How to Get an Agent - Five Tips For Actors By Kenneth Davenport

Recently, I got an email from one of my favorite and faithful actor readers who asked me to address the most common question I get from up-and-coming actors, which is, "How do I get an agent?". So this is for the actors out there, although, honestly, it could apply it to writers, composers, directors, and anyone looking for representation of any kind.

1. Got a friend? Get a Referral.
Word of mouth is what sells tickets and word of mouth is what sells anything. Getting a friend who is already with an agent to walk you in the door, send an introduction email, etc. and vouch for your talent is one of the best ways to get a meeting with an agent. Ask your actor friends who are already repped to do you a solid. And then ask your Directors, Casting Directors, General Managers, etc. They know all the agents very well, and often agents will do them a solid to get on their good side. Gentle reminder, if you ask someone to vouch for you and they tell you they'd rather not, don't push them. It's probably not a reflection of your talent. You can imagine how many requests like this Directors get, so some folks just don't do it. But it never hurts to ask. And it's your job to ask.

2. Play the Picture and Resume lottery!
Almost every actor I know has done a mailing to agents at some point in their career. It's not a bad idea, and I have seen it work, but you've got to manage your expectations. Sending out 100 pix and resumes in the mail is like playing the lottery. The odds of that pic/resume getting by the assistant and then to the agent and then opened and then it standing out and you getting a call are like the odds of someone doing a musical version of Jaws . . . with a real shark. It's also expensive and labor intensive. That said, sending pix and resumes are part of your "media mix". You're a product, and a picture and resume might not lead to an appointment, but it certainly is another impression. So maybe you got a referral from a friend, and then your picture shows up and reminds that agent to give you a call.
If you are going to play the lottery, do it smart. Get creative. Realize that 100s of these things show up every day (I worked for an agent for 3 months and it was my job to sort through these suckers and it was one of the reasons I quit), so you've got to get yours to stand out. Here are some ideas:

* Time it to arrive towards the end of the week, when the mail loads are lighter. * Put it in any color envelope just not a plain manila envelope. * Send a letter a week before the picture, introducing yourself. A letter sized envelope is much more likely to get to the agent, and maybe they'll keep an eye out for that soon to follow different colored envelope. * Don't send to the agent. Send to an assistant. They'll be flattered and much more likely to spend more time on you. * Include a short, personable and personality driven cover "note" (I recommend twice as large as post-it size). * Make sure your picture and resume are professionally done (and the same size and stapled together) * Do a mailing when you're in a show. Agents need to see you do your stuff. It's the first question they'll ask when you meet them, "When can I see you in something?" Have an answer. * If everyone else is mailing their stuff? Do it different. Messenger it. It'll seem urgent and may get through the secretarial gates. Sound expensive? Well, you're an actor, right? Do what I told my bike-riding friend to do . . . throw a messenger bag over your shoulder, get a clipboard and play messenger for a day. If they recognize you later when they're staring at your photo? Well, that would be awesome.

3. Pay to Play
There are lots of classes you can take around town on auditioning, acting for soaps, etc. that are taught by agents. Actors Connection and TVI are two of the most popular. Make no mistake, these are exactly what they seem to be. You are paying to get your A$$ in front of an agent. But hey, if you've got the goods, why not? If you're fantastic and what an agent is looking for, do you think an agent wouldn't want you to 'stay after class', just because you paid an admission fee? People in this town are always looking for the next big thing, and it doesn't matter where we find it, as long as we don't let it go when we do.

4. Work for one.
Agents are always looking for interns, assistants, etc. so offer to volunteer your administrative services a few days a week. While it would be awesome for that agent to pick you up and start sending you out on countless auditions, that's not why I recommend it as a tip for how to get an agent. Working for an agent will give you an inside perspective on what they are looking for in clients, mailings, etc. You'll see who stands out and who doesn't, so when you're ready to market yourself to an agent, you'll be highly educated. And if they do start sending you out, well that's a bonus. Word to the wise - don't push this either. You can let them know you're an actor, of course, but they won't want you anywhere near the office if they think you're only there in search of rep. Keep that on the DL and let it happen naturally. Be a smart and subtle salesman, not Crazy Eddie.

5. Do great work.
Ahhh, and this is it, my friends. The ultimate and sure-fire way to get an agent lusting after your bod. Do what you do. Perform. And do it well, and with other great people, in great productions. Sooner or later, whether you like or not, people (and Agents) are going to take notice. It's the Field of Dreams "If you build it, they will come" theory applied to actors and it's as true here as it was for Costner. I know so many actors out there who put themselves on life-or-death missions to get an agent. Your mission should be get yourself out there - to perform - as often as you can. The agents will follow. Besides, what would you rather do . . . chase someone down, begging them to work with you? What kind of relationship is that going to bring? Would you ever beg someone to go out with you? No, you'd much rather them come a calling, right? Well, the same theory applies here as it does to dating. Be the chasee, not the chaser. I often tell people, when you're ready for an agent, one is going to be right there, in front of you, begging for you to sign with them.

There you are, my actor and artist friends. Five simple tips on how to get an agent.

But let me leave you with this. When I was coming out of acting school at NYU, I had this image that agents were like Wizards of Oz . . . all powerful and scary people that were hidden deep in office/fortresses all over the city who had more knowledge about the business than I ever could. I thought to myself, "If I could just get to them, my life will change." When I got out there and met a few of them (including one who had just left a job editing porn for pay-per-view), I realized I couldn't have been more wrong.

It's important to realize that an agent is not going to change your life. You are going to change your life. Agents can't get you the job. They can make it easier for you to be seen for a job, and negotiate a good deal for you when you get that job, but you're the guy in the room that's going to convince someone to give you that job. And you're the guy that's still going to have to market yourself when you do get one (and in this age, you can do a lot of that without an agent).

So don't give them God-like status and think they can change your career with a wave of their hand.
The good agents, and there are good ones out there, are your partners. And they can't be your partner when you've got 'em up on a pedestal.

How to Invest in a Broadway Show By Kenneth Davenport

I get a lot of questions from readers, all over the world, expressing interest in investing in a Broadway or an Off-Broadway show. Usually they are unsure about how to get involved and, more importantly, they want to know how to pick their first show. Since this seems to be such a hot topic, I thought I'd dispel a few of the nasty rumors associated with investing in Broadway or Off-Broadway shows, and also give you my checklist of how to choose shows to invest in. First let's tackle the rumors, and then the checklist.

Broadway Investment Rumor #1: Investing in Broadway Shows is Only for the Super-Rich.

Because Broadway capitalizations can range from $2 million for a Play up to $20 million for a Broadway Mega-Musical, many people fear that the "entry point," or the amount of money required for an initial individual investment, must be astronomically high. Not true. While the average small investment in a big Broadway show is probably about $25,000, I have seen many shows where investors were able to get in for as little as $10,000, and even a few where the entry point was only $5,000! There are a lot of publicly traded mutual funds that don't allow you to get in at that level. Lower investment thresholds are particularly common in the Off-Broadway arena. What determines the lowest investment level? Here's how it works.

Capitalizations are divided into 'units,' just like stock shares, and what defines each unit is up to the Producer. Some Producers like to have a round 100 units per show, regardless of the capitalization. Some like to pick the lowest amount they can accept as an investment (since some shows are limited to the number of investors they can have). And some just make it up arbitrarily. Regardless of how the unit is determined, here's a tip: If you're considering a show and get sticker shock when you hear the price of one unit, ask for a partial. Splitting units ain't like splitting an atom. It can be done with ease. Depending upon a variety of circumstances (including how hot the property is, who the producer is, and whether or not other investors took "round units"), it may be possible for you to invest in a smaller amount than the "ask." The key, of course, is to never be pressured into investing more than you're willing to lose. If the entry point on one project is too high, don't worry, there will be others.

Broadway Investment Rumor #2: Investing in Broadway Shows is Only for the Super-Crazy.

Many people think that it's bonkers to get involved with Broadway. The fact is, if you're an individual of a certain net worth, your traditional financial advisor will probably recommend that you allocate a certain amount of your investment portfolio (usually about 10%) to higher risk instruments, or so-called Alternative Investments, in order to diversify yourself. Most Alternative Investments require investors to be considered 'accredited,' which in the U.S. means a net worth of at least one million dollars, or having made at least $200,000 ($300,000 if joint-income) for the past two years. Although many Broadway shows also prefer accredited investors, this is not the case with every show.

Why would Broadway, with its high risk but potentially high return, be excluded from that list? In fact, it isn't. According to Wikipedia's entry for Alternative Investments, they are an "investment product other than traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, or cash" and that "wine, art and antiques, Broadway shows, movies, indeed any store of value, might also be considered an alternative investment." Alternative Investments, including Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, are undoubtedly high risk. The commonly quoted statistic is that only 1 out of 5 Broadway shows recoup their investment (that ratio is even lower for Off-Broadway shows). But this is not, by any means, the only high risk instrument on the market.

Investing in Broadway shows is a lot like investing in a restaurant or, frankly, in any entrepreneurial start-up. In fact, according to a recent article by Nick Malawskey in the Centre Daily Times: "For every 10 businesses that start, seven will cease to exist in 10 years. Two will break even. Only one will really succeed." This puts the success rate of start-ups at the exact same percentage as I just quoted above - 20%! See, it's not as bad as we thought. And, with proper due diligence you can increase those odds.

