Google Page Layout Algorithm Update

By Stuart Marler

Google Page Layout Algorithm Update - quicker to recover from?

Google has attempted in their recent algorithm update, Google Page Layout Algorithm Update to make webmasters happier; design matters! What is now required is a decent amount of content above the "fold" area on a page. So if you have a load of adverts on the top half of your page, and viewers have to scroll down to find the content, Google may now keep you from ranking in search results compared to your competitors who went out with a more Google-approved layout.

On Tuesday, Google's Matt Cutts announced that Google has launched an update to its Google Page Layout Algorithm Update. The algorithm was initially announced back in January, and essentially aims to rank higher, sites that have relevant pages with a good amount of content "above the fold."

What does this mean?

Google wants users to get to the relevant information FAST. If you and a competitor both have equally relevant content, but your competitor has it closer to the top of the page, and the user has to scroll down on yours to find it, chances are Google will give the edge to your competitor. That is if the Page Layout algorithm is doing its job. Of course, there are still over 200 signals that Google is taking into account, so it's entirely possible that you're doing enough other things better than your competitor that your page could still rank higher. But we don't know how much weight this particular signal gets in the algorithm.

Google talked about this update, Google Page Layout Algorithm Update, last year and wants relevant, regular updated content that is easy to find. If a viewer has to scroll down past adverts to find the content, then you'll get ranked lower in SERPS.

In January 2012, the latest update was scheduled.

"As we've mentioned previously, we've heard complaints from users that if they click on a result and it's difficult to find the actual content, they aren't happy with the experience," Cutts wrote. "Rather than scrolling down the page past a slew of ads, users want to see content right away. So sites that don't have much content 'above-the-fold' can be affected by this change. If you click on a website and the part of the website you see first either doesn't have a lot of visible content above-the-fold or dedicates a large fraction of the site's initial screen real estate to ads, that's not a very good user experience. Such sites may not rank as highly going forward."

"We understand that placing ads above-the-fold is quite common for many websites; these ads often perform well and help publishers monetize online content," he continued. "This algorithmic change does not affect sites who place ads above-the-fold to a normal degree, but affects sites that go much further to load the top of the page with ads to an excessive degree or that make it hard to find the actual original content on the page. This new algorithmic improvement tends to impact sites where there is only a small amount of visible content above-the-fold or relevant content is persistently pushed down by large blocks of ads."

Initially, according to Cutts, the Google Page Layout Algorithm Update from January affected less than 1% of searches globally. "That means that in less than one in 100 searches, a typical user might notice a reordering of results on the search page," he said at the time. "If you believe that your website has been affected by the page layout algorithm change, consider how your web pages use the area above-the-fold and whether the content on the page is obscured or otherwise hard for users to discern quickly."

The Google Page Layout Algorithm Update affected about 0.7% of English queries.

How quick can you recover IF you've been hit?

If you were hit by this Google Page Layout Algorithm Update, it should be easier to recover from than some other Google updates (like Penguin, for example). That is, in theory. This particular algorithm takes into account your pages' layout every time it crawls the page, so you don't have to wait six months for Google to launch another refresh, for Google to see any changes you've made.

Cutts explains in the original January post, "If you decide to update your page layout, the page layout algorithm will automatically reflect the changes as we re-crawl and process enough pages from your site to assess the changes. How long that takes will depend on several factors, including the number of pages on your site and how efficiently Googlebot can crawl the content. On a typical website, it can take several weeks for Googlebot to crawl and process enough pages to reflect layout changes on the site."

Even if it takes weeks, that's still a great deal shorter than the length of time webmasters and SEO companies have had to wait for the latest Penguin refresh.

Call a retriever on 01903 250454 if you think you have been hit by this Google Page Layout Algorithm Update, or any other updates like Penguin or Panda for instance.

Google has update another algorithm, what effect will this one have on your website?

Little Tricks That Help You Save Money When Learning Music

By Chazz F Korvex

Learning music isn't just about learning how to put those beautiful sounds together. In many ways, learning to play an instrument, we learn memorization skills, fine motor skills and we even gain better problem-solving abilities. An education in music is just a great way to make better people of all of us - young and old.

Have you had a chance to check how expensive learning music can be these days though? If nothing less than one-on-one teacher-student sessions will do and if you're looking for a reputed teacher, it can really set you back considerably every month in teacher's fees. But there are ways that you learn music for less.

Do you happen to have a skill that is in demand and that happens to cost a lot for people to hire? For instance, are you great at some kind of school subject or are you great with computer repair, electrical repair work, landscaping or anything? The thing is, you could arrange with a teacher to swap services. They could teach you or your child the music that you desire, and you in turn can either tutor their child in the subject you're good at or you could help them out with your skills, whatever they may be.

Traditionally, in learning music, the convention is to go with weekly classes. You only have a class a week usually because the lessons you learn with the teacher aren't the most important thing. Practicing them endlessly by yourself is. Weekly classes are quite adequate. Now they charge you by the hour learning music. If you could ask to take a fortnightly class - one every two weeks - you could easily halve the cost of what you spend. So, you get twice as much practice as the next kid before moving to the next lesson. Why should that be a bad thing?

