Indie Filmmakers Looking For Film Buyers: 5 Reasons Why It's Never Too Early To Start Marketing

Indie Filmmakers Looking For Film Buyers: 5 Reasons Why It's Never Too Early To Start Marketing
Making an independent film is a huge project, and
conventional wisdom has it that you: shoot your film, cut
your film and then, after that's all done, you try to sell
your film. However, marketing your film should begin during
the production phase. But who has the time? That's just it
— you don't.

So...find some people who do. Marketing is a priority, but
it should not be your priority. You need to beg, borrow and
trade favors to find a few key people who can stay on top
of your marketing needs while your film is in production.
Ideally, you want to make the entire production process a
marketing process too. Below are a list of five key things
you do not want to forget to do, or better yet, that you do
not want to forget to find someone else to do for you.

1. Find A Photographer

My own experience in film acquisitions has taught me that
even some high-level productions forget to finish
production with some great still photography and I cannot
emphasize enough how important this aspect will be down the
road. You will need photography for every aspect of you
promotion and you want it to be quality product. Basically,
you need a professional photographer, or somebody who
shoots like a professional. You do not need a photographer
for the full duration of your shoot, but you should ensure
that you have one for the most photogenic scenes. As well,
you want to make sure you have compelling photos of all
your lead actors in costume and in character. Brief your
photographer on the film's story so they can help you tell
it visually. Don't put off taking stills until the end and
don't assume that it's something you can go back to later '
you can't. The best shots are going to happen during your
shoot, so make sure you have somebody around who can
capture them.

2. Build Your Film An Online Home

A stand-alone website for your film is crucial and the
overwhelming consensus is that you want to have something
simple and user friendly. Your website does not need a lot
of flash that makes it clunky to use. Your website, like
your film, is a work in progress, so begin with production
as your homepage, as you progress this will shift. By the
end of your process you will want your site to contain
simple access to at least the following: your film's cast
and crew, still production photos, a poster, any news
coverage your film has generated (more on that later),
festival play, and most importantly, a trailer. The trailer
is really the money shot here, so don't hide it: make your
trailer, or a link to your trailer, your film's
centerpiece. And make sure it's high quality. The payoffs
for starting early on this are invaluable. By the time you
are submitting for film festivals or looking for
distribution, you will have a site that reflects your
film's production history, that already has an audience and
that has all the bugs worked out.

3. Meet The Local Press

Variety may not be interested in the fact that you are
embarking on an independent feature may, but it may be news
for publications in and around your location. Reach out to
the local press and see if you can get some coverage of
your production, talk up your location, why you chose it
and what you are doing. Give a local reporter or freelancer
some time with your cast. Once you've wrapped, you won't be
in the position to be a local story ' take advantage of it
while you can.

4. Reach Out To Film Buyers

A number of independent distributors will not purchase an
unfinished film, but that does not mean that you should
wait until your film is finished to contact potential
buyers. A simple e-mail, with a link to the film's website
and a note that screeners will be made available in the
future is all you need at the beginning. At this point,
focus on the distributors you would most like to work with,
your dream list. E-mail with a follow up phone call is the
best way to go. This period is low pressure for both the
buyer and you, so take it easy and treat it as a "getting
to know you" session. Once you have a completed project,
the distribution channels you like will at least know who
you are.

5. Shoot Your Film / Create A Community

During the pre-production and production stage of making
your film, you are going to come into contact with a large
number of people. Each of these people will have an e-mail
address, and somebody should be tracking all of that
information; your film's production creates its first
community, so take advantage of it. Take business cards
form everyone you come into contact with and get all the
e-mail addresses logged.

----------------------------------------------------
Daniel Lafleche is the COO of IPEX TV, the leading
multiplatform B2B Film and Video online marketplace. Daniel
has over 25 years experience in film distribution,
combining film and video licensing with internet media.
IPEX TV specializes in helping indie producers and film and
video distributors take advantage of the web and reach out
to international film license buyers. You can learn more at
http://www.ipexview.com

How to Increase Your Vocal Range and Start Singing High Notes Easily

How to Increase Your Vocal Range and Start Singing High Notes Easily
Do you love to sing, but find yourself constantly having
trouble singing high notes? Well, there is an easy way to
improve your vocal range. All you need to do is learn the
best singing techniques by doing vocal exercises. If you
do the proper vocal exercises, you can improve your vocal
range quickly and easily.

The first step is for you to understand why you have
trouble singing high notes. There are two primary reasons
for that.

The most common reason that people have trouble singing
high notes is that they are singing in a falsetto voice.
Falsetto means that you have reached a point in your vocal
range where your vocal chords have trouble holding
themselves together. When they start to separate, you will
find that your tone has no depth. That is known as a
falsetto voice. Sometimes a falsetto voice can be useful,
but it is definitely good to be able to sing in a higher
voice with more depth to it, most of the time.

Another possible reason that you may have trouble singing
high notes is that you are trying to force your voice to
sing outside your comfortable vocal range. Generally, that
means that you wind up yelling the high notes. Not only
can that be hard on the ears of those around you, but it
can also potentially do permanent damage to your vocal
chords. Once you understand why you have trouble singing
high notes, you can begin correcting the problems. One of
the best ways to do that is to do speech level singing
exercises. They can help you to improve your vocal range
by developing your mixed voice.

By "zipping up" your vocal chords and dividing the
resonance between your mouth and head, you can achieve a
mixed voice. Your mixed voice is a vocal range where you
can sing rich high notes easily. If you sing in your mixed
voice, rather than falsetto or yelling, you will greatly
improve the sound of your voice.

If you do speech level vocal exercises, you can easily
improve your mixed voice. Speech level vocal exercises are
specifically designed to help you to exercise a specific
muscle group, which is by your vocal chords. These inner
larynx muscles, once strengthened and properly used, can
give you a larger vocal range, a stronger, fuller voice and
the ability to easily hit high notes.

So, if you want to start singing high notes easily, just
practice some speech level vocal exercises. That way, you
can improve your vocal range and avoid having to yell the
high notes. Don't cause permanent vocal chord damage, when
you can learn simple vocal exercises and sing better in no
time, instead!

----------------------------------------------------
Find out how to increase your vocal range at
http://www.singinglikepro.com

Is Digital Photography Better Than Film?

Is Digital Photography Better Than Film?
Digital cameras have changed the world of photography
forever. It has never been easier - or cheaper - to
practice and learn the art of photography, and millions of
people are taking an interest in photography for the first
time. But the question is still often asked. Which is
better: film or digital?

I use film, but if someone asks me whether they should buy
a film camera or a digital camera, I almost always
recommend digital. The answer is not so simple if someone
asks me which is 'better' - film or digital?

The answer comes down what you mean by 'better.'
Photography is many things to many people, so the merits of
the medium depends on what you expect to get out of it.

In my business (a nature photography gallery), the single
most important criteria is the quality of the printed
photograph. For me, film still provides superior quality
enlargements, even though darkroom printing has all but
died out. These days, I get a high-resolution scan from the
original film, and print my photos digitally. This process
gives me a better quality enlargement than a print from a
digital camera. I am talking about BIG enlargements here -
A2 and sometimes larger.

So why do I recommend others to switch to digital
photography (if they haven't already)? Simply because not
many people make their living selling framed photographs.
Let's face it, how many of us will ever print a photo
larger than 8x12 inch (20x30cm)?

In fact, how many digital photos these days are ever
printed at all? The day of the photo album has passed.
Today most photos will only ever exist as digital files. We
can share them in emails, insert them into websites, use
them as screensavers...for many people the idea of actually
printing a photo is little more than a novelty.

So in the age of digital photography, what does film has to
offer? Well, not much, except for the high cost of
developing and printing (don't forget you have to pay for
each exposure, even the bad ones). Then there is the long
delay between taking the photo and seeing the result.
Finally, if you want to use your photo for any practical
purpose, you will probably have to scan it to turn it into
a digital file anyway.

So, is digital photography 'better' than film photography?
In the modern world, which demands speed and convenience,
yes. With your digital camera you can take all the photos
you like at no real cost, and see the results instantly.
You don't have to pay to print photos you don't want, and
you can simply delete your unsuccessful images from your
camera.

That's not to say digital photography is perfect; far from
it. I have already mentioned that your digital files are
not as good as film for very big enlargements, but there is
more to it than that. The quality of a digital print is a
little 'flatter' than a photo printed from film. It may
have plenty of colour and detail, but in ways that are hard
to explain, it lacks the illusion of three-dimensional real
life that you can get from film.

In the past, most digital photographers would laugh at me
for suggesting such a thing. I suspect that was because
after investing a small fortune in their new technological
treasure, they were reluctant to admit that their new toy
was not perfect in every way. Today, however, even the most
committed digital convert seems willing to admit that the
digital revolution has, for all its advantages, brought
with it a level of compromise in quality.

Is there a solution? Of course there is, and it is called
software. Whichever image editing software you use, you can
easily 'tweak' your photos, to the point where the quality
is as rich and three-dimensional as a film photograph.
These programs have become a fact of life for many
photographers, but not everyone likes to use them or even
knows how to. Then there are the grumpy old purists (like
me) who feel that a well-exposed photo should not require
enhancement to bring it up to standard.

So where does all this leave us? Is digital better than
film? For my purposes, no. For your purposes, most likely
yes. If your priority is not large, high quality prints,
there is really very little reason to stick with film
(other than nostalgia).