And remember, with big risk can also reap big rewards. Even if you do end up performing according to the stats, the goal and hope is that the 1 show out of 5 which does recoup, ends up paying for any other previous losses (it's a marathon not a sprint), and then some. Imagine what it would have been like to invest in "Annie," "West Side Story,""Cats" or "Wicked."

Broadway Investment Rumor #3: Investors in Broadway Shows Belong to an Exclusive 'Club' that Doesn't Accept New Members.

While it is true that there are a lot of Broadway investors that have been in the circle for a long time, it's not as closed door of a club as you think. While it can be hard for a new investor to get in on the hottest shows coming to town, it's not impossible. And, Producers will sometimes let you get in on a 'sure-thing' (which doesn't exist, by the way) if you also agree to come into something a bit more risky. However, it is a relationship business, and preferential treatment is often given to investors who have been doing it longer, and to those that have been faithful to the Producer. So what does a new investor do? Start the relationship. Call a Producer. Email them. Fax them. Simply state that you're looking to invest in a specific show (if you know one that they are about to do), or ask to be put on the list to be called about their next show. It's not a commitment for either party, and I don't know any Producer out there who would mind putting you on a "potential" list. Just make sure you are serious about your interest.

Now that we've overviewed the three biggest obstacles potential investors often tell me prevent them from taking the first step and joining the ranks of Broadway and Off-Broadway investor, just how do you choose a project to invest in? Once you've decided that investing in a Broadway or Off-Broadway show is something you definitely want to do, you should step through my checklist of how to decide whether or not to invest in a particular show.

Broadway Investing Rule #1: Have Passion for the Project.

Broadway shows are often referred to as the "children" of Producers and Investors. Shows need the same type of care, hand-holding, and unconditional love; so much love, that even when your kid F***s up royally, you (as the parent) will still love him, right? Unfortunately, the odds are that your "kid" is going to disappoint you, so you better make sure that your bond is so tight, you won't care either way. This theory is based a bit on famed investment guru Peter Lynch's theory of "invest in what you know." Peter believed you should put money into companies that make products which you see and use every day (and products that you can't live without). I believe this can, and should, be adapted to entertainment investments as well. Invest in shows that you can't see NOT happening. Invest in shows that you believe are important to be seen; whether that's because it has a socio-political message, whether that's because it features an amazing performance by an legendary actress, or whether that's because it's so much fun, that the audience's day will be better just by experiencing the show. Invest in shows that you love.

Broadway Investing Rule #2: It's All About Who's Driving the Boat.

Before investing in a mutual fund, Wall Street geeks will tell you to look at a variety of factors, one of the most important being who is managing the fund. You've got to know who is making the day-to-day decisions. What is their track record? Where did they learn to do what they do? How long have they been doing it? These are all questions you need to ask before investing in a Broadway show. Look at the Producer's resume (you can find them all on the Internet Broadway Database ibdb.com). Have they produced shows that have recouped? How many hits do they have? How many misses? Would you have produced similar shows? Do you have similar tastes? Choosing to invest with Producers with a proven track record is one of the best ways you can reduce your risk when investing in a Broadway or Off-Broadway show.

Broadway Investing Rule #3: Just Like an Actor, You Have to Know Your Objective.

What do you want out of investing in a Broadway show? Different objectives will greatly affect what projects you choose to do. Do you want to make money? Do you want to get access to opening night parties, etc. so you can network? Are you looking to get inside access to agreements and figures, etc., so you can learn more about how to produce your own show? Do you want to support the work of a specific playwright?

One of my favorite "objective" stories is about the investor who was thinking about graduate school as a way to learn how to produce. They decided against it, and took the money they were going to spend on tuition and invested it in several shows. They thought there was more to learn by playing the game. Last I heard, they were doing pretty well and beating the odds.There are a zillion reasons to invest in a Broadway show. Make sure you have at least one.

Broadway Investing Rule #4: Don't Try and Be a One-Hit Wonder.

We all want our first time to be perfect (I even wrote a show about it!), but often our first time out isn't what we hope it will be. Don't expect to knock one out of the park your first time up at bat. When signing up to invest in Broadway, imagine that you're a baseball player playing a full nine innings. If you strike out the first time (or even the second and the third) don't worry, you could hit a homer in the bottom of the 9th and win the game.

If your first show doesn't make it, have a post-mortem with yourself (and with the Producer) and try and determine why it didn't work. Learn from it, and apply those lessons to your next time up at bat. Your odds of success should get better each time. Just don't pull yourself out of the game.

Broadway Investing Rule #5: Examine the Lay of the Land.

It's impossible to time the market. But, in a playing field as small as Broadway, with its limited audience, it's important to take a look at your potential competition. Are you doing a new musical at a time when six other new musicals are opening? How do your stars match up against the other shows' stars? Are you the only classic play? Are you the only comedy? The big TV networks program their seasons so they can appeal to all of the appropriate demographics, without too much weight on one type of show. Since Producers are mostly independents, we can't program collaboratively, but as an investor you can look to see if your show is going to get lost in a sea of other similar shows, or if it will stand out amongst a lack of competition, without having to place $125k New York Times full page ads.

So there you have it! The above are the five basic questions I first ask myself when contemplating investing in a Broadway or Off-Broadway show. There are countless others you should ask when you get into the details of the production after you examine the budget, find out who's directing, etc., but these will get you started on the road to investing in a show.

You'll notice that a lot of the above rules and checklists are very similar to the rules and checklists for investing in the stock market or any market (invest for the long haul, know your objectives, risk tolerance, etc.). And that's the most important thing to remember. Too many people think investing in Broadway is a hobby ( which it can be), and in those cases you'll probably only hit a winner on the average 1 out of 5 times. But, Broadway is big business, and should be treated as such. And if you apply the same principles you'd apply to other investment vehicles and do the due diligence, there's no reason you can't turn that hobby into something that is fun, educational, and yes, even profitable.

Teach Me How to Play the Violin By Richard Rowley Platinum Quality Author

Discovering how to play the violin is a wonderful but sometimes frustrating experience. You will not master it overnight and there will be times that you feel like giving up because you think it's too difficult. Don't worry we all go through days like this, as I am sure Paganini did when he was a beginner!

An ear for music:

Since there are no frets on a violin neck then you will need to use your ears in order to pitch each note. When you play an instrument like a piano, you hit the right key, you get the right note. On the violin it is a little more refined than that. You have to place your finger in the exact right place otherwise your note could be slightly too sharp or slightly too flat. Listen to each note you play and make small adjustments to become more accurate.

The right instrument:

I must say or write about this several times every week. Getting the right instrument is essential. Many people do not spend enough money! I know as a beginner you don't want to spend too much, especially if you are buying for a slightly unsure child but if you don't buy a good beginner instrument then you are starting on the wrong foot anyway. A poor quality instrument will be hard to play, wont produce a good tone and can leave the player bored and frustrated. if your ear is excited then you will want to play, practice and learn more, right?

Getting the right lessons:

One of the best ways and a method of learning that is growing rapidly is to learn with video lessons. These can be purchased online and have many benefits.

• Many are given by world class players making them a unique privilege.
• They have an incredibly low cost.
• You can replay a video lesson as often as you want.
• No traveling to a teachers house.
• Nobody looking over your shoulder as you play and practice
• Backing tracks to play along with are often included in the best online violin lessons
• Many features such as books, documents and PDF's are included.

Learning how to play the violin should be fun and rewarding and if you select the right lessons you will be able to make good consistent progress.

However do be aware that there are a few things you need to be aware of when looking at how to play the violin online.

One of these is a full money back guarantee, which is always a nice safety net should you not enjoy the lessons or decide to switch to the old Tuba.

Playing an Instrument - Benefits and Self-Satisfaction By T L Gallamore

The purpose of this article is to explain some of the benefits of playing a musical instrument. I've played guitar about five years now and while I've never become as proficient as the rock stars you see on tv, I do enjoy it immensely, for more reasons than you might think.

Learning an instrument for me was a series of self-rewarding steps. One of the most rewarding of these is the feeling when you can play your first song. Once you've learned to string together notes or chords, no matter how simple, you realize that there are a whole lot of possibilities out there and that you can really only move forward. When I started playing guitar I was thrilled to to learn the main riff to "Sweet Home Alabama." This gave me a mental boost to keep going and pursue my musical interests.

The next key stage is starting to pick out songs you hear on the radio and take the initiative to learn them. No matter what instrument you play, there are sites where other musicians write out popular songs so that you can learn them yourself. When you hear something you like simply look it up. If a song looks too difficult don't give up, just keep working at it one small piece at a time until you've got it down. The satisfaction from this is really a great feeling because you aren't playing songs you are assigned and may not be your top choices, you're learning what you want to learn instead. Now you can really start to develop in that you can play songs people know and will appreciate. It's a great feeling when someone recognizes something you're playing and let's you know that it sounds good!

Another great benefit of playing an instrument is the meditative quality. Playing for an audience is fulfilling, but sometimes just stepping back from it all and playing music by yourself can be very relaxing and beneficial. For me I find that playing my guitar can offer great stress relief and help to ease away the tension of a rough day. I often try playing something calm to mimic the mindset I want to achieve.

Whatever you play, just know that there's a lot more to it then "being really good" at your instrument. Playing music can provide a whole plethora of mental benefits including improvements in your self confidence or even your mood. I hope you found this helpful, have fun with those instruments everyone!

