Can Any Accomplished Piano Player Teach Me Piano?

By Michael Mickey Charles

When you first research into hiring a piano instructor it is easy to say to yourself, if they can play, then they can teach me piano right? but this isnt necessarily the case. Just because someone can play piano doesnt mean that they will be a worth while instructor. In fact, in reality the opposite is more commonly true.

The most accomplished piano players have a hard time backtracking to the rudiments of piano, simply because they passed that point ages ago. Many of these pianists feel that they are wasting their talents by getting back to the basics with a beginner when they could be practicing their craft and elevating their current status. These accomplished players usually find no pleasure or patience for newbies. What is so unfortunate is that some of these experienced piano players do not realize they even feel this way until they are hired on to teach new students. Looking for a piano instructor, whether for yourself or someone in your family, it is imperative that you ask about the individuals level of accomplishment as well as their experience as a private piano tutor.

References from past students are important; ask for their phone numbers so you can speak with them personally. Ask the students about their level of accomplishment such as what level they started at and what level they accomplished before discontinuing their lessons. Did they have previous experience or even had an inkling of what the piano entailed before they started? Ask the previous clients about what they believe the instructor could possibly teach you, especially if you have no experience whatsoever in piano. You should be able to make a sound, educated decision based on the answers of these references. If most of the references had previous experience before receiving instruction from this particular piano teacher, perhaps you need someone more versed in teaching total novices. If the instructor had just a few clients that achieved a moderate to high level of success, this might indicate they have a tough personality to work with.

The reason why people head to their computers for piano tutorials and instruction is due to the aggravations of trying to find an effective piano instructor. Many online options as well as DVD instruction and piano lesson software have become more user-friendly, making them a preferred way to learn the piano as well as other instruments. Its also less risky and provides schedule flexibility. - 18758

About the Author:

Michael 'Mickey' Charles taught music in the public school system for 30 years before offering private lessons. His years of practice in teaching piano gives him plenty of insight into what piano teaching software works and what doesn't. Don't buy anything before you read what Mickey thinks of the top piano lesson software at his website: http://www.piano-lesson-software.com/

The Benefits of Wireless TV Headphones

By Jason Gifford

These days having a pair of wireless TV headphones can solve several problems however they can also cause problems according to some. The worth of the headphones will hinge completely upon the individual wants and needs of the consumer.

Better Listening Atmosphere

Having wireless TV headphones can do wonders for your viewing or listening experience. Think about all those times you're right in the middle and a dramatic or intense scene in a movie or TV show and someone walks in being completely goofy and changing the whole mood. They take you out of the experience the show is trying to create for you and as a result you loose a lot of value that you could have kept had they either not walked in at a bad time or if you had some way to block out the noise.

Noise canceling headphones are one of the choice wonders of the modern world, allowing anyone to block out messy distracting noise while listening to their favorite music. Combined with wireless TV headphones the noise canceling feature can do a ton for your listening atmosphere allowing you to become completely enveloped in the experience.

Great Sound Quality

Ears are a very predictable acoustical space :) For this reason sound engineers are able to fine tune headphones for optimal sound quality. Rooms in contrast with ears will always vary much more and are harder to plan for when building speakers.

Think about it. It is much easier to navigate a room if you know exactly how that room is built, if you know all the walls curves and dynamics. Now compare yourself to audio frequencies.

Audio engineers can tailor the sounds much better because they know that they're only projecting to an ear. In contrast all an engineer can do for big speakers to be use in rooms is guess what a general room will be like when in all likelihood every room will be very different and thus make balancing a creating optimal audio coverage harder.

Loudspeakers will never be able to measure up to the quality potential that headphones have simply because they're projecting to random spaces while headphones are not.

Better Relationships

Wireless TV Headphones can create better relationships because they allow individuals to do what they want without interfering with each other. initially you might think that could be bad for relationship by isolating them. On the contrary! They help :)

I always get so annoyed by all the extra noise when I just want to sit down in peace and quiet to read my book of the week and the TV has been blaring some ridiculous tv show and movie. AHHHH! Just talking about it makes me cringe haha!

Wireless TV headphones can solve this problem. My roommates would be able to watch their Show with full volume and probably better sound and I get to read with the focus I want. AND they can keep watching late into the night without bugging a soul.

When I just want to veg out and watch some stupid TV show my roommates don't have to be bothered by the extra noise because I would be wearing my fancy wireless TV headphones!

So, to save your sanity go pick up some headphones. You'll be glad you did. - 18758

About the Author:

Jason Gifford loves his technology. Find more information about wireless TV headphones at Jasons wireless TV headphones guide website.

Revel in Sonic Sound with the Crest Audio Pro 9200 Professional Power Amplifier

By Neil Bethtodd

If a professional power amplifier with incredible sonic integrity is what you're after, you should check out the Crest Audio Pro 9200 Professional Power Amplifier. It delivers the sonic integrity that is the hallmark of Crest.

It is hard to believe that an amplifier with so much professional power comes in a compact, 2U package and weighs less than twenty five pounds " and at a lower cost. The Crest Audio Pro 9200 comes with automatic clip limiting that is designed to protect connected drivers.

The 2100 Watts per channel will make it possible to really blast people out of a room. The specifications of the Pro 9200 are very similar to its predecessors, the amps in the Pro 200 series. All pro series amplifiers have a frequency response that is within 0, -3 dB from 10 to 100 kHz, with hum and noise greater than -110 dB, "A" weighted. The input impedance is 15 k Ohms, balanced.

The IGM impedence sensing modifies the gain automatically to accommodate which of the impedence outputs are connected. The beauty of IGM is its short circuit protection along with loads as low as 2 Ohms and efficient operation.

The Audio Pro 9200 has a range of special features such as high efficiency heat sinks that are tunnel cooled and DC fans with variable speed that is designed to extend the life of the amplifier by limiting the operating temperature. It doesnt take long to realize that this professional power amplifier can really crank up the volume with the latest generation of high speed, wide-band width output devices and a host of features, some that help to enhance Crests sonic integrity.

In the Pro 200 series the airs temperature is measured by automatic temperature sensing systems and it is then funneled to the front panel exhaust by rear mounted cooling fans, which, should temperatures exceed operating limits, will shut down one of the channels. When youre blasting out sound at that level, everything and everyone is can feel the effects of the by product of heat.

Input connections on the rear panel are via XLR and actively balanced. There are binding post and Speak on output connections per channel to connect to the loudspeaker. The input attenuators and combination AC power switch/circuit breaker are located on the front panel of the amplifier.

There are 5 LEDs for each channel on the front panel that indicate ACL, temperature and signal protect, DC protect, and Active. The rear panel mode switch is used to choose, stereo, bridged mono, or parallel mode. The gain select switch on the rear panel will determine the amps structure of x40 or x20. The Crest Audi Pro 9200 has very impressive professional power. You will definitely be able to blast the neighbors out of bed in the middle of the night. You will want to be careful though; it would be a shame to blow a speaker on a kit that runs about $2000. - 18758

About the Author:

Neil Bethtodd has been a working musician and DJ for 15 years. He is knowledgeable on all things that relate to music! Neil's reviews of musical equipment can be found in magazines and websites around the world. To learn more about about the Crest Pro 9200, click here.

What The Common Movie Ratings Signify

By Sandra K Martin

The large movie studios have long been giving movies a rating to let individuals know how appropriate or inappropriate the movie may be for some spectators. Typically it is to protect children from exceptionally violent or sexual scenes or it may even be as simple as smoking or bad language. The concern is whose judgment rates the movie. Many people will disagree with a rating and there have even been copyright cases where a company deliberately removed scenes that were deemed unacceptable, even when a movie was rated PG or PG-13.

Since movies are all so diverse it is exceptionally grueling to preserve a standard that holds true for every solitary movie. And then there are the different things that people find offensive. One person may consider that a lone naked scene depicting probable sexuality is disgusting, while another may consider violence or a suicide by gunshot scene to be more disgusting. Various people have diverse concerns when it comes to what they suppose is appropriate to see at a movie.

In spite of this the rating system is based upon theme and content. It is really up to parents and individuals to settle on if a movie is fitting or not. One should not rely absolutely upon a rating system but only utilize it as a general guide.

The G rating is apt for General audiences, or most everyone. There is not sexual or nude scenes, no swearing, drug or alcohol use, no cigarette smoking or violence.

PG stands for parental guidance. There may maybe be some passing moments of the aforementioned scenes but it is not extreme. Parents are cautioned to be alert that these fleeting scenes may exist. PG-13 is a stronger PG caution. These movies are more often than not inapt for children under the age of 13. There may be some nudity, suggested sexuality or violence. This rating is fundamentally for a movie that does not deserve an R rating but is still worse than the mainstream PG.

An R rating restricts any person under 17 from the movie theater without the supervision of a parent or adult guardian. These movies often depict sexual scenes. There may also be drug abuse or excessive violence. Parents are encouraged to watch these movies themselves before making any evaluation to allow a young person to observe the movie.

The newest rating is a NC-17. This does not mean that it is pornographic but rather that the adult content, whether it is sexual, violent or something else, is too intense to be appropriate for anyone under age 17.