If you are shopping for a camera (SLR or compact), make it
a digital. Just as important, take the time to learn how to
use it. Photography is still about focus, aperture, shutter
speed, composition and lighting. The digital vs. film
debate means nothing if you simply switch your camera to
automatic and take snapshots. Oh, and get to know your
computer...you're going to need it.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall is a professional nature photographer of 20
years experience, with a successful gallery and two ebooks
"Photography in Plain English" and "Every Picture Tells A
Story", which have helped thousands of beginners discover
the art and skills of nature photography. See Andrew
Goodall's images at http://www.naturesimage.com.au and
check out the ebooks at
http://www.naturesimage.com.au/page/25/default.asp

Play Guitar Online Lessons On DVD or Software?

Play Guitar Online Lessons On DVD or Software?
Online courses to learn the guitar are heavily searched on
the Internet because of the cost advantage and many other
benefits. While a course delivered through the Internet
could be created by a very high quality instructor and may
include a lot of DVD's with a very low price tag, a local
instructor could charge you hundreds of dollars only for
some beginner's lessons and much more for the intermediate
lessons. Maybe this same instructor could not help you
with advanced lessons at all, so if you want to learn to
play the guitar from beginner level to expert and saving a
lot of money, clearly the Internet is the way to go.

There is no doubt that learning through a DVD or software
installed in your PC is much better than learning through a
book because you will have much more interaction with the
teacher. Although he wouldn't interact really with you, you
could always pause the DVD to replicate things that where
taught and learn at your own pace.

Not all people will feel comfortable taking the lessons
from their computer, especially older people not as
familiar with technology as younger people and because
there is no interaction to ask questions and get immediate
answers. Although some courses do have a members only forum
in which you can get an answer fast if you post a question
there (in some cases, even the creator of the course is an
active member of this forum), for older people this process
could seem a little "cold".

Staying in front of your computer while playing the guitar
could be considered "too geek" for many people, while
sitting with the guitar in their living room while watching
professional mastered DVD's with detailed lessons could be
a better experience. With either option, you wouldn't get
embarrassed if you fail in any lesson because you only
watch the DVD's or the software.

Definitely, one of the worst things about purchasing an
Internet course is that you will hardly find excellent
lessons for very advanced students. This is natural, since
you probably wouldn't find a local guitar instructor that
could teach you past intermediate level without paying an
arm and a leg and because demand is dim for very advanced
material, it doesn't make sense almost for anyone to create
a course that cater that demand.

Although few people will prefer "personalized" lessons and
will not be comfortable learning from their PC or watching
a DVD, most people are very satisfied with this kind of
learning, as it shows the majority of posts left in one of
the guitar learning courses available on the Internet. The
interaction with other people in the forum is more or less
the same as if these people were in the same classroom. In
the case of this course, the creator of the course himself
is an active member of the forum and answer questions from
students.

----------------------------------------------------
Andres Berger enjoys helping people to learn to play the
guitar. He writes often about
http://stevekrenz.soundsofguitar.com so people could decide
if it is the right choice for them.

Get Down With A Myspace Background

Get Down With A Myspace Background
Websites like Myspace are known as social networking web
sites, which have grown in popularity over the last couple
of years. The Internet has made communication easier
through emails and instant messages. But the social
networking websites have taken convenience all the way to a
new level, as friends are able to keep up with each other
and where new friends can be made. These social networking
websites also creates a place for people to have their own
unique and personal space on the Internet. In a way, your
page is a personal statement of your own taste and
personality.

This is where many different sites began to offer content
to help people personalize their web pages. Fortunately for
these mySpace, facebook, and friendster users, there are
plenty of websites that offer free custom backgrounds or
what myspacers call layouts. As more and more people visit
MySpace each day, more than any other social networking
site, so it is important that your MySpace page be the way
that you like it so that it reflects your own personal
style. The background of your profile will be the first
thing that most people will get to see. Whether they are a
new friend or an old friend, they will form their opinion
of your page based on the background layout. Myspace
resource websites offer a few different styles that may fit
your needs and suit your tastes. If you find one that
matches your profile, then it is easy to apply to your
profile. The benefits of these types of profiles are that
they are fairly easy to install.

The fact is that the Internet is full of resource websites
that offer myspace backgrounds with lots of different
options. It does not matter if you are a hip hop fan, a
movie nut, or a lover of sponge bob, you can find a enough
MySpace backgrounds to match your style. Maybe you like
Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers? Perhaps you have always
liked to play with G.I. Joe? Whatever the case, there is a
good chance that you will find what you are looking for.
Even if you cant find it right away, you can be sure that
there is probably a new one being made at this moment.

When you choose to use a myspace background for your
personal or musical MySpace profile, you put a stamp of
creativity on your page for everyone to see. With so many
choices available, social Networking should be fun and it
should be a way for people to present themselves to others
in their own unique way. By going with your myspace
backgrounds, you can take full advantage of this
opportunity.

----------------------------------------------------
Expert author Keishon Martin owns KeyWorldWide Inc. which
operates http://www.GetrichinMusic.com and
http://www.SpacedOutCodes.com which is where you can get a
Myspace background and many more resources for you Myspace
profile

Rainforest Photography: Five Tips For Great Rainforest Photos.

Rainforest Photography: Five Tips For Great Rainforest Photos.
Rainforest photography, like all good nature photography,
is more about your sensitivity to nature than about
expensive equipment. Of course you need a decent camera,
and you must know how to use it. But the quality of your
photos does not depend on the price tag on your camera. As
long as you have a tripod, and a camera that allows you to
adjust the aperture and shutter speed, you are set to go.

I make my living selling rainforest photography and other
landscape and wildlife photography, and I have never relied
on the latest equipment for my photos. Great rainforest
photography is simply about finding a great subject, in the
best light, and having a good eye for composition.

Note: The following tips are for photos of rainforest
scenes, not for close-up photos of leaves, fungus etc.

Rainforest Photography Tip #1: Choose a subject. As they
say in the classics, "It's a jungle out there." In the
rainforest, you are confronted with foliage, branches,
roots, rocks, vines...in your face and all around you. A
really good rainforest photo requires structure, to make
some visual sense of all that clutter. Look for something
that is immediately eye-catching - a big tree that
dominates the trees around it; a root system that leads the
eye; a waterfall or stream; in short, something that you
can build a composition around.

Rainforest Photography Tip #2: Use the best natural light.
The mistake almost everybody makes at first is to take
their rainforest photos on a bright sunny day when they are
in the mood for a walk. Wrong! In full sunlight, the
rainforest becomes a patchwork of light and shade that is
impossible to expose properly. What you need is a cloudy
day, when the light is much more even. Misty weather adds
even more atmosphere to the rainforest, and can add a
mysterious character to your rainforest photo.

Do not use a flash. By illuminating your scene with flat
white light, you eliminate the gentle play of light and
shade that gives the rainforest its character. Always use
the natural light.

Rainforest Photography Tip #3: Carry a tripod. Taking your
rainforest photo under a heavy tree canopy, on a cloudy day
(see rainforest photography tip #2), means the level of
light will be very low. You may be shooting at shutter
speeds as slow as one or two seconds. You will always need
your tripod, and it is best to avoid windy days so that the
scene is as still as possible.

Rainforest Photography Tip #4: Use a wide-angle lens (or
zoom out to the widest angle on your zoom lens). The wide
angle lens has several advantages for rainforest
photography. Firstly, it exaggerates the sense of
perspective in a photo, creating a sense of three
dimensional depth. Viewers of your photo will feel like
they are looking not just at a rainforest, but into it.
Secondly, the wide-angle lens has a naturally wide depth of
field. With so much detail all around you, it is important
that you can keep both the foreground and the background in
focus.

Rainforest Photography Tip #5: Stay on the path. There are
some practical reasons for staying on the path when
bushwalking. You minimize the possibility of getting lost,
injured, or fined by some over-officious park ranger. The
people who run the national parks are not stupid. They know
what you want to see, and design their trails accordingly.
You will not miss much by sticking to the path.

In terms of rainforest photography, you are able to create
some distance between you and the foliage around you. It is
much easier to photograph a tree when you don't have the
branch of another tree in your face. By staying on the
path, you can get a clear view of your subject, without
interference. You can even use the path as part of the
composition in your rainforest photo. It is an excellent
way of inviting the viewer to join you on your walk in the
rainforest.

So there you have my five rainforest photography tips.
Notice they concentrate on light and creativity, not on
fancy techniques or equipment. You can make great
improvements in all your nature photography this way,
regardless of what type of camera you have.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall has made his living from nature photography
for over 20 years. See his images at
http://www.naturesimage.com.au

Andrew's ebooks
"Photography in Plain English" and "Every Picture Tells A
Story" have helped thousands of beginners learn the art and
skills of nature photography. Find them at
http://www.naturesimage.com.au/page/25/default.asp

How Some Japanese Mahjong Players Read Tiles With Their Thumbs

How Some Japanese Mahjong Players Read Tiles With Their Thumbs
Modern Japanese mahjong tiles are made of a synthetic nylon
material with the symbols for the suit numbers, winds and
dragons stamped onto the face of the tiles. The face of
every tile in a set can be distinguished not only by the
design that you see, but also by the design that you can
FEEL when you rub your thumb across the face of the tile!

And rub his thumb across the face of the tile is what many
an expert Japanese player of mahjong likes to do during the
course of a game! Yes, many an experienced player has
developed the ability to "read" tiles with his thumb by
rubbing it across the tile face and feeling the
indentations.