The History Of Opera By Davin Perkin

Jacopo Peri, creator of "Dafne," is considered to be the creator of opera. His opera "Euridice" is the oldest known opera to still be in existence. Shortly thereafter, opera began to spread throughout Europe. France, England, and Germany each produced their own special style of opera. However, although these other countries' operatic contributions were well-received, Italian opera held its place as the favored form of opera, both in centuries past and today.

While English-language opera began in England during the 17th century, it is quite popular in the United States. While many people appreciated it because it removed the language barrier and made it easy to understand, others simply preferred it. Some of the English-language operas were translations, while others were originally written in English. American composers such as Gershwin and Bernstein were amongst the many who composed popular English-language operas.

Opera is a favored form of entertainment for many reasons. It is exciting and dramatic. Both the music and vocals of good opera are stunningly beautiful. Many people in the United States are as familiar with today's operatic performers as their other favorite musical performers.

Opera binoculars are the best way to gain the most from your opera experiences. Whether you are making the opera a special treat, or whether you attend on a regular basis, opera glasses will help you to see everything clearly. A set of opera glasses will make the difference between enjoying the performance and missing it.

If you love the tradition of the opera, you do not want to risk missing anything. All of the great performances will come to life when you do not have to strain to see them clearly. Whether you prefer the operas which were originally created centuries ago, or your taste is for modern opera, opera glasses will make each experience a true delight. Each one is one you will long remember.

You Say "Hello", I Say "Namaste" - What We Say to Each Other Does Make a Difference By Monica E. Smith

Namaste (nah mah stae) is a Sanskrit word commonly used as a greeting in India and especially in the practice of yoga. It can be translated in many ways. Literally, it means, "Not me, you."

Briefly, Namaste means, "The Divine in me honors the Divine in you." But there is a deeper meaning often translated as: "I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells--a place of peace and light and love. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One."

Namaste is a greeting of deep respect which has found its way into many global cultures in recent years. I think it is a word, a practice worth noting and reflecting upon, as it brings an elevating and positive element to a relationship. There is an Arabic spoken greeting which is used by Muslims, and even Arab Christians and Jews: "As-Salamu`Alaykum". "As-Salam" is one of the names for God in Arabic and "Salam" means "Peace". The greeting can also be worded as "Salaam 'Alaykum", meaning "Peace be upon you". And, of course, there is "Shalom", the ancient Hebrew word which is commonly accepted as meaning "peace", but again, whose deeper meaning is one of blessing and perfection and completeness.

Hawaiians greet each other with "Aloha", which means much more than "Hello" and "Goodbye." A literal interpretation of Aloha is "share the breath of life." But there is a deeper meaning, a sacredness connected with the word. When people are greeted with Aloha, they are voicing the belief that they belong to each other with mutual respect and love, that they (want to) live happily in spiritual harmony with those in their community; A person greeting another with "Aloha" acknowledges the Divine which dwells within us.

In the Catholic Mass we wish each other "Peace" or "Peace be with You". And I can tell you from experience that I honestly feel somehow different after doing this; and as I look around after the exchange of peace, people seem to have relaxed; they have transformed and not only do I notice faces actually light up and almost blush, but there is a difference, almost a buoyancy in demeanor of those around me. Maybe that isn't such a mystery. After all, what we are actually doing is recognizing God in each other.

There is so much more that connects us all than divides us. With such Divine wishes being tossed hither and yon all over the world, one would think we could get along a little better than we do! Maybe the key is knowing, and meaning what we say. Perhaps all political and social encounters should begin with such a greeting of peace. But, we had better be careful, or at least be aware of what we say to each other, for "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof." (Proverbs 18:21).

My mother was a woman who often seemed to be in that "place of peace and light and love". She was not one to pass by a person with an empty "Hi, how are you?" and walk away before the person even had a chance to reply. If she said those words, or anything similar, she meant them. She had nothing but good wishes and prayers for everyone she encountered. It was only natural, then, that when I first learned of the word, Namaste, (from my daughter-in-law, Chrissy) about a year after my mother's death, she came to mind. It seemed the perfect way to honor her not only on Mother's Day, but always. And so "Namaste; Letter to My Mother" was born, without much labor at all.

As I reflect upon the people in my life, and those in my extended global family, I am glad I became aware of such a beautiful word and the blessings tied to it, and pray that one day we may not only speak such wisdom to each other, but truly come to live in the spirit of Namaste.

Namaste
(Letter to My Mother)

It hurts, this missing you.
I had seen the sand slipping through
Your hourglass, but could do nothing
To slow--or stop it.
Then, how could I deny you the peace
Which you now surely possess?

Do you know that it is spring,
That the sun now burns
Hot in the April sky? I remember you
Could hardly wait for the season to change.
Soon daisies will dance, bowing in the warm breeze,
Awaiting their blessing from a cool morning's dew,
And dandelions will scatter their wispy
Transparent seedlings throughout the earth
Like stars breaking free from a constellation,
Tumbling down for our pure pleasure.

Lovely, how you always saw beauty--
Even in a weed, or the God-likeness in everyone.
How I long to share this beauty with you again,
And even that which is not so beautiful,
For it takes one to appreciate the other.

But until such time, I will remain content
To simply welcome your memory in the spirit
Of Namaste, for in no other has the light of God
Shone so brightly.

How to Choose the Right Family Tree Maker Software By Jeff Kona

You've probably been looking at purchasing some sort of software program to help you on you family history project. You may have discovered that there is a pretty decent supply of software programs that could meet your needs, but you don't know which ones to buy. To add to the confusion, there seems to be new software appearing every few weeks or months! How in the world do you sort through the choices and determine which one is the right choice for you?

Instead of looking at the choices available and making a decision from there, you should determine what you need from a software program and find the one that meets those needs. You may not find one that meets all of your needs, and in that case you must pick the one that comes closest to meeting your needs.

So how do you know what you need? If you're a beginner you may not even know what is available and what you should expect the software to do for you. Here are a few tips to help you get starting making a selection.

All genealogy software programs will help you to tackle the documentation issue. You've been gathering a lot of information (or you will be), so your software needs to help you make sense of that information, as well as track your sources of information, and allow you to make notes about your information. Any genealogy software you find should deal with documentation - if it doesn't, you should drop it from your consideration.

Another consideration to keep in mind is the ability to deal with multimedia. A good genealogical application should be able to handle cataloging and incorporating not only your paper documents (and word-processor files), but also any digital images, audio and video you may have accumulated.

Another piece of advice to help you select the right software for you: before you plunk down your hard earned cash make sure you have gone online and read reviews of the software. Keep in mind that some "review sites" are paid to write reviews which may be very biased. You may even wish to join some genealogy forums online to find out what the people in that community think about certain software applications. Again keep in mind that some people in the forums may actually get paid to promote certain software programs.

Some of the "big names" in genealogy software are:

• RootsMagic: demo version available
• Legacy Family Tree: free basic version
• Personal Ancestral File: free basic version
• Reunion: runs on a Mac; very costly

Prices for these programs can range from free, to very lost cost, all the way up to very expensive ($99). You don't always get what you pay for, but usually the higher quality programs are also higher in cost. You must learn to look at your software purchase as an investment in your family history project. Best wishes to you on your family history project journey!

Funniest Joke in the World - What is It? By Soren Michaels

Cultures vary greatly in their perception of what's funny -- you'll realize this if you ever travel to a foreign culture and attempt to translate a joke that works well in your native culture. This fact didn't stop Professor Richard Wiseman (of the The British Association for the Advancement of Science) to attempt to determine what is the funniest joke in the world. The joke would have to be ranked highest among many countries of vastly different cultures.

The project set out a request for joke submissions. The result was 40,000 jokes. The researchers had the jokes rated by a large sample population from diverse areas of the globe. The project was formally called LaughLab.

I've often thought that if mankind ever discovered the funniest joke in the world, he may fall into a constant state of laughter and never regain his composure, possibly resulting in cardiac arrest or asphyxiation. In other words, he may laugh himself to death. I wondered if perhaps an ancient people had discovered the funniest joke, and had determined that it's deadly for people to hear. Maybe it's hidden in an ancient realm -- like the ark of the covenant -- possibly guarded by a long line of comedians. Is it like the DaVinci Code: A secret that mankind was never meant to uncover?

We may never know that answer, but at least we'll know what Dr. Wiseman determined to be the funniest joke across all cultures, Fortunately it won't send you into a deadly laughing fit. According to a multi-cultural sample, the funniest joke is the following:

A couple of New Jersey hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn't seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator, in a calm soothing voice says: "Just take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead." There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy's voice comes back on the line. He says: "OK, now what?

Humor - A Laugh a Day Keeps the Doctor Away By Elijah James

We have to admit that not all people possess a good sense of humor. To some it may not be necessary but just imagine if everyone in the world lacked humor. It would definitely be a very boring place to live in. Once in a while we have to relax, and for a moment break away from the stress of everyday living. It would be rewarding that once in a while we try to insert a little humor in between our monotonous kind of living.

If we are too serious about everything we are more vulnerable to stress. If we are all stressed out, we can not do our jobs well, we cannot interact with other people effectively and we are not able to express our affection or feelings to the people we love. Bottom line, we might be slowly losing the things or the persons that we value the most just because we have become too dowdy or restrained. It's not wrong if sometimes we interject some comedy in our lives. Learn to laugh. Smile. Chill. The world will definitely be brighter and you can work and act more efficiently if you're not too subdued.

