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In The 1960s Mono Mixes Were The Standard

It was not until the time of Abbey Road & Let It Be that the stereo mixes became The Beatles only. Up until that point, they were more focused on the mono mixes as they were the standard way people listened to music then.

The Original Beatles Albums

You can make a great case that these Beatles original mono mix CDs represent The Beatles albums in their true form. These are the mixes that most people heard back in the 1960s. These are the mixes that made them the biggest band of all time. Hearing these albums in their original stereo mixes, even if they are poor mixes, is interesting to real Beatles fans.

The Beatles Mono Box Set Includes

• Please Please Me through The White Album in mono.
• Help! & Rubber Soul in their original stereo mixes~The original stereo mixes of Rubber Soul & Help!}
• The Mono Masters {compilation of the mono mixes of the band’s non album songs~The mono mixes of all of the band’s singles that were mixed in mono}.

Where’s Their Final Three Albums?

The band’s last three studio albums were never mixed in mono because by then stereo was the standard.

Why Are Stereo Mixes For Two Albums Included?

The two albums included in stereo (Help! & Rubber Soul) were both released in 1965. At this time mixing in stereo was still a very new thing and these albums were mixed in what would now be considerd a very strange way. Because of that when the bands albums were first put on CD in the 1980s they didn’t use the 1960s stereo mixes and created new stereo mixes instead. The original stereo mixes for these 1965 classic albums have never been on CD until this new mono box set.

The White Album In Mono In The US For The First Time

One really cool thing about this box set is that it will actually be the first time that The White Album has ever been released in mono in the United States in any format. Why is that? {In 1968 mono was already done in the US so only the stereo mix was the only one released. In the UK both the mono & stereo mixes were released.}

Stereo & Mono Box Sets~The Beatles Remastered Album Box Sets~The Beatles Remastered CDs Box Sets~The Beatles Remastered Mono & Stereo Box Sets}

There are actually two Beatles box sets that were released on September 9, 2009. A mono box set & a stereo box set. Both are necessary purchases by~essential for} real Beatles fans.

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Experts often talk negatively about music on the Internet. They have the idea that music on the Internet is pulling down the music record sales. This is an overstatement because music on the Internet is actually during the reverse. It results to more positive ways than you could think of.

First of all, you have to realize that not all music on the Internet is free music downloads traded by pirates. Quite a bit of Internet music is actually legally downloaded and shared. One of the great things about online music is that it allows smaller independent bands to really court fans in a way they couldn’t before. They can put their music on websites, bit torrent search clients, or any other places they want. That way, fans can listen to them and decide if they liked them. As small bands make more money from shows than from records, this is a godsend to local independent music groups and their fans.

And then of course, there’s Internet radio. Listening to the radio online is a great experience. For most fans of music, there will be at most one or two stations they like around town. With Internet radio however, you can listen to basically anything you like. You can find bluegrass music on the Internet, rock country, tango, polka  you name it you’ve got it. And this Internet radio isn’t just a boon to the consumers, it’s a boon to the artists as well.

You see, online Internet radio exposes fans to bands they never have had a chance to hear before. You might check out an Internet music station because they play a particular band you like, only to hear three other songs from three other bands that are as good or better in your opinion. Obscure bands are on equal footing with more mainstream corporate ones. Clear Channel and the other big media giants don’t control music on the Internet the consumer does. You listen to what you want when you want. If you like it, you can go see shows or play the podcasts for your friends. Bands with virtually no publicity network get people all over the world listening to them. You can’t get that attention by flyering!

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The Dullards have a loyal roots rock following but will also appeal to that demographic that likes country, folk and folk-rock. You can hear the influence of Little Feat and Tom Petty. You would not be surprised to be channel-surfing and see them on Austin City Limits.

Guitarist-songwriters Alistair Millar and Guy Benson have woven together a string of easy-to-hear songs such as “Sour Mash and Gasoline”, “The Shrink”, and “29 Times” that are catchy, unpretentious and accessible. No over-production here, just the four-piece bar-band sound.