It takes hours of practice to get to the point where you
can accurately distinguish each of the 34 different tile
faces of a standard Japanese mahjong set with your thumb,
and there seems to be little advantage in being able to do
so. It is a diverting party trick and it also adds some
kudos to a player's game if the player can pluck a tile
from the wall, announce what it is and discard it without
so much as glancing at it. As mahjong is best played at a
fast and furious pace, being able to read and discard tiles
swiftly does help the flow of the game, but beyond that
there seems little practical advantage to be gained in
learning the skill.

However, there is one case where a "thumb-reader" could
glean some useful information about an opponent's tile.
Because mahjong players like to play fast the player who is
waiting for his turn often reaches for his tile before the
player to his left has discarded. By placing his thumb
under the tile in readiness to lift it off the wall, a
competent "thumb-reader" would be able to read the tile
while waiting for his turn.

But then, when the player on his left discards a tile, if
another player claims it as a "Pon" the "thumb-reader"
would not in fact draw the tile from the wall and it is
more than likely that the tile will go to a different
player. In that case the "thumb reader" will know what the
tile is and will perhaps pay attention to where it is
placed in the other player's hand.

Some people might object that such a practice is a form of
cheating, but others counter that it is just part parcel of
the Japanese approach to the game.

It might also be pointed out that there is nothing to stop
the player who received the tile from practising some
deception by placing it somewhere in his hand where it does
not really belong in the hope that the "thumb-reader" will
draw the wrong conclusions about the make-up of his hand.

Whatever you may think about the practice of
"thumb-reading", the fact that it is possible to do at all
is testimony to the sensitivity of the human thumb, or "oya
yubi" as it is called in Japanese.

----------------------------------------------------
David Hurley lives in Japan and runs a website supplying
Japanese games and goods including Japanese mahjong sets
and accessories direct to customers all over the world, at:
=> http://japanese-games-shop.com .

Online DVD Rentals Changing The Face Of The Movie Renting Business

Online DVD Rentals Changing The Face Of The Movie Renting Business
Getting your new movies to watch each month could be
obtained through a better deal than what you may be
accustomed to. Online DVD rentals are making it a little
more convenient and practical to get the movies you want,
when you want them. Here are some ways the online DVD
rentals are changing the face of the movie renting business.

Never Leave Home To Make Your Order

Probably one key advantage of using an online DVD rental
store is that you never have to leave your home to order
them. Everything you need to get your movies is available
online, which saves you both time and money. With your
movie selections being delivered directly to your mailbox,
this gives you a service that cannot be beat.

Returns Are Convenient, Too

Getting it back to your online DVD rental dealer is just
about as easy. There is no more standing in line at your
video store because you simply stick it in the prepaid
envelope and then put it in the mailbox. You do not even
need to put any postage on it. In most cases, the rental
dealer provides the postage for the round trip.

Great Package Deals Are Available

When you are ready to look for which online DVD rental
service provider you want, you just need to shop around and
find the one with the features you like. If you are only
looking for one or two movies a month, then you would
probably want one where you pay for each DVD you get. If
you like more than that, you can pay a set fee each month
that is low and will give you so many DVD's each month.

Another way to go, though, if you watch a lot of DVD's each
month, is to get the unlimited program. This enables you to
get as many DVD's as you can watch each month. You will
only receive a few at a time from your selection list,
though, but when each is returned then you will receive
more. This way, you can have your choice DVD's coming in a
constant stream.

You Have A Wider Selection

Ordering your movie online gives you a larger variety to
choose from. If you order a larger package, with a good
number of DVD's each month, then if one is not in stock at
that moment, you can still receive another one that you
wanted. Once your DVD comes available, and your other DVD's
are in, it is on your list and will be sent to you. Or, if
you should want to modify your list after you have it made,
not a problem, you can do that at any time, too.

The Savings Are Tremendous

When you buy the best package around, then you are getting
to watch a lot of DVD's. Your online DVD rental Web site
sends you the DVD's, and it costs you much less than if you
had rented them from a video store. You can also see the
latest movies and still not have to pay higher prices for
them.

----------------------------------------------------
For a free trial of one of Australia's largest DVD rental
companies, see http://www.rentdvdsonline.net.au

How to Learn and Master Guitar Faster Than You Ever Imagined!

How to Learn and Master Guitar Faster Than You Ever Imagined!
Have you ever wondered if there's some 'secret trick' to
learning how to play guitar? Well, there IS a trick -- but
it's one that 'hides in plain sight.'

If you want to move beyond the basics and truly master your
instrument, there are two things you absolutely must do:

1. Memorize the fretboard.

2. Develop a solid understanding of the relationship
between scales, modes and chords.

The reason for memorizing the fretboard should be obvious.
Knowing where all the notes are will make you a faster,
more intuitive player. The reasons (there are many) behind
learning the relationship between scales, modes and chords
require a little more explanation.

The first thing to understand is that chords are
constructed from scales.

Let's say you want to know which notes make up the G-major
chord You'd first need to know is that Major chords are
built from the root, third and fifth tones of their
corresponding Major scale. Then, you'd need to know the G
Major scale, which is: G-A-B-C-D-E-F#-G.

If you count up from G to the 3rd note you arrive at B. If
you count up from G to the 5th note you have D. Play these
notes simultaneously as GBD, and you have a G Major chord!

The second to understand is that scales (and,therefore,
chords) can begin on any note within the key

Here's where modes and chord inversions ('voicings') come
in. Let's say that you decide to play that G Major chord at
the 7th fret on the first three strings of the guitar. If
you strum the chord from the inside out, you will play DGB.
In other words, your 'root' is no longer the bottom/first
note of the chord. This is what's known as an inversion.

Now, let's say you are playing a song in G Major, and you
decide to play the scale starting from a root other than G.
For instance, you might begin playing the scale at D. Is
this a 'new' scale or just the same scale from a different
position? It's actually both!

A G Major scale played from any point while in the key of G
is considered "Ionian Mode". It will always sound 'Major'.

However, if you play the G Major scale pattern from D while
you're in a different key, you'll be in one of the
following, alternative modes: Aeolian, Dorian, Phrygian,
Mixolydian, or Locrian.

These modes will sound something other than 'Major'. The
Aeolian mode, for example, is actually considered the Minor
scale (Ionian = Major scale for all keys, and Aeolian =
Minor scale for all keys).

The other modes fall in between, creating interesting
harmonizations and are often used in Jazz music for soloing
over the more complex, dissonant-feeling chords such as the
Major and Minor 7ths and 9ths.

When you learn these relationships, you'll start to notice
something akin to an 'interlocking' pattern on your
fretboard. For example, when you know all of the inversions
for a given chord, then you'll also know that beginning a
scale on the root of that inversion can lead you into
whichever modal scale you want to play over the current key.

The more relationships you see and understand, the more
your fretboard opens up to you for creative soloing and
songwriting. The end result is learning and mastering your
guitar faster than you ever imagined!

----------------------------------------------------
Someday you'll be a guitar-god....but, first, you must
learn how 'mere mortals' play:
http://www.learnguitartips.com

Blu-ray and DVD Covers: The Cover Says It All

Blu-ray and DVD Covers: The Cover Says It All
What can be more fun, challenging, and rewarding than being
able to create your own DVD and Blu-ray covers? Perhaps the
principles applied in making your own DVD and blu-ray
covers can be similar with making a book cover design. The
work allows you use and explore your imagination and to
express individuality. You can either create a personalized
cover design or make use of some current DVD media covers,
which you can further enhance or modify even depending on
preference. Either way, you would still end up feeling like
a fulfilled visual artist.

How it began:

Basically, the DVD and blu-ray cover concept evolved from
the creation of blu-ray disc. Developed by the Blur-ray
Disc Association, Bluray or Blu-ray Disc is defined as an
optical disc storage media format. The disc functions as a
standard CD or DVD but with high-definition video and
higher data storage features. Shorter wavelength means
greater data storage. And with the Blu-ray Disc having a
405 nm wavelength, it can significantly store more data
than any DVD format (with 650 nm wavelength).

Having been recently developed, the Blu-ray disc is among
the perceived potential replacements for DVD. This can be
true enough if it were to base on factors such as disc
capacity, reading mechanism, and usage. The Disc has 25 GB
capacity (single layer) and 50 GB capacity (dual layer). It
uses the blue-violet laser for reading mechanism, which
again is of shorter wavelength. Also, the disc can be used
mainly for input or recording of high-definition video,
PlayStation games, and data storage. Thus, the Blu-ray disc
may really be way ahead from other disc storage media
available.

Blu-ray Disc developer:

The Blu-ray Disc Association consists of companies that
represent computer hardware, consumer electronics, and
motion picture production. Apparently, the standard
Blue-ray Disc entails several patents from these
constituent companies. A joint licensing agreement has been
finalized just last March of 2007. And a more recent
development is release of more 450 Blu-ray Disc titles in
United States and Japan last 19 Feb 2008.

High quality covers matter:

Presentation does matter. This can be true for most people
particularly those who are deeply keen to collecting film
or game videos. Apparently, disc covers can say a lot to
the quality of the product (good film or game) or the disc
itself (e.g., special features, capabilities). It is not
surprising how poor presentation can instantly affect
consumer's buying preference and decision.

Specifically, Blu-ray and DVD covers are purposely created
or produced at the highest quality possible. Even the
biggest movie producing companies and studios (e.g., Warner
Brothers, Walt Disney, Buena Vista Home Entertainment,
Paramount, Sony etc.) have begun distributing movie copies
in Blu-ray format, and so it goes with the cover. Also,
there are even specific web sites that offer covering and
labels for Blu-ray and DVD cases. So either you make your
own or have others make it for you. Either way, you can
definitely be assured of a high-quality output.

