Write a Rap

Learning how to write a rap requires practice and proper knowledge of rap structure. To write a rap song, you will need structure, which is similar to most popular music genres but involves a little variation as well and is highly dependent on complex rhythmical patterns and rhymes. Rap is a genre of music which comprises of looped beats and synthesized instruments in a way where the vocalist uses verse and rhymes to create flow and rhythm evoking emotions. It is essential to consider several aspects while you write a rap in order to ensure that it has a professional outlook and sounds decent as well. An understanding of time signatures and rhythmical devices is one of the elementary steps involved to write a rap.

Rap music has evolved extensively over the past few years and this has given birth to several different genres of rap music, each possessing a distinctive feature pertaining to its own place of origin. However, the basic structure of any rap song follows the pattern defined: verse one followed by chorus, verse two again followed by chorus, bridge and the last chorus. To write a rap, keep in mind that the structure is in four-four time and follows a repeated four-bar phrase in music. This implies that in a rap there are four beats to every bar or measure. The process needed to write a rap often involves the addition of an intro and outro part to the song.

The rapper gives introductory expressions through the involvement of instrumental parts at the initial stage of rap writing process. The artist then follows the basic structure of rhythm and each repetition involves a sense of change of rhythm during the verse. The verse usually ends with a relevant statement and is then followed by the chorus. The majority of the rap comprises at least three verses. A chorus leads smoothly into the next verse and the process continues until three or more verses are performed. The chorus is considered as a hook which connects people to a song.

The bridge is also another element of rap structure which differs from chorus and verse and usually occurs once in the entire rap structure. The bridge is basically a sub chorus which indicates the transition from normal verse to the part of the structure which is not to be repeated again. The outro part of rap structure finalizes it by repeating the instrumental parts as they fade away.

The basic rap structure is explained above briefly which is taken into account by most rappers before you write a rap. The advent of new styles has changed the outlook of rap writing, yet the basics of rap writing and the dominance of background rhythm still tends to be one of the essentials involved in writing a rap structure.

5 Ways Music Lessons Benefit Children of All Ages

Many parents put their children in music lessons when they show an interest in playing a particular type of instrument or even in developing their natural singing voice. What many parents don't realize is there are many benefits to these lessons for children of all ages. It goes well beyond just appeasing a child's interest and allowing them to do something fun in their free time.

Here are just five of the great benefits children can gain from music lessons in childhood:

1. Musical children have an easier time with schoolwork.

There have been many different studies that have found children involved with music during childhood have an easier time with schoolwork. They score higher marks on tests and often come out well ahead of their class in all subjects. Since there are many studies that have showed this correlation it can't be a fluke. Musical children clearly benefit from changes in the brain that help them absorb information and remember things better and that helps them get through school with better grades.

2. Children gain self confidence when they master an instrument.

Music lessons allow children to experience challenge and overcome it. They are able to take an instrument that is difficult at first and master it to create beautiful music that they are very proud of creating. This gives a big boost in confidence and helps them see how strong, smart and powerful they really are. This confidence will help them in all aspects of their life as they grow older.

3. Music gives kids of all ages something to look forward to and something to dream about.

When children are allowed to express themselves through music it gives them something to look forward to in the future. Some kids may get excited about learning as many different instruments as possible while others just live to master more difficult tunes and songs. Some may enjoy learning the classics while others want to play along with popular tunes on the radio. Whatever it is that excites them about music, music lessons serve as a portal that exposes them to new things. It allows them to look into the future and find something exciting to focus on.

4. Music can teach children to work with others to produce great results.

Many children start out with music lessons and eventually join a group of other musicians. This may be a band they put together with other kids or a school band or orchestra. Children start to learn how to play along with others and work well with others. This is valuable life experience that will serve them well no matter what profession they end up entering.

5. Music lessons allow children to master fine motor skills.

Finally, on a purely physical level, small children can learn to fine tune the use of their hands and other body parts through music lessons. As they learn to coordinate their fingers on the flute or play the piano they are using their bodies in a unique way that helps them develop fine motor skills they will need to tie their shoes and do a variety of other things as they grow into adulthood.

No wonder so many parents want their children to take music lessons! It's not just about encouraging a child to become a pop star or chase their own interests. There are real benefits to music lessons for children of all ages and of all walks of life.

Are you wondering about music lessons for your children? Find out about the five benefits of music lessons for children and how exposure to music can have a positive effect on their development.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie-Anne_Rutherford

Playing Guitar Chords With Bass Notes Makes Better Music

Every guitar chord has a bass note and including them in your playing will make you sound great and improve your musicianship. A solid bass line (which can be simply one note per chord) is an important part of making great guitar music. There three different ways you can add this new technique to your playing.

The first technique is simply playing the bass note by itself then strumming the remaining strings of the chord. In other words, let the bass note ring while you strum the rest of the strings. In the case of an Em chord, play the sixth string (the thickest string and the one that's closest to you as you look down at the guitar in your lap) then strum the remaining five strings. For Am, play the fifth string followed by the last four strings (letting that fifth string). You may be surprised how much better your chords will sound using this simple technique.

Finger Style Guitar

To include the bass note when playing finger style (finger picking), make sure you play the note with your thumb on the first beat of each measure. A finger picking pattern should always start with the bass note (sometimes pinched with another string) as this makes the chord more recognizable and musical. Taking this further, you can also play that note latter in the pattern or play it every time you change chords. This will help "introduce" the chord and make song work better.

Alternate Bass Notes

Just as each chord has a bass note, it also has an alternate. Using an Am chord as an example, the fifth string is the bass and the sixth string is the alternate. A simple strum would be to play the fifth string (bass) followed by a strum then the sixth string (alternate) followed by a strum. This will sound much like a bass player in a band and add a nice steady rhythm to your music.

Slash Chords on Guitar

You have probably seen chords such as G/F# or C/B. These are called slash chords and they mean to play a certain chord with a different bass note. To play the C/B chord, you would play the C chord as you normally do but you would play the fifth string at the 2nd fret rather than the 3rd. This changes the bass of the C chord to the note B. Typically, such a change only lasts for one beat followed by a new chord. In other words, this new note becomes a "passing" note that helps move the music along.

Along with chords, melody and rhythm, including bass notes in your guitar playing makes for great music and will make you a better guitar player. Getting in the habit of including bass notes ensures that everything you play will be more musical and your audience (even if it's just your cat) will appreciate the effort.

Learning to play the guitar is easier than ever with Your Private Guitar Teacher. Find out more and download a free chapter or two at http://www.yourprivateguitarteacher.com.

Common Mistake When Learning How To Play Guitar

I have been lucky enough to have the pleasure of teaching a young girl named Angela how to play the guitar. Her parents came to me and explained that she had been taking lessons for nearly a year with another instructor, and that they had not seen her make the progress in her playing that they had hoped for. So when she started taking guitar lessons with me I told her to check everything she had already learned at the door and that it was time to start fresh. I came to find out that her instructor obviously didn't care much for her to learn but was more interested in taking her parents money and claiming he was doing his job. One day she brings in a gigantic binder full of songs that was given to here by her previous instructor. Granted, the songs were cool but they were far beyond her skill level at the time and beyond her understanding of music.

This is where most instructors go wrong, they have a broad and definitive understanding of music but they can't put themselves in the shoes of a beginner again. Her instructor assigned her such difficult material and barely explained the concepts behind how the music was put together, why it was written in such a way, why it is played in such a way, and how all of that links back to the fundamentals. When you're learning how to play guitar it's easy to want to jump right in and go for gold with the Stairway To Heaven Solo or Back in Black but that's just not the right way to do it. What Angela was missing was the core concepts and knowledge of music as a whole. I'm telling you right now that it's so much easier to master your instrument, no matter what it is, when you understand how music fits together and your not just memorizing.

All to often this is where aspiring musicians go wrong as well. They are eager to jump in but they get in over their heads and get discouraged. Believe me it's OK to start from square one, that's where you're supposed to start. There is a lot of hype about online guitar lessons these days as well, or just learning from YouTube. If you can really do it then more power too you, but my guess is that it's not the right way, you will suffer as a player because you will develop bad habits and have a lack of true understanding. A YouTube video can't give you advice or show you how to improve. You can't ask a question, or tell it your goals. You need a mentor for that.

Well to jump back to the beginning of this story, I'm happy to say that Angela is doing excellent she is developing as a musician is understanding what is what as far as guitar and music and is making outstanding progress. The point of the story is, if you want to learn Wonderwall and play it as a party trick go the YouTube route, if you want to develop true musicianship, start from square one and commit.

Learn to play like a pro with the most affordable and effective guitar lessons available, encompassing any genre and style of music you desire. Perfect for all ages and all skill levels, whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned player already let one of our professional certified teachers refine your skills and help you accomplish your goals through private instruction, or check out some our free online lessons! http://rockstarguitarlv.com

Cracking in Piano Soundboards

Some piano owners have been dismayed to learn from their piano technician that their piano has a crack in the soundboard. While this may sound disconcerting, it does not automatically mean that the piano has to be rebuilt or replaced. The fact of the matter is that pianos are sensitive to changes in the climate and in the room conditions. The greatest factor affecting piano tuning and stability is humidity. Over many years, solid (usually sitka spruce) soundboards dry out. This drying out process eventually could lead to a split occurring along the grain somewhere on the soundboard.

The criteria as to whether it is necessary to repair the soundboard is whether there is a distortion in the sound of the piano at various frequencies or notes. In other words, there might be a distinct "buzz" that develops when certain notes are played. This would mean that a repair should be done. In most other instances, there is no sound distortion so no action needs to be immediately taken to repair the soundboard.

A basic repair for this in an upright piano is to insert glue between the soundboard and the ribs closest to the crack and draw the soundboard back to the ribs either by screws or by some other method. This usually will eliminate the offending noise when the piano is played.