One cut, “Willard’s”, is some good vocal story-telling: not an earth-shaking morality tale, but rather a story about some guys on the road. “The treatment is working/I must have the disease.” Willard’s is a place; what kind of place we don’t learn. It is just a place they are leaving. The pace of this song, like the others, is meant for the car. The song is not long, but it’s not in a hurry either. Anybody should want enough Dullards songs to get you to wherever you are driving. It seems to me that it would be particularly apropos to be listening to “Sour Mash and Gasoline” while driving Route 66, or perhaps en route to the Jersey Shore. With the AM radio on, of course.

From the Black Cat to Public TV, the Dullards are visible on the Washington, DC circuit. They have been in the studio recording; this is good because I have a long road trip ahead of me and I don’t think the Dullards’ catalog will get me that far.

“Willard’s” is a free download on Comm-Cuts #2, teamed with the late great Eric Caroll’s “At Da Doc” and Some Nashville Guy singing “One More Tonight.” If you come upon roots rock collections, look for the Dullards there.

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As a musician you must practice many repetitive tasks that can be boring, such as scale playing. Scales are a necessary evil, if you will and if applied properly can be a path to better playing, no matter the instrument. To be able to get the most from a task such as playing scales, it is necessary to grasp how you will benefit from their use.

Why Scales?

No matter what instrument you play, from piano to guitar, you will refine your technique the more you play scales. Scales help you to perform more exacting pieces. Learning music theory will come naturally as you learn scales. The ever changing chords of jazz are very well suited to the use of scales. Without scales , the player is less knowledgeable as to the structure of the music.

Scales must be a part of every serious practice in order to make them second nature. Playing scales helps to warm up your hands and only takes a few minutes per day.

Practice Tips

It is important to start with a scale that is easy for you. Remember to not push too hard at first. Before moving to a full octave run, it may be advisable to use only a triad at first. Move your starting point up a half step at a time until you have moved up an octave. Next you will repeat the process with a different scale, say a minor one instead of a major one.

The music will be part of your permanent finger memory as you continue to practice scales. As you progress you will be able to play one scale after another as you move up and down. It is important to not treat your scale practice lightly. Scales practice is often dreaded and feared by all musicians until you understand what it will do for you.
As you play you create muscle memory and develop good or bad habits.

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On 9/9/9 remastered versions of The Beatles 13 official studio albums were finally released after over 20 years of waiting. The 1980s CD versions are thought by most to be a very poor example of mastering for CD which is a big reason why people have been wanting new better versions for so long.

The excitement isn’t just because of the remastered stereo albums, but also because of the mono versions of The Beatles albums being released on CD for the first time ever. This is actually  the first time ever that the mono mixes of some of these amazing Beatles albums will be available on compact disc.

Why should we care about such outdated mixes in 2009? Mono was being phased out in the 1960s, why should we listen to mono mixes today? Well certainly many people may feel that way, but true Beatles fanatics want to hear these albums as they were originally intended to be heard and to do that you must listen to the mono mixes.

The mono mixes are what The Beatles (along with George Martin & Geoff Emerick) were primarily focused on. The Beatles stereo mixes were done with little input from the band while they were very involved with the mono mixes which were worked on until they were just right. And because of this effort put into the mono mixes, many feel that the original mono mix of Sgt. Pepper is the “real” version of the album.

But that’s not all of the Beatles madness; there’s also the new Beatles Rock Band game which looks to be absolutely incredible from the previews. You can play through The Beatles whole career from their beginnings in Liverpool through their final album, Abbey Road. The Beatles Rock Band instruments even look like the real Beatles instruments (check out Paul’s bass guitar!) And now for the first time with the Beatles Rock Band game, you can sing harmonies.

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If it is rock music you are interested in and have never played a instrument or sampled the joys of Rock Band then it is safe to say it is worth giving it a go. Although in comparison is it is nothing to a real instrument it is certainly worth having a go as it can be a bit of a laugh. The whole point of the entire game and perhaps every game is to enjoy playing it.

Although Rock Band can be enjoyed alone it is a lot better when you have a couple of players bashing out some serious rock along with you. Another benefit to the game is you can choose your would be favorite instrument whether that is guitar, drums, bass as well as one of those fancy microphones being thrown in too. Of course there is also the benefit that the game can be played online with friends or if they are not online can be played with anyone in the world which is is great if you feel like rocking out at 3 in the morning.