----------------------------------------------------
DVD Covers and Blu-ray covers really do say a lot about
your movie collection. Most of the time, studio covers just
don't convey the look and feel of the movie which is why
people create their own. To learn more about DVD Covers and
Blu-ray Covers please visit http://www.dvdcoversfuzion.com/
.

Are Computers Killing Photography?

Are Computers Killing Photography?
Digital photography has beginners all over the world
desperate to learn how to take better photos using their
digital cameras. Where can they learn the skills of good
photography?

A few years ago, I wrote an ebook to teach beginners the
basics of good photography. You know, aperture, shutter
speed, depth of field, lighting, composition; the sort of
things experienced photographers take for granted. In
recent times, I have been amazed at the increasing number
of people eager to get their hands on this type of
information.

With the internet seemingly taking over the world, and the
explosion in availability of books, ebooks and courses on
just about every subject, why is it so hard for a new
photographer to find out how to use their camera? It's a
mystery for the modern age, but I think I may have found
the answer.

If a person has a bad experience, especially if that
experience cost them hard-earned dollars, they will tell
others. And what they are telling me is that they are NOT
HAPPY with most of the photography courses and guides on
offer.

Many courses and workshops advertising 'digital
photography' have little or nothing to do with actual
photography. That's right, you can sign up to learn the
skills of better photography and not learn one thing about
taking better photos.

What you get instead is a workshop in photo-editing. How to
fix up your bad photos, how to superimpose rainbows and
birds into your landscapes and how to remove freckles and
pimples from your portraits. How to use software which, in
many cases, the customer doesn't have, doesn't want and
possibly can't afford.

Are these useful skills? Of course they are, but they are
not photography. At best, they are peripheral skills that
relate to photography, for people (and there are plenty of
them) who choose to go down that path.

The result could be a generation of 'photographers' who
know more about fixing up their mistakes on a computer than
about taking good photos in the first place.

If a customer pays you to teach them photography, they have
a right to expect that they will learn how to use a camera.
If they want to learn about computer software, they will
buy a different ebook, or sign up to a different course. If
you take their money, then sit them in front of a computer
for three days, you have not given them what they paid for.
If your customer asks for their money back - so they should.

I could take a pessimistic view, and think that some
photographers have become so lazy, so unskilled, that they
really believe digital manipulation is more important to
photography than skill with a camera. I prefer to think
that the customers I have spoken to have just been the
victims of misunderstandings and poorly worded advertising.

Whichever is the case, customers beware! Before you hand
over your money, find out exactly what you are signing up
for. If you want to learn how to take better photos, make
sure the course (or workshop, or ebook etc) is about the
camera, not just the computer. If software is a component
of the course, terrific - you are getting a well rounded
look at the world of photography. If it is the only
component, shop around; there are still people out there
who want to teach what you want to learn.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall is a professional nature photographer of
over 20 years experience, and has released two top selling
ebooks on the art and essential skills of photography.
Check them out at http://www.naturesimage.com.au
Andrew's simple belief is that with a small amount of
guidance, anybody can take better photos, no matter what
sort of camera they have.

Blu-Ray Technology Revolutionizes the Movie Industry

Blu-Ray Technology Revolutionizes the Movie Industry
The advancement of technology has truly come a long way and
has changed the way people watch movies for the better It
was not long ago that people watch movies at home through
their VCR's which accepts Betamax tapes and VHS tapes.
These bulky tapes were replaced first by VCDs or video
compact discs that have a storage capacity of 700 MB.
Because of the low storage capacity of these VCDs, one full
length movie requires two VCDs. LaserDiscs (LD) soon
replaced VCDs but was short-live as DVDs entered the scene.
DVDs are short for Digital Versatile Discs and have six
times the storage capacity of that of VCDs.

A single DVD with a storage capacity of 4.7 GB is capable
of storing one full-length movie as well as other
behind-the-scene footages and other extra features. Because
of this, DVDs have revolutionized the movie industry as
more and more people are buying DVDs and watching them at
home. The DVD may however be replaced by a new technology
that would further enhance the movie industry. This new
technology is known as Blu-Ray.

Blu-Ray technology is considered to be the next-generation
DVD. Blu-Ray Discs or BD can record, store and are able to
play back more video, digital audio, as well as computer
data. BDs can also store a full length high-definition
movie which usually takes a higher bandwidth and storage
space. Compared to DVDs. Blu-Ray Discs have the advantage
on the amount of information that it can store. A
single-layer BD has the capacity to store 27 GB of digital
information. This single-layer BD is enough to hold more
than two hours of high-definition videos or to hold more
than 13 hours of standard video. A double-layer BD on the
other hand can be able to store more than 4.5 hours of
high-definition video because of its 50 GB storage capacity.

Optical disc storage media such as DVDs and BDs uses laser
light to write and read information Blu-Ray technology uses
blue-violet rays instead of the red ray used for Digital
Versatile Discs (DVDs). The amount of information that can
be stored in discs is dependent on how large and precise
the laser light is. Blue laser has a shorter wavelength
than that of red laser and because of this, blue laser is
more precise and can write information in much smaller
spaces. This is the reason why a lot more information can
be stored in a Blu-Ray disc.

A huge storage capacity is not the only advantage of a
Blu-Ray technology. Blu-Ray Discs can also transfer
information at a higher rate. BDs have a data transfer rate
of 36 Mbps (megabits per second) which is higher than that
of DVDs which transfer only at 10 Mbps.

Blu-Ray technology is in competition with the High
Definition DVD (HD DVD) formats for becoming the official
storage medium for High Definition movies. Blu-Ray discs
were first utilized by Sony in their PlayStation 3 games
and because of this, BD is now becoming popular among giant
movie production studios such as Warner Brothers which have
stated that they will only release their High Definition
movies in BD formats starting May of 2008.

----------------------------------------------------
Digital media such as Blu-ray and DVD have been an interest
of mine for a extended period now. As new media technology
emerges I feel that it is important to keep up to date and
in tune with the market. To learn more about DVD Covers and
Blu-ray Covers please visit http://www.dvdcoversfuzion.com/
.

Stringing The Pearls Of Poesy

Stringing The Pearls Of Poesy
In this new age of information, poetry has taken on a whole
new level of excellence. I started writing poetry when I
was twenty-four, which became a significant outlet for me
to express my spiritual side of my character. Even through
my pain and suffering and through the glorious times, it
seemed to help enrich others, as well as myself. By the
means of writing my experiences in short poetical form and
then sharing my poetry has become truly a remarkable
journey. The responses that I have had with people of all
ages has been deeply rewarding for me and how it is capable
of truly touching a person's heart as the poem speaks to
them or even yet helps them as well.

My goal is to write my poetry from the heart then to share
it with others. A special and close friend of mine said to
me "what we create must be shared because there is someone
out there that has wished to see or read that special
creation". How glorious it is when someone gets excited
when we had became brave enough to share our work with
them. I have found we have a need for the elevating beauty
of art to uplift and influence the soul.

I prefer to focus on the beauty of reality in my poetry and
not to be cynical and dwell on the gloomy aspects of life.
I have come to realize that darkness is the absence of
light; ignorance is the absence of knowledge. We have a
need to express the spiritual inner truths we have come to
learn and feel deep within. My inspiration comes from a
place of an enriching experience.

Follow Yourself

Open your heart
Show your art
Watch it become a part
Of its decoration
Of creation.
Watch it flow
Like the wind blows
Through the meadow
Be at peace with it
Watch it grow
Follow forward
To your inspiration
There is a destination.

By: Ryan Daniels

Poetry is a wonderful exercise for stimulating the brain.
Becoming open to new experiences, and a change in previous
ways of thinking about your experiences is the key. The
fruits that can come from revealing our inner expression
can help our spirit to soar and reach such great heights
that it can branch to other grand opportunities as we
expand our thoughts and become progressive with our writing
or any other wonderful form of art for that matter.

I wish for you many enriching experiences and grand
opportunities on your journey through life!

----------------------------------------------------
Words of inspiration and rhymes, Ryan is the Author of
"Treasured Portraits Visual Poetry Of Infinite
Possibilities"
http://ryandaniels.net

14 Funny Quotes to Celebrate April Fool's Day

14 Funny Quotes to Celebrate April Fool's Day
April Fool's Day is almost upon us, and what better way to
warm up our laughter than with a few funny quotes? Chances
are, you're going to pull a few pranks (and be the center
of one or two) when April 1st rolls around. Let these funny
quotes get your humorous side ready for this day of great
fun.

1. "April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of
what we are on the other three hundred and sixty-four." ~
Mark Twain

2. "It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that
proves you have a sense of humor." ~ Max Eastman

3. "Isn't it appropriate that the month of the tax begins
with April Fool's Day and ends with cries of "May Day!"?" ~
Author Unknown

4. "Here cometh April again, and as far as I can see the
world hath more fools in it than ever." ~ Charles Lamb

5. "I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a
single word of what I am saying." ~ Oscar Wilde

6. "Love is like a booger. You keep picking at it until you
get it, then wonder what to do with it." ~ Author Unknown

7. "You grow up the day you have your first real laugh --
at yourself." ~ Ethel Barrymore

8. "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog
will give you this look that says, "My God, you're right! I
never would've thought of that!" ~ Dave Barry

9. "The full area of ignorance is not mapped. We are at
present only exploring the fringes." ~ JD Bernal

10. "Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you." ~
Carl Gustav Jung

11. "A word to the wise ain't necessary -- it's the stupid
ones that need the advice" ~ Bill Cosby

12. Everything is funny as long as it is happening to
somebody else. ~ Will Rogers

13. "I sometimes wonder if the manufacturers of foolproof
items keep a fool or two on their payroll to test things."
~ Alan Coren

14. "A sense of humor is the only divine quality of man." ~
Arthur Schopenhauer

While the phrase "April fool" started out as a way to
ridicule those who refused to change with the times (back
in the 1500's) it's now a way to share our humorous side
with family, friends and colleagues. This year, make a
promise to yourself to play at least one April Fool's joke
and to be a good sport when you're the butt of one. After
all, the ability to laugh at one's self is a sure sign that
you're not really a fool, regardless of what day or month
it is. Get yourself in the laughing mood with the above 14
funny quotes.

