Learn To Play Guitar Course

Click For More On Learn To Play Guitar Course!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Xbox 360 - The Best Accessories!

By Larry Moon

When you first purchase your Xbox 360 console, everything you require it included in the package, such as, a controller, cables, and etcetera. Of course this means you can go right ahead and start gaming without any delays. Of course, if you were fortunate enough to purchase the Xbox 360 Elite, then you were no doubt even more thrilled because it would have come with a few extras, such as some great games. All you needed was a TV, and of course, if you have an HDTV then your gaining experience will be that much more pleasurable.

But a good TV isn't the only extra that you need to liven up your gaming experience. There are also plenty of Xbox 360 accessories that you can get your hands on. These accessories can expand the capabilities of the Xbox 360 or improve the gaming comfort and performance. Some of the accessories are made by 3rd party companies so not all of them perform as well as they claim. Consider trying out these great Xbox 360 accessories.

As you will have noticed, the Xbox 360 only comes with one controller, irrespective of what edition you bought. Obviously if you only have one system and you want to play competitive games with additional players, you'll need to buy more controllers. However, whether you opt for wired or wireless controllers, the Xbox 360 is only capable of handling four controllers.

Not only are the original black or white controllers a much higher quality than those which have been manufactured by third party companies, but you're also guaranteed that they'll be compatible with all computers using the Microsoft Windows operating system.

While the controllers are able to operate the Xbox 360 interface completely, you can be rest assured that your life will be much easier if you get the universal media remote, particularly if you use your Xbox 360 as a digital media system on a frequent basis. Furthermore, not only can the remote operate several TV's but it can also be used for any computers which are powered by Windows Media Center. In fact, because it has all the regular buttons, the remote can also be used for playing games.

Because so many people use their Xbox 360 for playing online and a large percentage of these people enjoy chatting, Microsoft released the Xbox 360 Messenger kit alongside Windows Live Messenger. A feature known as "Chatpad" is included in the kit and its ideal for quick messaging and also for those who lack a USB keyboard.

It also comes with a wired headset that conveniently connects to the Chatpad so that you can voice chat with others during gameplay or take advantage of games that have voice recognition support. There is also a wireless headset too if you do not need the Chatbox.

There are other nice accessories that you can find on the Xbox website as well. When choosing accessories, it is always best to get the ones that are officially licensed by Microsoft. - 18758

About the Author:

Drum Instruction DVD: Improve Your Playing

By P.J. Clayton

My experience with the speed drumming is a strange one. Basically, one October day, while picking up some drum sticks at a local music store, I noticed drummers using a device called a "Drumometer. This "drumming speed" measurement device used a practice pad for a striking surface with an embedded piezo trigger. The trigger was connected to a counter-timer computer brain that had a count and a timer display.

Your physical body can always do what you mind can conceive. Before you know it you will be producing you own style that others desire of you. It all starts in the mind.

A typical drumstick has a tip, shoulder, shaft and butt. The tip, also referred to as bead, is the top-most part that strikes the drum. Traditionally, the tip is made of the same hard wood as the rest of the stick.

The sound that you like and your drum's best sound may not be the same. Let the drum have it's way. Here are a couple of tips to deal with drum noise while practicing.

Depending on the type of music, begin your solo to match the flow of the music. You might not want to perform a hard and fast solo to slow, smooth, easy listening jazz nor drum softly to hard, power-driven metal. Make your solo tasteful. Let it make a statement and signature of what you are creating. Utilize all the instruments of your drum set such as your snare drum, bass drum, toms, cymbals and other instruments that accompany the drum set. The final step in developing a solo.

However, six months is not an ideal time. If you have been playing the drum too often lately, consider changing it even though you may have changed it four months back. Signs that should tell you it is now the time for you to change are indents and cracks.

Well, I asked around a bit and was surprised to learn that the history of second line is a bit cloudy. Nobody can seem to agree on how it evolved, I heard stories about there being a line of musicians and staff that marched behind the mourners (second line) at a funeral parade in New Orleans. Apparently the musicians would play funeral marches on the way to the funeral and more livelier pieces on the return home.

Drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste and Johnny Vidacovich mixed second line with syncopated funk, developing a style called "second-line funk drumming". This style was popularized in many famous bands that came from New Orleans like the Meters (see below). Second line drumming often involves a 3/2 son clave not dissimiliar to the Bo Diddley beat although it doesn't necessarily always follow that rule, and Second line beats are also called "Street Beats". - 18758

About the Author:

Useful Guidelines To Speed Up Your Movie Download

By Donna I Thompson

It is pretty surprising that we can now download complete high quality movies immediately from the Internet. If you use a decent site you it can be one of the best ways to get your movies as you can do it right at home and get the exact movie that you want.

But one objection that comes up is that fact that the download can take such a slow time. The download time has to do with your computer speed and your connection speed but you can apply a couple of things to reduce the time or at least the aggravation.

