If you play the guitar, then most likely you’ve heard of Gibson. If not, then you’ve been living under a rock and having your food delivered to you through a bubble. Gibson is arguably the most popular guitar manufacturer in the world today and have been for quite some time. We’re going to take just a surface look at this guitar giant. For more info, just visit their web site. Yeah, they’ve got one of those too now.

Gibson makes a lot of guitars, but probably none are as popular as the Gibson Les Paul. The Les Paul is probably one of the most widely used guitars in rock music. The guitar first made its presence in 1952 and is still going strong over 50 years later. The Les Paul is a solid body electric guitar that comes in many models including the Les Paul Classic, Les Paul Supreme, Les Paul Standard, Les Paul Studio Baritone, Les Paul Studio, Les Paul Goddess, Les Paul Gt, Les Paul Menace, Les Paul New Century, Les Paul Vixen, Les Paul Special (with Humbucker pickups), Les Paul Doublecuts and Les Paul Melody Maker. Each one of these guitars has its own distinct sound.

But Gibson is more than just Les Paul guitars, even though they are the most popular models and used by more musicians than any other model. Gibson also makes the Americana, which is a fairly new guitar series. This includes the Pioneer Cutaway and the Ranger. These are 6 string acoustic guitars that have a very beautiful tone.

Getting back to electric guitars and to another old favorite, Gibson also makes the Firebird series which includes the Firebird Studio, Firebird V and Firebird VII. This series started way back in 1963 and took electric guitars in a whole new direction with its look and sound. This guitar is still very popular today with people who are looking for something a little different from the classic Les Paul sound.

Even two years before the Firebird was the SG series by Angus Young. This was actually a modification of the Les Paul with a thinner body and pointed horns. Originally part of the Les Paul series, it eventually got its own name. The SG series includes the SG 61 reissue, which is actually an exact replica of the original guitar, the SG Goddess, SG GT, SG Menace, SG Standard, SG Supreme and SG Special.

Gibson also makes other models of electric guitars but in addition to guitars, Gibson also makes electric bases which include the Continental V Bass, Les Paul Double Cut Bass, Les Paul Standard Base and Les Paul Thunderbird Bass which includes the four and five string models.

Sadly, there are some models of guitars that Gibson decided to discontinue for 2006. These include the Blues Hawk, Chet Atkins SST and Chet Atkins CE and CEC. These will be missed as they were excellent guitars, even if they didn’t sell as well as expected.

Gibson guitars have been a staple of the guitar industry for over 50 years. They are certain to remain at the top of the guitar world for at least another 50 years.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Guitars

Have you ever wondered what exactly artist development is, what it?s not and why acts need it? With all of the artist press kits, new artist showcases and cd,s that I?ve either attended, listened to, or was asked to evaluate, I can tell you that not many young artists understand what artist development is. You would think with the age of the internet and instant access to vital information for artists to chew on and utilize, that there would be a better understanding out there, but there really isn?t. It?s unfortunate for so many and I guess fortunate for a few, that so many really don?t know the ins and outs to even get their foot in the door, but let?s face it, not everyone?s a go getter or even minimally motivated for that matter. So what does it take to get your music listened to and then further looked at for a possible management deal or record contract? In this short article, I will attempt to look at a few concepts that should give you some insight and serve to move you in the right direction.

The first concept is fairly easy to grasp, but few do so. And that is, don?t follow the road most traveled. Most who make it in the business certainly have their story to tell, but each individual will more than likely give you a completely different background to their attainment of success. If you travel with the crowd where you have to communicate with a certain ?vibe? or role that you must uphold, then you?re in the wrong crowd following the wrong definition of what will get you to your artist deal. If you look at multiple individuals who have made it in their perspective careers you will hear stories that don?t sound anything like the crowd you might be running with. Think about that the next time you are reading some biography of some famous individual and see if that idea doesn?t hold true.