Humor, thus add color to our world. A little bit of hilarity or absurdity at the proper time and venue can sometimes be a solution to a simple problem. Besides, if we are all happy and we pass along this feeling to other people, we can imbibe positive energies. And sure enough, the world won't be a boring place to live in.

Freedom From the Hypnosis of Social Conditioning By Rupert Raikes

A couple of centuries ago, a British gentleman called William Wilberforce, who had been educated in the 'usual way' of the privileged those times, devoted much of his adult life to championing the worthy cause of bringing about the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. On a sentimental note, on the very day of his death in 1833, slavery was abolished by an Act of Parliament.

This was a period of social reform, and one of Wilberforce's contemporaries, my fore-father Robert Raikes, used all the means within his scope in actively encouraging the education of all classes, and was a notable champion of the poor and the defenseless. Robert became an influential newspaper Editor, and channeled his ideas into the effort that gave him the title 'Inventor of the Sunday School'.

What may resonate with the more affluent and philanthropic reader is that both William W. and Robert R., to mention but two of the many effective social reformers of that time, understood and perhaps empathised with less fortunate and under-privileged people becoming dehumanised, almost as if they were mere units of consumerism or that they existed solely for purposes of exploitation - in short, Slavery. It is worthy of note that both William and Robert came from wealthy families and were in a position to ignore the plight and needs of the 'have nots', yet they did the contrary.

"In the case of Robert Raikes, the first Sunday School was opened in 1780 in Sooty Lane, Littleworth, UK, opposite the city prison, a slum area in which chimney sweeps lived. He chose ladies known for their ability to cope with rough boys, and required them to have clean faces and hands, and combed hair. He knew the children were too poor to have shoes or coats. They were taught to read, and Raikes printed the Bible in 100 parts, and Spelling books for them. He visited their homes, and rewarded cooperation and trust with gifts such as combs, (and, rumour has it, the occasional slice of plum cake). Social training was of special importance, and the resulting change in the behaviour of children was remarkable and surprising, given the cruel realities of life for the poor." (I am indebted to Elizabeth Janson, The Raikes' Legacy).

The historical facts of that era give us an insight into how people of low birth and little consequence were treated; "During the reign of George II (1727 - 1760) land formerly the property of the parish and its people was enclosed, and became the property of the landowner who took an 'Act of Enclosure' to Parliament to annex the parish lands so forcing many people out of their village and into towns where they became poorly paid factory, mill or mining workers."

Then in 1782 something that was considered unthinkable and impossible occurred; notwithstanding the might and superior power of the armed forces of the British Empire, the American colonies were 'lost'. I choose to believe that this was due, in great part, to a group of 'brave and treasonous' Americans of diverse ethnic origin who had found themselves in the painful position of being exploited to breaking point - in simple terms, I sense that they had had enough and were 'just sick and tired of being sick and tired'.

Until the French Revolution of 1789, the poor, and the working classes had no voice in government and were expected to serve the wishes of those with wealth. In revolting terms for some, the French set a precedent which showed the ruling elite families and money masters abroad that there was a real danger of revolution in their own back yard, so to speak, no matter how strong and powerful the powers-that-were may have seemed.

In my mind, the aforementioned considerations beg the question: "could history possibly be repeated in this day and age, and if this were to be the case, is there such a thing as a peaceful revolution?" For, as with every revolution, be it social (external/material) or individual (internal/spiritual), experience teaches us that changing the status quo does not take time, it is not changing it that does. Moreover, this brief lesson in our respective histories has, I believe, the potential to serve both as a metaphor and as a model for eventual peaceful replication.

How to Start a Book Club - 10 Easy Steps By M Lundquist

So you want to start your own book club? Terrific! Book discussion groups are great ways to make new friends, keep in touch with old ones, discover new books, and have meaty conversations. To help you get organized, simply follow these 10 steps and you'll be on your way!

1. Decide what kind of a club you want to be-do you want to be seriously academic with a heavy emphasis on book discussion and minimal social chat? Or do you enjoy the social bonding aspect of a book club-food, wine, personal sharing-and want to keep discussions shorter, light and fun? Probably, it's somewhere in between the two.
2. Decide what kind of books you want to read-do you enjoy reading the older classics or contemporary novels? Challenging works or somewhat lighter? Perhaps poetry, plays, or nonfiction-history, biographies, travel stories, current events. What about specific genres-detective/mystery, romance, inspirational, science fiction or fantasy? Perhaps you're eclectic-you like a variety of genres.
3. Choose three friends who share similar reading tastes and ways of approaching book discussions-that's important. You all want to be on the same page, so to speak. Each one of the three should ask one or two others, for a total of 7-10 members. It doesn't matter if you don't all know each other; in fact, it's more fun if you don't. And start small-you can always add new members when you want, though it's good to stop at 16, a maximum number for most book clubs.
4. Choose when and where to meet. Once you all get together, pick a day and time of the month that works with everyone's schedule. Some clubs meet in the evenings, after work; others on weekends. Those who are at home with children, or retired, find midmornings or lunchtime best. The most important thing is to establish a schedule and try to stick to it.Then, of course, decide where you want to meet. Most clubs meet in each others' homes or restaurants. Others find rooms in local libraries, Y's, or other more public places. Or you may decide to become a library-sponsored group, in which case you will always have a good source of fresh new members.
5. Decide about food. There will be food, right? Of course. Do you want just appetizers or desserts...or do you want full meals? And who prepares the food-does every member bring a dish...or does each member cook once a during the year? Maybe it's brown bag lunch or a potluck supper. Think, too, about having themed food to match your book-feature food from Afghanistan when you read A Thousand Splendid Suns. Look for Book Club Recipes on the web to give you ideas.
6. Decide how to select your books. Most clubs use one of two basic methods-voting or rotation. The voting begins with members making book suggestions, followed by discussion, and then a vote. The process can be as formal or informal as you want. The rotation system means that every member gets a month to choose a book. Both methods have their strong suits...and their drawbacks. Choose two or three books at a time so members can read at their own pace. Many clubs choose all their books for the year at one meeting, but that ties clubs into a rigid schedule...and it's unfair to members who had to miss the one meeting.
7. Give yourselves a name. And be creative: some of my favorites are The Happy Bookers...or First, the Food Book Club...or The Brooksville Book Babes.
8. Send out monthly reminders for every meeting. Don't rely on peoples' memories. Use email, phone or postcards, so make sure you keep an up-to-date contact list.
9. Keep a journal. It's a nice way to keep track of all the books you've read and what you thought of them. You might include photo highlights of special meetings or trips to hear an author speaker.
10. Give back to the community. Collect dues and donate books to your local library, or sponsor a scholarship for youngster in a literacy program. Schedule reading times for nursing homes patients.

Starting book clubs takes some initial work up front to get them off the ground. But once up and running, you'll be surprised at how they take on a life of their own. Good luck...and happy reading!

The "Three P" Method of Entertainment By Ronald Fox

For a friend's 40th birthday his wife threw the Bash of a lifetime. Eddie has been a KISS fan since he was knee high to a grasshopper. His loving spouse found a KISS tribute band and booked them to play the common space on the first floor of the beach-side condo they share. The space was two enormous rooms, and in one the band set up, and in the other was a cornucopia of food offerings.

I arrived early to help her set up the room. Every kind of KISS paraphernalia from concert one-sheets to dolls and limited collectors items filled every possible space. As we worked to ready the one room the band worked in the other to ready their equipment. They checked their play list, went over sound checks, and played several songs. From the other room they sounded awesome. I went over to watch and saw the band in ordinary street clothes working through their sound check. They were thorough, though, and took great effort to make certain nothing was left to chance on the technical side of things.

That night when Storme went upstairs to get Eddie (under the guise of going to a wedding), the tribute band finished last looks before making their appearance.

Eddie appeared to thunderous applause with a very surprised look on his face. As soon as the camera flashes subsided the band appeared. Already surprised by the party he was completely floored by the band.

We all were. Myself especially. The transformation was incredible. These guys looked like KISS. They sounded like KISS. They had the mannerisms and affectations down. We were watching Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss make their magic.

Between their two sets they made themselves available for photographs, autographs, and being present to add to an already electric atmosphere. Gene Simmons stepped outside to do some fire eating which had people eating out of his hands. And after their break they played their second set.

The band is called DESTROYER. I believe they are based out of South Florida and they are absolutely dynamite all the way around.

The reason I mention this experience is they epitomized certain critical aspects of entertainment, aspects that are easily transferred to almost any other business model in the world.

Their focus on Preparation, Presentation, and Professionalism showed a consummate sense of effort to their final product.

Preparation: they came in with their equipment and went to work immediately on identifying the show/concert space and the logistics of their performance. They set up their equipment and made several adjustments as they worked alongside their technical crew. They checked their instruments and gear, speakers and mics and made sure there were no surprises. They played several songs to make sure sounds were crisp and feedback issues would be minimized.

Presentation: They made their appearance striding into the room as if they owned the place. They picked up their guitars and drumsticks and began to play. And they had everyone entranced. Eddie's mouth was open for the first ten minutes as he watched like a kid locked inside a candy store with his favorite chocolate. The band members acknowledged Eddie several times, and got the audience involved as well. They had taken great care in their costumes, make-up, and musical ability to present something that was a turn-key package. Each member of the band had taken the time to study and understand the person whose work they were recreating. It was truly a visual feast.