Most people, when they think of learning music, choose to go with an experienced teacher at an established school. Have you ever considered how some people, when they can't afford dental treatment at full price, go to a dental college to be training subjects to dentists-in-training? Well, how about picking up young, advanced students of the instrument you're trying to learn? For a beginner such as yourself, the kind of training a good advanced student is capable of giving you should be quite enough.

By the time you're ready for a better teacher, you will have had time to save up.

Of course, whatever price you're quoted at the music school, you just can't accept the first price they give you. You do have to negotiate.

Where to Learn Violin

By Reuben Clark

If you've been wanting to learn violin, and you dream of a relaxing evening at home making music with your friends, then you need to consider your options for learning.

One choice is to enroll in a music school. You may be able get specific lessons just for the violin. Some colleges or universities sometime have open music classes for anyone wanting to learn to play a stringed instrument.

The cost of lessons in a classroom may be quiet expensive. You should also take into consideration the expense and time it takes to drive to the school for classes. Some students are shy about practicing in front of other classmates, and you can only progress as fast as the class.

Your second option would be to hire a private tutor. Be sure to ask for, and check references. Here are some qualities to look for in a tutor.

Does the teacher really enjoy what they is doing? Does he/she have a love for music and are they knowledgeable in instructing others?

Music teachers that have formal training and a degree in music usually are more reliable and knowledgeable that one that is self-taught. This is not always the case though. There are a few good instructors that are self-taught. Just take you time, and interview several prospective tutors.

Is the music teacher patient and kind with the pupils? I understand that everyone has times when we are frustrated or stressed, but the tutor should be able to control his emotions and be cooperative with the students.

A good instructor feels for his students, and remembers when he was in their place and learning his first violin lessons. If he has no patience, the lessons will be long and difficult.

Does your mentor value your time? The mentor shouldn't teach just for the money. He should be prompt and on time. If they are constantly late, you should tell them to come at an earlier time for your next lesson.

Every student will learn music at a different pace. It is natural for some to progress faster than others. The instructor should be able to provide lessons and exercises that are suited to the students learning ability and personality.

Another quality of a competent teacher is their ability to encourage their students to socialize with other lovers of music. When a student shares with others that want to learn violin, it will create a greater desire in all involved.

The last option you have in where to learn violin is to take online classes.

If you prefer to go at your own pace and you are on a tight budget, then online violin classes may be idea for you. Look for an online instructor the same way you would look for a local tutor. An online instructor should offer the same qualifications.

The advantage of online classes are they are economical and the lessons are easily worked into your schedule. But, you must be a disciplined person and stick to your lesson schedule. There will be no one to hold you accountable to practice but yourself.

Beginning Guitar Exercises for the Left and Right Hand

By Joseph Melchiorre

Left hand principles

The principles for using the left hand are: how the fingers are positioned on the strings, how the fingers are used to hold the strings. Also in holding and changing guitar chords.

Left hand finger position- clench your fingers as if making a fist as you open your fingers you will observe your index finger leans to the left, your middle finger leans slightly left, your ring finger is a ninety degrees and you small finger leans to the right. Place your fingers on the 1st or thinnest string on the guitar starting at the 7th fret with the way your finger was when your hand was clenched. So you should have the 1st finger leaning to the left as it holds down the string the middle to the left, the ring finger at 90 degrees and the small finger leaning to the right. In guitar notation our index finger is 1, the middle 2, the ring 3 and the small finger 4.

Your left hand fingers press or hold down the strings just in front of the fret. The finger presses the string down with the joint closes to the finger tip.

Right hand principles

The right hand plucks the individual notes with the thumb and strums the chords with thumb. The other way to pluck the strings is to use a pick, to use the pick curl your index finger and place the pick with the tip pointing away on the 1st joint (from the tip) and have the thumb hold-cover the pick with the pad (tip ) of the thumb. With the pick you pluck the individual notes from the wrist and strum the chords from the forearm.

Playing chords right/left hand technique

How to read chord diagrams, these diagrams are the primary way to read chords. The diagram consists of six vertical lines from the left the thickest to the right thinnest, the strings are numbered 6 to 1.The horizontal line are the frets from the 1st fret (from the top of the guitar) then the 2nd fret and the dot is where you place the fingers and push down the string.

For the C chord your 1st finger holds down the 2nd string on the 1st fret. With the right hand strum the 3rd to the 1st strings.

Relaxation principle

With all the students I have I continually ask them if this is comfortable or tense for them. If you are playing and your hand is feels consistently tense, then something is wrong with how you are using your hand or wrist. Always strive to play relaxed.

Conclusion

This article will give you background on how to use your left/right hand to play the guitar. Consider having personalized instruction to help give you solid guidance and direction.

Joe Melchiorre has taught guitar for over 15 years and teaches in the northwest Chicago suburbs, For more great information see his blog at onbeginning guitar visit my blog at guide to learning guitar

A Few Tips To Make Your Child's Piano Lessons More Worthwhile

By Jesse Burns

Taking piano lessons as part of one's extra-curricular activity or as an added skill is always recommended at a young age. It is important to know if the child is musically inclined or interested in playing a specific musical instrument by observing and talking to his teachers in school. Some parents make the mistake of imposing the idea of taking music lessons just because the neighbor's kid is already playing an instrument and enrolled in a music school.