Your role in the artist development showdown is going to have to be one of being prepared. You know how many artist press kits, bios, and cd,s that I have sorted through and wondered and still do, if people are just not putting any effort into it or are they just clueless or just plain some of both? In order to gain access to the heavyweights in the music business, you will have to have a genuine look of already obtained success. This comes from demos that are ?knock your socks off? good, from press kits that really create an image, that specifically being yours, and a marketing approach that says ?We have arrived.? How do you do all of that? Well at ReelMusician.com we always make it our priority to make sure that any press kit or master quality song demo is top notch ? no excuses, just top notch. We do that by simply using the best and so should you. We have partnered with Chris Huston on master quality song demos. Chris Huston, and you probably already know the name has engineered and/or produced War, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Blood, Sweat & Tears, James Brown, Van Morrison, Eric Burden, Mitch Ryder, The Rascals, Wilson Pickett, and we haven?t even mentioned probably another 40 -50 top name acts. Get the picture? If you want to gain attention from music business insiders, than you will have to look like you have already arrived. If you are genuinely trying to put your best foot forward in regards to your press kit or song demos, don?t hesitate to contact us at ReelMusician.com for any questions. We will be glad to look at what you are doing and see how you can get there.

So while on the surface it might look like that artist development is a company taking a potential artist and working with them throughout the artist development process, it?s really you taking control of your career by implementing key artist development processes and connecting the dots on the front end. Who else do you think is going to do this ? some magical and powerful music exec who knows nothing about you is just all of a sudden going to notice that you haven?t really been doing a darn thing about your career, but he or she is just going to say the word and bam you?re a star? Let?s get real. You are the key to artist development from the start and throughout. Nobody knows your styles, your look, your comfort levels with certain styles of music, stage image than you. Anybody can be an expert in this field, but nobody knows you like you ? So get involved in your own artist development.

Start by taking inventory of who you are as a person, what you like and don?t like. Does your image on stage measure up and convey who you are or is it a fake front where many can see through the forced imaging? I don?t know I?m just asking questions. What does your music and image look like together. Are they a match or do you need to fine tune a few areas. Is your press kit conveying who you are? Is your press kit professional? You can?t afford to let two areas of your artist career take second place and that is your artist demo and press kit. To be honest, it?s been our experience at ReelMusician.com, that most don?t really know how to put together an artist press kit. Most artists try to emulate and recycle what?s already out there and don?t really have the first clue to an effective artist press kit. Artist press kits are really marketing tools and just like there are marketing experts within any given company, you really should go to the experts for this piece of artist development. Don?t hesitate to contact us at ReelMusician.com should you have any questions on artist press kits or anything else for that matter. We just want to see you succeed.

In closing, and I know that this is a difficult area for many young artists, but look at your strengths and weaknesses, devise a plan, make the needed corrections, call us if you need to with any questions, and fine tune and implement the needed changes to secure the attention that you will need from music business insiders.

Mr. Gauger is a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency and founder of http://www.ReelMusician.com You may contact the author at tgauger@reelmusician.com Free e-books ?The Jingle Singer?s Guide,? and ?Secrets To Great Song Demos,? may be downloaded at http://www.ReelMusician.com

As you may have heard before, being consistent in your reed making helps ensure consistent reeds. A simple but powerful statement indeed.

Reed making is a rather long and varied process, and most successful reed makers would recommend that you do the same thing every time. That way you can slowly make corrections without losing your point of reference.

But what if you want to try something new?

The spirit of adventure definitely has a place in reed making, as long as you have the time (and patience) to do some experimenting. There is so much new equipment available to oboists today that can help (or hurt) your reed making adventures.

There are new kinds of staples coming out all the time, and someone is always introducing either a new gouging machine or shaper tip to the market.

Sometimes it is possible to borrow these new ?toys? from friends to try, and other times you may be able to try a shaper tip on loan from a double reed company.

Just remember, don?t be afraid to try new things! That?s how you learn.

But here is a tip to make your experimenting as productive and efficient as possible:

Whatever you do, don?t get too caught up in the frenzy and try to change more than one thing at once.

It may go without saying, but reed making with any new materials at all is just like a science experiment. Remember those days back in lab class?

You never change more than one variable at a time when testing something new. You want to be able to determine just how the new change affects all areas of the experiment.

Some things you might try:

• change the length you tie the cane on
• try gouging your cane a few millimeters thicker

Try these and many other things! As long as you keep everything else exactly the same, you will have conducted a successful experiment and you will learn something.

It is surprising and fun to see how your reeds will change, and sometimes (hopefully most times) it will be for the better!