----------------------------------------------------
For more funny quotes, check out the popular funny quotes
section of Famous-Quotes-And-Quotations.com, a website that
specializes in 'Top 10' lists of quotations in dozens of
categories.
http://www.famous-quotes-and-quotations.com/funny-quote.html

The Photographer and the Journalist

The Photographer and the Journalist
A photographer and a journalist worked together on an
article for a glossy magazine. The article was a big hit,
and after publication they got together for a drink. "You
know," said the journalist, "that was some great
photography. You must have a great camera."

"Thanks," said the photographer. "And that was some
terrific creative writing. You must have a great
typewriter."

If you get this joke, you are probably a photographer who
puts up with ridiculous comments every day. If you don't
get it...read on, my friend, and learn.

If you eat a great meal at a restaurant, you don't
compliment the chef on the quality of his saucepans. When
we appreciate a great painting, we don't automatically
think about the brand of paintbrush. When you hear your
favourite song...well, you can see where I am going with
this. So why is it that so many people think that good
photography is all about how much money you spend on your
camera?

A camera is the tool a photographer uses for their craft.
There are dozens of brands and models available, with
myriad minor features that sound good in a camera shop. But
good photography, as it always has, requires only the most
basic features available in just about any camera:
aperture, shutter speed, and a good lens.

In the days of film, these features were only available on
SLR and larger format cameras, so it could be argued that
they belonged to the realm of 'serious' photographers.
However, in the digital age, these essential features are
available on almost any camera, should the owner take the
time to learn how to use them.

Looking beyond the camera, a photographer employs their
appreciation of light, an individual flair for composition,
and a sense of timing that captures the subject in a way
that makes a point, tells a story, or just looks pretty.
These skills are the product of experience and creativity,
and have nothing to do with technology.

I was guest speaker at a camera club where one of the
members brought a suitcase full of camera gear to the
meeting. There was no reason to bring cameras to that
particular meeting, and by all reports he wasn't much of a
photographer, but he wanted everyone to see how much gear
he had. What he did not seem to grasp was that cameras
don't earn you respect as a photographer - photos do.

If you want to improve your photography, never assume it
will automatically happen with a better camera. Instead,
settle for the camera you can afford, and learn to use the
camera you have. Remember; aperture, shutter speed, a
decent lens and a flair for composition and light. Master
these and you will get results no matter what sort of
camera you have.

Don't be intimidated by photographers with thousands of
dollars worth of equipment. Instead, intimidate them with
your photography...in the end, only results matter.

----------------------------------------------------
Andrew Goodall is a professional nature photographer of
over 20 years experience, and has released two ebooks on
the art and skills of nature photography. Find out more at
http://www.naturesimage.com.au

Andrew's simple philosophy
is that good photography is not just about technology, but
about skill and sensitivity to nature.

Indies Embrace On Demand Production

Indies Embrace On Demand Production
Today's independent musician is often called an "Indie," a
term used to describe a type of music genre characterized
by their independence from commercial record label
companies. Indie artists typically go against the current
trends and often have an entrepreneurial approach to
recording and publishing their music.

Indies originated with punk bands during the '70s where
people in this scene were involved in bands with fan bases
who shared similar ideas. Indies are known to go on
self-funded tours, often to other countries, where those in
the local Indie scenes help organize gigs and joint tours.

Indies also seem to possess a lack of sophistication that
is often associated with commercial record labels, but the
line is becoming more and more blurred thanks to a new
digital world with the Internet where high-quality
recordings can be made easily with inexpensive
computer-based recording systems.

Now artists can introduce their music to a big audience
worldwide at low cost without being with a major recording
label. Digital music software encourages the discovery of
this new music, while websites with large libraries of
songs are quite successful. Independent bands have never
had it better, and they can even get royalties.

With the arrival of newer and relatively inexpensive
recording devices and instruments, more individuals are
able to participate in the creation of music than ever
before. Studios are rented by the hour and are very costly,
and sometimes even hard to find. Today anyone can produce
studio-quality music from their own home. An artist is able
to experiment with different sounds and styles without
necessarily spending the money in the studio.

Furthermore, CDs on demand make it possible for Indie
artists to sell their music without manufacturing and
storing thousand of discs. Orders can be filled from an
Indie label's site on an as-needed basis. This makes it
possible for artists to get their music in front of the
public with very little expense and little or no inventory.
Thanks to on demand production, many bands have chosen to
forego a record label and instead market and distribute
their music through entirely web-based means. Some artists
have broken away from the format of major labels and have
developed a unique platform in which the label's they can
retain ownership of their music, copyrights and the rights
to any content and masters. The platform includes some
innovative ideas but clearly the CD and DVD on demand
production model s a major focal point. They feel that lack
of financial resources should not be a determining factor
as to whether an artist's music is heard by the public.

According to ASR's Chairman and Co-founder Alaadeen, in
order to get a good rate to manufacture CDs, he had to
manufacture large quantities. This led to excessive
inventory.

Most artists also maintain their own websites and
participate in social media marketing activities such as
music blogs and websites like Myspace.com or Facebook.
Independent music companies often use these to rate a band
after listeners have voted to determine if they like the
music or not, thus expensive talent search and development
in the music industry is no longer needed.

Currently the sale of digital music makes up only five to
ten percent of the total income generated from music sales,
but the numbers are increasing as record labels diminish,
and Indies grow. On a national level, more and more people
are adapting broadband Internet connections so it will be
easier for them to access digital music online in the
future.

----------------------------------------------------
Kristin Gabriel is the marketing communications director
for Acutrack, Inc. (http://www.acutrack.com). The company
enables customers to create, publish and deliver custom
content for CD and DVD duplication worldwide. Acutrack's
proprietary On Demand production produces and ship custom
packaged CDs or DVDs one at a time.

Shogi: An Introduction To Japanese Chess

Shogi: An Introduction To Japanese Chess
Shogi is commonly referred to in English as "Japanese
Chess" because Shogi and Chess share some common
characteristics and are both thought to have derived from
the Indian game of Chaturanga.

The first couple of things Chess players are likely to
notice about Shogi are the size of the board and the number
of pieces. Chess players who are used to playing with
sixteen pieces each on an 8 x 8 board may be surprised to
find that Shogi is played on a 9x9 board and that each
player starts with twenty pieces.

Also, whereas in Chess the pieces stand upright like
soldiers, in Shogi they lie flat on the board and are wedge
shaped, with the sharp end of the wedge pointing forwards
so that the players can tell at a glance whose side each
piece is on!

The rank of a piece is indicated by its size and by one or
two Japanese characters painted on its upper face.

When a player advances a piece to the 7th, 8th or 9th row
of the board it may be possible to promote it by turning it
over, depending on which piece it was that the player moved.

Chess players will be surprised to learn that in Shogi
captured pieces may be "dropped" back on the board and used
by the player who captured them! This is a unique feature
of the Japanese game. When a player captures a piece he
puts it to one side (or places it on a special tray). Then,
when it is his turn he can either move a piece on the board
or "drop" one of the captured pieces onto a vacant space on
the board. Because of this innovation the pieces are not
distinguished by colour as they are in Chess, Igo, or other
games.

A game of Shogi tends to take longer to get going than a
game of Chess as some of the pieces have limited movement
ranges and also because players commonly prefer to build a
defensive organization around the King before attacking.

Nevertheless, Shogi has an opening, middle and end phase as
does Chess, but the "drop" rule gives Shogi a more
open-ended character as the board can suddenly fill up with
pieces again if the players engage in a battle of "drop"
and "counter-drop".

The drop rule allows for the truth that captured soldiers
may be turned against their former masters. The sudden
appearance of a Shogi piece "dropped" behind enemy lines
may be likened to the unwelcome appearance of a Ninja
warrior breaking into the Daimyo's castle!

Shogi offers an early example of how a foreign invention is
introduced into Japan and modified and refined to become
something unique to the Japanese.

In recent years Shogi has begun to attract a following
outside of Japan, in China, Europe and America. If you
enjoy playing Chess, I recommend that you try playing Shogi
and experience something of the unique spirit the Japanese
have imparted to this ancient family of games.

----------------------------------------------------
David Hurley lives in Japan and runs a website supplying
Japanese Shogi sets, exclusive hand crafted Shogi pieces,
Shogi boards and koma trays direct to customers all over
the world. Visit =>
http://japanese-games-shop.com/shogi.html for more
information about Shogi and other Japanese games.

The 5 Trends That Make SXSW 2008 the Indie Film Fest You Need to Know About

The 5 Trends That Make SXSW 2008 the Indie Film Fest You Need to Know About
SXSW 2008 Film Festival wrapped up this weekend, leaving in
its wake a single tattered, oh so earnest, snapshot of
Indie filmmaking. If Sundance is the official word on the
state of indie filmmaking, SXSW is what you'll learn going
to your local bar. Getting down with SXSW is what it takes
to get your ear close to the American independent film
underground. Here's a look at the Top 5 Key Trends that
emerged from this year's diverse group of fiction features
and documentaries.