One idea that you can do that will cut the nuisance is to begin the movie download when you will be absent from your computer. Right before bed or right before you go to work is good. That way it is out of sight, out of mind and it will be through by the time you get back to it.

You can also maximize your bandwidth by downloading a few movies at the same time. This way your download can go faster and you will wind up with a few movies in the same amount of time that it usually takes to get one.

You can only download as quick as your browser will allow. Try to download using a Firefox web browser rather than Internet Explorer. Experiment until you find which works best.

Optimize your windows setting to speed up downloads. There is a free Windows program that you can find online that will optimize your Internet connection. Just run a search for TCP optimizer and follow the guide. This will help you to find the best TCP window for your connection speed and that should help you to speed up the movie download procedure.

When you sign up for a movie download site look for information pertaining to their download speeds. Most of them will offer some tips for downloading plus doing it quicker.

Downloading movies straight from the Internet is a good way to get movies. Test and find the sites and methods that function best for you. The technology is just going to get better and better. - 18758

About the Author:

Drumming Lessons DVD: Learn Quickly

By Antwan Anderson

But it was fun! A sales rep then told me I should enter their "fastest drummer" contest. When I asked him when it was, he said, "THE NEXT NIGHT"! After trying to bow out, I eventually said "okay". Since I've always disliked "musical competitions" I don't know why I agreed? So, I decided I wouldn't tell anyone (including my wife) about it - talk about being insecure!

The most important thing to remember about home drum practice is to keep your family happy. They need to be for you and not against you. Once they have agreed to have drums in the home, you need to agree on the amount of practice time. As for me, one hour daily is the magic number.

Beginners, Intermediates, advanced, expert and professional players all use drumsticks. Most professional drummers are particular about the weight, shape, balance, size, grain and density of the sticks. Thick, heavy sticks are used to play street drums in marching bands and drum corps. They can produce a high quality sound.

Electronic drum sticks have built-in speakers and pre-recorded tunes. When they hit any surface, they create a unique, crashing sounds. A cool red LED (Light Emitting Diode) is placed at the tip of each drumstick. Using these drum sticks, you can create fine music without a full set of drums. Electronic drumsticks are very popular among kids who love the sounds they produce.

Ever get in a slump and can't get excited about drumming? This is often due to lack of motivation or stimulation. Just as you would read positive books of wisdom and understanding to improve yourself as a person, the same holds true with drumming. You must find ways to be excited about playing. The following offer a few suggestions:

Be aware of the bumps in the drum heads, they may make your drum kit sound out of tune. In this case you should immediately change. At the end of a day also make sure that your beater is not digging a hole or dent right, where it is hitting.

What is Second Line? Have you ever been asked to play a "second line" beat on a particular song? I know I have. Usually I cringe and realize that, although I basically think it involves a marching style on the snare drum, I really don't have a clue as to what to play. Luckily my experience and musicality got me by for many years. I learned how to fake things "very" well.

Know the "name" players in the industry and their contributions to the drum world. - 18758

About the Author:

Seven Common Mistakes Folks Make While Downloading

By Judy M Gray

It is very thrilling that we can now download whole movies right from the Internet straight to our computers. Yet, before you download you need to be aware that tribulations can happen and even though it is straightforward to download if tribulations come up they can cause huge misfortune.

Being sloppy about your downloading can lead to significant issues with your computer, such as a range of types of malfunctions, viruses and identity theft. Here are seven things that are imperative for you to think about before you start downloading.

1 Security software. Make sure that your security software is activated and updated. Most of the subscriptions do have an termination date so make sure that your fees are paid up.

2 Be prudent of your password. If you use the same easy password for roughly everything you are putting yourself at hazard for identity theft. Use variations combining letters, numbers and punctuation symbols. Try to use at least 8 digits.

3 Be watchful of free software downloads. A small number of things in life are in reality free of charge so you could be putting your computer at threat for adware, malware and spyware, all of which can cause you great tribulations. If you do need to download freeware, just make sure that you use a reputable site.

4 Do not access anything from a link in an email account. Embedded weblinks can give the sender your account admittance and it can lead to identity theft. Make sure that you type the web address into the browser rather than just clicking the embedded link.

5 No one is excepted to phishing scams. Mac's are just as exposed as a PC. Be alert and don't take chances.

6 Do not click on a pop-up. If you are getting too many pop-ups just enable your pop-up blocker. Do not click on them or open any links or you are setting yourself up for problems.

7 Use a exclusive and separate credit card for all online purchases. If there are troubles you will be able to control the actual damage by knowing exactly which card you used. Debit cards are also less safe than actual credit cards online, too.

Your online movie downloading practice will be much more agreeable if you avoid any potential problems. Be vigilant downloading and take pleasure in your movies. - 18758

About the Author: