Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Download CD Album Covers - Get Album Artwork Automatically With an iTunes Organizer


Having to download CD album covers for a massive iTunes library can be a dreadful process. I've been an avid iTunes user since I first got my iPod back in 2004. Everything about iTunes works perfectly except for one minor detail. Over six years of importing songs from CDs and mix tapes I'm stuck with a plethora of songs without the right album cover, or even any type of album cover at all!


The whole album cover debacle isn't as bad as my major pet peeve, missing song info! I was tired of looking through my songs and having them come up as Track 01, or just a song title and no artist information. I took to the internet to try and find a solution to this problem and after wading through so many programs that failed to deliver on their promise I stumbled across this nice little app called an ID3 tag editor.


This new mp3 manager was able to download CD album covers for all of the tracks that I had, and I really do mean all of them. Aside from being able to get album artwork, it was even able to find and remove duplicate tracks, leaving me with the higher quality song file. So all of these perks, and this program still has more to offer.


A quick rundown of features are as follows:



  1. Download CD album covers

  2. Find and remove duplicate tracks

  3. Fixes song details (adds in details such as artist, album title, genre)

  4. It's all automatic!


The iTunes organizer gives you a chance to clean up your music library without all the time and hassle it usually takes. I'm really happy I found this little gem of a program, I'm positive I did not want to sit down and sift through more than a thousand songs in an attempt to get my iTunes organized. And now I don't have to!


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Read all about itThe Great Yamaha Pianos


Since 1900 when Yamaha built Japan's first piano it has consistently led various methods to improve its piano making tradition. Its methods were very effective and satisfied the user in all ways.


Numerous methods have been adopted to improve the quality of their product. They started selecting better materials, design and produced the various components itself to keep the standard of their product sky high. Amid of all their improvement they took various measures to improve their product and make them more satisfactory. With the passage of time Yamaha continued to keep its quality, consistency, efficiency always high.


Yamaha offers a great range of things, it has something for everyone. From beginners to great pianist all trust Yamaha. Yamaha is the best choice if one really wants to enjoy each note or each strike on the piano. It has pioneered the acoustic and electronic range. It is famous for its clear tone, touch and durability.


There are verities of piano hybrid available in the Yamaha chamber. Some of the major one are-


Yamaha Silent Pianos


Friday, August 20, 2010

FantasticGrace Slick - Five Surprising Facts About a Sixties Rock Star


Grace Slick will forever be known as the focal point of the iconic sixties rock band Jefferson Airplane. As a songwriter, a singer, and a sex symbol, Grace set herself apart from the female singer/songwriters of the hippie era by the force of her personality and her authenticity as a full fledged member of a premiere rock band.


Grace Slick was born Grace Barnett Wing, October 30, 1939. According to the FBI, Grace was born in Highland Park, Illinois, although Grace Slick tells people she was born in Chicago.


In the early 1950s Grace's family moved from Illinois to California, where she attended middle school and high school. Grace attended Finch College in New York and the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, in the late 1950s and even did a little modeling in the early 1960s.


In 1965 Grace and her first husband, Jerry Slick, saw the newly formed Jefferson Airplane perform at The Matrix. Realizing that she could make much more money and have a lot more fun in a rock band, Grace decided to give up modeling and start a music career. Grace, Jerry Slick, his brother, Darby Slick and other friends formed their own band, The Great Society. The group debuted during the autumn of 1965 with Grace providing vocals, guitar, piano, and the recorder. She and her brother-in-law wrote a majority of the songs. By early 1966 The Great Society was one of the popular psychedelic acts in the Bay area.


Jefferson Airplane


In 1966, Jefferson Airplane asked Grace Slick to replace their lead singer Signe Toly Anderson. It didn't take Grace long to become firmly established as a full fledged member of the band, an equal among equals. Soon after Grace joined Airplane, the band began recording an album which included two The Great Society tunes: "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love". By 1967, Surrealistic Pillow and its singles were great successes and Jefferson Airplane was one of the best-known bands in the country.


From 1966 to 1971 Grace Slick wrote several memorable songs: "White Rabbit", "Rejoyce", "Greasy Heart", "Eskimo Blue Day", and "Lather." She became the face of the 1960s counter culture and became notorious for her outrageous, reckless, and violent behavior, usually fueled by alcohol.


By early 1971 Jefferson Airplane was over. Grace Slick retired from the music business in 1989. Currently Grace spends her time as a celebrity artist, selling and exhibiting her drawings and paintings.