Of course it is all fun and games but it is true that you should never rule out playing a real instrument as it is something to be proud of. Of course the major issue is that it is not an easy thing to do its not going to be quick and its going to take a lot of work, but the outcome for yourself is far greater than bashing out a couple of tunes on a game. If its singing you are into then an AKG microphone or even a Akai drum sequencer could be what you are after.

There is no age limit in which you can have lessons to learn how to play an instrument. Of course Rock Band cannot be compared to the real thing and the company are not trying to say this, they just want everyone to have the chance to hammer out their favourite rock songs which of course is certainly nothing to complain about. So next time you’re playing Rock Band, Guitar Hero or any other of the music games why not have a think and at least consider actually learning to play.

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If you are interested in music, then finding what fits your talents and desires first will help you to enjoy the most out of music. One of the alternatives that is available for those who are interested in music is the ability to learn guitar. This instrument is one of the most popular in music and allows you to benefit in several ways by playing in specific genres, while providing you with the ability to build your talent.

If you are considering options to learn guitar, you want to make sure you begin by understanding the different ways of learning. First and foremost you have to choose which type of guitar you are going to learn on, electric or acoustic. The difference between these two includes different techniques and usually applies to learning a specific genre. Most that understand this difference suggest learning guitar on an acoustic first to make sure that the sounds are right, then to progress to the electric guitar after the basics are understood.

After you consider this aspect of learning guitar, you want to continue with looking at the different concepts you will need to learn as you progress. Generally, most beginning guitarists must first learn to understand the methods used to play the guitar. Some techniques include picking the strings with a pick, learning how to strum the strings to produce quality sound or just holding the guitar properly. This kind of practice leads on to choosing distinctive notes, methods and even performing solos. Using these techniques will allow you to start learning how to play guitar at a beginners level and once you have accomplished that you can advance to more difficult assigments.

Once you start to learn guitar there is a very exact series of methods used, all which contain different chords. Usually, the chords start with obtaining the basic knowledge of open chords; these are the chords located on the bottom portion of your guitar. As soon as you pick up these basic patterns, you can then move up in your progress and learn bar chords. These are the chords located near the middle of the guitar neck and are mainly used in rhythms and also the jazz and rock genres. There are various approaches for chords, which are subject to the chosen genre.Depending on your genre, you can find various methods for chords. Chords are divided by different notes and you will place your fingers on the neck of the guitar in different ways to produce the sound you are looking for.

While you are learning guitar with these different ideals in mind, you will be able to progress more quickly by considering a method that helps you to progress from the basic to advanced concepts. If you are going to learn guitar, you must pick a method which enables you to evolve through the stages quickly enough to move on. You might also consider a course in the theories used in music. Those theories are applied to guitar patterns and can help you grasp the concept of instruments in a more thorough way so you can progress into the playing of your favorite songs. Combining any of the methods mentioned above will allow anyone learning guitar to learn at a much faster rate.

No matter what your interest, you can make sure that you begin to enjoy even more of music by learning guitar. These different methods and concepts will help you on your journey as you learn guitar and your love of music will grow. To move foward toward this musical enjoyment, you need to understand what you require in order to learn guitar, and also make sure that you take the right steps forward to fulfill the desire you have to play your instrument.

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“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” – This tune is one of four tunes on the album that MJ got sole songwriting credits on. Michael Jackson wasn’t only a great singer & dancer, he was also a excellent songwriter.

“Baby Be Mine” – To get an idea of how good this album is consider this: “Baby Be Mine” is one of only two songs that wasn’t a hit single. This is a pretty catchy song to be one of just two tunes not released as a single.

“The Girl Is Mine” – The lyrics are cheesy as hell but I think that’s part of the song’s charm. I’ve really started to enjoy this song a lot lately. The interplay between Jackson & Beatles legend Paul McCartney is pretty damn sweet. Jackson wrote this song.

“Thriller” – Too many people think just about the groundbreaking music video and forget about the song itself. It’s a brilliant song and MJ’s incredible vocals really put it over the top. Who else could have made this song work?