Oboist and online entrepreneur Maryn Leister helps beginner and professional oboists to be more productive and have more fun on the oboe. She publishes the weekly Oboe:Space newsletter and gives away more FREE oboe reed tips than she can remember with her Reed Guru service.

Sign-up for the Oboe:Space newsletter and start getting your FREE oboe reed tips now at http://www.oboespace.com

Rock and roll posters run the gamut of utterly ridiculous, to vaudevillian hilarity, to visually arresting in their sheer and utter genius. While Pearl Jam Posters can be said to fall into this literary sphere, they are also an intriguingly blend of infinite energy and desperately prophetic soul adventuring. The sheer energy, and edgy grunge of PJ, is quite often reflected in the visually stunning eye artistry of every album cover.

Favourite Jam

One of my favorite Pearl Jam posters, has to be the one of their live concert posters. The camera view is from behind the band facing out towards the audience. In the shot, we see an empty microphone and a light mist rising from the audience. Not far from the microphone, is a spent Eddie Vedder leaning backwards at a gravity defying impossible angle. If not for another band member, Eddie would most surely collapse backwards onto the stage. A stage slick with the dewy remnants of the mist is also stylized here. But, if we allow our imaginations to flex a little, that wet slick, could be the sweat from a band and vocalist that has given it’s all in a obviously exhilarating performance. Dripping onto the stage with a sheer veracity, with nothing left of their physical essence. Everything has been paid to the audience. This image captures the essence of what all great concert posters should. The deafening all embracing sound of a great band cranking out great sounds, and now on the verge of consensual collapse. Emotionlly, physically, and spiritually drained.

Pearl Jam Moment

This imagining, is not the type that could be conceived from an artists brush in isolation. It needed the soul of the band, the rapture of the audience, the hum of the music and the audacity of the lyrics. Pure raw passion and emotion. This poster, like few I have seen, makes me wish that I had been there. To feel what the audience feels, to emote what the band emotes, to be Eddie Veder, or simply to be caught in the moment. One of rocks many defining moments. It’s a Pearl Jam poster that creates a sense of longing, and a wondering for what it must have felt like. It’s artistry, it’s music, it’s emotion, it’s everything it means to be human. It’s not just Pearl Jam, it’s a fleeting insight, that captures a moment, captures an audience, speaks to generations, and leaves us wanting more. Isn’t that what art and music are all about?

To read more about Pearl Jam, and see a real Pearl Jam poster , visit foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/12/pearl-jam-poster

Is it nostalgia, or something more?

This weekend, Radio Veronica in Holland announced that Dire Straits? Brothers in Arms from 1985 was voted by its listeners as the #2 album of all time, being edged out by another mega-CD from the 80s, U2?s The Joshua Tree.

In February, at the 48th annual Grammy Awards, Mark Knopfler was awarded (along with Chuck Ainlay and Bob Ludwig) for 2005?s ?Best Surround Sound Album? for the 5.1 surround sound re-mix and mastering of the CD Brothers In Arms ? 20th Anniversary Edition.

Rolling Stone listed it as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time back in 2003, when it hadn?t yet racked up its current sales figures of 29 million copies worldwide. Q Magazine called it the 51st Greatest British Album of all time. (And why not? It was the best selling album of the decade in the UK in the 80s.)

Why the fascination with these nine songs? It could be due to the fact that it was one of the first albums ever to be recorded in an all-digital format and released on compact disc back in May 1985, and the first CD to break a million sales worldwide. It?s safe to say that more people owned a copy of Brothers in Arms than owned CD players at the time. Some have gone so far as to say that the sales success of the album prompted more people to purchase CD stereo equipment, thus driving prices downward, and inspired other artists to get on board with digital recording and releasing more quickly.

It could also be said that the groundbreaking single ?Money for Nothing? ? with its MTV references, state-of-the-art computer animation graphics, and intensely catchy guitar riffs ? could have been the sole reason the CD made its way to the top spot on the Billboard charts in 1985. Just one song of what Rolling Stone?s Debby Bull referred to as ?winsomely rocking tunes,? the album went on to produce two more hit singles with ?Walk of Life? and ?So Far Away.? Since the 80s, the title track has also been used to set the mood as background music for films and television programs (such as The West Wing and Spy Game).

