MP3 Music

We here at That’s Really Week try to stay on the lighter side of the news, like whatever Pete Doherty’s been up to, or Paris Hilton’s plans for her much-un-awaited sophmore album. You know, fairly silly stuff. But sadly, this week’s lead story is nothing to laugh about: Luciano Pavarotti has passed away at age 71 from pancreatic cancer. Nope, ain’t no way we can make that story funny. It’s just plain sad. Pav, as we like to affectionately call him, was one of the greatest tenors in operatic history, he sold 100 million albums during his decade-straddling career (take that, Garth Brooks!), and he was beloved by millions more. Pav, you shall be missed…OK, moving on to happier stories, such as…dancing days are here again, because the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin are finally getting back together! Yep, hard rock fans still dazed and confused by recent news of the long-delayed Van Halen reunion have even more reason to celebrate, now that this even longer-delayed reunion is reportedly in the works. Incredibly, according to NME.com, frontman Robert Plant is in talks this week with fellow Led Zep legends Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones about a Zeppelin tour that’ll hopefully kick off in London this November. Presumably late drummer John Bonham’s son, Jason Bonham (last seen banging skins for celebreality band Damnocracy on VH1’s Supergroup), will fill in behind the drumkit for the Zep trek; since Damnocracy mouthpiece Sebastian Bach is busy trying to launch a hip-hop career on MTV’s Celebrity Rap Superstars (more on that HERE), we’re guessing Damnocracy are on indefinite hiatus and Jason will therefore thankfully be free…

Unfortch, not everyone is in a reunited-and-it-feels-so-good kinda mood this week. No, there’s little chance of reconciliation between Kevin Federline and Britney Spears, as K-Fed seems to be taking his ex-wife’s new song, “Gimme More,” to heart: Now that his $20,000 monthly alimony payments are about to run out, he’s unsurprisingly hitting up his former missus for more moola ($50,000, to be exact), to cover his legal expenses stemming from their divorce battle. K-Fed’s lawyer argues that Brit’s average monthly income is a strangely specific $737,868, while his considerably less successful client has “no net income” whatsoever. Well, you can’t argue with that math, can ya? Meanwhile, there’s no greatest-love-of-all lost between that other famous divorced duo, Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown, as they continue a bitter custody fight over their 14-year-old daughter and long-suffering Being Bobby Brown co-star, Bobbi Kristina. Guess the both really do believe the children are their future, given the intensity of their dispute…

All right, that paragraph was a bit of a bummer, so it’s time for more joyful news, like…whoopee, a Morrissey musical is on the way! Makes sense, since old Moz has always been a bit of a drama queen. Heh heh. And you know, there really is no more chorus-line-kicking, jazz-hands-waving music around than uplfiting Smiths/Morrissey numbers like “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me,” “You Have Killed Me,” “Life Is A Pigsty,” and “Sorrow Will Come In The End.” Gee, sounds like the feelgood Broadway revue of the year! We just hope that the casting of this Moz musical (or should we say “Mozical”?) is conducted via a TV talent show a la Grease: You’re The One That I Want, because the idea of a bunch of emo-goth theater boys warbling “Hairdresser On Fire” and “You’re The One For Me, Fatty” on live television sounds even more exciting to us than watching Sebastian Bach perform LL Cool J tunes on Celebrity Rap Superstars…

And finally, sorry to conclude this blog focusing on the same downer subject with which it began (namely, DEATH), but we simply must reveal the results of a truly astounding new scientific study: According to researchers at Liverpool John Moores University, whose report was just published in the Journal Of Epidemiology & Community Health, rock stars die younger than “normal” people. And apparently rampant alcohol and drug use has something to do with this phenomenon! Um, duh. Did Liverpool’s taxpayers actually have to fund this groundbreaking research? Sheesh. We just hope the aforementioned Pete Doherty (who’s in rehab right now, by the way) reads these revolutionary findings and takes heed…

All right, much like Britney & K-Fed, Whitney & Bobby, or Liverpudlians and their tax dollars, we must split. But do come back next Friday for more amusing, confusing, and downright excitement-oozing news, Until then, goodnight, and good music.

by Lyndsey Parker in That’s Really Week

In the last few years, mp3 players have become some of the hottest selling electronics on the market. With the addition of several new product lines by major technology companies, consumers have even more choices than ever. You may be a bit overwhelmed at how to make a buying decision, and when you’re spending hundreds of dollars on a product that could weigh only a few ounces, it’s important to do as much research as possible in order to purchase the best mp3 player for your needs.