Professionalism: The members of the band behaved like veteran performers who understood their obligations to themselves and others. Like a well-oiled machine, they knew what needed to happen, and when it needed to happen. Their timing was impeccable. They were KISS, and left little doubt to the others who gathered to watch.

The lessons here are simple:

Whether one is preparing for an audition, a table read, or the first day on a set, whether a supernumerary or a principal player, the necessary demands on self should be the same. Be prepared, be ready to present what you are arriving to present, do your research, and be totally professional with your finished product.

These apply to anyone, anywhere. These can be applied to our personal as well as professional lives. It requires time and effort, but the end result is worth it when we realize our goals.

It's simple: We stand to benefit greatly when we are willing to give more than those around us expect. Do the absolute best. Be willing to listen and learn. This applies across the board and is good to remember as we find our way down life's river and encounter others doing the same.

How to Get Famous By Michael Korbin

So you're interested in how to get famous? Who isn't? There are many people out there with a unique set of talents, but unfortunately many of them go undiscovered, potentially forever. The main reason for this is most singers, actors, dancers, etc. don't take the right actions to boost their career. Some people may go the route of hiring a manager, or using some other method requiring large amounts of money to take their career to the next level. Luckily, neither of these ways are necessary in order to give you the name and face recognition that you need.

As no two people are the same, each person may take a different path or amount of time to accomplish their goals. Some people yearn to be successful, be rich, drive sports cars, or simply just want to be known where ever they may go. No matter what your ultimate goal may be, there is no reason why you can't achieve fame by using the proper methods. This doesn't mean it won't take a some time and effort to get famous, but it simply means that it may be quicker (and cheaper!) than you had originally thought.

With the internet gaining so much popularity in recent years, many have tried to use it to help achieve recognition in their industry. I'm sure you have heard of YouTube, MySpace, Twitter, etc. With the subscription to many of these social networking sites being free, it allows many "just starting out" performers get famous online.

Some ideas to jump start your online journey to getting famous would be the following:

• Start a Blog - Almost everyone has a blog these days, so why not you too? It can either be directly relating to you and your journey to fame, or simply something in the field of your talent/industry.
• Create a YouTube Video - Videos are fun, right? All you need here is a basic webcam and a microphone. Draft up a idea for a quick 3 minute or so film. It can be about anything, but be sure to showcase your talent here. This will allow the viewers to direct get a taste of what you are about, so definitely practice before posting!
• Organize a Group/Team - Find others that share a similar talent, and create an organization or some sort of online gathering. You can create a website, or also a blog here. Networking is important, and the more people you know, the better chance you have to succeed.

This is in no way a complete list of all of the ways to use the internet, but just a few starter ideas. Unfortunately, a common problem with internet branding is that the majority of people either use these tools incorrectly or not to their maximum potential. This may make it take years before getting to the next level, or sadly never allow them to achieve success at all. It's one thing to have the technology and tools to get famous, but it's another to use them correctly and to their highest potential. The most important thing to remember is to always be passionate about your work and you'll enjoy the experience along the way.

Costume Ideas For an ABC Party - Where Anything But Clothes - Goes By Rachel Fierro

If you are looking to get everyone to come to your costume party dressed up, here is one sure-fire way to make it happen. Throw an ABC Party. ABC stands for anything but clothes. See, the trouble with many costume parties these days is that the theme is often very restrictive and many people just choose not to attend because they don't have a costume in the designated theme. It can be a bit tougher to get a good turnout at your party with such limited options for the party-goers. The solution is an ABC Party.

Imagine getting invited to an Anything But Clothes Costume Party! The costume ideas are endless, if you walk into your garage, you can find duct tape, toolbets, boogie boards, cardboard, paint and the list goes on. I personally think a costume made entirely of duct tape would win best costume for the garage category.

For those that have a costume box - score! - anything in it will be superb! You might have a prom queen sash, a chicken mask, a Sombrero, and a cool pair of stilleto boots. All of these would be totally and completely acceptable and expected at an ABC Party. The beauty of an ABC party is that it leaves so much to the imagination of the person dressing up. You can be just about anything and it gives the party-goer so much room for creativity.

Another idea would be to use a covering of liquid latex, then add a splash of glow in the dark body paint, throw on a costume wig, a pair of costume shades and a wacky hat. Who really knows what you are, but then again, who really cares - it's an ABC Party afterall.

More fun ideas for your next ABC Party now that you are properly pumped about the idea:

1. Saran wrap - One roll should suffice
2. Postage stamps - Kinda pricey, I know... but you'd be unique for sure!
3. Stickers of any kind - You know you have a collection of them from your childhood, put them to good use!
4. Bandaids - Everyone has these in their bathroom medicine cabinet
5. Gauze - Maybe a boring and uncreative one - but think mummy... or sexy mummy?
6. Cotton balls - Think stay puff marshmallow man
7. Foliage - fake or real - How about Adam and Eve
8. Tar and feathers - This is only for the committed ABC Party Attendee
9. Tin Foil - Sexy Tin Girl or Tin Man!
10. Surfboard bag - not sure how you'd make your face pointy to be the fin - perhaps a bit of cardboard also and poke some holes for the eyes.

There you have it. A number of fantastic ideas for the times we live in. Remember that the Costume Party MUST go on! To get the most creativity and individualism out of your party-goers, keep the party theme wide open and throw an ABC Costume Party this weekend. Anything But Clothes, goes

Michael Jackson's Impact on the World By Natasha Slawter Platinum Quality Author

Since the day I heard about Michael Jackson's Death on July 25, 2009, it still amazes me how much he has impacted my life. I never paid attention to Michael's current music as I am from the generation of the Jackson 5 era. To this day I have always played Michael Jackson's music on my iPod. My favorite song being "PYT" and "Ben". Since Michael's passing, I have been flooded with memories of all his good songs, his famous moonwalk, his cartoon show "The Jacksons" and his screen debut in the movie "The Wiz". Those were the good ol days when Michael was not scrutinized as heavily as he is today. Even though he is gone, his memory will continue to live on. The King Of Pop as we know him will leave his legacy behind for generations to come.

Michael came from a very large family of 9 brothers and sisters. His brothers formed a music group in the earlier days which became the Jackson 5-consisting of Michael, Jermaine, Tito, Marlon and Jackie. Randy joined the group years later and they changed the name to The Jacksons.

From the time Michael went solo, he has amazed us with a plethora of albums which includes:

Beat It
Earth Song
Blood On The Dance Floor
History
Dangerous
Bad
Thriller
Off The Wall
Ghosts
The Wiz
Got To Be There
Music & Me, Motown
Forever Michael
Moonwalker
Number Ones

and so many more. Michael has sold an estimated 750 million records in his career. His number one selling album Thriller, sold over 50 million worldwide. Guinness Book Of World Records recognizes Michael as the most successful entertainer of all time with Thriller being the biggest selling album of all time.

Amongst these list of albums, Michael has won 13 Grammys, released 13 Number 1 singles, and received the American Music Awards "Artist of the Century" award, which he so rightfully deserves.

There are still many speculations surrounding his death which are still to be confirmed. People want to know what is the real cause of Michael's death. Why did he go into cardiac arrest? There are now conflicting reports indicating that his doctor and nurse might have mistakenly overdosed him on prescription pain medication. Toxicology reports and the results of his autopsy will provide more clarification.

Fans around the world continue to pay tribute to Michael Jackson, constructing makeshift memorials around his Neverland Ranch in Los Angeles , childhood home in Gary Indiana, and even around the hospital where his death was confirmed (UCLA Medical Centre).

How Much Music Theory Should a Guitarist Know? By Bob Craypoe

I personally believe that one should know the rules before they break them. Obviously it is not good to be overly analytical but it wouldn't be an entirely bad thing to look at music from an analytical perspective. In order to look at things from an analytical perspective, you need information to analyze. That's where music theory comes into play. So what I am about to present is not only a case for learning music theory but also what basic components of music theory you should, at a minimum, possess knowledge of.

It is important when you are playing along with a band that you have some idea as to what key you are playing in; especially if you are working on original material. You may be able to learn cover material from listening to a CD but it is also easier to pick up any song whether cover or original if you know music theory. Even more so if you know your way around the different keys.

There really isn't much of an excuse for not taking the time to obtain some knowledge in music theory. There are free sources of information all over the Internet. Probably the most basic, yet essential, information would be knowledge of the keys, chords and scales.

You should be familiar with the 12 major keys and their relative minors. Having an adequate understanding of the different keys will allow you to be able to transpose a song from one key into another. There are a number of times where I've transposed a song from one key to another simply because it was a better key for me to sing in. You may find that to be the case with a number of singers.

You should have an adequate chord vocabulary. There are also a few scales that every guitarist should be familiar with, like the major or diatonic scale as well as the harmonic minor scale and the pentatonic scale in both the major and minor modes.

If you don't want to spend the money on lessons or books, you should run an internet search for the information you want to obtain. I would first suggest you run a search for guitar chords listed by key. Check out a few sites to see which one offers the easiest approach for learning.

After you begin to learn the guitar chords by key, you should start learning scales. You should also run an internet search for guitar scales listed by key. You may be even more specific than that. For example: you can enter D harmonic minor and you will get a great number of results.

So, in conclusion, I hope that I have not only convinced you that learning music theory would be a valuable asset to your musicianship but that I have also set you off in the right direction towards doing so.