The idea is to let the creativity and love for music come naturally to your child. By the time he is ready to learn the lessons in a music school you already have the assurance that this is what he wants. Moreover, it is also essential to establish the interest even before you buy a piano. When everything is certain and you have the budget needed, then, it is time to enroll your child to a proper music school where piano lessons and other musical instruments are taught to children of all ages.

Apart from the lessons and exercises, you child will need other things to help him learn properly and improve his skills. You can help him with some of the elements, while others may be provided by his music teacher.

Here are the important elements for the piano student:

[1] Piano Guidebook

There are piano guidebooks provided by music schools to their students based on their specific skill level. You can also buy them in bookstores for a very minimal amount. These guidebooks are basic learning materials that every music student need to know. There are also exercises included in the succeeding guidebooks are your child progresses.

[2] Reading notes, chords, and interpreting them

One of the main cores of learning music is to know how to read notes. Your music teacher will provide you the techniques in reading notes and chords. If you want to start from scratch, you may find it difficult especially if you're not familiar with the symbols, octaves, clefs, and others.

[3] Positioning, posture, and movements of your hand on the keys

Proper positioning and movement of the hands are important in playing the piano. You will learn this on your piano lessons and you'll understand why certain positions, pressure of the fingers on the keys, and such affect the way you play and sound.

[4] The right posture in sitting and playing the piano

The right posture is a requirement to reduce back aches or cramps when playing the piano for a long period of time. You need to train your posture in doing so to prevent back aches and pains in the long run.

[5] Listening to your music and playing by ear

A wrong note is a wrong note. You will learn how to play by ear through your instructor and you can use that whenever you're playing to ensure you're on the right track - meaning you're hitting the right notes, tempo, and beat.

It takes more than just passion for music to learn how to play the piano. And a child prodigy is not often born, like Mozart who learned at an early age and made music on his own. A good music school and teacher can always help your child develop his talent, so he can take it to the next level when he's ready for the challenge.

Looking for a music school to help your child with his piano lessons? Visit this website to find out their music lessons, rates, and other advice.

Switch From Flat Picking to Finger Picking on Guitar Without Missing a Beat

By Dale Schmidt

One of the hallmarks of a great guitarist is the ability to flat pick and finger pick equally well. Being able to rip out a driving rock solo then turn around and play an intricate finger picking pattern could lead to a ton of gigs and maybe even a little fame and fortune.

You can practice each technique separately but eventually, you'll have to play both styles in the same song. One option would be to simply drop your pick and switch to finger picking. But now you're in a fix if you have to go back to flat picking. The solution is to use a little ingenuity and a not so well-known trick that all the best guitar heroes use.

In order to use a flat pick to finger pick, simply hold the pick with your thumb and first finger and then use your middle and ring finger to fill out the picking pattern. The pick now does what your thumb would normally do.

This technique is much better than having to stop and grab a flat pick. I've seen a number of guitarists try to pull off the "quick switch" and it never works - even the non musicians in the audience notice the interruption.

One of the keys to making this technique really work for you is to keep the pick and your middle and ring fingers as close to the strings as possible. This will help you maintain a consistent rhythm and create an accurate finger picking pattern. Finger picking requires that you arch your hand and fingers a bit to play cleanly. Keep the palm of your right hand (left hand for your lefties) away from the strings so it doesn't touch them causing them to sound muted or dead.

At first, the strings you play with the flat pick will sound a little louder and more emphasized than the others so keep that in mind as you try this new technique. Each note/string played should be the same in volume and attack. This is one of the hallmarks of great musicianship so it is a worthy goal.

Using a thumb pick to play both styles is an option

Some guitarists, typically those who play Folk or Country, use a thumb pick for flat picking (and obviously for finger picking). This takes a little time to master as a thumb pick is usually much thicker than a flat pick and you might find it difficult to play single notes, scales and lead lines. Here again, practice is the key,

Develop these clever little techniques and you'll become a more well-rounded and versatile guitarist that can even pull off both styles in the same song. You'll also improve your musicianship and you might just land more gigs in the process.

What To Do When You Face A Problem In Your Guitar Playing

By Mike Philippov

Like most musicians, there will come a point when your guitar playing progress will hit a sticking point due to not being able to overcome one or more problems in your guitar practicing. The way you react to such an event will determine whether you will "give in" to your perceived limitations as a guitar player or do what the great guitarists do in order to successfully overcome these challenges and continue progressing as a musician. In this article I will show you how to do the latter.

The good news is that if you have both of your hands operating properly it means that you CAN learn to solve any guitar playing problems you encounter. Although it isn't realistic to suggest a single cookie-cutter method for overcoming all conceivable problems on guitar, there 'are' some proven steps you can take that will get you closer to finding the solution that you need for the problem at hand. The next time you feel your guitar playing becoming stuck, apply the 5 steps listed below to jump start your progress:

1. Get Specific

In order to effectively approach any guitar problem or challenge you must first get crystal clear on exactly WHAT it is you need to fix. As common-sense as this advice sounds, I get daily emails from guitar players who describe their guitar challenges with vague phrases such as: "I am bad at improvising" or "I can't improve my speed" or "I need help with rhythm guitar". Until you learn to get A LOT more specific in pinpointing exactly where and how your problem appears in your guitar playing there is virtually no chance for you to correctly fix it. In addition to the obvious reason for needing to know "what" the problem is in order to work on it, breaking down a much bigger issue (such as general difficulty with improvising) into a series of specific and smaller tasks will make it a lot less overwhelming to practice towards mastering them. When doing this step in the process of solving your guitar problems, fill in the blanks of the following sentence: I have difficulties with (put guitar/music skill here) whenever I (describe a precise musical situation here).