A series of more than 200 Dire Straits concerts, over the course of an entire year, followed the release of the album. Philips, maker of the compact disc and owner of Dire Straits? record label PolyGram, sponsored the tour and sold more copies in the process.

Regardless of why the album sold so well, Mark Knopfler?s music didn?t simply touch a nerve with the buying public. Brothers in Arms also carved out a spot in collections and bookcases around the world as the preferred and permanent soundtrack of our lives back in the mid-1980s. Times may have changed, and the headbands may have long since been put away, but the lyrics and guitar work on this amazing album ? along with its crystal clear recording ? will live on.

Mark Knopfler is a singer, songwriter and guitar player touring in 2006 with Emmylou Harris to promote their new album All the Roadrunning. For Mark Knopfler news, biography, photographs, and tour information visit the site: http://www.knopfler.info

A saxophone is a musical instrument that belongs to the woodwind category. It is one of the youngest musical instruments. Saxophones were generally used in the military and in big orchestras but are now found in smaller bands as well. They are generally used for big band music, pop music and jazz. The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian, in the 1840s. Later, many people made their own alterations to the instrument. There are many types of saxophones but the four most commonly used saxophones are: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone saxophones.

The soprano saxophone is the smallest as well as the highest-sounding. It is straight in shape and resembles a clarinet, though curved models, resembling miniature alto saxophones, are also available. Curved models were more popular during the 1930s. The soprano saxophone is a B-flat instrument. It is generally preferred for jazz music, but rarely used for classical compositions.

The soprano saxophone has become very popular these days, especially with jazz, rock and pop music. John Coltrane, a popular jazz saxophonist, was responsible for making the soprano saxophone fashionable in the 1960s. The soprano saxophone is generally considered to be the most difficult to play, compared to alto, tenor and baritone saxophones.

Even in soprano saxophones, there are many models: F mezzo-soprano, soprano, C soprano and sopranino are the smallest saxophones in that order. Soprano in C, and mezzo-soprano in F are very popular models. C sopranos were meant for military bands and vaudeville arrangements. C sopranos are almost similar to B sopranos though they are 2 centimeters shorter than B sopranos.

The local music store, mail-order service, a private party or the Internet are the different sources for buying soprano saxophones. The main aspects to be considered are the quality, service, price and the model. The Internet is a good source to find information about soprano saxophones, but it is wise to test a few of them before buying.

The soprano saxophone is the smallest as well as the highest-sounding. It is straight in shape and resembles a clarinet, though curved models, resembling miniature alto saxophones, are also available. Curved models were more popular during the 1930s. The soprano saxophone is a B-flat instrument. It is generally preferred for jazz music, but rarely used for classical compositions.

The soprano saxophone has become very popular these days, especially with jazz, rock and pop music. John Coltrane, a popular jazz saxophonist, was responsible for making the soprano saxophone fashionable in the 1960s. The soprano saxophone is generally considered to be the most difficult to play, compared to alto, tenor and baritone saxophones.

Even in soprano saxophones, there are many models: F mezzo-soprano, soprano, C soprano and sopranino are the smallest saxophones in that order. Soprano in C, and mezzo-soprano in F are very popular models. C sopranos were meant for military bands and vaudeville arrangements. C sopranos are almost similar to B sopranos though they are 2 centimeters shorter than B sopranos.

The local music store, mail-order service, a private party or the Internet are the different sources for buying soprano saxophones. The main aspects to be considered are the quality, service, price and the model. The Internet is a good source to find information about soprano saxophones, but it is wise to test a few of them before buying.

The soprano saxophone is the smallest as well as the highest-sounding. It is straight in shape and resembles a clarinet, though curved models, resembling miniature alto saxophones, are also available. Curved models were more popular during the 1930s. The soprano saxophone is a B-flat instrument. It is generally preferred for jazz music, but rarely used for classical compositions.

The soprano saxophone has become very popular these days, especially with jazz, rock and pop music. John Coltrane, a popular jazz saxophonist, was responsible for making the soprano saxophone fashionable in the 1960s. The soprano saxophone is generally considered to be the most difficult to play, compared to alto, tenor and baritone saxophones.

Even in soprano saxophones, there are many models: F mezzo-soprano, soprano, C soprano and sopranino are the smallest saxophones in that order. Soprano in C, and mezzo-soprano in F are very popular models. C sopranos were meant for military bands and vaudeville arrangements. C sopranos are almost similar to B sopranos though they are 2 centimeters shorter than B sopranos.