How Easy is it to Compose My Own Music? By Lauren Paltrow Platinum Quality Author

For the experienced piano player, composing their own music can be a great new challenge, and if you can play the piano already, then there is really no reason not to. Whilst it's true it can be daunting, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions that always seem to come up when people begin to contemplate writing their own music.

Is it easy to compose piano music?

When you are just starting out, then you will need to begin at the beginning. Composing your own piano music is as easy or as difficult as you want to make it. This sounds a fatuous thing to say, but you need to start writing music for beginners, and then work your way up to a more expert level. If you do this, then your skills will develop along with the standard of music that you write.

How beneficial is composing for my own playing?

The more you learn about writing, and as your skills develop, then the more aware you will become of the intrinsic workings of the music, and what the original composer intended. When you understand the inner workings of the music, then your understanding of playing it will also improve. Thinking and feeling like a composer can only be good for your own playing.

If I compose my own music, will my music reading improve?

As you are thinking like a composer rather than just a player, then you will find it more and more easier to understand music that you may have balked at before. As you progress, and begin to notate your own music, then you will be amazed at how much easier you find it when it comes to reading complicated music.

Should I use manuscript paper?

If you are working on a budget, then it's worth bearing in mind that notating sheet music is as expensive or as cheap as you make it. You can buy an expensive notation program, or you can use normal everyday paper - it's really up to you - what you find easier to use and also what you want to spend. If you are just starting out, then I would strongly suggest that you begin the way it has been done for centuries - a pencil and a blank piece of paper. Some of the best composers even today simply jot down musical ideas on a plain piece of white paper after drawing five lines by hand.

Setting aside ten or fifteen minutes of practice to making your own music, If you practice for thirty minutes each day, can really help your general standard improve. Another great benefit of making your own music comes through the fact that it can be a wonderful addition to your practice routine

Whys is Music Memorabilia So Powerful? By Michael Mize Russell Platinum Quality Author

Many people love collecting a lot of things. You might have heard about people having collection of rare coins, metal embossing, stamps etc. Other people like to have collection of various assorted things like hats, bags, buttons etc. You will also find people who think that collectibles are simply a waste.

Of various items collected, there are some people who are simply in love with music and love to make a collection of music. Such a collection of music is called a music memorabilia. Thus, a it consist a collection of things that are in presence since long time and narrate a story of musical excellence.

This can have a collection of rare music, or it can be specific towards one music type like the classical collection or collection of music by stars who have died due to some mishaps.

Does music memorabilia serve any purpose?

This great use to people who make such collection. To them, it is just a way of marking greatness of people who have made such a huge difference in lives of people through music. Holding a piece of music and lyrics enables them to be in contact with the people who made such great music. A connection is thus established through this with the artist and the singer. Through it , a music lover can save history of music.

The music collection can include pieces from John Lennon, Jimmi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, John Bonham and Janis Joplin. In your music memorabilia, you can have autographs from these famous musicians and artists as well. This will help you to bring more life to your music memorabilia.

Why is music memorabilia powerful?

With this in hand, you become a holder of music history. You can have a note on each artist to make it more comprehensive.

it gives you a chance to be associated with music. You might not have a great voice to sing or the skills to play guitar. But with this , you can preserve something which you really like.

Singers - How to Work With a Practice Track By Annette Butters

So you are a singer and you want to learn a new song, or maybe improve a song that is already in your repertoire. The likely scenario is there isn't rehearsal pianist available, or you cannot afford to pay for one right now, or the friend who offered to play through the part with you says it's just too difficult - so you are not singing at the tempo you want, nor are you really getting a feel for the song. At this point you might consider using a practice track to work with. This will at least enable you to sing through the song and work on specific areas before finding a good pianist.

In order to get the most out of a practice track there are several things you need to consider before singing a note. Firstly, get yourself a quality track. It needs to be played naturally allowing for correct breathing and phrasing, it needs a good piano sound so it feels close to the real thing and it needs to be a good representation of the song you are studying. Avoid heavily quantized accompaniments or a poor piano sound without colour or tone. Ideally find an accompaniment which offers at least a separate melody line and maybe the melody and accompaniment together as well.

Armed with your track, listen to a variety of singers perform the song and take note of the different interpretations. Make a few observations. The tempos are bound to differ, which do you prefer and why? Is the intonation good, are there extra cuts or pauses? Are they effective? Is the song getting through to you, is the singer sincere? If so, why, or why not as the case may be.

Find the lyrics (and ideally the sheet music). Now read through the lyrics. Carefully. If you are preparing a song for musical theatre, put the lyrics into context now. Find out about the song. Where does it appear in the show? What is the synopsis? Who sings it and why.

By now you may well have an idea where you want to go with the song. However, you have a way to go still. Get your practice track. Play the accompaniment and follow through with the lyrics or sheet music. If you don't read music well, no problem, just follow the shapes. Think of the music as patterns. Generally what you hear is represented by the shapes on the page anyway. Now play the melody track if you have one. This is more of a problem as it is difficult to represent exactly what a singer may sing so many melody tracks are simplified to a large degree, however they give a fair representation of the melody and they will help you pitch the notes correctly.

Now listen to the accompaniment track with melody combined. This is where you can take note of awkward pick ups, essential piano cues and where and how the notes fit. Although you will sing the song in your own style, use the guide to tighten things up in your own mind.

Now, sing the song with the accompaniment. Chances are there are a few corners where you are uncertain of how it goes, that is the time to return to you accompaniment and melody guide. Eventually, you will have sorted the song out and after several repetitions, start to know it and experiment a little with your interpretation. The bonus of a live pianist is by now you can say you want to change a tempo perhaps, or make a pause longer, because the song is really taking shape. Not everyone is in that happy position so the next step could be to order yourself a custom version of the same track...

5 Great Beginner Guitar Solos to Learn Lead Guitar By Tom Fontana Platinum Quality Author

All beginner guitar students are eager to start playing guitar solos. Playing popular guitar songs is a great way to advance your guitar skills as well, as learning songs is a fun and motivating way of practicing. Being able to play solos and to improvise takes a lot of practice and a considerable amount of time, there are some great solos beginners can learn:

Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Intro Riff

The intro riff to Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses is one of the most well known guitar riffs of all time. Its played on one single scale, so learning it means you'll be learning to play scales as well. Beginners will love playing this, as it's fairly simple to get a hold of, and sounds great on the electric guitar. The guitar techniques you will learn in this song:

• minor scale
• lead guitar techniques
• string bending
• hammer-on
• pull-off
• slide
• string muting
• power chords
• power chord strumming

Smells Like Teen Spirit

The all popular solo from this awesome song by Nirvana is very simple, but sounds great. Beginner guitarists will be able to play it in no time. Its played at the top of the guitar neck along 3 strings, integrating hammer-ons and string bending. Learning this beginner solo will improve your lead guitar skills as well. By learning this song, you'll be practicing:

• syncopation
• power chords
• accented and muted strumming
• lead guitar techniques
• rhythm

Wipe Out

A classic oldie but goodie guitar riff. Its played in the key of C along 3 strings. This is a very simple solo, as there are no special lead guitar techniques to be learned. It involves mostly alternate picking of the strings, making it a great plucking exercise for beginners.

Sunshine of Your Love

The guitar riff of Sunshine of Your Love played by Eric Clapton is one of the most popular guitar riffs of all time. It can be played in numerous ways, but either way, it'll involve practicing power chords and string bending. Practicing these lead guitar techniques are a vital part of advancing as a guitarist. Guitar techniques you will learn by practicing Sunshine of Your Love:

• vibrato
• power chords
• lead guitar techniques
• string bending
• alternate plucking

American Idiot

This punk rock song by Green Day has a great guitar solo beginners will love playing, as its fairly simple, but sounds terrific under distortion. The solo is split into several parts, which makes learning it even easier. You'll be practicing these guitar techniques by learning American Idiot:

• single string plucking
• power chords
• vibrato
• power chord strumming patterns

Playing the guitar is an acquired skill, that takes practice and time, and in return, you'll experience the wonders of being able to make music. Keep at it, practice a lot, have fun, and your skills will advance with each passing day. By Tom Fontana Platinum Quality Author.

How Do I Download Music to My Mp3 Player? By Gaetano Summaria

Well it all depends on what you want to do. Do you want to take the music from a cd and put it on your Mp3 player, or do want to directly download music tracks from the internet on to your Mp3 player. If you want to get music from a cd onto your Mp3 player, you will first need copy your cd with windows media player or another cd playing software. You will need to change the format into "Mp3" format by "ripping" it. "Ripping" a CD is basically copying music to your computer.

After you have the files properly formatted on your hard drive, you can remove the drive from your mp3 player and plug it into a "usb" port on your computer. You then go to your hard drive, find the files you copied, making sure they are in the proper format,and then move them to the drive of your Mp3 player.

OK lets say you want to download music directly from the internet. You need to see if any special software is required to assist in the downloading process. Normally you wont need any. You just hook up your device to a "usb" port, go to your settings and look for "usb mode" or connect. With some devices you wont need to do anything, because they will automatically be detected as a removable hard drive.

Next you will need to find out where the files will be stored. Depending on which music download vendor you choose, some will allow you to buy one track at a time, if this is the case you can download one track and see where on your device the file was stored, and then proceed to buy further tracks and choose the same location to store them. If not, the files can be stored in different locations and the device will find them once you disconnect from the port.