“Beat It” – The “rock crossover” song on the album includes a great guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen. This is the kind of thing that Jackson doesn’t get enough credit for, he was really pushing the envelope of what pop music could be. Jackson wrote “Beat It.”

“Billie Jean” – The most perfect Michael Jackson track. If you are ever questioning MJ’s songwriting ability, remember that he wrote “Billie Jean”.

“Human Nature” – This is one of the Thriller songs I enjoy most lately because it hasn’t been overplayed like a lot of the others on the album. It’s a beautiful song.

“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” – I’m not sure any song makes me want to “get down” more than “PYT.” Much like the beautiful “Human Nature,” this tune is among my favorite songs on Thriller because it hasn’t been included in so many greatest hits albums.

“The Lady In My Life” – The worst tune on the album? Yeah I think so. Still pretty darn great? Definitely.

Does reading about this brilliant album makes you want to learn how to sing yourself? Well, I will not guarantee you that you will be able to sing just like Michael Jackson (who can?) but you can definitely improve your vocal abilities with Singorama vocal lessons which are 100% guaranteed.

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Whether you are a preacher or a pop star, having the right sound system makes all the difference. A lot of people assume that the content is what matters most, but when you are dealing with large groups of people, this is not really the case. You have to be preaching the right words or playing the right chords, of course, but if you really want your audience to respond to your performance, you need to have more than that. You need them to be able to hear every word loud and clear. You need a pa system that give s you the most power, clarity, and depth possible on your budget. You need to be able to hear yourself, as well as having other people hear you. In short, having great sound is key for any performer.

A lot of people think that simpler sound systems are better, particularly if you do not have the budget to hire an av technician. This is not always the case, however. Straightforward PA systems are good for parties in your friends basement, but by investing a little bit of money in a multi-speaker surround sound system, you can really take things to the next level. This is especially true if you are going to have multiple musicians playing at the same time. With a big band, sound monitors are almost a necessity. Without them, no one will hear any one else playing, and the sound will be muddled and unclear.

Of course, bigger is not always better with your sound system. Sometimes, a single small tube amp speaker will cut it better than a big PA. If you are playing dirty, crunchy rock with a 3 piece band, this can be the best choice. There are times when high fidelity is not where it’s at . For times like that, a small sound system will take you where you want to be. You do not need a lot of power, or a lot of clarity  just a peddle, a mic, and some screaming tubes!

So depending on the event and location, one must choose the proper PA system. In churches, the sound must be delivered in a less trebly tone and everything to be in striking a perfect balance. So don’t commit the mistake just by settling for any kind of sound system there is without analyzing what the needs of the event are.

Article by Chris Bradley, you can learn more about him at his profile

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If singing behind the headliner is not enough for you, do not attempt to sing backup. You must be comfortable to sing behind the lead act, not fight with them for prominence. You must be able to play a supporting position to the star and not feel left out if you want to sing backup.

To sing backup is much harder than it looks. The ability to listen and be responsive  is paramount is this style of singing. Listening and reacting to the main singers phrasing, you must begin and end as they do. You must, in effect be the singers shadow.

If you can control your place on the stage, see to it that you can see the singer at all times. The job of backup singing is much harder if you can’t see the singers face. You must watch the main singer always. If the singer decides to take another chorus or makes a mistake, you can follow them only if you are watching and aware. Your eyes must be glued to the singer. Often a singer may use a gesture such as a nod of the head to indicate where they are going. Learn their motions and watch out.

You must blend your line to the singers melody. You can start your phrase just behind the singers melody if you want to blend properly. Sometimes you are not sure of how loud the singer will be so start quietly and gradually come up to the proper level after the melody develops. Be very aware of consonants at the beginning of a melody and try to not emphasize them. It may be advisable not to pronounce a hard consonant at all as it may produce a dissonant conflict with the main line.

The end of phrases are just as necessary as the beginning. If you gradually ease off your phrase as the singer does the same, you will not end after they do and cause much embarrassment to yourself and the band as a whole. If you follow these singing tips, watch, listen and blend in; you can be a professional backup singer in very short order.

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