Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Traditional Irish Music
Let the familiar sounds of pennywhistles, fiddle strings, bodrans and Gaelic words bring you back to your Celtic roots even if it’s just in your imagination. Traditional Irish music will soothe your senses and evoke wonderful memories of growing up in, or maybe visiting your beloved Ireland. You have much to choose from with the varied artists of Celtic music.
Listen to the hauntingly beautiful voices of Enya and Loreena McKennitt. Jam with the wonderful sounds of the most popular Irish band made up of the Corrs siblings. Dance to the merry tunes of The Chieftains, and tap your feet to the popular Irish jigs courtesy of Lunasa. Irish music is a blend of wonderful melodies created by talented artists. You will be glad to bring home one or more albums to listen to.
Despite an active time just over a decade, Led Zeppelin is often hailed as the greatest rock band of all time. Like most bands, Led Zeppelin had a humble beginning, starting out as four friends who wanted to create original music and incorporate different styles like reggae, soul, and funk. The band’s four members included Jimmy Page on guitar—playing everything from classical guitars to his trademark double-neck model—, Robert Plant on vocals, John Paul Jones on bass guitar and keyboard, and John Bonham on the drums. These four members were true masters of their craft whose musical style is well recognized today. Led Zeppelin composed dozens of original songs, and sheet music for their more well known ballads, like Stairway to Heaven, remains some of the top selling sheet music of all time.
In 1980, drummer John Bonham died, and the band subsequently broke up and wouldn’t collaborate again until 2007. In December of 2007, Led Zeppelin reunited for a benefit honoring music executive Ahmet Ertegun. Jason Bonham took his father’s place on the drums, and the concert was well received, proving that the legendary band could still perform at the level that made them famous.
If you’re looking to learn a skill that is entertaining, soothing, and expands your mind, you can learn to play banjo. Learning to play banjo stimulates your mind and encourages you to come up with new songs, fostering endless creativity. Banjos for kids are the perfect way to get your child interested in the arts and develop valuable math skills. All you really need is a banjo and a way to learn. You can try to teach yourself, but you’ll learn much more quickly and efficiently if you use one of the following methods.
A banjo teacher is the best way for many people to learn to play banjo. A trained teacher has an organized way to teach the skill, and they can help you avoid bad playing habits before they form. You can also have a friend or family member teach you, and this is even more beneficial if they have learned from a teacher or if they have taught before. You can also learn from banjo books or banjo instructions online, but you really need to focus on this self-driven method. You also lack the advantage of getting personalized feedback and correction from a real person. The final method is to learn from a DVD, which can almost be like having a real teacher with you, without the real-time mistake correction. This is a great option for those who are visual learners.
Blueridge Guitars are well known for their spot-on reproductions of iconic American guitars, but now they get to be known for a little something extra. With the release of their new 12-string, Blueridge has reinvented themselves, opening up a whole new opportunity for the company to continue exploring the limits and defining itself.
Acoustic Guitar recommends the 12-string as a great way to pull yourself out of a musical rut, or to just work on something new. Charles Saufley, an Acoustic Guitar columnist says, “In the past, inexpensive 12-strings often developed playability issues. But modern manufacturing techniques have improved build quality at all price levels, and with the debut of the vintage-inspired jumbo Blueridge BR-16-12, the accessibly priced 12-string field is even stronger.”
The author goes on to offer a glowing review of a deserving brand.
There are a number of theories about the origins of the word banjo. Some folks believe it’s derived from the Kimbundu language. Kimbundu, also known as North Mbundu, is a language spoken largely in the south-central region of Africa. In Kimbundu the banjo, in its older incarnations, may have been called “mbanza.” Other people believe it derives from the Portuguese word “bandore.”
Other theories include such Americanized words as “banjar,” “banjil” and “banza.” Regardless of where they got their name, however, banjos have a remarkably distinct sound. With an unmistakable musical character these unique instruments represent a rich cultural history, both in the United States and around the world. From Africa, to Europe and even Asia and the Middle East, banjos are a truly global instrument with derivations existing in almost every known human culture. Not many modern instruments can say that.
Pete Seeger once said that “all songwriters are links in a chain,” and his body of work defends that statement. Known as a legendary folk singer, Seeger turned to roots music and storytelling tradition as sources for inspiration. He helped bring classic American spirituals back into the public consciousness during the 1960s. Along with fellow folk musician Joan Baez, Seeger ushered in an era of musical activism by reviving “We Shall Overcome.”
Seeger’s statement suggests an understanding and appreciation of musical history. Listeners can hear evidence of his dramatic influence on the radio today. Baby boomer troubadours like Joni Mitchell and Bruce Springsteen continued in Seeger’s songwriting tradition by penning tales of the less fortunate. Songwriting tips can’t be etched in stone because each artist taps into creativity in his or her own way. Take a lesson from Pete Seeger, however, and you won’t go far wrong.
One thing you will find that is popular in the Irish capital is traditional folk music. By going around the streets of Dublin like the Whelan’s in Camden Street, you will surely find traditional and folk music. This is one exciting spot has the best of Ireland’s talented folk performers.
A vast array of instruments are utilized in Irish folk music; and while fiddles and flutes are the first that come to mind, the banjo and guitar are now commonly used as well. Some famous Irish bands who have been very successful in taking traditional Irish folk music to the world are the Clancy brothers, The Dubliners and The Chieftans, Tommy Makem and Altan. These bands were even given tribute by the Irish post office by means of coming up with stamps of these iconic bands. Because of the distinct and mesmerizing sound of traditional Irish folk music, The Chieftans music, as well as The Dubliners’ and Clancy Brothers’ has been very popular all over the world.
Before the computer age, upstart songwriters had it tough. Options for laying their music down on tape were extremely limited. They had to scrimp and save just to afford some studio time to lay down a few tracks. Alternatively, they could utilize a four-track recorder to capture their work in grainy low fidelity. The rise of songwriting software programs has turned that entire paradigm on its ear.
These days, songwriters can record professional-quality material from the comfort of their own home. But recording isn’t quite the right word. They can tweak their sonic creations to a tremendous degree, making them sound as sparse or layered as desired. Such software programs make the life of a struggling musician a bit easier; the only thing they can’t do is guarantee a big record deal. And although some people enjoy the sterile sound of these recordings, many people still desire the raw nature of Deering banjos and traditional folk and bluegrass tunes.
Although there are many folk heroes of the American music scene, Woody Guthrie was a true titan among men. He grew up in dire poverty on the Oklahoma prairie and began collecting the regional songs he heard older people performing. This marked the beginning of Guthrie’s legacy as both a songwriter and a musical historian. He kept many traditional songs from dying out completely over time, using everything from mandolins to harmonicas.
In 1940, he wrote “This Land Is Your Land,” a song that’s still identified with American civic pride. During his later years, Guthrie focused on writing protest songs in response to the social injustices he perceived in the world around him. He also inspired and mentored the young Bob Dylan. Woody Guthrie will forever be remembered for his ability to capture the spirit of the times in his folk music.