Music & Musicians

How to Use Drum Racks in Ableton

In Ableton Live, you can set up drum racks to have a dynamic and eclectic range of drum sounds for your music production. Ableton Live, a music production tool, allows you to combine drum sounds from different racks or implement your own recordings as part of the drum racks. Drum racks act like traditional samplers do, so that when you press a corresponding button on your keyboard or sampler, the drum sound plays.

Difference Between Musical Timing & Phrasing

Musical timing and phrasing are two elements within music that occasionally overlap to fulfill a common goal. Musicians must have a solid understanding of both of these elements to fully understand, interpret and appreciate musical works. Phrasing and musical timing both help to determine the tempo, pace and intelligibility of the musical line.

How to Synchronize Music With an EVO

Storing music on your phone ensures that you always have your favorite music with you. The HTC EVO can store a variety of media files on the MicroSD card included with the phone. You can upgrade to a card with more storage or carry extra cards, if you wish to store more music. Getting your music onto your phone is simple and does not require any special software, as you can handle the entire process with the Windows file manager.

Information on Michael Jackson's Song "Billie Jean"

"Billie Jean" is one of Michael Jackson's most recognizable songs. His apparel choice for the "Billie Jean" music video included a shimmering black blazer, black pants, dress shoes and one shiny white glove. This outfit is replicated all over the world for talent shows, Halloween costumes and impersonations. There are many opinions about the meaning behind "Billie Jean," and conflicting interview explanations haven't helped to clarify matters.

How to Appreciate Thrash Metal

Thrash metal appeared in the 1980s with bands such as "The Big Four": Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax. It's a sub-genre of metal music, characterized primarily by its high-speed and relentless brutality. Though these bands have a huge following, thrash is by nature an acquired taste, not designed to appeal to everyone. However, if you learn to appreciate the elements that appeal to thrash fans, you can understand the difference between a good thrash band and a bad one.

Information on Lil Wayne the Rapper

Born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. in the tough Hollygrove section of New Orleans, the rapper known as Lil Wayne has emerged as one of hip-hop's stars, with more than 10 million units sold as of June 2011. He also has his own company, Young Money Entertainment. Lil Wayne received mainstream exposure with a 2004 cameo on Destiny's Child's song "Soldier" and a 2010 Saturday Night Live appearance with Eminem.

Norah Jones' Song "Lonestar"

Born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar in March 1979, Norah Jones is a successful American singer and songwriter with five albums and nine Grammy Awards as of 2011. Her debut album won Jones five of those Grammy Awards and included the lesser known track "Lonestar." The short, moving song sets a relaxing tone and is one that many listeners enjoy.

How to Solo Like Dave Mustaine

Megadeth was one of the original Thrash metal acts, and their guitarist and lead songwriter Dave Mustaine is the lynchpin of their sound. Though he's primarily known for his chugging rhythms and monstrous riffs, Mustaine has a unique solo style that focuses on looping atonal patterns, scattered with tapping and unique chord threading. Though many aspects of Megadeth's style and lineup have altered over the years, Mustaine's soloing has remained a fairly constant feature.

Facts About the Artist T-Pain

T-Pain, a popular fixture in the rap and R&B music scene, is a successful singer-songwriter. He is known for his well-received forays into rapping, producing and acting. T-Pain first began his career as a member of a Tallahassee, Florida rap group. Since breaking into the industry, he has gained a large fan following.

Janis Joplin's Influence on People

In the early days of rock-n-roll, the radio waves were often dominated by male voices. Then, there was Janis Joplin. Born in Port Arthur, Texas on Jan. 19, 1943, Janis Lyn Joplin became a predominant voice of female rock during the late 1960s. Known for her strong vocals and blues-infused style, Joplin created new possibilities for women who wanted to be rock stars.

How to Get a Better Voice (Not Raspy)

Improving your voice requires a significant devotion to proper nutrition, vocal care and a daily practice routine. Singers have to make sacrifices that the average non-singer does not need to make. Taking care of and developing your vocal cords will be a sufficient reward for your sacrifices. Since you cannot trade in your voice for a new one, you must learn the proper methods of caring for and maintaining your voice to avoid developing a dull, thin and raspy sound.

Information on the Song "Simple Man" by Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels is an American southern rock/country music singer-songwriter from North Carolina. The Charlie Daniels Band has been playing for many years and has released 27 studio albums as of June 2011, along with many compilations, live albums and Christmas records. Some of his most famous songs include "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," "Uneasy Rider" and "Simple Man."

What Is "The Song of Roland" About?

"The Song of Roland" is usually regarded as the oldest surviving work of French literature. It is an epic poem dating from the mid-12th century. The original writer is unknown, although it's thought the manuscript and storyline have been altered repeatedly over the years. "The Song of Roland" is a celebration of the heroic acts of King Charlemagne.

What Makes a Song Emocore?

A song can be described as "emocore" if it features elements of hardcore punk, emotional lyrics, quiet and loud alternating parts and has time signature changes or is mid-tempo. Emocore bands such as Rites of Spring influenced many popular "emo" bands today, such as My Chemical Romance and Dashboard Confessional. Finding out about the specific definition of the term "emocore" can help you understand the difference between it and other similar musical genres.

Facts on the Song "Yellow Moon" by the Neville Brothers

The Neville Brothers are a soul, funk and R&N four-piece band from New Orleans, Louisiana. According to their official bio, the four brothers had all been professional musicians since the 1950s, but they didn't play together as a band until the 1970s. Their uncle, Mardi Gras Indian Chief, "Big Chief Jolly," invited them to appear first on "The Wild Tchoupitoulas" album, after which they started playing shows on their own.

Things Most People Don't Know About Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was known as the "King of Rock and Roll." He helped introduce America and the world to a new kind of music and was propelled to fame when he was 20 years old. Elvis served in the U.S. Army, made over 33 movies and had a singing career that spanned almost two decades. He lived a legendary life, but there are still some facts about his life that may surprise some people.

How Did Janis Joplin Influence Music?

During the height of the San Francisco psychedelic era of the mid-1960s, a 23-year-old from Port Arthur, Texas, named Janis Joplin burst on the music scene with all the subtlety of a Howitzer. Though her tenure as a top-selling rock diva lasted only a little over two years, her unique blend of blues, soul and rock and roll -- plus a stage persona that gave new meaning to the word, "energetic" -- took pop music to a place it had never been before and continues to influence singers decades later.

Information on the Song "Lift Every Voice & Sing"

"Lift Every Voice and Sing " -- also known as "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" and sometimes referred to as "The Black National Anthem" -- is a song that has a different meaning for different listeners. Some see the piece as a work of cultural art, yet the song remains steeped in controversy for others. Regardless of how the piece is interpreted, the history of the song is indeed a rich and colorful one.

What Makes Catchy Songs?

Turn on the radio and most songs will sound "catchy." Long after you turn of the radio, you will find yourself humming a tune over and over. It's because something within the song caught your attention and you're left wondering how it got stuck in your head. Several concepts make a song catchy -- from the melody to the hook.

A Summary of "Earth Song" by Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" was originally released on "HIStory: Past, Present and Future: Book I" in 1995. "Earth Song" joins such anthems as "Man in the Mirror" and "We Are the World" in demonstrating Jackson's desire for individuals to look inwardly and make the world a better place. In this instance, "Earth Song" was a plea for ecological responsibility, calling attention to the welfare of the planet's environment and wildlife.