1. Mumblecore is here to stay. Sort of. The relationship
genre for the Facebook generation, 'mumblecore' movies are
about kids who can rarely say what they mean, mean what
they say, or, even, enunciate properly while they are (not)
saying it. The name is somewhat derogatory but it points
nonetheless to the real problems of a generation that has
lost faith in love but remains romantic at heart.

One of the more intriguing entries is Joe Swanberg's NIGHTS
AND WEEKENDS which requires no shaping narrative to step
inside the lives of a young couple facing a long distance
relationship. Basically, the film presents a series of
random snapshots of recognizable relationship moments:
insatiable passion, half-hearted compromise, bickering,
disappointment, excitement—the whole darn grab bag.

NATURAL CAUSES, MEDICINE FOR MELANCHOLY and THE LOST COAST
all give their own spin to the genre: the first plays it
for comedy; the second weaves in questions of race, class
and urban gentrification; and the last delves into problems
of friendship and sexual identity. All in all, the extremes
of the titles, from the clinically quotidian NATURAL CAUSES
to the elegiac THE LOST COAST, point to a generation firmly
caught between the yearning for the grand gesture and the
limitations of the emoticon.

2. The mockumentary is back with a difference. This genre
comes and goes and Christopher Guest has already perfected
its comic potential, and so, for that matter, have Stephen
Merchant and Ricky Gervais with THE OFFICE (and
franchises). The two mockumentaries at this year's fest
stand out for their determination to let the viewer fret
over their status. Indeed, A NECASSARY DEATH, seemingly the
story of a student film project looking for the perfect
suicidal subject to follow up to the moment of the deed,
holds onto its non-fiction status until the end when it
pulls the rug out from under the viewer.

WOODPECKER falls closer to Guest's terrain, playing out as
a tenderhearted bird-watching comedy. However, the film's
interview subjects are real residents of Brinkley, Arkansas
who the filmmaker interviewed for their thoughts on the
bird-watching craze that engulfed the town when reported
sightings of the ivory-billed woodpecker, long thought to
be extinct, began to circulate.

In both cases, the films are invested in presenting
themselves as reliable, credible documentaries, leaving the
audience to sift through the meaning upturned when their
fiction roots are laid bare. Maybe, the are not even
mockumentaries proper in that they are not as interested in
having fun with the faux documentary genre as they are in
messing with audiences expectations, by being, quite
simply, fake documentaries.

3. Hats Off To The Auteurs Of Yesterday Remember in the
early 90s when every Indie feature was stylistically 6
degrees from Tarantino? Things change. Filmmakers this year
were paying their respects to the canon, both European and
American. Generally, this was evinced by a turn to realism
and naturalism in the majority of films, but on a film by
film basis, a few called up the glorious filmmakers of the
50s and 60s, while still remaining their own inimitable
selves.

In the short competition, Wholpin Award Winner GLORY AT SEA
drew comparisons to Werner Herzog for both its ambitious,
foolish, epic scope and the total commitment exhibited by
its maker and his fearless crew. You have to read the whole
review to get the full story on how this film became a SXSW
legend. Herzog would be proud.

Shot on 16mm, Josh Safdie's THE PLEASURE OF BEING ROBBED
drew rave reviews and comparisons to Robert Bresson, a name
that is not often bandied about when speaking of current
films.

Grand Jury Award winner WELLNESS loosely skirts the surface
of the deep tracks left by SALESMAN, arguably the Maysles
brothers' best work and certainly one damn bleak portrait
of America. Equal parts bravado, delusion, hope and
desperation, WELLNESS offers up the failed and failing
American salesman as the most poignant of all figures. He
is so, not because he has lost faith, but because he has to
keep up the front, even when he no longer believes in
either his product or himself.

4. Docs Love The Young - And The Old Since the success of
previous SXSW entry SPELLBOUND, followed by MAD HOT
BALLROOM, docs on American kids doing their thing have
become a sort of documentary sub-genre. SXSW 2008 offers
FRONTRUNNERS, the story of a high school election at New
York's most prestigious public school. However, YOUNG@HEART
was the fest's feel-good documentary, a look at a senior's
choir devoted to performing rock hits.

The common thread here is that both teens and the elderly
are totally shafted in most mainstream representations: the
former are glorified as brain-dead, oversexed consumers,
full of MSN speak and limited vision; and the latter are
relegated to backdrop decoration, expected to provide
occasional barbs and hilariously eccentric behavior. These
docs do a lot to right that balance of perception, giving
the young and old alike a humanizing look that is woefully
lacking at the multiplex.

5. The War In Iraq: Documentary Wins Playing in the
Premiere category was Kimberly Pierce's eagerly awaited
STOP-LOSS, but anticipation quickly melted into yet another
disappointing feature about the Iraq war.

Fiction features on the subject are floundering, unable to
move past the rather pat assertion that "war is hell" or
bogged down by their blind dedication to their own
even-handedness. I sort of wish this generation had a
Samuel Fuller who could take the topic to town with no
concern for moral or political messages and just let the
situation's own complexities and unanswerables take center
stage.

But where fiction flounders, documentaries flourish, as was
the case with SXSW doc highlight FULL BATTLE RATTLE, a look
at a military training facility in the Mojave Desert that
simulates war conditions for its trainees. Despite the fact
that audiences may have an "Iraq fatigue" brought on by a
saturated documentary slate on the subject, these films
stand as an undeniably strong body of work: well crafted,
informative, intelligent, and emotionally charged.

----------------------------------------------------
Daniel Lafleche is the COO of IPEX TV, the leading
multiplatform B2B Film and Video online marketplace. Daniel
has over 25 years experience in film distribution,
combining film and video licensing with internet media.
IPEX TV specializes in helping indie producers and film and
video distributors take advantage of the web and reach out
to international film license buyers. You can learn more at
http://www.ipexview.com

How to Play the Piano - For Adults Only!

How to Play the Piano - For Adults Only!
You're never too old to start learning how to play the
piano. There are SO many online instruction programs
today, that I know it can be very confusing. It is my
intent that this article will shed some light into your
search to find the most appropriate course for your
specific needs.

At first, I strongly suggest that you do some deep soul
searching and decide what style of music you want to REALLY
play. There are so many styles of music and at this stage
in your life; you should only focus on the style of music
that you really enjoy.

Second, decide how much time you want to spend learning to
play the piano. Now, if you're only concerned with playing
with the least amount of mental and physical effort, I
advise you to seriously consider purchasing an inexpensive
keyboard that offers instrument accompaniment features.
You don't need to "take lessons" for this type of
recreational enjoyment.

These electronic keyboards usually provide a manual that
shows you how to build very easy chords. Additionally,
these electronic keyboards also include accompaniment
styles, (i.e. Rock, Pop, Jazz, Polka, etc). As a matter of
fact, some keyboards guide you through the learning process
by providing keys that "light up" to help you land on the
correct note!

Third, if you're really interested in learning how to make
music on the piano, and can consistently set aside at least
15 to 30 minutes a day, then you should definitely continue
your search for the online program that speaks to your
specific needs and lifestyle.

The Majority of Piano Review Sites Are Not Credible

Always remember that any "review site" was designed to make
money from the web sites their reviewing. Believe ME! As
smart business people, they are affiliates of all sites
being reviewed. As such, no matter what site the customer
decides to purchase through, they make an affiliate
commission.

Their ultimate goal is to realize a return on their
investment (ROI). Whatever site makes them the most money,
they will declare them to be the "best pick." My sites
have been in number one positions, through a number of
review sites and as soon as another site allows them to
make more money, my site is instantly ranked lower.

Pay close attention to web sites that appear in the
"organic" rankings; not those on the "sponsored links" on
the right side of a search engine. Affiliates and web site
owners pay for those sponsored ads through "Pay Per Click"
services. Those ads are just screaming "PICK ME!"

A passionate, credible and competent piano instructor will
have written articles on piano pedagogy. Just do a
"GOOGLE" search on the instructor's name, to determine if
this teacher has written articles on the subject.

The Learning Curve for Adult Students

The most difficult challenge you will face in your study is
the ability to play in time. But there is hope. Just
remember, YOU HAVE TO COUNT OUT LOUD in the beginning.
Once your body starts "feeling" the pulse of the music, you
won't have to continue this verbal exercise. The less
difficult challenge is to discipline your self to practice
slowly. ALL professional pianists practice slowly when
learning a new PATTERN. If you don't, you will forget the
material you've practiced the NEXT DAY!

The GOOD NEWS!

Any adult can learn to play any style of piano they wish.
Just make sure you set aside time to practice consistently.
All it takes is just about 15 to 30 daily. Don't practice
in 1-hour spurts! If you're serious about learning to
play, only concentrate on the style of music you want to
play, and don't give up!

You can do it, and I know you can because my adult students
are achieving success everyday, worldwide!

To your success,

Ron Worthy

----------------------------------------------------
Ron Worthy is a Music Educator, Songwriter and Performer.
To learn more "Trick of the Trade," go to:
http://www.MrRonsMusic.com and
http://www.PlayPianoTonight.com

LCD vs PLASMA

LCD vs PLASMA
Experiencing confusion about which type of screen is
technologically superior? What is the best buy, a LCD or
Plasma display? In this article, we determine the benefits
on both to help gain a clearer, simpler perspective.

The most difficult part of this is that both have different
technologies but offer the practically the same advantages,
so the choice will ultimately depend on pricing, features,
and/or manufacturers brand.