Downloading music to your Mp3 player is easy and fun. Depending upon the capacity of your Mp3 players hard drive or flash drive you can store hundreds of music tracks, giving you hours of listening pleasure. Once you download music for the first time you will find out how easy it is. You can visit my web site, and choose from a variety of the top music download vendors, many offering free music.

Teach Yourself to Play Violin Like a Pro in Under 24 Hours By Scott Harber

Is it possible to teach yourself to play violin? Can it be done in under 24 hours?

In a word, absolutely!

I picked up a violin for the first time ever just over 6 months ago. Before that I had only ever strummed a guitar and most of my family would admit that I was no Jimi Hendrix. I never learned how to read music and never took a lesson in my life.

The violin is a complex instrument and one that many people shy away from due to this reputation. They think that only if they learned how to play the violin as a child would they be able to be proficient at it.

There is one factor that the study of all musical instruments have in common and that's the time requirement. A certain amount of dedication and practice time is required to get to a respectable level and this is certainly the case if you want to teach yourself to play violin.

My first concern was that I had no knowledge of music theory whatsoever and the results of my initial research online all seemed to require one to have at least a rudimentary understanding of sheet music.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

You see, the violin is an instrument like no other. It's what I like to call a "feel" instrument in that just the simple motion of drawing the bow across the strings evokes a sort of primal response in the brain that just seems to "make sense".

Helping Your Child Learn to Play an Instrument By Connor R Sullivan Platinum Quality Author

There are definitely many things that you should help your great son or daughter with and learning to play acoustic guitars or drums for kids is definitely one of the many way that you can show your excellent son or daughter just how much you care about them, after all is definitely your great job to be loving and supportive of your son or daughter throughout his or her many different endeavors, sports and many hobbies. Music is definitely something that most children decide that they want to try out at some point, mostly because it is a great hobby for many children, so you should definitely not be surprised if your excellent son or daughter asks you for help to learn to play music. You should definitely be proud of your son or daughter for his or her excellent ambition to play music and you should definitely not stifle your son or daughter when he or she definitely wants to learn how to play great music.

Your great son or daughter will probably have an instrument in mind when he or she decides that he or she would definitely like to begin and learn to play excellent music and your son or daughter will probably tell you about this desire and definitely your son or daughter will tell you which great instrument he or she is interested in learning to play. You should listen to your great son or daughter about the instrument that he or she would like to learn to play, but keep in mind that you definitely have some authority over this issue.

For example, if your son or daughter is very young and wants to learn to play music on an instrument that would definitely be extremely challenging and frustrating to learn to play, then you should definitely take this into mind before you buy your son or daughter such an instrument. If you go to an excellent music store, they will definitely have a trained staff who will definitely be able to help you find an excellent instrument that you will definitely feel comfortable with and that your son or daughter will enjoy playing great music on. You should definitely be proud of your son or daughter's desire to play music, but it is definitely your job as the adult in this situation to help your son or daughter choose an excellent instrument that is definitely appropriate for his or her age and skill level.

Once you have purchased a great instrument for your son or daughter to begin playing, the next of many steps that you need to take is going with your son or daughter to find an excellent teacher who will give your son or daughter lessons in how to play his or her great instrument of choice. The process of finding and hiring a great teacher may seem somewhat daunting at first and there are many things to consider for your great son or daughter. A great place to begin is by asking your many friends, family and neighbors if they know how to play or knows a teacher for the great instrument that your son or daughter wishes to play.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - A New Projection of 3D By Michael Nielsen Platinum Quality Author

With the advancement in the technological standards, likewise, the cinematography and graphics of the films have also been greatly augmented. Harry Potter, the fictional adventurous concept, has been enriched with illusions and mere inventions on behalf of the author. In order to portray the creativity of the author's original conception, it became an equally important responsibility of the director to use the state-of-the-art techniques for their productions.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the newest to-be-released sensation in the market with much anticipative cries arousing all round the globe. The sophisticated video effects that had to be increased in the movie are expected to be adroit and of superior coordination. Tim Burke and Tim Alexander have been the video effects supervisors in this penultimate film that will be shortly released with the expected paramount 3D displays.

Two main scenes in the movie required extra emphasis to be paid on them. These aspects required extra expertise and diligence from the whole team of computer graphics designers. Extra budget was spent on making the anticipative scenes perfect and entertaining by using extensive machinery and substances. After a series of various combinations and experiments, correct matches were found that could enhance the vision of the movie.

Inferi-attack scene took several months in its creation and finalisation. According to the director, David Yates, whole of the team had to take care of every minute detail in order to make it pragmatic, genuine and avoid resemblance to a "zombie" movie. Inferi had to be created as being skinner, bolder and scarier. From their depiction in the author's note, they had to be grey and unable to groan or moan.

They couldn't move fast but also not really slow. All these parameters had to be kept in consideration before finalising their graphic appearances. Due to the complications of productions of these Inferi, the supervisors had to work long enough to present a satisfactory module. The incredible by-product is expected to be a masterpiece of 3D animations and productions that are an eternal part of the fictional tale.

At the succession of the Inferi-attack, the ring of fire that is created in order to save, Dumbledore and Harry from their attack is also an important occasion of 3D exposure. It had to be created in such a way as if propane was being burnt. The graphic designers had to carry out a lot of experimental procedures to produce a perfect sample for the ring of fire.

Chris Horvath, computer graphics artist, had to spend eight months to find an easier way of conjuring flames. This has proved to be an endeavouring task for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince's entire team in order to boost up the standard of 3D graphics that, expectedly, would increase the thrill of the whole venture.

Many graphical films have so far been released with new ideas being revealed in order to enhance the technological advancement to greater heights and introduce new state-of-the-art techniques. Likewise, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince would also prove to be a new dimension in the graphics world.

Start Watching Free Streaming Movies on Your Laptop By Steve Sanger

Your boring PC is a great place to watch free streaming movies. Did you know that? No i didn't either until i found out the ways, the tips and the tricks to start watching Hollywood Blockbusters online.

Get watching online and remember that every day more and more streams and websites appear on the internet.

You will also need a selection of media players installed on your computer. They are all free to download. You will need Adobe Flash player, Windows Media Player and Apple Quicktime for example and probably already have them installed.

Most movies are streamed to your computer as you watch. There is also the option of downloading first to watch at your leisure. Most are streamed though and that is why a fast connection is needed.

Now to get watching the streams just visit one of the hundreds of websites around that have links to the movies and tv shows. One such site is worldtvpc.com that has a big choice of free streaming movies.

By looking through the many streaming TV and movie sites online you are able to view latest movies and TV shows as soon as they are released. Please look for different streams if the quality or speed are not good enough.

Today it is so much easier than ever before to see free streaming movies and television shows from your computer.

So is this legal? Well it is a grey area but the websites would be shut down if there was an issue and nobody has ever been jailed for watching online movies.

Good Food is Always Entertaining By Tom Macintosh Platinum Quality Author

It is fairly safe to say that everyone enjoys a good meal. Food is one of the things in life that can brighten pretty much anyone's day. While we all like to eat well, not everyone is blessed with the culinary skills to make every meal unforgettable. Though we might not all have amazing talents in the kitchen, there are a good amount of tools out there to help people stumble their way through a successful meal. In addition to cookbooks, cooking shows are an excellent way for someone to pick up a few tips on how to prepare a meal that will surely impress anyone lucky enough to eat it. Even if someone does not wish to cook and simply enjoys watching others do so, satellite TV brings viewers all of the cooking shows to suit their needs.

The immersion of the celebrity chef has picked up momentum in the past few years, leading to the Food Network tacking on a few more cooking shows and other channels creating some food friendly programs of their own. While there is a rather wide range of cooking shows out there, some are much more enticing than others, deserving at least a few minutes of any foodie's attention. Of the top five cooking shows, the number one position is held by "Good Eats". This show first came onto the scene before the celebrity chef television show craze really got going. Alton Brown is both the creator and host of the show, and he gives viewers a behind the scenes look at the science of food and its preparation. Audiences get to see all the tasty details in high definition.

Next on the list of the best cooking shows is "BBQ with Bobby Flay". Bobby Flay is one of the most well known celebrity chefs these days and his reputation is well founded. There is very little Bobby Flay cannot do with a grill and some meat, and this show takes viewers along with Flay as he travels around the United States exploring different barbecuing techniques and flavors in an effort to improve his skills and try and pass on some useful tips to his fans at home. The third show on the list is "Emeril Love" thanks to Emeril's high energy and amazing culinary skills. Watching him whip up some great meals and yell "bam" in high definition is excellent entertainment.

The fourth show on the list is "Paula's Home Cooking". Paula Deen brings delicious, straightforward recipes to people's homes with every episode of her show. Her southern charm and undeniable dominance in the kitchen make her the perfect person for any aspiring cook to look up to, except if they plan to be on a diet. The final show on the list of the top five cooking shows on television is "Down Home with the Neelys". This talented couple is both endearing and extremely helpful in their creation and explanation of each dish they present. Seeing one of their meals in HD is sure to make anyone's mouth water.

7 Singing Tips to Improve Your Rockstar Voice By Kyle Hoffman

Learning to sing is a difficult task if you don't know the proper way to go about practicing and performing. I'm sure that we've all encountered someone butchering "Shook Me All Night Long" at a local karaoke night and we laughed and laughed.

Well, we don't want people to laugh at us now do we? Of course we don't. For anyone that wants to improve their vocal skill and wow the crowd, here are 7 tips that can help you get a rockstar voice.

