Portable Audio Player History

By Sampson Zelder

Portable audio players are mobile devices able to play digital music. There are several varieties of portable audio player that include MP3 players, cell phones, boomboxes and mini-disk players. Technically a digital voice recorder might fall into the portable audio category as well, but its a term generally considered for musical accessories.

Todays generation takes current portable audio players for granted without realizing the stages that technology had to move through in order for them to have the players they enjoy today. Not so long ago the only form of portable music available to older generations was the AM/FM radio. It wasnt until the early 1970s that the emergence of the 8-track cassette gave people the first taste of being able to take music with them in their cars. These bulky cassettes resembled VHS video tapes and the technology used to record music tracks left a lot to be desired. Not only did the spool track-readers clunk and whir audibly over the sound of the music, but the lengthy silence between each track as the readers shifted from one to the next was unwelcome.

By the time the 1980s was underway, the cassette had developed into the smaller cassette tape. These quickly took over the 8-track as they were able to fit more music tracks and offered better quality sound. Able to fit into a protective case no bigger than a pack of cards, cassette tapes were also used in the first truly portable audio players. These were called walkmans and allowed people to listen to music anywhere they went by attaching headphones to the players. Boomboxes were also popular during the late 1980s, which were portable stereo systems with inbuilt cassette players.

By 1988 compact discs had arrived on the market. These digital discs meant that music lovers no longer had to spend time rewinding or fast forwarding unwieldy cassette tapes to find the track they wanted to listen to. Compact discs also didnt have the problems of the tape breaking or wearing out or coming off the spools. They were also much smaller than the unwieldy, fragile vinyl records.

The only real drawback to the compact disc was the fact that sporting enthusiasts couldnt enjoy portable music with the CD walkman as the laser light reading device was easily jolted, causing the music tracks to skip or jitter. For people wanting to jog or cycle or skate, then the cassette player, like the walkman, remained the portable audio device of choice.

During the 1990s, advances in computer technology and the accompanying storage devices saw the advent of the MP3 music file. People began listening to digital files directly through their computers.

Manufacturers quickly realized that MP3 files and flash memory sticks had the capacity to create the first truly indestructible portable audio player that didnt suffer any of the drawbacks of its predecessors. Thus the MP3 player was born. No bigger than a pack of gum and able to continue playing music files even during heavy activity like cycling or jogging, MP3 players became truly portable. Able to store entire music libraries of music and with the ability to transfer files on and off the device easily meant that these portable audio players enjoyed a rise in popularity previously unseen. - 18758

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Online Violin Lessons: True Mastery Is Possible Even At Home

By Elaine Cane

Many people now consider the internet to be their preferred mechanism for obtaining education. Anyone with access to the internet can learn just about any skill without the hassle of enrolling in a physical institution of learning. It works especially well for those who need flexibility in scheduling their training. Many online course providers are now recognized as mainstream education providers. They provide full courses right from the privacy of the home including, in many cases, the final licensing exams which provide the students with the credentials to enter the workforce. These online instruction systems provide a wide selection of fields and courses, even instruction in music education. A great many people are now subscribing to online violin lessons over the internet.

Online violin lessons are preferred by many for a number of reasons:

Sheer Convenience

Online courses provide everyone the flexibility to take their violin lessons at a time and place that is convenient for them. Since the courses are administered over the internet, the student never has to leave home to go to a class or to an instructor's house. This gives students, homemakers, full-time employees and anyone else who needs the flexibility the choice of when they take advantage of the opportunity to take their violin lessons.

Learn In The Privacy Of Your Own Home

Being at home means you never have to worry about prying eyes or critical stares from others who make a habit of staring down people who do not meet their personal pre-set expectations of how fast a learner needs to master certain aspects of the course. Online violin lessons practically frees you from peer pressure and all the stresses that go with having to deal with other learners and maybe even instructors in the course of fulfilling your lessons.

Learn The Violin At Your Own Speed

Since it is an online course, how you progress in your online violin lessons is entirely up to you. You will not be pressured in any way, and you can learn the lessons at your own pace. You can take the course as fast as you want to complete it or even for as long as you want to, and no one will dictate the speed at which you need to study. This is particularly preferable since a lot of people learn better when allowed their own pace and are not pressured into learning faster just to keep up with others expectations.

Complete and Coherent

Make no mistake, online violin lessons are just as complete and as updated as mainstream violin courses in any learning institution. The most modern methods of instruction are employed in the creation of the modules, and the lessons are designed to enhance the learning experience, thereby allowing the true mastery of the violin, regardless of your musical talent. - 18758

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Learning to play the violin can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, especially when you have the flexibility to do it at your own speed. Try these cost-effective online violin lessons and see for yourself.

Learn to Play Piano by Ear

By Michelle Edward

Have you ever wondered if what you know about playing piano is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on playing piano.

Consider this...

Do you want to be capable of playing your piano without the assistance of sheets of music?

Or hum your music along with a certain tune?

Are you senses visually not what they should be, but you desire to play a piano?

Don't you know that by simply humming a tune, you could play it the same?

Many professional musicians, didn't begin their particular careers using instructors or manuals. They actually learned by playing tones that they hear and following the music's rhythm. Not a piece of sheet music or teacher in sight.

1 - Get your things in order. You will of course require a keyboard or piano, whichever you have. You just have to be able to use at least 3 fingers. You will need adequate time for practicing. Make sure the piano is in tune.

2. Remember that the piano is an instrument that is comprised of 88 keys. Along these are 12 straight notes. The first white key is the A - note, next white note is B, C, D, E, F, G.

Then after the last white G - note, the next white note again becomes the A - note, then the repetition begins. This sequence is repeated until the last white note is done for about 7 times. That would include the black notes that represent flats and sharps.

3. The C note is also known as the Home Key. To trace the C note, it is the white key on the left side of two black keys. If you're still amazed, stare at your piano. You'll notice that at the middle part is the C - note. Thus, that would be the first major chord.

If you are not up to date on your piano facts, how does the affect your playing? Be sure to keep up on all vital piano playing information.

The thumb of your right hand will serve as number 1 because it is put at the C straddled in the middle. From there, count all keys going to the right. Include the black keys.

When you reach the number 5 you have found the second note of the C chord. This is played with your middle finger. Then start at 5 and count until you reach 8, that is the last not of the chord and is played with your pinkie finger.

Now hit these keys together and an impressive sound is accomplished.

4 - Get real familiar with using the sequence mentioned above... 1, then 5, and 8 in counting. This goes for starting with any of the notes, just remember to count, includes the sharps and flats.

Use these chords as your roots. This will work perfectly if you decided to start on a sharp. You'll be making a sharp chord by then.

5 - You will understand what close listening and counting will do for your playing through enough practice.

If you drop the 5 and go to 4 then you will have a minor chord, in place of the major chord.

Now, if you're playing for a C chord, all you have to do is move your finger one key to the left to be able to produce a C minor.

The benefits of good listening you will start knowing different tones. You will also be capable of hearing variations in a tune. This is true as long as you hearing is good enough.

Some Practical Advice

Don't just do your practicing in the middle of your piano. Many keys are available for you to select.

Learn to use more that more than just one maybe two fingers. With enough practice, you can learn to play with all your fingers on your right and left hands.

Practice.

This is up-to-date information that has been covered in this article. Keep your mind open for future developments though that may be found through research. - 18758

About the Author:

Michelle Edward is classically trained to Grade 8 in Solo Piano. To learn how to play the piano by ear, check out Michelle's Hear & Play Review at her website now.

Flash The DVD Drive Of An XBOX 360

By Daniel Thompson

Your XBox 360 is one of the most powerful and versatile gaming systems ever made. Not only can you play all of your favorite games on this console, but you can also go online for interactive game play, enjoy music and movies and much more besides. Even though the XBox 360 offers a lot of functionality to gamers, there are some limitations imposed by the default settings in these gaming systems.

The manufacturer?s limitations make playing backed-up, hacked or games from another developer impossible, causing endless frustration for the owners of these consoles. Not only were the limitations installed in an attempt to slow down the growth of piracy, they were also installed in order to ensure that users buy only the original games. However, as with other consoles, there are ways and means of successfully getting around these annoying limitations.