The local music store, mail-order service, a private party or the Internet are the different sources for buying soprano saxophones. The main aspects to be considered are the quality, service, price and the model. The Internet is a good source to find information about soprano saxophones, but it is wise to test a few of them before buying.

Saxophones provides detailed information about saxophones, jazz saxophones, soprano saxophones, alto saxophones and more. Saxophones is the sister site of Violins Web.

Is it really possible to conquer the guitar fretboard? Do you find the notes you want to find? Is tabulature cheating? Let me invite you to the guitar fretboard!

I suggest that you right now start to take command over your guitar. Usually when you are playing your first guitar sheet music melodies you will have to learn the notes in the first position on the guitar. To have a good grasp of these notes on the guitar I suggest that you learn them slowly and with concentration.

I usually begin by teaching the notes on the first string like E on open string, F on fret 1 and G on fret 3. On string two you?ll find B on open string, C on fret 1 and D on fret 3. With these notes you can play the song Mary Had A Little Lamb.

Using the previous notes the melody can be played as follows:

E D C D E E E D D D E G G E D C D E E E E D D E D C

I hope you recognized the melody. This kind of music notation doesn?t give any hints as to how the rhythm is to be played but you already know the melody, right!

Is using tablature cheating? My father taught me some interesting things about learning to read guitar sheet music.

My dad was the only guitar tutor in the town where I lived and he taught mostly classical guitar pieces. His young students, I was one of them, learned those first guitar pieces very rapidly because he used a system similar to tablature showing the frets and strings to play, along with the sheet music. Tablature wasn?t common back then. I remember somebody remarking that his system prevented the children from learning to sight read sheet music.

His reply was that if somebody really wants to learn the notes they will anyway!

I agree with that and I have found that if a pupil is not motivated learning guitar sheet music they will not advance in this area whether they play with or without tablature.

Do you think your fingers has anything to do with guitar playing? I guess you’ll answer yes!

A more important question is if the fingers you choose to use can have a bearing upon your guitar playing. Left hand fingering means which finger you use when playing a specific note.

Usually when playing the first pieces on the guitar on the first frets one plays the notes on the first fret with the index finger, notes on the second fret with the middle finger, notes on the third fret with the ring finger and notes on the fourth fret with your little finger.

Why mess up everything with this fingering stuff? Isn’t it possible to play every melody with your left index finger and forget about fingerings?

Well, of course you can play melodies with your index finger but your progress will be very limited beyond just playing easy melodies.

Besides you?ll have to move your hand all the time as you change frets and, most importantly when reading sheet music, you?ll have to look at the guitar fretboard all the time instead of looking at the sheet music.

The important thing when learning to play the notes on the guitar is to make a conscious effort to learn the notes and not to work on too many notes at the same time.

Peter Edvinsson is a musician, composer and music teacher. Visit his site Capotasto Music and download your free sheet music and learn to play resources at http://www.capotastomusic.com.

Learning how to change a guitar string is a complicated task that can intimidate most people, if you want to play guitar this is something you must master. At concerts there is usually someone dedicated to changing strings between songs. This seems like an amazing feat, but if they can do it, you can also learn how to change a guitar string quickly.

As with any other aspect of playing a musical instrument, being able to change guitar strings, has its rules. Firstly, make sure you do one at a time, and when loosening the pegs, do so carefully. Knowing how to change a guitar string, doesn?t mean just cutting the string, or yanking it, as this will most certainly lead to the injury of yourself or a damaged guitar. You should then loosen the end pegs, which may seem stubborn, but do not try to ply them out in agitation, you will damage them, and then you?re stuck. Be gentle to your guitar, and then the process of how to change a guitar string will be a breeze. After the long process of being careful and making certain of things and you have the string out, you are now ready to move on to the next one. As said before do not be in any sort of rush, this is not a procedure that can be hurried. It?s like a doctor working on his patient. Your guitar was hurt (the strings were damaged) and you are the doctor needing to give it new life. If you are not careful you might end up shortening the life of your guitar. And always remember never to use furniture polish.