Conclusion


From 1966 to 1971, Jefferson Airplane contributed to the soundtrack of the social and cultural revolution that affected America profoundly and spread throughout the world. Grace Slick, as a singer, song writer, musician and collaborator in that band has earned a unique place as a star of the 1960s Cultural Revolution. The song "White Rabbit", written by Grace Slick, became an anthem for those seeking altered states of consciousness. The 1970s and 1980s saw Jefferson Airplane transform to Jefferson Starship and then to Starship--a transformation that is illustrative of what happened to rock music and the youth culture as commercialization overtook the music and middle age overtook those rock stars who managed to survive the psychedelic sixties.


Grace Slick was an important figure in the 1960s psychedelic rock genre, and is known for her witty lyrics and powerful contralto vocals. Slick's legacy as a trail blazing rock star remains to this day. She paved the way for countless female vocalists, writers and performers seeking to emulate her unique style.


Five Facts About Grace Slick



  1. Grace Slick is purported to have written "White Rabbit" in an hour.

  2. Grace is the vocalist for some of Sesame Street's often played musical shorts, Jazzy Spies, which featured a frenetic musical background while a singer repeatedly intoned the particular numeral being highlighted. Her then-husband, Jerry Slick, actually produced those segments.

  3. After giving birth to her only child, China Kantner, Grace gave birth to an urban legend when she sarcastically told a nurse that she intended to name the child "god". The nurse took Grace seriously, not understanding it was a joke.

  4. Grace was married and divorced twice. Her first husband was Gerald "Jerry" Slick. Although Paul Kantner and Grace Slick had a serious relationship from 1969 to 1974 and have a daughter, they were never legally married. Grace married Skip Johnson in 1976, they divorced in 1994.

  5. Grace Slick was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 (as a member of Jefferson Airplane).


Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Violins For Beginners - Types and Sizes


Violins come in different sizes to suit children and adults of various age. Here is a violins for beginners guide that can help you choose the right size of musical instrument that fits your needs:


Violin Types


Generally, the violin has two types. However, violin makers from all parts of the world have created different types for select brands. Here is a look at the two basic types of violin:


1. Electric


This type of musical instrument utilizes an electronic signal output. Violins for beginners are not usually of the electric type since the latter is more suited for expert players. Electric violins produce a sharper sound than that of the acoustic type.


2. Non-Electric or Acoustic


Non-electric violins are conventional and are appropriate for first-time learners. This type of instrument is usually seen in pictures and movies. It is usually played for folk and traditional music.


Violins can also be categorized by time.


1. Modern


Recent instruments have sharper angles on its neck. The strings are adjusted to a higher pitch and the wood material used is thin and small.


2. Classic


Old models have smaller heels and a thinner neck.


3. Baroque


Baroque violins are more ornamental. They have shallow neck and angles compared to the two other types. Shoulder and chin rests weren't given much importance in the construction of such violins.


This popular musical instrument can also be classified by country. Violins were very popular in places like Italy, China, Germany, Korea and Hungary. The most costly pieces came from Italy while the cheapest ones originated from China.


Violin Sizes


Violins for beginners were made to suit an individual's size and capabilities. The different violin dimensions are:


1. Full Size Violin ( 4/4) The full-size violin is intended for 9 year old individuals and above. Most adults use this size of musical instrument. It has an average arm length of approximately 23.5.


2. 3/4 (Three-Fourth) Nine to eleven year old children can play this size. Its arm length is 22 to 23.5 inches.


3. 1/2 (One-Half) Six to 10 year old children use this violin size.


4. 1/4 (One-Fourth) This violin has an arm length of 17.6 to 20in. It is suitable for 4-7 year old kids.


5. 1/8 (One-Eighth) Children with an arm length of 17.1 - 17.5in will fit this violin size.


6. 1/10 (One-Tenth) Younger violinists, usually those between the age 3 and 5, use this size.


7. 1/16 (One-Sixteenth) This violin has an arm length of 14 - 15 3/8 inches. It is mostly used by three to five year old children.


For more violins for beginners tips, browse our site and discover a rich source of violin information!


Thursday, July 22, 2010

FantasticWhat Not to Do in Vans Warped Tour


If you are coming to the world famous concert for the first time, here are some handy don'ts


1. Make fun


Make sure you understand that your taste in music is not universal. There are people who prefer other bands as well. If you do not like the performance of a particular band, do not make fun of the people who are listening to that music. Everyone has a different musical preference, and some people might think your favorite band is not so cool either.


2. Be upset


Though it is advised not to make fun of people listening to other bands, some people may not be considerate enough, and might make fun of you, because of your music preference. Do not be upset at that. Be cool, and let it be. You know your band is the best, and that is what's important.


3. Spend all your energy


Do not spend all your energy early during the day. Keep it safe, as there is lot of running to be done all day long. If you get tired early on, you are sure to miss out a lot of fun later.