In terms of picture quality, both screens have undeniably
clear and vivid imaging, but on closer inspection, the LCD
(liquid crystal diode) projects more "black imaging",
meaning that more darkness is projected than color.
Although this has been reduced and improved upon in LCD
recent years, plasmas don't seem to have this problem as
badly as the LCD.

Plasmas usually have better viewing from all angles, while
LCDs may have a fading effect when viewed from different
angles, and ultimately the picture may not be visible from
views like the extreme side, top, bottom, etc.

LCDs seem to have an edge over plasmas with regards to
screen reflectivity, as they use matte plastic screens, and
they don't reflect too much light. Plasmas use glass
screens which do have a glare when reflected with light, so
the amount of reflective glare of the screen depends on the
placement of the television; in either more or less lighted
areas.

Energy consumption is an important feature here, as plasmas
generally are less energy efficient than LCDs. Plasmas use
pixilated technology to provide a crystal clear picture,
but keep in mind that each of these thousands of pixels
must use electricity to stay lit, so overtime this burns
more energy. The LCD has the edge here, since the operation
depends primarily on backlighting through a specialized
prism, and consumes very little energy. It's like comparing
the energy burning properties between a fluorescent light
bulb and a regular watt light bulb.

Despite the aforementioned benefits of each, everything
else seems equally matched- longevity is pretty much even
here, both can last for approximately 20 years of unchanged
image quality until the picture starts to fade. The
resolution, as well as the Color saturation, and extra
features are also about the same. Size is one of the most
competitive features for each, since they both offer a
maximum of 65 inches in screen width, and approximately 3
inches in depth.

The bottom line: The benefits of owning either type seem to
be a draw; with the main differences in operating
technology you might be led to believe that one would top
the other in performance, but such is not the case. It
seems no matter which one is chosen, the consumer still
walks away with a great deal.

----------------------------------------------------
If you would like to learn more about the different makes
and models of LCD and Plasma displays available online then
visit the website :
http://www.av-audio-visual-projectors.co.uk/for a detail
list of lcd and plasma screens.

How to Learn Guitar: Finding the Right Method for You

How to Learn Guitar: Finding the Right Method for You
Every aspiring guitar player faces the following question:
"What's the best way for me to learn guitar?" Should you
should teach yourself or hire a professional? Which guitar
courses are recommended most often? What about those
Internet-based guitar training sites?

These are all valid questions because how you learn to play
the guitar is just as important as what you learn to play.
Teaching yourself how to play might work just fine if
you've got a good ear and some previous exposure to music
theory or proficiency on another instrument.

If you're totally new to playing any instrument at all,
though, it would be a good idea to get a teacher -- or --
join an online program where you can interact with multiple
teachers as well as fellow students. In fact, I would
recommend finding at least one 'mentor' or a 'study buddy'
to learn with even if you lean towards teaching yourself.

Why?

In short, you learn more and make more progress faster than
you would in isolation because you'll be exposed to
alternative ways of thinking about your approach to the
guitar. Other players can share tips and techniques you
haven't seen before, as well as help you conquer a problem
area that they've already mastered.

Ultimately, though, the question of how to learn guitar is
up to you and your choice should be guided by consideration
of your own unique situation. The following list of
questions should help you make a solid decision:

1. How much can I afford to spend on lessons, books, etc,
and how much am I willing to invest to get started?

2. How do I learn best? For example, can you pick up
concepts easily just by reading about them, or do you
prefer to have audio and video demonstrations you can
follow along with?

3. Am I looking to learn a specific style of guitar such as
Classical, Blues or Jazz? You'll still need to learn basic
music theory for any style of music, but you might want to
look for instruction that focuses on teaching the theory in
one of these contexts.

4. How much time can I devote to practice? This is really
important if you're thinking of hiring a guitar teacher.
Most teachers will require you to master a lesson before
moving on to the next one.

You'll still be paying for those lessons even when you
aren't making much progress. So, if you're strapped for
time, I recommend investing in a home-study or online
couse. This will give you 24/7 access to the information
you need outside of your regular guitar lessons.

5. How 'good' of a player do I want to be? If guitar is
just a hobby for you, then you'll likely do well with just
about any method of instruction. If you want to go pro or
start a band, though, you should learn from as many
different sources as possible.

----------------------------------------------------
Learn Guitar In No Time! Easy as 1-2-3 tutorials when you
grab this free, special report for beginners:
http://www.learnguitartips.com

The Right Guitar Technique

The Right Guitar Technique
The word 'technique' refers to the intricacies of playing
the guitar strings in order to make it sound melodious.
Finger movements play the most important role when
strumming the strings. The use of chords spices up the
music, but, then again, it involves complicated techniques,
which can only be mastered after repeated practice.

Tools and techniques are the same and should be kept in
mind when playing the guitar. One of the most important
aspects is the synchronization between the right and the
left hand. This, combined with repeated practice, can help
in the mastery of the technique of playing. The art of
learning to play smoothly lies in the movement of fingers,
and in the comfort of the muscles of each hand. For
someone who is not well-aware of the proper techniques of
playing the guitar, the following important tips can help.

1. First and foremost, is learning how to bend a note.
Bending a note allows for a change in the pitch of the
note. Remember that the easiness with which the notes can
be bent will depend upon the strings, and the type of the
guitar being used. The trick of achieving the right bending
of note is possible by pushing the string across the neck
of the guitar. One of the best techniques of playing the
guitar by bending the note while picking the string.

Another guitar technique is bending the note without
picking it. This is done by bending the note, then picking
the note, and finally releasing the bend. In such case,
the pitch of the note can be heard falling after it has
started.

2. The next guitar technique is the 'hammer ons'. This
technique allows one to play two or three notes for every
picking note that is struck. The basic principle of the
hammer on effect is that one should have good coordination
between the left and the right hand to achieve the magical
hammer-ons effect. For example, start by fretting a note on
the fifth fret with the finger on the E. Prick the string
with the fretting hand, and at the same time the fifth fret
should be able to be moved simultaneously. This will bring
out the magic of the hammering action. So, pluck both the
strings and hear the fifth and the seventh strings together.

3. 'Vibrato' means varying the pitch of the note when it
falls up and down in a cycle. If playing notes, which are
sustained, then one can use vibrato to add that extra
expression. Suppose a not is played on the fifth fret of
the top E string? Now what is to be done next? Pluck the
string and release it until it comes back to its normal
position. Then repeat this over again. Now, continue the
bend, release actions repeatedly, and this will bring the
effect of continuous varying pitch.

4. The pull-offs also sounds very thrilling. Place the
first finger on the fifth fret of the top-most string, and
place the fifth finger on the same string but on the
seventh fret. First, remove the finger from the seventh
fret, and then slowly from the fifth fret, and this will
sound truly amazing.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website
that provides professionally researched, and up to the
minute content on selected subjects.

Furberries- The Hot New Toy

Furberries- The Hot New Toy
One of the hottest toys on the market now is Furberries.
This may pose a question in many people's minds. What are
Furberries? They are a new toy that smell like the fruit
they are named after. For instance, one of the popular
Furberries is called "Grape Gabby" and this toy smells like
grapes.

Furberries comes in 5 distinct flavors grape, strawberry,
tangerine, pineapple and the newest member cherry. Then
Furberries are also modeled after certain types of pets.
The types of pets they are made to resemble are a cat or
kitten a puppy or dog and a bear or cub. The uniqueness of
these cute plush toys is really starting to generate a buzz
amongst the youth.

Other characteristics of this fruity toy are their ability
to roll up like a ball. The first thing that comes to mind
is the once popular 80's toy, popples. Unless you are a
child of the 80's you'll probably not even know what those
are as well. These toys are designed for kids ages 2 and up
and would probably be best suited for children under 7 or 8.

Although Furberries are a hot new toy, they may have
limited staying power. Modern toys such have Russ shining
stars and Webkinz offer children more interactivity. They
simply lack the ability to create your own virtual world,
that opens up new realms of imagination. This is where
Webkinz and Shining stars capatilize. That being said their
scented features will offer much joy and fun for the
younger child as afore mentioned.

The manufacture of Furberries could make an impact by
starting a cartoon after the Furberries characters.
However, to do that they must consider branching out the
production line with a wider variety of plush pets.
Reguardless of their staying power on the market,
furberries are a unique toy that will keep the children
happy for the next couple of years.

When I was growing up I never dreamed of scented toys. My
biggest conquest as a child was crushing GI Joe action
figure with a brick. Now a scented plush doll that can
roll into a ball is on the market, it reminds me that the
toy market is changing rapidly. Each year we are seeing
new modern toys that can do more, allow more interactivity
and take kids into another dimension. Furberries offer us
a unique glimpse into the future of deeper connecting toys
for our children.

----------------------------------------------------
Mike Brown
Where to Buy Furberries
http://www.bidorbuytoys.com/furberries.html
Buy Webkinz Furberries and More
http://www.bidorbuytoys.com/

Guitar Accessories

Guitar Accessories
A guitar is the dream of millions of music lovers. It is
one of the most stylish instruments, and it plays a
significant role in rock music, country music, and pop.
More recognized as a stringed-instrument, the guitar is
played by producing vibration on the strings, which in turn
blows air into the sound hole. However, the electric
guitars rely on the amplifier that has the ability to
electronically boost up the sound quality.

A guitar has a variety of guitar accessories for holding
and playing it in the right chord with the maximum level of
comfort. As a beginner, make sure that you use the required
accessories to catch the right mood of song.

