to lose your passion for the project. This is why you may want to try joining up with other musicians every now and then. Since this can be a rather daunting thing to do, it may be best to meet up with others who are at a similar learning stage. This way, no one has to feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Instead, everyone can just focus on having a good time and putting together a fun jam session.
So, this is all you need to know about learning to play an instrument. While it can be a bit tough in the beginning, you should keep in mind that it does get better – and so will you so. Trust in yourself and never give up!
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Are you someone who frequently finds themselves singing along to the radio? Do you play an instrument but you’ve always wanted to add singing to your list of musical skills? Have you always wanted to start a band and perform live?
Has that ever inspired you to make music yourself? Have you ever found yourself wanting to learn how to sing, but don't know where to start?
Sure, it's important to be able to take lessons and improve your craft, but in music, meeting people is half the struggle. Being able to find a place where you can not only learn how to be a better vocalist but also meet and collaborate with other singers and musicians who are also learning is the real first step, especially when there are so many different music schools with different advantages and disadvantages.
However, there is hope: in this article, we're going to be sharing with you 4 tips to help you find the best voice lessons so you don't have to spend your valuable time navigating the market.
So, without further ado, here are our tips:
#1. Find a School that Fits Your Style:
Whether you're trying to find lessons in rock or pop or folk/indie, it's important to find a school that will cater to your interests. After all, you don't want to be taking lessons with someone who doesn't understand the type of music you want to play! Thankfully, many schools will list the genres their instructors teach and how much experience those instructors bring to the table. Learn more at Singers Edge — a school that prides itself on its staff of over 40 university-trained instructors, all focused on different areas of specialty.
#2. Finding a Certificate Program:
Being able to sing well is one thing, but having the credentials for people to know you're a good singer before they even hear you are also incredibly beneficial. Finding a school that gives you access to a certificate program can be a great way to get your credentials.
#3. Affordable Group Classes:
One of the best reasons to go attend a music school is to meet other people who are also learning, but regardless of whether you're taking lessons in rock or pop or folk/indie, some schools charge you extra for group lessons. This can be counterproductive and sometimes just too expensive, so finding a school that doesn't charge you to the network is key.
#4. Find A Payment Plan Right for You:
Finding a music school with a flexible payment plan is also essential. If you needed to tour, for example, you don't want to be locked into a contract for lessons you’re not actually taking. Being able to seize the opportunity as it happens is the best way to be a musician and the best music schools will understand this.
If you're somebody who is looking to find the right school to fit your style and schedule, while also offering you the opportunity to meet other enthusiastic vocalists, Singer's Edge might just be the place for you. Located in a capital city with many great venues this school allows you to meet other singers and musicians who are also learning while being able to take group lessons for free! There are also no locked in terms of contracts, allowing you to pay on a month-to-month basis.
Follow these four tips, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better vocalist, while also collaborating with other musicians — all with the right set of instructors helping you along.
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