All posts in musics

Top 20 Reasons Why Children Should Study Music

By blogger on

Copyright 2006 Deborah Torres Patel

All you need to do is visit the kids audio/video section of your local CD shop and you will be bombarded with a multitude of educational enhancement products to buy. You may find Baby Einstein or Brainy Baby and an abundance of similar merchandise to make your child smarter. These types of goods can be a wonderful way to introduce music to your children before the age of three. However, nothing can replace private music lessons for a 3 to 9 year old.

The brain develops at a rapid rate between birth and three and is an essential window for the development of neurons. Therefore, encouraging musical exploration is an easy way to promote intellectual development.

Before the age of three, toy instruments can be an excellent introduction to the real thing and group musical play classes can prepare a child for later study. Singing at any age is highly beneficial and linguistic & musical awareness can begin as early as the fifth month of pregnancy when the fetal brain and ears are wide open to receive stimulus.

From the age of 3 years old, a childs brain circuits are mature enough to begin instrumental and/or vocal lessons. Voice is probably the most important instrument because singing is a tremendous gateway to confident communication and full self-expression.

The piano is usually the best musical instrument to start with because it does not require any specific fingering to play. However, children should choose instruments to play by the sounds they like. Kids will practice more if they like the sound of an instrument.

If your child chooses the piano, inexpensive electronic keyboards are a good way to begin because they are very affordable and portable. Many brands on the market today will display the notes on a digital screen while music is being played. These types of keyboards can greatly assist a child to begin to read musical notes and symbols. They also often have built in rhythm and song functions that make singing and dancing along with the music easy.

Since Howard Gardners Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983 and Gordon Shaw and Francis Rauschers Mozart Effect in 1993, there has be much debate and research into whether or not music study can be linked to better academic performance.

You will find thousands of books, products, articles and websites discussing the advantages of studying music. For your convenience, the top 20 benefits reported for vocal and instrumental music study are listed below.

1. Music training has been linked to spatial-temporal reasoning skills. (I.e. ability to read a map, put puzzles together, form mental images, transform/visualize things in space that unfold over time, and recognize relationships between objects. These skills are often helpful in science, math, and chess.)

2. Musical symbols, structure, and rhythmic training utilize fractions, ratios, and proportions, which are all important in mathematical study.

3. Increases problem finding/solving, logic and thinking skills like analysis, evaluation and the linkage/organization of ideas

4. Optimizes brain neuron development & circuitry

5. Assists motor development especially coordination of hands, eyes and body

6. Expands multiple intelligences and helps students transfer study, cognitive and communication skills from subject to subject in any syllabus

7. Group orchestra or ensemble activities help promote cooperation, social harmony and teach kids discipline while working together toward a common goal.

8. Music augments memory. For example, most people learn their ABCs by singing them. Repeating a tune in a predictable rhythmic song structure makes memorization easier.

9. Singing is a great way to aid/improve reading ability and instruction. Karaoke is a perfect example. Children may learn a song by ear (auditory) but words on a TV or computer screen provide a simultaneous visual anchor.

10. In vocal music learning rhythm, phrasing, and pitch greatly enhances language, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary skills. This is especially noticeable when using songs in first and second language study.

11. Improves critical reading and writing

12. Raises test scores, decreases performance anxiety, and teaches kids how to handle/manage stress during standardized exams

13. Helps children channel unexpressed and/or negative emotions in a positive way

14. Boosts creative thinking

15. Reading music and performing memorized pieces help children to think ahead

16. Improvisation helps people to think on their feet

17. Solo performance is connected to self-esteem & self-efficacy. (concept of self capacity) Children learn to reach for their very best.

18. When kids prepare and consistently practice for recital or performance, they work to sing/play without errors. They generally apply similar determination and perseverance to many future endeavors academic or otherwise.

19. Improves understanding of homework and enables a higher levels of concentration

20. Children who study music usually have a better attitude, are more motivated and are less intimidated by learning new things

Strong music reading, writing notation, sight singing (solfege), music theory, literacy, and moving the body to music are solid, transferable skills. Learning is a two-way street. For example, one can assume that mathematics can also develop music. Academic achievement links positively with musical achievement and vice versa.

As early as the 19th century, the visionary Dr. Maria Montessori included music and arts into her worldwide school curriculums to greatly enhance and accelerate learning.

Lorna Heyge, Ph.D., says: “While educational leaders turn to early childhood music because it promotes brain development, they will stay with music because of the joy and stimulation experienced in actual music making. Music learning requires total involvement-that is why it appeals so much to young children”

Electrify Your Senses With Belly Dance Music

By blogger on

Belly dancing has been popularized over the years as a joyful womans art, and why not, after all it has all the essential ingredients that make it worthy to be cherished at moments of joy or woe. Now days belly dancing is not only practiced by female dancers, even male dancers all over have taken a deep interest in this form of art. This dance form was made popular by the Arabs, who called it raqs sharqi (oriental dance). With the passage of time, Belly dance has witnessed several alterations in its form, style, and costume and the same goes for its music.

When it comes to Belly dance music, its those grooving beats with their upbeat motions that imparts this dance form its true beauty. The graceful movement of each part of the body with a flickering pulsation of the hips and the hypnotic music forms the awe-inspiring sight to behold.

Belly dance music is always associated with Middle Eastern Music. Improvisation of this genre has taken place with the introduction of various instruments, each of which has their own specialty. Nonetheless, Belly dance music has to be such that it creates an electrifying and stimulating atmosphere and helps to ignite the fire both within the dancers and the audiences. The traditional Middle Eastern music instruments like tabl beledi, nakara, and a wide assortment of Eastern frame drums multiplies the real flavor of Belly dance.

Along with different fusions of belly dance, the music has also fused with different forms and styles of music. The contemporary form of belly dancing has been popularized by Shakira, the Latin America rock star. She brings forth a beautiful blend of Belly dancing along with Latino as well as other modern dance forms. Suhaila Salimpour, (world renowned dancer, performer, and choreographer) has also stepped up in revolutionizing belly dance music with her online belly dance mp3 store that features very modern and very classic styles of bellydance music.

Hip-hop Trashing The Rights Of Women

By blogger on

Hip-Hop music includes violent and abusive lyrics that could possibly mirror other illegal activities used for sexual intent. The music identified as hip-hop verbally violates basic human rights, particularly the rights of women. Excessive and blatant sexual abuse connotations can be found in almost every musical score, as women are portrayed as whores and assets worth no more than existing for man’s sexual pleasures. Much of the lyrics in rap songs are abusive and degrading to all women.

Hip-Hop is a manifestation and spin on exploitation of African-American and Latino-American youth, and is often considered to have sexism and misogyny attributes. New York City blacks and Latino youths originally started the hip-hop culture, with included rapping, deejaying, break-dancing and graffiti-writing. But, it has evolved into something much more than just local expressions.

Hip-Hop is a lifestyle for many people between the ages of 13 and 30. It involves music, videos, fashion, club-scenes, and the ways that young people interact with each other. The media has embraced and adopted the hip-hop culture, as well as big corporations, such as Coca-Cola and Burger King. Versions of hip-hop can be found in marketing media and corporate advertisements. The Brooklyn Museum of Art even has an exhibit dedicated to hip-hop culture.

The most influential part of hip-hop has become known as rap music. Rap music is a form of poetry, recited over musical instrumentation. Many consider rap music to be brutally honest, violent, and misogynistic. But to others, the violence to and hatred of women appears blatant and offensive.

Much of rap music portrays black women in negative images. The hip-hop culture views all women, but mostly black women, as sex objects. Most hip-hop videos show women dancing or displayed in explicit sexual poses, clothed in bikinis (or less), with the focus on their body parts. The images go hand in hand with the explicit language that suggest women are nothing more than sex objects or money-generating commodities. Many rappers describe themselves as ‘pimps’ and women as second-class and sexual commodities. Many rap songs, not only, glorify the pimp lifestyle, and refer to women in ways a pimp might describe their prostitutes, but the lyrics promote violence to women that disobey.

Of course, not all rap music is misogynistic, and not all black men think of women in this light, but large percentages within the hip-hop culture do. The name calling in the rap music dishonors, disrespects, and dehumanizes women. When society accepts labeling women in this manner, will physical and psychological abuse become acceptable? Unfortunately, many black men battle racism or oppression within hip-hop culture, and have been conditioned to distrust intrusive feelings of trust and love.

Many women consent to these collaborations, and believe racism or subjugation are viable excuses or justification for the practice of degrading and exploitation of women. The numbers of women that show up for unpaid try-outs for video shoots indicate that significant amounts of hip-hop consumers are women. Groups of women can be seen loitering in concert backstage areas, expressing their willingness to perform sexually in return for money and jewelry, or perhaps realize a feeling of being wanted.

Black women have, historically, been used as sex instruments, and continue to fight for power and material wealth. When slavery was legal and rampant, black women were routinely sexually abused by any man that wanted her. They could be used for breeding purposes and create more slave trade for their owners. Black women, also, used sex in order to lower chances of cruel treatment by the slave masters. They were paying with their bodies to survive and achieve better treatment within the uncontrolled, abusive slave life.

Black women emerged out of slavery as oversexed and promiscuous. Some viewed themselves as society dictated, and believed they did not have control over their bodies. As they tried to fit into white societies, some black men wanted the women to be employed in subordinate roles in a white household; while some black women wanted the men to acquire jobs and be the sole provider. Hip-hop culture displays similar oppressive obsessions. Some black women prefer to use sexual powers to reap economical gain. And, many black men have learned how to manipulate women by using money. In order for many black women to get what they want, they accept mistreatment and allow themselves to be exploited through hip-hop images.

Sometimes black women are uneducated and have no job skills. Many believe their bodies are all they have to offer to gain status. Many dysfunctional relationships can be found within the hip-hop culture. Some women believe men are instruments of use to gain access to money; some men think women are only have value when it comes to sexual gratification.

Would censoring hip-hop music and lyrics be an answer? Perhaps, the solution would be to change the hip-hop society and ideology by discontinue negative and misogynistic lyric promotion. But, the first step to change gender relations within the hip-hop community is education. People need to be made aware of the negative and derogatory connotations that continue to violate the rights of women, in sexist lyrics, physical interactions, and at hip-hop gatherings. But, of course, people need to be receptive to the devastating results that violating human rights cause, and be willing to change.

Are human flesh traders alive and well in the United States? Of course, we all know trafficking women is illegal, but considering the more than 45,000,000 dating websites on the Internet, is this a modern legal tool that continues the exploitation of women?

Speaking out against exploitation of women in hip-hop cultures, and for women everywhere, can help change ideologies. But, if women are not interested or willing to stop exploitation tactics, they will continue to be used and considered as just sexual instruments.

Although women have come very far, their work is not finished, and they have a long way to go before equality will be realized.

How Much Does A Music Producer Make

By blogger on

Learning how to make money as a music producer is difficult at first, it is possible though. Producers can typically start off recording artists for free, and working with different bands and artists.When you get really good at your craft, people, artists, and businesses will hire you to producer their albums. On the low side a working producer can make around $15 grand a year, for the top music producers they can make upwards of $10,000,000.00 a year.

Two main variable determine your salary, your location and your quality of work.Nashville, Los Angeles and New York offer the most work, money, and available work to music producers than any other city. This is because the music businesses that will hire you are located in these cities. These cities are known cities that high end music producers work in or live in, music producers make more money in these cities.

Here are what some of the top producers make a year:

– P. Diddy over $27 million
– Timbaland rakes in a healthy $21 million each year
– Dr. Dre approximately $20 million
– Pharrell Williams of (N.E.R.D) rakes in 17 million

Experience and quality of work matters! The better service you can offer, the more artists and labels will want you working on those albums. Word of mouth is the name of the game in being a successful music producer.As your skills develop, you will get more work and make a name for yourself. At some point you will begin to start working on major albums.

One benefit of being a music producer is that you get to make your own schedule. Producers are typically paid on a project by project basis.They are typically hired by a record label to aide an artist in producing a album that will produc high sales. The album is the component that the music producer typically works on and focuses on the arrangement, sound, recording, and album quality.

With a little time, hard work, networking, and patience you can become a successful music producer yourself. You have to pay your dues as a music producer, all millionaires in any field have to start somewhere.

The magic of electronic music

By blogger on

Dance Downloads – The magic of electronic music
(dancedownloads.blogspot.com)

The magic of music

Do you ever find yourself being suddenly transported back in time and space by the first chords of a familiar song that starts playing unexpectedly? It does not matter much if you hear this song on the car radio, the sound of the shop where you pick something or inside a restaurant where you’re dining. In seconds, you’re out of air travel and start dreaming. After a while you find yourself immersed in a realistic scenario so that it is able to recall happy moments with vivid detail in a recent or distant past, and it gives you a deep and unspeakable welfare.

So far, nothing else. Visual sensations, olfactory, gustatory and tactile stimuli also have the power to remind us of situations encountered previously. But it seems like certain songs more easily associate the events lived in a particular context. And almost always they bind to the sensations that give us pleasure, joy and peace and give us the same feeling every time you hear them again. The nostalgic can be moved by the tears on hearing certain songs because they bring you happy memories of a past that no longer exists. But back to this and despite the tears, are happier, because the music was able to bring them back a little of that happiness.

Heard alone, the music goes straight to the soul, and as there is no interference, the more imagination is free to fly. Listening with another person, then you have a partner, a companion or accomplice with whom to share the music. However, nothing compares to the music you hear in a group, because then the reactions take place in jail. Each has its own history of experience which adds to the stories and experiences of others and all are there because they went in search of happiness or to share with others the joy they already have within themselves.

This is the magic of music. The show may end, but that song keeps playing in the minds and hearts for a long time, sometimes for years or forever. In fact, it will be etched in people’s memory. That is why, as an icon that is clicked, each time that song is played, the memory is “call” and all that this show is done again, repeating the same joy, the same vibe and the same ecstasy.

As always go to these places and hear the same songs can eventually lead to boredom, it is usually possible to vary the places you go and listen to different music or music played by other well-known artists in a new way. In other words, going to shows, meet other artists and bands, and at home when this is possible, instead of listening to music while performing some task, listening to music by the way, sitting comfortably in our favorite chair and, preferably, the cover of the CD or DVD in hand to accompany the letter, will only increase our own musical repertoire. And for what?

Just as our cultural background increases in proportion as we read new books, watch new movies and keep informed about current world events by reading newspapers and magazines, the renewal of our musical repertoire will make this even better, because nothing should have more importance in our lives than the present moment.

The new song, though it is only new to us, is a virgin. Not yet linked to situations, because he’s born and begins to irrigate the present moment, which is good and beautiful. So, today it can be enjoyed and savored by itself without joins. In a while, when we hear that music we hear today for the first time, some associations may be established. So, let us remember a time when we were happy, yes, but we were well aware of that happiness which, after all, still, because, like the time, the music does not stop, and yet it never gets old.