2. Use your mind to solve the puzzle

The steps of learning to play guitar (especially the body mechanics involved in practicing for guitar technique) obey the basic principles of physics and logic. Knowing this means that many guitar playing problems can often be solved by using your powers of observation and common sense. In a lot of cases, even what seems like a 'big' problem or challenge in your guitar playing can be solved with a very simple adjustment to your guitar technique (or by using your ears to notice something that you did not detect before).

To give you a specific example, when you are faced with an issue in your guitar technique of not being able to perform a certain phrase or solo without mistakes, analyze the notes around the part where the mistakes are happening. What is it that's happening in the picking hand or the fretting hand that is giving you trouble? Perhaps you are not clear on the fingering to use or your picking hand efficiency is not as good as it could be. Performing this analysis will help you to get to the root of the problem.

With all of that in mind, I want to also caution you against "thinking too much" to the point where your analysis paralyzes you into a complete stupor and inaction. This happens to a lot people with a perfectionist mentality and such an approach will hurt your guitar progress more than it will help. Remember at all times that your primary objective is to "make your guitar playing sound good" and the technique and practicing approaches you use are only the "means" towards reaching that goal. So only apply this analysis for as long as it takes for you to learn to play the music you want to play and then move on to another area of your practicing.

3. Put your guitar playing challenges into appropriate categories

It is important to realize that not all of your guitar playing problems need to (or can) be solved immediately. As a result, it is best to place them into 3 general categories so that you can use your limited guitar practice time most effectively. These categories can be labeled similar to the following: "Immediate Action" (referring to problems that you can completely solve 'right now'), "Intermediate Term" (indicating that you can take action on the problem but you won't be able to solve it in its entirety right now) and "Problems To Deal With Later" (meaning that a particular guitar playing problem is a long term one and it isn't possible to try to fix it right now, since your current musical skill level will not allow you to solve it).

Set aside the majority of your practice time into focusing on the guitar challenges placed into the "Immediate Action" and the "Intermediate Term" categories. At the same time, continuously work on learning more about practicing and playing guitar in order to advance your general skill level as a guitarist so that you can transition to working on the items in the "Problems To Deal With Later" category and completely remove them from your guitar playing for good.

4. Increase The Challenge

A very unusual (and highly effective) way of making your guitar playing problems start to feel easier involves intentionally increasing the challenge you are facing in your practicing. This can be done mainly by introducing new and more challenging demands on your playing that didn't exist in the original version of the music. Be creative to design several ways of doing this. To make this technique work in the best way possible, you must already have it crystal

clear in your mind what specific challenges you need to overcome in your playing.

5. Persevere

No matter how frustrated you might be with your current rate of progress, always keep in mind that you very well might only be a single practice day away from a monumental burst of progress in your guitar skills. Also realize that it is entirely possible to conquer EVERY challenge you face in music and guitar playing. Your breakthroughs and results may often come from a variety of surprising avenues, such as through self-discovery or from being guided through the process by a teacher or some other learning aid.

When you consistently follow all of the tools that I shared with you in this article (and in the included video demonstrations at the links above) you will find yourself feeling a lot more confident about your potential to become the guitarist you want to be and you will enjoy the process of reaching your goals a lot more along the way.

If you want to see several examples of how to use this technique of increasing the difficulty of your guitar problems, watch this free video demonstration of this guitar practice approach.

About The Author:
Mike Philippov is a music instructor, recording artist and professional guitar player. He publishes articles about the best ways to learn and practice guitar for musicians around the globe. Visit Mike's guitar practice website: http://PracticeGuitarNow.com to learn how to make your guitar practicing process more effective.

How To Learn Difficult Chord Changes On Guitar

By Mike Philippov

Changing chords on guitar is one of the most important skills you must master in order to start having a lot more fun playing music on your instrument. Ironically, it is also the area that many musicians struggle with in the earlier stages of learning to play guitar. In a few exceptional cases, some guitar players are able to persevere until they finally learn to change chords well but many others actually give up playing guitar, falsely believing that they were incapable of overcoming this obstacle in their guitar technique.

Fortunately, it is very realistic and possible for anybody to master the skill of changing chords on guitar and have this ability be reliable in their playing. In order to achieve this, you must follow an effective method of practicing the transition from one chord to the next and you must be patient during the initial stages of the process. In this article I want to demonstrate to you one of the most proven and effective ways of practicing changing from one chord to another using only 4 steps. If you apply this system regularly you will eliminate the problem of unreliable chord changes from your guitar playing.

Below I will describe in detail the specific points you need to follow when you practice changing between difficult chords on guitar:

Step 1: Break It Down
The first thing you must do in order to start effectively practicing a difficult part of the music is to break it down into the smallest section possible, focusing all your attention only on the element that is giving you trouble. This way you won't be distracted (and will not waste time) practicing the parts that you can already play well. For example, when practicing a song that you want to learn to play consistently well, get specific about which parts of the music contain the most mistakes and isolate only those sections to practice. Getting clarity on exactly WHAT is causing your playing to break down will help you to feel more reassured that the problem is within your control to overcome.