Capotasto, or in short 'capo', are clipped onto the fret
board with spring tensions, since this helps to change the
pitch of open strings. Capo enables the guitarist to
heighten the pitch of the guitar sound by clipping the capo
just below the first fret on the fret board. It can be
stated that the capos enables the player to play in
different keys, without changing the chord formations. This
is a more helpful way of adjusting the pitch of the musical
enigma.

The best attribute of the capos is that the pitch or the
key of the guitar can be changed without having to worry
about changing the keys themselves. However, always make
sure that you place the capos as close to the guitar as
possible. When you use the capos, you do not need to learn
the song in different keys, only that the accompanying
singers sing at different pitches.

'Plectrum', also known as 'pick', is a small piece of hard
material held in the right hand between the thumb and the
index finger to pick or play the strings. The first plastic
pick originated in the year 1922, and was created by
D'Andrea Picks. The pick is important for both electric and
acoustic guitars. Nowadays, the plastic picks are the
high-demand picks, but previously, the picks were mostly
made out of wood, bone, steel or tortoise shells. Some
picks are known as thumb picks or finger picks, which cover
the finger tips and are employed mostly for the Hawaiian
guitars.

Picks are available in both thick and thin forms. There is
a huge controversy over the benefits of thick and thin
picks. Thinner picks are said to produce an excellent
range, from soft to loud. On the other hand, thick picks
produce brighter sounds. However, throughout the years,
the thicker picks have won an edge over thinner picks.
Thinner picks usually give out less controllable and
heavier sound, while thicker picks blow out more delicate
and controlled tones.

The slides are preferably used in rock or jazz music to
create the 'Hawaiian' magical effect, and are one of the
significant guitar accessories. The slides look like knife
blades, the neck of a bottle, or a round metal bar. Modern
slides are made out of ceramic, plastic, brass, steel, and
chrome, but the material of the slides completely depends
upon the tone and weight desired by the guitarist.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website
that provides professionally researched, and up to the
minute content on selected subjects.

Guitaring Terminology

Guitaring Terminology
Playing a guitar looks very stylish, and the sounds that
are created are wonderful, so if you are crazy about
playing the guitar and want to learn playing it,
understanding the terms of guitaring is essential.

You will find guitars having four, eight, twelve, ten and
seven strings, but the most guitars have six strings. You
can play the acoustic guitar, where the sound is produced
by vibrating the strings, which is further modulated by the
hollow body of the guitar. If you so please, you can also
go for the electric guitar that will force you to rely on
an amplifier, and the tone of which can be electronically
manipulated.

The following are a list of terms associated with the
guitar:

Luthiers: Those who make and repair guitars are known by
this term.

Headstock: The headstock is found at the end of the guitar
neck. The tension of the strings is adjusted here, and this
makes an impact on the pitch. Each side of the headstock
has three tuners that are "3+3". However, it is not
necessary that the headstock has the same layout for every
six-stringed guitar. It may be that the tuner layout is a
"4+2" or a six-in-line for the headstock.

Neck: The neck of the guitar is actually the long wooden
extension that has the guitar's frets, tuners, fretboard,
truss, and headstock all attached to it.

Fretboard: Also known as the fingerboard, the fretboard is
a piece of wood that has metal frets embedded on the wood
comprising the top of the neck. Remember, the smaller the
radius of the fretboard, the more curved the fretboard will
be. When you pinch a string against the fretboard, you
shorten the vibrating length of the string effectively;
this makes for a higher pitch. The fretboard can be made of
woods like ebony, rosewood, and maple.

Frets: Embedded along the fretboard, are metal strips that
are known as frets. The points at which they are located
actually divide the scale length in accordance with a
specific mathematical formula. When you press a string
against a fret, you get the vibrating length of the string,
and also the resultant pitch. The wood that is used in the
making of the fretboard will be vary from the wood that is
used in the rest of the neck.

Strings: The strings of the modern guitar are made of
either metal or organo-carbon material. The strings are
strung almost parallel to the neck. The guitarist uses one
hand to pluck the strings and the other hand for the
depression of the strings.

Action: The height measured between the strings and the
fretboard is the action.

Bridge: Located on the guitar's body, the bridge enables
the transfer of sound from the string to the body of the
guitar.

These are the most essential terms that you must know when
learning to play the guitar. Understanding the terms of
guitaring is something you cannot do away with when you
start playing the guitar.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website
that provides professionally researched, and up to the
minute content on selected subjects.

Guitaring Posture and Position

Guitaring Posture and Position
Playing guitar has always remained a strong passion among
youths and elders of various generations. It is a social
instrument that spices up the mood of any social gathering,
or of a solitary air in the right harmony. Portable plus
multi-stringed, the melodious instrument is particularly
designed for public hearing. Even today, guitar plays a
significant role in churning up the flavor of life on a
musical note.

If you acquire in-depth knowledge of the chords, then you
can play thousands of songs without having to struggle
much. But there is more to playing the guitar than simply
striking the right chords. An apt technique will help you
sound like an expert, sizzling a song with its tuneful
charm. Taking the guitar in your lap and playing it is not
the end of the story. The guitaring posture and position
adds to the master stroke of getting tunes precisely right.

You may want to sit in the most comfortable position with
your guitar so that you can smoothly play it. It depends
upon you to select the right position while playing the
guitar, but there are certain guidelines that determine the
right position to choose. First, make sure that you enjoy
sufficient freedom of hand movement and can easily meet all
the technical demands. Secondly, make sure that the
instrument is placed in a stable position, to avoid any
shaking of the strings. Thirdly, avert any muscular tension
in the posture in which you sit.

To ensure a more relaxed sitting posture, beginners
sometimes tend to pull the guitar in closer towards them,
and then look down to the strings or the fret, which makes
it more complicated for playing. Again, placing the arm
higher or lower can lead to muscle cramps, so start by
sitting on a stool or a chair with your left foot on a foot
rest, which should be 10-20 cm in height. Then, place the
waist part of the guitar on your left thigh.

To ensure that you do not get a muscle cramp, place the
right forearm on the top front edge of the guitar. This
will enable you to strum the guitar without much hassle.
Keep your shoulders relaxed so that you can lean forward.
Place your hand behind the neck and fret board of the
guitar so that your fingers reach the strings flexibly.
This whole technique of sitting posture ensures a relaxed
way of striking the cords without any physical tension.

When standing and playing the guitar, make sure that your
guitar is properly supported by a strap. Depending upon the
weight and dimensions of the instrument, the breadth of the
strap will vary. The guitar should have a hole at each end
for attaching the straps. Make sure that the guitar neither
hangs at knee-level nor just below the shoulders. Remember
that a good seating posture and positioning of the guitar
are the basics to technique development.

Hence, if you can maintain the right guitaring posture and
position, then you can strike the right note with the
perfect tune.

----------------------------------------------------
Patrick Carpen is the designer, writer and owner of the
website http://guitaring.infobay.ws/
Infobay.ws is a content based, consumer oriented website
that provides professionally researched, and up to the
minute content on selected subjects.

How Myspace Can Make You Famous

How Myspace Can Make You Famous
The super website MySpace has become the best way to
promote your music to millions of people across the
Internet. Every up and coming singer, rapper, producer or
record label needs to have a MySpace music page for their
material. So you are moving slowly if you do not have a
myspace page by now, and there for a decade behind the
competition. I suggest that you go ahead and sign up now
to start promoting your music. But first I must let you
know what will work for your music and what will not work
in the aspect of being effective in your myspace marketing
so that you do not waste your time and money, because you
can spend a lots of time there with out serving your
initial purpose.

So the first thing you need to do is look for some
effective ways that you can stand out from the pack. And
the truth is that millions of other recording artist that
already have a MySpace page so it is essentially important
to do something very different in your approach to
promotion. Having said that, the coding boys at MySpace
have not made it particularly easy to do that, (it's a free
service after all) and hence the slew of external companies
offering free MySpace layouts. To find a layout you like,
simply do a Google search for "Myspace layouts" and you
will find a great deal of layouts to choose from. One site
in particular that I like is www.spacedoutcodes.com When
you find a layout you like, you will get some code to
insert into the about me section of your profile field.

On the down side there are way too many artists spending
too much time promoting their MySpace pages when their own
artist domains are being ignored. You should expect, that
the almighty MySpace might be out of business in a couple
years. Most of these mega sites come and gone, especially
when there are billions of dollars involved. On the other
hand, the company known as Google Inc. may thrive, who
knows?

But a good thing to do is to make your MySpace page
personal. Talk to your fans like you know them and post
comments on their pages too. If you show love to them, then
they will show love to you. Also take the time to add some
interesting personal info about your background, yourself,
or the entire band if appropriate. Try to include some
great photos, both professional and regular home photos,
and of course allow people to download some mp3s of your
music.

Now the next thing to do is to grab some new fans from
MySpace. What I suggest you accept all those who request to
be your friend, and add every body. And I would even go
seeking friend adds from other bands. The reason is that
other bands love to listen to the competition, and you may
even want to discuss joint ventures with them, but whats
better than going after the bands is to go after those
other bands fans instead, cause you already know that they
like music. To do this, find bands that are on the same
musical genre with you.

As it can be some what overwhelming to see some stars with
just about a million friends and over 10,000 song plays per
day, but wouldn't it be nice to get to that place? I can't
stress this point enough which is the need to get your new
potential fans to come visit your own website and not your
myspace page. As the more places that you are at in the
Internet will draw more people to look for your myspace
page.

----------------------------------------------------
Keishon Martin is the owner of KeyWorldWide Inc. which owns
and operates http://www.GetRichinMusic.com
http://www.spacedoutcodes.com and http://www.getmoneymoney
. com visit their websites for more info