4. Forget sunscreen


Apply sunscreen when you leave home, and keep applying it after some time- especially on your tattoos. The skin at your tattoos is sensitive, and thus reacts to heat faster than skin at other parts of the body. Make sure you keep the sunscreen supply high.


5. Dehydrate


You got the water bottle, right? If you feel thirsty, take a quick gulp. Do not ignore any dehydration signs. If you do not keep yourself hydrated, you might end up tired and broken, and in the medical camp.


6. Complain


This is one very important point. Hopefully you know what you are going to face at the Vans Warped Tour. It's all in the open. It is going to be hot in the sun, and wet in the rain. If you are going to complain about the situation, it is not going to help. Expect a lot of roughness at the concert.


7. Consume alcohol


You have just one bottle of water, and whole day to pull. The stalls are packed, and if you want another bottle of water, you will have to wait in lines. So make sure you do not dehydrate yourself further by consuming alcohol. All alcoholic beverages will make you feel thirstier. Also, don't do drugs. Illegal things can get you arrested. You can even get arrested for just holding a packet of those illegal things!


8. Avoid food


You need to fill up if you want to run around. Sure the food might be expensive, or the lines might be long. But if you really want to enjoy, you need to be energized. Going empty stomach would make you feel hungry, and you wouldn't enjoy the concert to the full, and get tired faster. Remember, the Vans Warped Tour happens just once a year.


9. Get mixed up in the crowd


If you are coming with your group, you can easily get lost in the crowd. Do not abandon anyone from your group, and make sure you decide on a common meeting point. Else there will be a lot of extra running around, which you might not be able to do, as you would be tired at the end of the day.


In the end, don't forget to have fun! Rules are good, and should be followed, but the number one rule of Vans Warped Tour is to have fun.


Coming up next year


Expect a whole lot of fun at Vans Warped Tour 2011. The headlining band at 2011 would be the winning band of 2010 contest. For those who don't know, bands have the chance to participate at the Battle of Bands at the 2010 tour. Top 100 contestants will be chose from all the venues, and from them, the best 4 of each venue will play at Battle of the Bands. The band that wins will be given the headlining position in 2011 Van Warped Tour.


There is going to be lots of stunts, and new bands at the tour. The venues and bands are not planned yet, but it is going to be a blend of old and new bands. Whatever the list is, you can surely expect what you always get from Vans Warped tours- 200% fun.


Friday, July 16, 2010

Need an Album Artwork Finder? Find Out How to Automatically Get Album Artwork Synced to Your Mp3s (Julian Hooks)


If you are a music enthusiast like I am, having your iTunes full of gray music notes is unbearable. I recently found a program called Tuneup Media Companion. This software's main purpose is to find mislabeled music files and correct them. It also has other very useful features including an album artwork finder.


The Tuneup programs artwork tool searches through your entire iTunes or Windows media player library in search of missing album art. This tool is based on the song's current ID3 tags so you have to be sure to clean your files with the clean feature before running the cover art tool.


Once you are done fixing your MP3 ID3 tags you will be well on your way to eliminating all of those annoying gray music notes that are in place of your album artwork. What's great about Tuneup is that it searches multiple online sources and usually displays quite few options of different album covers for you to choose from. For example if they have a special edition cover or maybe a live tour cover you can opt to show those instead. You can also determine the resolution of the picture file that you want downloaded.


ITunes has a view called cover flow that is useless unless your album artwork is correct and up to date. After running the album artwork finder software you will once again be able to make use of this view. Now you can sift through your music collection and browse your albums just by flipping through the album covers.


Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Know Your Local Towing Service Company


A local towing company with a great reputation is important so that your vehicle is safe and will be treated properly. Choosing the right company may be hard because towing hopefully is not be a service you often need. Finding one with a good reputation will ensure that your vehicle is safe and sound and that no damage occurs to it. A great local company can provide safe towing as well as a decent price for its services. Doing a little research will help you find a company with a good reputation. Your car is important; you want a company that values what is important to you.


Whether your car breaks down or you are involved in a wreck, this can be a stressful situation. You want a company that will meet your needs and provide you with a peace of mind in the situation. You want to know that your car is being handled safely and that no further damage is being done. You also want to pay a fair price and deal with friendly employees. All of this is possible with the right company. No matter what you need towed, you want safety and quality. A local company with a good reputation will meet all of your needs with impeccable service and affordability.


Knowing your local towing company can make a huge difference between great service and a disaster. Local companies know the value of providing good service to their communities. Ensure that your vehicle is safe by choosing a company close by with the best reputation.