Modding is one way which a lot of people get around these limitations in their game systems. To mod your XBox 360, you need to buy a mod chip and install it in your system; it's a procedure that most people with a little technical inclination can do with relative ease. Modding is usually a pretty straightforward thing, but it can sometimes be hard to get your hands on a mod chip and incorrectly installed, modding can damage your system or even render it useless. Since you need to open the console to do this, it's a process which a lot of people approach with some trepidation.

Although there is a misconception that playing backed-up games on a system that has been tampered with bears an air of criminality, it actually does not. Gamers want to protect their discs from any damage and so prefer to use back-up discs instead. Besides modding, flashing is another way to change the components to bypass the limitations, and it is also somewhat easier to do.

You'll need to get an XBox opening kit to get started flashing your console. You can pick these kits up at low prices in most electronics shops. Once you've opened up your XBox 360, you'll need to move the DVD drive connector to the SATA port in your computer then using a firmware tool to flash your XBox firmware. If your computer doesn't have a SATA port, then you can use a PCI SATA card and use this " just make sure that this card used the VIA6421 chipset, since other SATA chipsets will most likely fail.

Once you have determined who the manufacturer was you can begin. Invariably you will flash using Dosflash or Ixtreme via disc, but this is dependent upon who the manufacturer is.

If you really don't want to open your XBOX 360, you can resort to an online service that provides downloadable content that can unlock your XBOX 360 without much effort. Though these services usually require subscription fee, they have the advantage of providing support, tutorials, and updated firmware to ensure your XBOX flashing is safe.

Flashing is only an alternative to modding if you want some enhancements to your XBOX 360 console. Both methods have potential risks and are not encouraged by Microsoft themselves. However, if done correctly, can be very rewarding and the freedom to play backup games and other homebrew titles is always a good thing as long as it's legal in your area. - 18758

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Check out how you can download xbox 360 games, you can at this site. You can also download movies and music for your system. You'll also learn how you can burn xbox 360 games easily, and pay only a few bucks per back up on each game you want to play for DVD discs.

To Watch Free TV On PC

By Jed Elaine

Nowadays, computers are way more than just computers in their original sense. They are also telephones, fax machines, typewriters, internet terminals and a whole host of other innovations brought about by modern technology. And now, they have also become a 2-in-1 with TVs and are actually more powerful than the conventional ones. What we are talking about here is Internet TV On Computer.

Its commonly known as Internet TV, where television programming is streamed over the internet onto the computers of the surfers. There are different ways of acquiring this feature on your computer but the most popular method is by simply installing a computer program; there is no need for any hardware addition or retrofit. This kind of software can be readily purchased and easily installed. They are also generally compatible with all versions of Windows.

All thats needed is found in most homes nowadays. Only a computer with internet connection is required. There are several brands of software for streaming Internet TV onto your computer retailing on the internet itself. Typically, upon making payment for the purchase of the program, the buyer will be directed to the download site to obtain the software. Theres no waiting for the mail, no shipping or handling charges and complete access to the service is instant.

Free TV On PC is basically television programming uploaded onto the internet on FTA (free-to-air) broadcasts which are streamed to the computers used in accessing the web. The sources of this kind of TV are thus practically boundless. Their services are gathered and distributed on a P2P (peer-to-peer) basis and in that way will not be in violation of any copyright protection laws. They are also accessible from anywhere that has internet facilities.

Most of the software packages feature thousands of stations which include news, movies, sports, music, clips, radio and many more. These stations originate from all over the world and comprise of local, regional, and international broadcasts. If you are a sport enthusiast, you will definitely get to watch baseball, football, soccer, basketball and many other sports of any location in the world. All these Free Satellite TV PC are possible with just a single purchase of the software.

The leading Internet TV software retailing on the internet are easy to install and user-friendly. Its usually ready to go in a matter of minutes and if you can operate a microwave oven, you can handle TV on PC. Minimal computer literacy is required to fully enjoy the benefits of this new-wave TV. They are accompanied by complete instructions and 24/7 technical support. The advantages of Free TV On PC are many. Cost, flexibility, variety, convenience are but just a few of them. - 18758

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Watch TV On Internet free with specialized software for downloading Sports On PC.