Step 2: Touch And Relax
After you have identified the two chords that you are going to practice, it is time to spend several moments learning EXACTLY where to put the fingers for playing each chord individually. Do not spend any time practicing the actual transition from one chord to the next (that will come next) and make sure that you are completely confident in your ability to fret the shape of each chord on its own. Your challenge is to place the fingers into the shape of the first chord in a coordinated fashion and with all fingers arriving on their notes at the same time. If you have to place the fingers on the strings one at a time, then you do not truly "know" how to play the chord. As soon as your fingers do land on the correct frets, remove them from the strings (by relaxing your hand) and fret the chord again. Repeat this motion for a period of 2-3 minutes, with the goal of being able to do this step many times in a row until you can do it perfectly. Then repeat this step again with the next chord in the chord progression you are practicing. Doing this will make the next step of the practicing process much easier.

Step 3: Isolate The Transition
After you develop the fluency and the coordination needed to play each of the chords accurately (in isolation), it is time to shift your focus to the actual moment of transition (change) between the chords. To master this element of playing, begin by playing the first chord, then relax your hand (as you did in Step 2 above) and slowly move to the next chord, forming its shape with your fingers in midair. If the chord progression you are working on requires you to shift to a different part of the guitar for the second chord, keep your shoulder relaxed as you move your entire arm to reach its target position for the new chord. While doing this, stay focused on the following:

1. Do NOT allow your fingers to fly up too far from the guitar neck. The lower the fingers are to the strings, the faster you will arrive to the target chord.


2. Look for common notes between the two chords. This means that if there is one or more notes to be fretted with the same finger(s) between the 2 chords, don't let those fingers come up at all from the guitar in order to eliminate the extra motions that your fingers do not have to perform.


3. Keep your eyes focused on the fretting hand the entire time you are playing. This will allow you to control the motion from start to finish, ensuring that the fingers land exactly where they need to be for the new chord.


4. Take your time to work through the motion and avoid rushing to arrive to the next chord without paying attention to how your hands move in the process. Too many guitar players simply make a rushed attempt to land their fingers onto the next chord without taking the time to really train the nuances described above. This leads to inconsistent playing and frustration when it comes time to perform the music you have been practicing. After you have completed the chord change 1 time, repeat the entire process to return to the first chord in the progression and continue this practice session for an interval of 2-3 minutes.

As mentioned above in Step 2, you must complete the chord change by fretting each of the chords with the fingers moving "together" in a coordinated fashion. If you have to adjust the position of the fingers after transitioning to the second chord, it is a sign that you have more work to do in this area of your guitar playing.

Step 4: Put The Pieces Together
When you can successfully do the 3rd step described above, the final stage is to work on introducing the chord change into the big picture of the music you are practicing. The easiest way to do this without having to play the entire song all the way through is to simply "extend" the isolated 2 chord section you have been practicing in the earlier steps. For example, start by playing the part of the music that begins 1-3 seconds before the problematic chord change and then end it 1-3 seconds after the second chord of the challenging chord progression. Doing this will help you to easily get used to practicing the difficult chord change in the context of the actual piece of music instead of always practicing it in sterile isolation.

When you follow the system of the practice steps listed in this article on a regular basis you will find it much easier to play the chord changes that you might have considered unplayable before and have a lot more fun performing music on your instrument.

To see a video demonstration of how to practice the steps described in this article, watch this free tutorial about learning guitar chord changes.

About the author:
Mike Philippov is a music instructor, recording artist and professional guitar player. He publishes articles about the best ways to learn and practice guitar for musicians around the globe. Visit Mike's guitar practice website: http://PracticeGuitarNow.com to learn how to make your guitar practicing process more effective.

Quickly Teach Yourself to Play Piano

I am going to make a promise to you right here and now, by the time you finish reading this article you can teach yourself to play piano quickly and easily. Well, given you have the want of course I'll tell you how to play 8 simple chords at least anyway. Now of course there is many other factors that come into playing the piano and it takes years to master, however by the time you can make a pot of coffee you can learn these chords.

Let me assume you have a piano or keyboard of some sort in front of you. This is kind of an important step of course. Now, look at your piano (or keyboard of course). Do you see a pattern? The black keys are in two groups, a group of two keys and a group of three. All along those keys are a stream of white keys. Now for every two groups of black keys there's a group of eight white keys. This is very important you see these keys before moving on.

Starting in the middle of the piano, the first white key you see on the left of the group of two black keys is the " Middle C" key. Go ahead, press it. Notice if you press it hard it makes a louder sound than if you press it softly. Followed to the right by "D", "E", "F", "G" and then "A", "B" and finally "C" again. Go ahead and press them all and listen to the sounds they make. Do you notice how it in exactly the same place according to the black keys only higher up the keyboard? This is called a higher "Octave" "C". There is really only 13 different tones on the piano, but many different octaves. Cool huh? In fact, make a "La" or "Do" sound with your mouth and press the keys one at a time until it matches the sound coming out of your mouth, then you will know what note you were singing.

Okay, now time to get you playing some music. Starting in the middle "C" of the keyboard, press down the middle "C", "E" and "G" keys at the same time, this is called a "C Chord". Notice how there is one white key in between each of your fingers. This is important for this lesson because all eight chords will look exactly the same way, just in a different place on the keyboard. So if you move all three of your fingers to the right by one key you are now playing a D minor chord. Simple, huh?

Can you guess what the E minor chord is? That's right, you just move all your fingers one more step to the right. I know what you're thinking and yes you do know the rest of the chords already. The following chords are "F Chord", "G Chord", "A minor Chord", "B diminished chord" and finally you repeat the "C chord" only in a higher octave. You getting all of this?

How about playing an easy song? OK well it's very important here that you know the song that you're playing so I'll go with the Ultra-Famous "Lean on Me". Almost everyone has heard this song at one time or another in their life. Now Play the song in your head and read along to these chords starting on the middle "C Chord" to make it easier on you. This song is just my interpretation and is not to be confused with sheet music in any way.

C (pause) C - Dm - Em- F (pause) F-Em-Dm-C (pause) C-Dm-Em-Em-Dm

C (pause) C - Dm - Em- F (pause) F-Em-Dm-C (pause) C-Dm-Em-Bd-C

Well that's it for now, but I hope this has shown you just how fun it can be to learn Piano, or any other instrument. Keep it up and make sure practice as much as you can without it feeling like a chore.

To learn more about playing the piano go to http://www.LearningPiano.us

Randy Werschky
http://www.LearningPiano.us

Randy Werschky has been playing music for most of his life and has worked with such published artists as Kev Classik available on iTunes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randal_K_Werschky

Selecting a Good DJ for Weddings and Parties

Here are some tips for selecting a DJ and/or MC for your party, wedding reception, or corporate event.

1. Of course price is always the first thing people consider. However, price alone does not indicate that the person you are hiring is a good fit for your event. There are many high priced DJs that simply are not worth the money. Likewise, you don't want to take a chance that the bargain DJ is charging exactly what they are worth either. Look for a reasonably priced DJ within your budget, and don't be afraid to spend a little more if necessary.

2. Experience, is the second thing to look for. You wouldn't want to be the first patient of a new surgeon, would you? Likewise, you want someone who has a little bit of experience with your type of event.

3. Reviews are something you can also look at to determine other people's experience with a DJ. If other people have had a good experience, then the odds are in your favor that you will too. Having a lot of reviews is not necessarily what to look for, but recent reviews are important. If the DJ has not had a review within the past 6 months, then that should raise some red flags.

4. Personality is key to a good experience. It really doesn't matter is the DJ is good or not, if your personalities clash. Take some time to talk with any DJ that you are considering for your event. Get a feel for their innate personality. That is what you will get at your event. If you like the person, then chances are, you will like their work.

5. Good Equipment is key to good sound. A great DJ with bad equipment is a bad DJ.

6. What you want matters. If a DJ doesn't take the time to listen to what you want, then this should be you queue to look for another DJ. This is your event, and the DJ should do everything within their realm of control to make sure that the event happens the way you want and not what they want. I have heard stories that instead of letting the client pick the music, DJs play what they want to play and will only consider playing what the client wants. That is a backwards way of thinking.

7. Add ons, are something watch out for. Some DJs will offer an initial price, but you need to find out what that price includes. Some will charge extra for a personal consultation, or lighting, or for extra speakers, or for each microphone needed, etc. If a DJ is offering a package deal (and there is nothing wrong with that), find out what that package includes. Likewise, some DJs will advertise that they do not charge extra for things, but the fact is that the initial price is so high that they don't have to charge extra.

8. Communication is key. Your DJ should be available for you prior to the event. The work of a DJ should not begin at the time of the event. They should begin working for you, as soon as you pay them a deposit and sign the contract. If you cannot get in touch with your DJ prior to the event, then you really don't know what kind of service you are going to get at the event.

9. The legal contract should be read. You should always take the time to read any material that requires a signature before signing it. If you read it and have questions about part of it, your DJ should be able to explain it to you.

10. Know your DJ. There are many companies out there that have DJs that subcontract with them. This is not a bad thing, but sometimes the person that you have been dealing with doesn't even know who the DJ is, or even what DJ you will be getting. Ask to actually speak with the DJ that will be the DJ at your event, and also, if for any reason that DJ has to be changed, let the company know that you want to be informed and that you want to speak with the new DJ.

These are 10 areas that if considered and/or followed, your event should be a huge success.

If you are interested in a Quality DJ, at an affordable rate, with professional equipment, and years of experience, please consider Shelton Productions. Call 817-721-3926 for a free personal consultation. You can also find us on the web at http://www.shelton-productions.com, or you can email us at sheltonproductions@hotmail.com

Shelton Productions
Your Event, Your Way!
Professional DJ and Sound Production
http://www.shelton-productions.com
sheltonproductions@hotmail.com
817-721-3926 or
817-919-4568

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Shelton

Packing and Storing Musical Instruments

Many musical instruments are valuable pieces of equipment, others are simply treasured for sentimental reasons rather than having any intrinsic value, but all different types of instrument have one thing in common with each other: they are fragile and can easily be damaged or even broken irreparably during moving either whilst being transported or whilst in a storage unit.

Pianos typically range from instruments of little monetary value such as an old upright which has seen better days and will never again be tuned to concert pitch but on which your children are learning to play, right through to the very best quality grand pianos such as a Steinway that can cost substantially more than the average year's salary for some of us and played by the very talented professional musicians, with every other type of piano in between. You might wonder why anyone would want to put a valuable piano in storage but if, for example, you have been temporarily transferred overseas by your employer then it would be unfeasible to transport a delicate instrument like a piano and expect it to arrive in a new country (perhaps one with a completely different climate) in good musical condition. So sometimes storage is the only feasible option even for a cherished instrument.

But moving and storing an instrument such as a piano so that no cosmetic damage is done but also, much more importantly, that no musical damage is done is a very delicate task. Pianos are especially troublesome to transfer into storage because they are heavy yet also fragile at the same time.

You may decide to use the services of a specialist piano mover who will have moving equipment designed specifically for pianos and will be able to deal with all types of piano including standard uprights, baby grandsand also grand pianos. A professional piano mover will be experienced in the techniques used to prevent disturbing the mechanics of the piano and also be able to avoid damage to the outer case.

But not all instruments are as large and cumbersome as a piano and many musical instruments have their own hard cases and need no additional packing. Although, other instruments might have soft cases such as guitars or violins. The best option for packing and storing small instruments is to try and buy a hard case where possible but if this is not possible (for example, in the case of exotic foreign instruments or unusual antique instruments) then place the instrument in its soft case, if you have one, and carefully wrap with bubble wrap and place inside a sturdy cardboard packing box.

If you own a number of stringed instruments such as cellos, violas or violins, there are special storage racks available for these types of instruments to store, protect and transport valuable stringed instruments. The instruments are kept safe during storage and transport to avoid scratches or other damage to the body of the instrument and many racks have wheels so can be moved easily into its new home or self-storage unit.

The instruments are kept safe during storage and transport to avoid scratches or other damage to the body of the instrument and many racks have wheels so can be moved easily into its new home or during self-storage unit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=M_L_Symonds

Singing Lessons: Are You Singing In One Straight Line?

Singing in one straight line is very typical of the untrained voice. To sound interesting when you sing, you'll want to be able to work your voice around as many highs and lows within a note or a group of notes. Did that sound a bit like Chinese? I'll explain. When a new student walks into my studio for an assessment, the first thing I do is ask them to sing so I could hear what they sound like and what I'm going to be working with. Believe it or not, the majority of them will jump to a high octave, thereby limiting their range and connecting notes rather awkwardly. It doesn't have to be that way. This is a problem even YOU can fix when you know how and especially, when you're aware of what's holding you back and causing your limited range. This article will offer tips on how to easily broaden your singing range in a very easy-to-remember formula.

Pick a word like Malaika from the song Malaika, for example. And try speaking the word. All is OK? Are you sounding normal like you would when you talk to someone? OK, now switch on the record button on your phone (assuming you have a voice recorder on your mobile) and sing the word Malaika using your speech level, first. Stop and play that back and ask yourself: are you singing on speech level or did you shoot up to a higher octave all of a sudden? Chances are you jumped several octaves to sing Malaika and if that is so, endeavor to work your way down to speech level. Do this exercise again, recording and playing back until you've got it right.

Going back to the point in this article: are you singing in one straight line? Well, if you don't use your entire range from speech level upward, you are limiting your range. Hence, singing in one straight line is inevitable because you basically have no room to maneuver. So the next time your vocal range is maxing out prematurely, take a look at where you're singing from. If you're too high at your lowest end of the scale, take it down a few octaves to where it's comfortable for you (as you would in speech) and then work your way upward. It really is that simple!

Yes, you're going to have to train your voice using the scales in order to train your voice and your ear, but above all pay particular attention to navigating the lower notes as this is the problem area that needs addressing should you fall in the category of the above (shooting off to high notes on a low key). Trust me, it takes a while to break away from this bad habit, but if you want to have a better vocal when you sing; to be in better control; and to widen your range, you will have to make a concerted effort to learn to sing with your speaking voice, first.

Joett is a celebrity vocal coach based in Dar es salaam, Tanzania, who's recent visit to Reality TV Singing Competition Auditions caused absolute mayhem and him being mobbed for autographed CDs of his comeback single I Could Never Live (Without Your Love). Watch the Joett Mobbed video that went viral on YouTube. Visit his blog at: www.joettmusic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Joett

How to Quickly Learn Guitar for Beginners

Basically there are lots of materials that must be studied to learn the guitar. Some different areas of study range from introduction to tones, introduction to chords, guitar picking techniques, introduction to guitar fret board and much more. Moreover if you want to learn how to read the sheet music and notes, it will take more time for you to master these skills, but it will be worth it.

You may ask why learning a guitar really takes this long? Is it really that difficult? Of course! If you are serious about learning how to play the guitar, then you need to do your homework. It will be different if you just use the guitar to entertain yourself. Therefore, to be able to learn and understand exactly how to play this instrument, you have to prepare yourself and to be dedicated to master it.

Basically there is no short cut to learn how to play the guitar quickly. But there are some tips that you can apply in order to learn to play the guitar well and 'faster'.

1. Prepare everything.

Start by preparing everything you need. Start by buying a guitar, buying a pick, buy amps, and all other important things that you need for you to learn. Having all these set up will also help boost your interest in learning this kind of instrument.

2. Strengthen Your Intention.

Once you have all the equipment, now it is the time for you increase your intention to learn. No need to be pessimistic because you have never played a guitar before. All guitarists started studying guitar from zero to hero. One way to strengthen your intention is to hire a guitar tutor or attend guitar lessons. This can also help you get inspired by other people.