Here’s a few things to look at when purchasing a new mp3 player: Battery life. It’s important to look at your desired usage to determine how important battery life is to you. If you will be using your player for short periods of time, such as exercising, then good battery life isn’t important as if you will be using it in your car on long trips. Battery life comparisons can usually be found by looking at a product’s specifications from the manufacturer: they will commonly provide an estimate of how long the battery will last under normal usage. If you frequently skip songs, causing the screen’s backlight to light up, or if you’re looking at album covers, the battery life will be reduced, so factor this in.

Screen. Some smaller mp3 players don’t even have a screen, while others have a large LCD screen optimized for great video quality. Smaller players will have smaller and less attractive screens, but they will weigh much less. Think about how whether you’re listening to music in one place or if you’re always on the go, and plan accordingly. Tiny players without a screen can weigh just a few ounces, but instead of selecting a track to listen to directly, you must wait for it to come up in the random shuffle sequence.

Functionality. Many larger mp3 players now are optimized not only to listen to music, but for a great video experience. The major downside of these players is battery life. Watching a video on your mp3 player can be fun, but battery life is drastically reduced when compared to simply listening to music. Other functionality that you might want to look for is an FM tuner for listening to the radio, ability to display album art, and additional software such as a calendar or games.

Accessories. The final factor in your buying decision should be to look at what types of accessories are available for your mp3 player. These can either be made by the original manufacturer, or by a third-party company specializing in accessories. Common accessories are cases to protect your player from scratches and dings, and an FM transmitter to allow you to listen to your player through your car radio.

There are many review websites specializing in mp3 player reviews, with ratings given by actual buyers with experience using the particular product. Do as much research as possible, and you’ll be enjoying your new mp3 player for years to come.

SmarterReviews.com is an exciting new website dedicated to consumer product reviews. Our revolutionary technology allows us to suggest the best products based on your desired usage and features, so visit us today at SmarterReviews.com.

All guitar lessons are not the same, just as all teachers are not the same. Guitar lessons or downloads what’s the best way to learn? Today there is a variety of ways to learn guitar the challenge is finding the most effective way for you.

Firstly what are your goals, what you do want to achieve, in what time frame? Do you want to be a non-professional, semi- professional or professional guitarist? These are the type of questions you need to ask. Which style of learning will serve you best guitar lessons or downloads.

Guitar lessons can be a marvelous opportunity for adults to take time out of their day-to-day routines and find new outlets for their creative expression and they are certainly cheaper than therapy sessions.

So let’s take a look are your goals, realistically what do you want to achieve in the next twelve months?

- do you want to jam with other musicians?

- do you want to play for family and friends?

- do you want to learn that cool song you’ve always wanted to play?

Do you see how I’m thinking?

Lessons are a discipline like anything else you need to make a decision & stick do it. Guitar lessons with a private tutor or downloads from the internet, here’s a snapshot of both styles of tuition.

Internet lessons

Before choosing the lessons of a certain online tutorial- providing website over the lessons of another, it is recommendable to ask for the advice of your friends or other persons in whom you trust in order to find out whether those particular guitar lessons are efficient or not.

How much do you value your time?

It’s very easy to blow 5-10 hours a week mindlessly surfing the net looking for tips, if you’re focused you could spend that time learning the things you really wanted to play.

Yes, internet lessons do appear to be cheaper than private lessons … internet lessons are convenient - learn when you want to in the comfort of your own home, no traveling etc, and there’s the various free guitar lessons to get your feet wet in the learning process of guitar music playing.

Private lessons

If you have money, time, and are prepared to put the work in, this is one of the most effective routes to take, because they’ll correct any bad habits, and your guitar lessons are one-to-one.

Guitar lessons are offered under the instruction of qualified, experienced and professional teachers. Private guitar lessons are once a week, half an hour, and one on one.

Now, just because the teacher has a qualification does not mean that can help you. What type of teacher is best for you will depend on:

- the type of music you want to play, just because a guitar teacher has a qualification does not mean they can (a) play the music you are interested (b) have any understanding of the theory behind that style of music.

The world is full of classically trained (and qualified) guitar teachers who don’t have a clue about modern music.

There’s just as many un-qualified teachers who don’t have the faintest idea about (a) reading music (b) anything outside the current pop song on the radio or the latest tab they downloaded

By the way, if you’re going to pay for private lessons, make certain you do some research on the teacher :

- has the teacher had a successful performing/teaching career?

