Feb 15 2010

Roland JUNO-G Keyboard

Roland JUNO-G Workstation Keyboard

The JUNO-G by Roland shares the same processor as Roland Fantom-X, and thus provides the best sound quality on the market — including an 88-note multisampled grand piano, and a wide range of sounds that span from classical to cutting-edge. The beauty of the Juno-G is that it can be used by itself create complete songs from start to finish, but for those who want to take it one step further and have a computer in an array, Juno-G can to connect to a PC or Mac via USB port.

Roland Juno-G Keyboard

Roland Juno-G Keyboard

The JUNO-G has clearly labeled buttons, six knobs to modify sounds, five sliders for the audio section, a data wheel, a D Beam, and a pitch/mod lever. In the middle of it all is the largest backlit LCD of any synth in this price range.

Technical Specifications of Roland JUNO-G Workstation Keyboard

  • Keyboard:- 61 keys (velocity sensitive)
  • Display:- 240 x 92 dots graphic LCD (with backlit)
  • Maximum Polyphony:- 128 voices (shared with audio track section)
  • Parts:- 16 parts
  • Wave Memory:- 64 M Bytes equivalent
  • Preset Memory:- Patches: 768 + 256 (GM2), Rhythm Sets: 36 + 9 (GM2), Performances: 64 Read more »
Nov 23 2007

How to Select your First Guitar

Buying your first electric guitar can seem like a pretty daunting experience. Having no doubt admired many an axe-wielder, the obvious idea would be to buy the same guitar as one of your heroes. The problem with that is the equally obvious issue of money. Unless you’re willing to spend several thousand pounds on a plank of wood you can barely play, a few helpful hints can ensure that you buy the right guitar to suit your needs, skill level and budget.

The right type of guitar will depend on the style of music you are most likely to play. For example, if heavy metal is your thing, a semi-hollow body guitar, like the Gibson ES-355, made popular in recent times by such luminaries as Noel Gallagher, will probably not be what you’re looking for. For the right style, see what kind of guitars your main influences are playing and see if there are cheaper versions available.

When it comes to the price you’re willing to pay, there must be some leeway. A cheap guitar might be within your budget, but if the wood, pick-ups and frets are substandard, it will lessen your incentive to keep playing. That’s not to say your first guitar should cost a fortune, but even spending £100 more could significantly improve the quality of guitars available. The same can be said for the shape of the guitar, although the most aesthetically-appealing guitars might not always be the best-sounding. The key is to always try the guitar before buying, even if you can’t really play anything, be it in a guitar shop or from a private seller. The sound and feel of playing the guitar should feel right before you part with any of your money.

Every electric guitar needs an amplifier, so unless you’re buying a guitar and amplifier together as part of a deal, you should try several ones to find the right one for you. As a general rule of thumb, always try playing through the amplifier with your guitar or one similar to your own. The amplifier might sound fantastic with a top-of–the range PRS Custom guitar, but that might not be the case with your Squier Strat.

Even though several guitarists, from Jimmy Page to Matt Bellamy of Muse, have been mainly self-taught, it is still worthwhile taking a few lessons to learn the rudimentary workings of a guitar. A look through online classifieds will allow you to see quickly and easily if there are guitar teachers in your local area. In addition, there are several online resources to further your training, where you can learn guitar chords and find transcriptions of your favourite songs. Certain software packages, such as Tab Editor can play transcriptions of songs as MIDI files, with notation to teach you how to play the song in real-time. This is great for when you’re starting out, but be beware of relying too much on these packages, as figuring out songs for yourself is needed to develop your musical ear.

At the end of the day, the most important thing about progressing as a guitarist is, unsurprisingly, to keep practicing. It can seem frustrating to not be able to play your favourite songs straight away, but with tenacity and the right equipment you can reach far further than may seem apparent at first. Rock on.

About the Author: Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Nov 16 2007

Learning To Play A Guitar

A guitar is described as one of the most ancient instruments that can be used in any style of music. However, learning to play a guitar is not always as simple as it may sound. A guitar can be played acoustically or electronically. A few simple tips on learning to play a guitar will help you pick it up more easily.

Tips on learning to play a guitar

Get Rid of Discouragement
The first step, while learning to play a guitar or any other instrument for that matter, is to believe in yourself. During the initial days, as a learner you may often feel that this is not your cup of tea. You may often find yourself saying, this is too difficult.

Playing any instrument is difficult and initially learning to play a guitar can seem like a gigantic task. You may feel discouraged or bored. As a learner you may have to practice a note or chord several times at the beginning. Do not give up. Even after several tries if you feel you are nowhere near the actual sound, do not feel discouraged. Give yourself a break and get back at it with a fresh mind.

A teacher
Find yourself a good guitar teacher. There is no substitution to a good guitar teacher. While learning to play a guitar one can invest in as many as books and videos they want for learning how to play a guitar. But in order to become a perfectionist you need to learn your lessons from a teacher.

A good teacher. A teacher who has been teaching professionally for years will not only have the right experience but will also have the correct wisdom. Wisdom and experience are necessary for learning to play a guitar perfectly and to become a proper guitar player. Books, videos, and the Internet are helpful but will not provide the learner with a feedback nor the ability to correct.

For correctly learning to play a guitar a teacher is required. A good teacher will help correct the wrong techniques. A good teacher will help you get rid of bad forms that may later develop as your bad habits. Besides all, a good teacher provides you the encouragement that you are always looking.

Practice makes a man perfect
True as the saying goes, practice does bring in perfection. The more you practice while learning to play a guitar, the more familiar you will be with the instrument and sound. With time you will feel more at ease with the instrument. Draw up an effective practice schedule. One may not necessarily practice for long but one should practice daily.

Get comfortable
While learning to play a guitar it is very necessary that you are in a comfortable surrounding with no interruptions. Interruptions can kill your concentration and pull you out of a good rhythm.

In order to be more comfortable just before you start, stretch your fingers and warm your hands. A few more simple exercises for your fingers will help you move your fingers more smoothly over the fret board. Also, be seated in a correct posture.

Timing
One of the most important factors that you need to remember while learning to play a guitar is maintaining a good timing. A lot of professional teachers start off with the help of a metronome.

A metronome is an instrument that helps you maintain a steady timing while playing. If as a learner, you start using a metronome from the first day you can develop good control and better playing habits.

About the Author: Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: guitars, drums, drum sets, and synthesizers, keyboards.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com