Parents and individuals need to take accountability for their own decisions on which movies are appropriate. The ratings system is just a common guide and should not be relied upon wholly. - 18758

About the Author:

If you would like more information of file sharing software that can be used to download movies for free online, then take a look at My site online free movies where other download sites are offered, and the ethics and workings of free downloadable movies are discussed.

A Guitar Players Guide to Purchasing Their Next Electric Guitar

By Kyle Zoltowski

Live Rock concerts were all the rage in the 60's and they drove countless kids to buy their very 1st guitars. Now, video games like Rockband are having the same effect.

The heart and soul of all heavy rock music doesn't just lie with the lyrics; it also lies with the electric guitar and the various sounds that it can produce. There are so many kids across the block who would give anything to play like David Gilmour,John Petrucci, Carlos Santana, Angus Young etc. These men are not just some of the best guitarists of their times, they are legends.

If you are interested in learning how to play the guitar then the first thing you'll need to do is select one. Most people start with an acoustic guitar and graduate to the electric guitar. It is quite tedious for anyone to choose the appropriate electric guitar since there are literally 100's of brands out there on the market. If you are purchasing an electric guitar then you'll also need to get an amplifier, pick-ups, picks, a tuner etc.

Electric guitars can be bought in a vast array of sizes and designs with the aerodynamic designs being some of the hottest. But hold back! Don't go for the 1st guitar you see. You need to look around and check out the prices and vast array of models before you actually buy one. In fact, one of the neatest ways to choose a guitar is by the brand or by the style. Here is my take on the four basic styles:

Stratocaster (Also known as the 'Strat') - This certainly is a show stealer and has a typical style. The most famous is the red and white color combination, which was shredded extensively by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. The Stratocaster is from Fender and has a neck fastened to the guitar body. Apart from this, it has twin cutaway sides, 22 frets accompanied by a wammy arrangement and three pickups. Fender designed the first Stratocaster in the early 50's. A few of the popular designs include:

* Fender Deluxe Strat: Approx $400 * Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar: Approx $1200 * Standard Stratocaster Electric in Maple: Approx $350 * Fender Standard Strat Electric: Approx $600 * Fender Stratocaster Eric Johnson Signature model: Approx $1950

Telecaster (Also known as the 'Tele') - The Telecaster is another creative instrument from Fenders. It is more than just another axe; it is more like a complete band. It is a solid body guitar and comprises of two pick-ups. The first Telecaster was manufactured by Fender in the 1940's and has a mono cutaway body. It doesn't have the wah wah bar but has 2 different single-coil pickups. Some of the popular Telecaster models include:

* American Telecaster HS guitar: $950-$1100 * Fender Standard Telecaster: $300-$500 * 63 Tele Relic Solid Body: $2650-$3250 * 72 Telecaster Custom Electric: $700-$850

Gibson Les Paul - This extraordinary guitar was designed by Gibson for many of the stars of the era. The salient feature of a Gibson Les Paul electric is its set neck construction, which means there are no bolts. The body is a single cutaway. It is equipped with 2 humbucker pickups as well as a raised scratch-plate. If you want to play distorted sound then this great guitar will provide you with a huge range. Some of the well known shredders who use the Les Pauls include Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana. Some of the famed Les Paul models include:

* Les Paul Custom Guitar: $3000-$3550 * 1959 Les Paul Standard: $5550-$6000 * Les Paul Vintage Mahogany Electric: $700-$850 * Les Paul Classic Guitar: $1850-$1950

The Gibson Brand - Gibson is one of the powerhouse brands in all of music and all their guitar models are absolute classics that cannot be compared to others. Gibson guitar company was actually started in 1902 by Orville Gibson and has been singly accountable for affording musicians some of the best guitars. A couple of the famous models include the arch-top L5 model and the Gibson Explorer etc. Some of the legends who have shredded on a Gibson or are still using it include Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Frank Zappa to name a couple. Some of the popular models include:

* Gibson Flying V Electric: $500-$600 * Gibson SG 61 Classic Electric: $1500-$1600 * Faded SG Special Guitar: $550-$600 * Explorer Pro Electric Guitar: $1100-$1200

These are the best brands of electric guitars. The other aspects that will help you to pick up a guitar include the shape of the fretboard, the type of pick-ups, and the body. Full-bodied guitars are normally favored as they can produce some of the best sounds that you will ever get to hear. - 18758

About the Author:

Kyle Zoltowski is considered an expert distributor of trade lead information for trade portals where you will uncover numerous trade leads for Buy Les Paul Studio and Buy Les Paul Standard.