3. Set the time for practice.

You might have your own job and only have a small time to spare for other activities. But if you are really that interested in learning to play the guitar, you need to set aside a specific time to practice. Therefore, it appropriate for you to take a moment to think about your training schedule. Later that schedule will make you more organized and consistent in practice. You can also talk to your tutor for the most convenient time for you to practice.

4. Start practicing!

After preparing everything, setting your schedule, and beginning guitar lessons, you can start learning to play this wonderful instrument. These tips will be your head start on your guitar journey to improve your skills. At first you may feel bored but the more you learn, the more you will get interested in harnessing your skills.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7321473

How to Buy the First Guitar

How to buy the first guitar has been written about, probably, thousands of times. So, I do not intend to simply do a factual bullet list of information you can find by simply Googling the terms. The intent of the article is to give you my opinion as it relates to the choice and purchase of your first instrument. Having just gone through this process with my niece, has reminded me that making this choice has become somewhat complicated, with so many brands, styles, etc. Also, with the advent of blogging, there is no lack of "wringing of hands" out there regarding this topic. We are going to look at how to buy the first guitar by breaking the issue down to 9 categories. So, let's do it!

1. New or Used: There is not lack of used guitars available via shopping networks such as eBay, Craigslist, etc. In fact, I have taken advantage of these channels myself to buy guitars. Generally speaking, this is a much more risky method because it is impossible to know the exact condition of the instrument. Given the nature of the buying process, you are not able to actually feel and play the guitar, which on the face of it, is not a good idea. Even if you have the opportunity to buy one from a friend or friend's friend, I am still not in favor of doing so for the first guitar. Buying new is the way to go. Now for those who immediately are thinking that you can not afford it, that is probably not true. Either by saving a little longer or taking advantage of holiday sales, buying a new brand name guitar for $100 or less is very doable. On July 4th, I bought a beautiful, beginner Fender acoustic guitar for $99.00. A new guitar provides you with a warranty and the expectation of owning a flawless instrument. Buy New!


2. Brand: Not only should you buy a brand named guitar but it should be a highly recognizable one at that. I know that many of the box stores have guitars with impressive looking marquees and great accessory packages but I would warn against this approach. Go with a real guitar company. They have something to loose in terms of reputation even with their low end beginner bracket. I would recommend brands such as Fender, Squire, Epiphone, Yamaha, Peavey, Ibanez, Jackson to name a few.


3. Size: The budding musician, I sure, is going to be looking for a guitar just like the one his/her guitar hero uses. If you are lucky, you can find the right first guitar with the same brand. That's great but the actual size of the instrument is a very personal issue. So, beginner doesn't necessarily mean small or acoustic or cheap. Personally, for younger students and smaller framed people, the ¾ sized units are great. They are available via brand name manufacturers, priced competitively and fit like a glove. If a large instrument is called for because of your size, you should look for the thinnest models, particularly if purchasing an acoustic. During the initial learning period, you want maximum comfort and accessibility to the strings and sound hole. Bulking bodies are not conducive to those criteria.


4. Style: Really... any style will do but I would recommend an acoustic guitar initially. The unassisted sound of the acoustic makes for a better learning experience in my opinion. Also, the thinner the better for all beginners. This makes for a more comfortable playing posture. Electric guitars have whammy bars, need amps and provide those tantalizing affects knobs which tempt the newbie with too many options. This is a time to focus on basics. All this other stuff will come soon enough.


5. Quality: This is not automatically assumed just because you took my advice to purchase a brand named guitar. It is very important that you or someone who you trust and plays the instrument already, play, listen and quality check the guitar. Even the big time manufacturers can produce a "lemon". It could be that it just doesn't feel right or sound right to you. This is just cause to move on to another option. Look for flaws in the construction such as wavy surfaces or excessively distorted necks (some is OK since they can be adjusted). The paint work should be perfect. If it is not without flaws, don't buy it.


6. Sound: This is such a subjective issue but very important none the less. Let's face it, what is the primary reason for choosing a guitar? The Sound! If it doesn't sound good to you, do you care if it does to your buddy? The sound should be the pre-requisite to all else, if you are asking me how to buy the first guitar.


7. Price: You should buy the best affordable guitar. Now for you easy strip people out there, spending $2,000 on a beginners guitar may make sense but not for the rest of us. Although generally, you really do get what you pay for with guitars, you should not overspend on the first guitar. Quality, brand name for sure but keep the price range reasonable. You may find that guitar playing just isn't for you. If you follow my advice, you will have a desirable instrument that will retain much of its value and should be relatively easy to sell. As mentioned earlier, guitars valued up to $200 on sale, should give you all that is needed to determine if you are up for the challenge.


8. Accessories: Usually at this price range and if on sale, accessories are not common, but do not just assume this. Ask. This business is very competitive and you supplier may wish to sweeten the sale for you rather than have you leave. In no way should the availability of accessories influence your buying decision, unless you had another buying option and all things were equal. Then, game on!


9. Supplier: There is no lack of online musical instrument suppliers. Many of them are very reliable, competitive, and helpful. They carry full warranties as well. I know many will go to their local music store, play a few options and purchase online. Acceptable but not

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7324550