1. Know your vocal range.

A large portion of the time, vocalists have a hard time singing notes because they're simply out of their range. You can probably picture yourself the last time your voice cracked because of it.

Everyone's rockstar voices different with a different vocal range. Know what notes you can hit before you try to hit them and maybe you can avoid your voice cracking in the future.

2. Get energized before a performance.

You're about to go on stage and all of sudden, you're getting nervous. If you feel jumpy and kind of nervous before a performance, you can use it to your advantage!

Do some quick jumping jacks or squats or push-ups backstage. Not only are you working off your stage fright, but your getting more air flowing through your body for a maximum performance with your rockstar voice.

3. Try to cut back or stop smoking.

Smoking can only hurt your chances of having a rockstar voice. I've heard a buddy of mine mention how he screams with so much more rasp since he starting smoking.

I hope he knows he'll be talking with more rasp for the rest of his life. Smoking will damage your lungs, constrict your air flow, and ruin your vocal chords. Try to quit if you can.

4. Be aware of how loud you speak before a performance.

If your band is playing next at the rock show, you're probably walking around mingling with fans and having a good time. Did you know you could be ruining your voice for the night?

Those places are loud! Next time you lean in to talk to someone, lean in and plug one of your ears with your finger. This way you can here the natural reverb in your skull and you won't feel you need to yell to be heard.

5. Lay off the vibrato.

There are lots of professionally trained singers that will argue with me on this. I completely understand that.

For Opera and other classically trained vocalists, vibrato is a tasteful addition to their vocal arsenal. If you're looking to sing rock, pop, metal, country, or any other radio-type genre, vibrato is your enemy.

Did you know that most untrained singers can't control vibrato? That means that most of the time the judges of American Idol hear someone sing in vibrato in the early auditions, they assume the person can't control it.

Vibrato just isn't necessary for contemporary music these days. Use it sparingly.

6. Get enough sleep.

College students are gonna go out and party. Adults with jobs fall asleep in their lazy boy watching Conan O' Brian late at night. We can't fight tradition.

However, when the night before the performance comes, you go to bed and get some sleep. Your rockstar voice is going to thank you graciously with audience applause.

7. Drink enough water.

Your body is mostly made of it and you need it. Carbonated beverages can slowly damage how well you perform. Water will always be your friend.

These tips on getting a rockstar voice may seem obvious and simple, but they're easy to overlook.

The most simple way to sum up these tips is to use common sense and take care of your body. If you take care of your rockstar voice, then it will take care of you.

The Performer Versus the Artist By Theun Mares

This afternoon was X's final rehearsal for the retreat performance. The rehearsal was at the College of Music, UCT. The room was a piano practice room, TINY! No room to move, so the audience, X's mother, the guitarist's mother and I sat outside in the corridor opposite the open door!

X was nervous, but sang like a dream, and moved like only a heartfelt professional star can move! There was no sound equipment, all the instruments were muted, and X used a dummy mike, but she held that mike and sang into it with ALL her heart, and without any strain projected into the words of the songs every fibre of her being! It was one of those rare moments in life, a moment that is never coming back - one and a half hours of heart-rending beauty SHARED with a few fellow travellers upon the Path with a Heart! A mere rehearsal on a Sunday afternoon, but for me personally so much more poignant than the glamour of a performance! Words can never express the RAW nerves, the OPEN VULNERABILITY of the artist in rehearsal giving his or her EVERYTHING with the CLEAR intent of being able to deliver an utterly IMPECCABLE performance, for perfect it is never likely to be, no matter how well rehearsed! I found myself fighting back the tears for most of the rehearsal!

Audiences only get to see and to applaud the FINISHED product, and although every artist LIVES for that moment of being on stage, yet deep within his or her innermost being there is always an indescribable melancholy and, all too often, a devastating sense of emptiness! This is something only a performing artist can grasp! Performances are like WONDER-FULL meals that take HOURS of preparation, but that are CONSUMED within a few short MINUTES by diners that, although more than generous in handing out compliments, nevertheless leave the table gorged and bloated, and thinking only of going to BED!

The performance is GREAT, yes, and the audience goes home well SATISFIED and already planning when they can attend the NEXT performance, but how does the artist SHARE the blood, the sweat and the tears that have gone into making that performance? How does the artist share the JOURNEY that has taken years and years of an utterly ruthless and most unforgiving training, the great many disillusionments and failures that threaten to strip one of any sense of self-belief, and the endless disappointments that eat away at a hope that is NOT allowed, CAN never be allowed, to waver even for one moment? Do those few moments of success upon the stage, even with thundering applause at the end, do true justice to a journey never shared, simply because it is NOT shared, and neither CAN it BE shared?

Hence the melancholy and the sense of emptiness! To walk onto an empty stage at the end of a performance in which one has given one's all, and to look into that empty auditorium is to KNOW with every fiber of one's being what it is to be alone, and what it means to empty one's cup so that finally it may be filled with that ALL-ONE-NESS that makes for the good, the bad and everything in between! Performers are LONELY people that seek out one ESCAPISM after another after every single performance! But the artist LEARNS to savour the JOURNEY until he or she has BE-COME the journey! How can one justify seeking to escape the Path with a Heart?

But by far the greatest source of the artist's melancholy lies in the difference between rehearsals and performances. When an artist walks onto stage and gives his or her everything, of course, the audience will be on its feet, shouting and screaming and clapping! Many will say this is only but RIGHT, for surely it is the artist's JUST reward for having delivered a truly MEMORABLE performance! But those few rare individuals who are in the know applaud more quietly, and do not shout bravo or demand encores, for they KNOW just HOW very EMPTY is that moment of success! This is the distinguishing MARK between the performer and the true artist!

The performer goes through the REHEARSALS so as to EXIST for the limelight and the recognition that comes with SUCCESS! The artist LIVES for the REHEARSALS so as to GIVE EXPRESSION to his or her innermost BE-ING, the performances being mere STEPPING STONES, mileposts, marking the JOURNEY! To the performer recognition is EVERY-THING! To the artist, VULNERABILITY to CRITICISM is the JOURNEY to ALL-ONE-NESS! The performer EXISTS for acknowledgement on stage! The artist LIVES to RECEIVE CRITICISM in rehearsal!

When I looked into X's eyes at the rehearsal this afternoon I saw that openness, that vulnerability that comes with WANTING to LEARN, and even though she had her nose up against a brick wall, and a dummy mike in her hand, she sang into that mike and to that wall with ALL of her heart, but also with the nervousness that is born of the EXPECTATION that she is going to be CORRECTED, CRITICISED, any moment! How does one express this in words, other than to term it HUMILITY in LEARNING what it is to LOVE? X's eyes were REFLECTED in the eyes of her accompanists, no matter how much older and more experienced than her they are! As I stood in the corridor facing these four people in that tiny rehearsal room, I was, like so many times in my life, totally overcome by the unspoken RE-QUEST in their eyes: "Tell us HOW we can IMPROVE our skills!" How can I possibly verbalise my feelings in that moment? The point is I can't! A handful of friends met, their hearts touched each other's ever so briefly whilst they shared for one and half hours the journey upon the Path with a Heart! When they meet again it will be for the performance, and another milestone would have been reached, another retreat will be over, and they will smile at each other, hug, and go their separate ways in pursuit of their LEARNING, their REHEARSALS, to achieve THE most impeccable performance they are capable of!

Strange how LIFE works! Why, at this precise point in my life was I taken back to the College of Music, with the Ballet School just across the narrow little street named Lover's Walk, to rehearse X for THIS retreat?! Never have I felt the impact of the Cry of the Eagle more profoundly than this afternoon! And to top it all, as fate would have it, I was alone, like all the many years during which this specific spot in Cape Town had been my "rehearsal turf." Yes, X's mother was present, and, yes, I could sense that with all her heart she was supporting my purpose in WILLING X to give her best! But strange how alone I was! Strange how the Cry of the Eagle sounded in my EARS! In being back at UCT after so many, many years, and specifically now that the Cry of the Eagle has been sounded, I truly felt the aloneness of the ALL-ONE in handing over to humanity its heritage! Consequently for me, the RE-TREAT started this afternoon! Never have I felt more humbled by the truly wonder-full privilege of being able to tread the Path with a Heart!

Download Hip Hop Instrumental Beats By Tamara Jones

So you are a great rapper and just need some hot hip hop instrumental beats to lay your lyrics over? Are you looking for the type of beats that are radio friendly? Choosing instrumentals can be so easy to do, but there are some things you should know before purchasing a rap beat. Here are some tips to look for when purchasing hip hop instrumental beats.

1. Know what you are spending money for when it comes to the beat. Do you plan to release this song for profit? Or are you just using it for demonstration purposes only? Make sure you let the producer know what your plans are so you'll know whether to get a non-exclusive license or an exclusive license. If you plan on making a profit off the song you are using the producer's beat, they usually charge more and make an "exclusive" license or agreement. If you are going that route, make sure you are the only artist that will own that beat. You don't want to pay for an exclusive license and there are other artists using the same beat. If you are choosing their beat for a free mixtape, or to perform to, or just have fun with...it would be less expensive and also referred to as "non-exclusive" agreement.

2. Are you interested in getting your music heard on radio? If so, then your hip hip instrumental beats should be radio-friendly. You should be able to tell whether or not you can hear that track on the radio. They need to be commercial. Does the beat sound like something you could hear a rapper hear on the radio now? Can you hear a popular artist today rap over it?