January 8, 2012

A Brief Look At The Concept Of Mixtapes

Mixtapes that are also known as mixed tapes are really songs that have been compiled and recorded in a specific order on traditional auto cassette tapes. In fact, a mixed tape is usually created to help reflect a particular kind of musical taste that the maker of such a tape wants to show to the world.

A mixed tape is normally created with a view to reflecting the musical tastes of the person compiling the tape and it can include anything from favorite songs put together to a more conceptualized mixture of various songs that reflect a certain theme or even a mood.

The essayist Geoffrey Obrien says that mixtapes are an American art form that is widely practiced in that country. Others that are very enthusiastic about such tapes also believe that these represent an artistic representation of songs put together in a definite manner. When these tapes are mixed together in the right manner, they can become wonderful musical experiences in which the sum of all the parts will be greater than the individual songs.

After the era in which the Beatles reigned supreme, many a pop music album was created much like a well compiled mixed tape used to be compiled, and these were created as something that was more than just a collection of various single songs.

Soon this era also passed and a new one began in which music became more affordable and also more exciting. This is when music was mixed and served up on CDs as well as in MP3 format. But, these new changes were not entirely successful in wiping out the concept of mixtapes which continued but its format changed.

The earliest versions of these tapes came out during the latter part of the sixties and continued till the eighties and these were readily available in flea markets and also in truck stores and the earliest versions were eight track bootleg tapes.

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Learn To Play Guitar Songs By Taking A Few Quick Suggestions

Prior to trying to play guitar songs, you will need to make certain that you properly tune your guitar. If it isn’t tuned the right way, then you won’t be able to produce anything that sounds remotely good. You will need to learn about how to read and play guitar tabs as well before you learn to play guitar songs.

Since you would like to play guitar songs, then you don’t only want to know of the tabs, but you will need to learn to listen to a song like the professionals do. The very first step you need to take is to listen extremely precisely to the songs you want to play. If you are just starting out, you need to stick with songs that are going to be accessible to you, such as 3-chorded songs, using simple chords.

As you listen to these songs you would like to play, be sure to pay exact attention to both rhythm and timing – that is, when are the strings being strummed? When you listen about 3 times at least, you ought then to be able to follow the song by reading along with your guitar’s tab, like following along when a story is being read. Repeat this until you have the rhythm and the timing of the song memorized.

Once you complete with the steps of listening numerous times, then reading along with the guitar tabs, then it’s time to pick up your instrument. When the song is playing, simply strum along. Don’t play so loud you don’t hear the song – you are trying to copy the song so you need to hear it.

After you feel comfortable with the timing of the piece and how to strum it, then you should shut off the music and practice it. If you need a reminder, you should listen once more to the song and try again. Keep trying the process, one song at a time. Master the music, before you move onto some other piece. Keep practicing until you can begin to sing the lyrics as well.

Another fantastic tip is to record yourself playing with a video recorder. When you finish the song, then watch yourself on the television. The point is to see your mistakes, and more or less become your own instructor.

When you seriously want to learn to play guitar songs, you need passion. You will need to grow in patience as you keep at it. It is alright to make plenty of mistakes along the way – this is natural. However, if you find that you are repeatedly making mistakes, it might be time for a break. Don’t let yourself get upset over practicing, just put down the guitar for a while and pick it up when you feel relaxed and motivated.

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January 7, 2012

Merengue – Folk Music of the Dominican Republic

Merengue is both a form of music and a style of dance associated with the music form. Its roots trace to the Dominican Republic; Merengue is widely recognized and accepted as the Dominican national dance.

The music can be recognized and specified as a musical style that utilizes a percussive rhythm, usually built upon use of maracas and drums such as the tambora. Choruses are delivered in multiples, usually groups of three; lyrically, merengue has always contained lyrics of a political or sexual nature. Many other additional instruments such as accordion, piano, saxophone and trumpet are also used in the writing and performance of merengue. It’s earliest known appearance in Dominican music dates back to sometime around the Dominican victory at the battle of Talanquera in the war of independence (*1844).

According to history a Dominican soldier named Tomas Torres had abandoned his post during the battle, fearing for his life he fled. The Dominicans ended up emerging from the battle victorious, and during the raucous celebration on the night of the victory the soldiers had taken to mocking Tomas for his cowardice. A song was sung in which the lyrics chided Torres for fleeing; this set of lyrics and the accompanying melody were the first version of merengue music.

Historians regard this tale as nothing more than folklore, but it is a story still told today and it still holds some legitimacy in the context of when and where the musical form and style of Merengue came to be. It is quite likely that the true origin of merengue music has simply been lost in time, and the accepted explanation, with its roots firmly entrenched in Dominican history and identity, has been accepted and passed down through generations as “truth”.

Initially, merengue was widely recognized as the music of the impoverished Dominicans. Its innuendo filled lyrics kept it from becoming a more mainstream or acceptable style of music, thus it was ignored by the upper classes. Mainstream acceptability began to occur in the 1930s as President Rafael Trujilio, raised in poverty and thus barred from the elite dance and social clubs and outlets, was already a fan of merengue and began to implement it as a national symbol.

Lively and spirited dancing usually accompanied the music; this still holds true today. Modern merengue music incorporates contemporary electric instruments as well as a more full bodied reflection of both salsa and rock’n'roll. As a ripple effect of the Dominican migration to America in 1980, merengue gained popularity in Miami and New York City. While not a mainstream style of music or dance, merengue continues to be practiced in specialty clubs and bars all over the world by enthusiasts who are attracted to the music for its lively dancing and upbeat rhythms.

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