In grand pianos, this condition is a little more serious mainly because of the visibility of the soundboard. Soundboards in grand pianos are very visible especially when the top lid is propped in the open position. Depending on where the crack is, the piano technician will usually have to loosen the tension on the strings directly over the crack to access the affected soundboard area. Then he will take a specially shaped chisel and widen the crack so that a wooden shim can be inserted into the widened area. This shim is glued in and then, after the glue has dried, the shim is sanded flush to the existing soundboard area. A light finish such as lacquer is applied to make the repair look good and the strings are then replaced.

In severe cases, the entire string set and plate have to be removed to expose the crack. This is a shop repair which means that there will be an additional expense in moving the piano to the shop and returning it to the customer's home. It is important to get a professional estimate done with a reputable technician before this repair is undertaken.

Please see my blog at http://www.danpiano.com/blog/ for further information about pianos

Playing Guitar and Singing - Six Things to Know to Sound Like A Pro

Accompanying yourself on guitar or backing up another singer requires the right approach and a certain set of skills. Your job is to play the kind of guitar part that supports the singer and the song and there are six things you can do to make that happen.

Keep it simple. In order for the singer to deliver a song in the most effective manner, the guitar can't be getting in the way. Start with a simple strum of basic chord shapes (this works as a great starting point) then go from there. A complex, busy guitar part can get in the way of the singing and ruin the song. Whether you are accompanying yourself or someone else, always keep in mind that your job is to support the singer, not wow the audience with fancy guitar licks.

Choose the proper technique for the style. Many songs sound best with a simple guitar strum while others really shine if you use a gentle finger picking pattern. Or you may find you need an electric cranked up a bit to give a song the needed energy and push. Make sure you discover the best way to create the perfect guitar background while staying true to the style.

Fill in around the vocal. In any song, there will be places where the vocalist takes a break, even between phrases. This is where you need to play a little something extra to keep the music interesting and entertaining. If you have an extended part of a song, such as an instrumental break, that's where you can stretch out a bit and play "more" guitar. It's best to keep the melody in mind and stay within the framework of the song.

Choose the best way to play each chord. There are a number of ways to play the same chord on guitar so it's a bit of challenge to play the right one (at the right time) for a particular song. For example, playing an Am chord in the first position might work best for a folk song but playing the same chord as a bar chord at the 5th fret might work best for Blues or Rock. Knowing a number of different chord shapes comes in handy.

Be consistent. First and foremost, keep the rhythm consistent. If there are trouble spots such as difficult chords in the song, practice them separately until you get them down so you don't interrupt the flow of the music. You may find you have to play certain chords in a simpler way to get the job done.

It's also important to be consistent in how you play including strumming the song the same way throughout or using the same finger picking pattern from start to finish. When backing a vocalist, keep your experimenting to a minimum.

Know how to use a capo. A capo allows you to change keys without having to play a whole new set of chords. Typically, if you play a song for a male vocalist, you can play the same song (and use the same chords) for a female voice by placing the capo on the 4th or 5th fret.

If you take the right approach and keep in mind that it's your job as a guitar player to help the singer sound great, you'll play like a pro in no time.

Learning to play the guitar is easier than ever with Your Private Guitar Teacher. Find out more and download a free chapter or two at http://www.yourprivateguitarteacher.com.

3 Double Bass Drum Techniques For Improved Speed And Power

Over the years, bass drumming has gone through many stages. Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich amazed the masses with their hand speed, but little attention was paid to their kick foot. Jazz drummers like Ed Shaughnessy began using double bass drum set ups in the 40's and 50's and rock drummers like Ginger Baker, Keith Moon and Carmine Appice made the double bass drum setup popular.

The creation of the "slave pedal" allowed drummers to have 2 beaters hitting one bass drum, allowing for smaller setups without sacrificing the double bass ability. The use of the double bass is predominant in heavy metal, death metal and punk music. There are 3 predominant playing styles for the bass drum pedal.

The first is the "heel-toe" technique. The technique allows a drummer to play two strokes in a single motion. It consists of two parts. First, the foot is suspended above the footboard of the pedal and the first of the two notes is played with the ball of the foot. Then, the foot snaps forward, the heel comes up and the toes complete the second stroke. This technique allows for rudiments to be played with the feet, as well as increased speed.

The second is the slide technique, in which the pedal is struck around the middle area with the ball of the foot. As the drum produces a sound, the toe is slid up the pedal. After the first stroke, the pedal will naturally bounce back, hit the toe as it slides upwards, and rebound for a second strike.

Of course, many drummers like simply using the flat foot technique, which simply applies the majority of the foot to the pedal, and only the heel is elevated slightly off the pedal. This method utilizes more muscle groups than either of the other 2 methods. It also relies more on repetition and less on "technique".

The great thing about double bass drumming and the various techniques is that there is no right answer and no wrong answer. It is all about personal preference. If you tallied up the most amazing drummers in the world, you would be able to find each technique in use. What works for one drummer doesn't always work for another drummer - this led to all of these inventions and techniques being created.

No matter which technique you decide to use, the important thing is to practice, practice, practice!

For a great video course with PDF assistance on all 3 techniques, visit http://www.bassdrumsecrets.com and order today!