- has any of his/her students been successful in the music industry?

The bottom line

Guitar lessons or downloads they both work, if you’re clear about your goals, if you’re focused, internally motivated and disciplined, guitar lessons or downloads will both deliver… the question is always what is the source of the information?

Good players don’t necessarily make good teachers and visa versa whilst online you can easily find a website that offers 2,599 videos for an unbelievable price, but, fair warning: it’s not the quantity of the information, it’s the quality of the knowledge and how to put it all together that’s the key!

Guitar lessons or downloads they’re great options why not try a combination of both? Do your research first and avoid the frustration and confusion!

Mike Hayes is a teacher, author, speaker and consultant. Get his tips and tested strategies proven to boost your guitar playing visit his membership site at http://www.guitarcoaching.com today.

Congratulations on your engagement, it is now time to interview the different wedding DJs in Michigan! You may be a little overwhelmed with the options and probably do not know where to start looking for a professional entertainer, but here are a couple of things to keep in mind when interviewing disc jockey companies.

1.) The Reputation and References

Some DJs in Michigan perform as full-time professionals, most work part-time and probably will not be as committed to your wedding reception. Make sure you can view or contact several references from previous clients from within the last year. You will be able to find out if the entertainer is dedicated to your day before you trust them with to much responsibility.

2.) Will You Get More with others or LESS?

The basic stereotype for wedding DJs in Michigan is that they only play music. Some companies do more than just play music, but ask yourself out loud.

Who will be responsible for my wedding coordination and other important details?!
Who will make sure that the other vendors are informed about my wedding itinerary?!
When I fill out my wedding itinerary is it easy, detailed, and planned online?!
How will my disc jockey play the guest song requests, is this done ahead of time?!
Will they give me Wedding Planning Advice, or just play music?!
Do they have an Online Music Area that I can browse AND sample songs from?!
What type of music selection will they offer me?!
Are their songs kept current with today’s trends for my guests?!
Do they have other options or services that other companies do not offer?!
Am I given a Wedding Song List where I can also sample formal dance suggestions?!

As you can see, entertainment accounts for more than just playing music, so the right question to ask is out of all the wedding DJs in Michigan, how can this company help personalize my day by saving me time and money!

3.) Who has the Right Attitude

There is more going on behind the scenes than you can imagine. To find out if your DJ can hold up to your expectations ask yourself out loud.

Are they the right company to represent myself, family & friends at my ONE wedding?!
Do they treat other professionals with respect and refer other vendors that they trust?!
Do they have the right personality to fit my vision and goals?!
Do they upgrade their equipment or invest into their company with new technology?!
Do they have the right customer service & reach me within 24hrs of me calling them?!
Do I get the chance to meet my DJ before my party?!
Do they specialize as a Michigan Wedding DJ?!

4.) Do they have a Commitment to Excellence

Do not trust your top rate day to a second rate service. To find out if they can backup what they say ask yourself out loud.

Is there a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE offered with their services?!
Do they go over the MONEY BACK GUARANTEE with me in detail?!
What is included in the MONEY BACK GUARANTEE?!

What happens if my DJ arrives late?!
Will they bring state-of-the-art backup equipment to my event?!
Do they honor or encourage positive music requests?!
Do they buy any important songs I might request beforehand?!
Will they be available for me to talk with them if I have questions?!
Have they ever had to enforce their MONEY BACK GUARANTEE before?!

5.) What They Do not Want You to Know about Prices

Price and package selection are important, and should be a consideration when it comes to booking a wedding DJs in Michigan. There should be a no pressure approach when giving you information about choosing entertainment. You need to speak with several different companies to find a service that matches your budget and goals. When you interview DJs in Michigan, you will find a difference in pricing as well as the services offered.

If their prices are average then will their services also be average?!
Are there hidden fees for setup, teardown, load-in, or the meetings?!
Are they sending a low rate DJ last minute to cover your wedding?!
Will they cancel on you the week of, to book a higher rate party?!

6.) And most importantly…

Do not forget to have fun. This should be an easy and fun decision for you!

Robert Reno entertains wedding receptions, private parties, and high school proms. He has a vast exposure as one of the premier wedding DJs in Michigan. He is working for Encore Entertainment & Productions. For further information please go to DJs in Michigan or www.encorepartydjs.weblog.com