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Articles on Music Matters:

Support Only Original Music

Hello there!..I am Vincent from Singapore, an avid 15-year old music lover...I was addicted to music two years ago, especially when it comes to Chinese Modern Pop. Listening to songs and music is just one way of relieving stress for me and it does makes me relax especially after a hectic day at school.

As new albums and songs are continuously being released into the marketplace readily it is no wonder that teenagers like me are finding it extremely difficult to keep up with new releases. It just cost too much for us, students. Especially in my case where I am so addicted to music it becomes tempting for me to just take a short cut and buy from pirates.

Another place whereby teenagers like me can get really cheap music is from the internet. But in truth, whether it is from the internet or if you bought a CD from a pirated shop, the sound quality is no where compared to original CD's. Though you can get cheaper stuff from these places but nothing beats like having the quality of what you can buy. Furthermore it is an offence as we would be infringing copyright laws. I certainly would not want to go against the law.

Since I have experienced the quality of original CD's. My perception began to change and I began to appreciate what the original stuff can bring me. Now, I would only purchase original copies rather than the pirated stuff. Now I am certainly more wiser. I am no longer penny wise, pound foolish.

Remember, always SUPPORT ORIGINAL MUSIC!!..Enjoy guys!!!...

Vincent Kool 'Music Rox'
Student
Singapore
03 Nov 2006

Facts on Audio Files

Hey there!...There are a lot of things which many of us can learn from music and its related information...No matter how much knowledge you may have on music, I bet there is much more we can still learn from each other.

So, with this in mind, here I am to share with you some of its related facts. Recently, while I was using my iTunes, I discovered that there were multiple choices on the audio file to choose from. I was pondering over which one would be my ultimate choice as I am quite specific and particular on the quality of the sound and its music. As I was selecting among the files, I came across AAC and MPEG audio files. I was unsure of which of these files to use as both seemed quite similar(referring to the sound quality, in kpbs).

So, I tested both files and I couldn't really spot the difference. Unconvinced, I tested it again and after testing it several times, I found out that MPEG audio files has joint stereo but not the AAC type, though the MPEG audio files requires more space to store a song(around 1-2MB more)...So, I would suggest that one selects the AAC type as it does not need so much diskspace and you can store more songs in the MP3 player.

For your information, I am using an Ipod Nano at that time..While buying, it comes with a cd installer containing iTunes(a file for song storage)..This may not be applicable to some of the PCs. You may need to upgrade your PC if required.Hope you find this information useful!...

Vincent Kool 'Music Rox'
Student
Singapore
03 Nov 2006

How to Tune Your Guitar by Ear?

1. The very first thing you need to know is that learning to tune your guitar takes time.

Some things on guitar can be learned in minutes, some in days, and others in weeks, but tuning will sometimes take even longer, because you have to train your ears. If results come slowly or don't seem to be making any progress, don't be discouraged, just keep working at it.

2. It will help you to know that the ear is a very skilled instrument for taking in sound. Your ear hears four things in each sound: Pitch, Duration, Volume and Tone Quality.

Pitch is how high or low the sound is. Duration is how long it lasts. Volume is how loud it is. Tone quality is the "character" of the sound. If we were to play the same pitch, at the same volume, for the same length of time on piano, clarinet, flute, violin, guitar, doorbell, or car horn, your ear could tell one instrument (or car horn) from another because of the tone quality. That's because each instrument has a different "character" or "personality" of sound. You can prove you have this ability to tell one sound from another by listening to sounds without looking where they come from.

The point I want to emphasize is that you already hear very well. Learning to tune your guitar is learning a new way of using your hearing.

3.The next thing to know is that when you are tuning your guitar you want to listen only to the pitch of the strings. The quality of the pitch will differ between two strings, and this may at first confuse your ear. You'll mistake the difference in quality as a difference in pitch. For example when playing the first string open and the second string at the fifth fret, you may notice that the first string may sound 'crisper', while the second string will sound a little "darker" in quality. The darker quality of the string at first can be misunderstood to sound lower in pitch. (You may use different words to explain how the strings sound to you, but the idea is that the tone quality of each string will sound different). If you understand that the ear hears a combination of pitch, volume, duration and quality all at the same time, it will help you to filter out the quality from the pitch and overcome the basic problem of tuning.

4. The steps involved in tuning your guitar: The first step is to tune one string to a note from another source. You could use another guitar (one that has already been tuned), a piano, or somebody that know how to tune could guide you along.

A better source is a tuning fork. (It's better because you don't need anybody else around or any other instrument. If, for example you learn to tune to a piano, you're going to have a problem if ever you need to tune and there's no piano handy).

A tuning fork is a U shaped piece of metal with a stem on it. The fork is designed to vibrate at a particular pitch. You can get one that gives you the pitch of the first string on the guitar. (Look for one that has the letter E and the number 329.6 stamped on the stem).

To use the tuning fork you hold it by the stem, tap the U shaped fork against something solid, and place the stem (not the tip of the fork) on either the body, or the bridge of your guitar. (For electric guitars can place it on the pickup). You should hear the note which the vibrating fork produced. The note is the correct "source".

You now adjust the first string to match the pitch of the tuning fork. You do this by finding the correct tuning gear for this string and then turning the gear slowly in one direction or the other. After about half a turn you should hear the string change pitch either up or down. This will tell you which way you have to turn the gear to tighten the string (to raise the pitch) and which way to loosen the string (to lower the pitch).

Now compare the sound of the string with the sound of the tuning fork. If the string is lower than the tuning fork, tighten the string to raise the pitch. If the string is higher than the tuning fork, loosen the string to lower the pitch.

Go slowly. Do not turn the gear rapidly. Turn about a quarter of a turn and then compare the string to the tuning fork again. (You'll have to strike them both again). You'll probably have to repeat this process several times. When the string sounds close to the fork make smaller turns.

When you think the first string is in tune, use the following steps (one to five) to tune the rest of the strings. (Remember, you can only tune as well as your ears hear now. With practice, you can become a better tuner). The following steps repeat the process of matching one pitch with another. The difference is that instead of using a tuning fork you will listen to the string you have just tuned, and try to match the next string to this one.

1. Place the finger behind the fifth fret of the 6th string. This will give you the tone of the 5th sting. (A)

2. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 5th string to get the pitch of the 4th string. (D)

3. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 4th string to get the pitch of the 3rd string. (G)

4. Place the finger behind the FOURTH FRET of the 3rd string to get the pitch of the 2nd string. (B)

5. Place the finger behind the 5th fret of the 2nd string to get the pitch of the 1st string. (E)

Mike Hayes
20 Nov 2006

Mike Hayes is a guitar teacher, author, performing musician and session guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience. Mike's methods are legendary and have earned the praise of top authorities in guitar instruction. He reveals his guitar secrets at http://www.GuitarCoaching.com.