So, when all old, damaged strings are out, you can start unwrapping the new ones. For easy stringing be sure to buy the strings that come with the color coded knobs on the end, as this lets you know which notes each string plays. If you are still unsure, there are plenty stores that sell a how to change a guitar string manual, though, it will most likely be a maintenance manual.

Now that you?ve figured out how to change a guitar string and which string goes into which hole, you can start threading them through one at a time. Start with putting the knob end of the string into the peg hole and reinserting the peg. Please remember, to save yourself some time, after inserting the string and the peg into the hole; keep the string taut at all times. After you have done this with one, you are ready to insert the other end of the string into the tuning peg. Remember that you want to tighten the tuning peg, always, to the right. Once you are happy with the first one, you can move on to the second and then the third, then the fourth and so on, until your guitar is ready for another jamming session. All the while, always keep in mind that the best and easiest way to change a guitar string lies in a very cool head. Keep your cool and like, with everything in life you will do it with professional ease. Learning how to change a guitar string is an art on its own, so a professional musician is a person who is good at all sorts of art forms. Can you call yourself a pro?

Gen Mason is a guitar player from Florida. Discover free how to improve your guitar skills at Jamorama

I?ll always remember my dad saying that he loved listening to birdsong early in the morning. The singing centered him in a way that I didn?t understand at the time.

Now I know why he felt so refreshed.

Birdsong is a high frequency sound ? around 5,000 hertz. Any sound between 5,000 and 8,000 hertz has been found to recharge our brain?s batteries.

You know what else is amazing?

5,000 hertz is also the frequency that energizes plants. In fact plants showed a 700 percent increase in efficiency of absorbing nutrients when exposed to high frequency classical music. This frequency actually helps the little pores on the plant’s leaves called stomata to open up.

And who says nature doesn’t have a plan. That?s why you’ll find that in areas that don’t have a lot of birds singing, there’s not a lot of plant growth either.

Lots of birds equals lots of plants. Few birdsongs means not a whole lot of greenery. Now I know why we moved from Los Angeles to Asheville, North Carolina ? we wanted birds and trees in our life.

Have you ever entered a room that has a weird or uncomfortable feeling about it? You might just be getting uncomfortable because of low frequency sound waves.

The lowest of those are called infrasound. They?re produced by machines such as vehicles, household equipment and heating and cooling systems. It?s been known for some time that these low frequency waves can cause symptoms such as nausea, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, vibration of internal organs and a feeling of oppression.

On the other hand, certain high frequency sounds literally energize your mind. Scientists have found that sounds from 5,000 to 8,000 hertz recharge your brain?s batteries.

If your CD collection includes music by Mozart, Baroque Music or even Tibetan Chants, keep listening. In numerous studies, these sounds have been found to charge the cortex of the brain and stimulate health and wellness.

At 120-125 hertz you begin to hear the kick drums and bass guitar common to rock music. These lower frequencies produce the opposite effect – they drain us.

Why is this?

Because they have wave-lengths longer than we are tall, which is why lower frequencies are FELT as well as heard. You can feel this low frequency full-body sensation at dance clubs and rock concerts. Or from listening to most FM radio stations.

Since we are mostly exposed to low frequency sounds in the media, I strongly suggest you balance your brain and body by listening to high frequency classical music at least once a day. It?s easy and effortless ? and great for you.

Here?s to your sound health.

Copyright 2006 Tania French

Composer Tania Gabrielle French has enjoyed performances and radio broadcasts of her music worldwide by Grammy Award winning artists. Her popular newsletter tells all about the secret effect of music on your mind and body. Subscribe now at http://www.artabundance.com ? 2006 Tania Gabrielle French. All Rights Reserved.

Karaoke Machines

One invention that has really taken off in the music world is the karaoke machine. Unlike other pieces of musical equipment, the karaoke machine appeals to folks of all ages, all genders and all types of voices ? good or bad!

Here?s a quick guide to karaoke machines, and how they?ve progressed over the years.

A Brief History of Karaoke Machines

The earliest karaoke machine was invented in Japan during the 1970s when a singer named Daisuke Inoue developed a tape recorder that could play a song for a 100-yen coin. He had been asked frequently by attendees of his performance to provide his song on a tape recorder so they could sing along during a company vacation.

Daisuke felt it was a great idea, not for his song only, but for many others. Inoue leased his karaoke machines to stores instead of selling them directly.

The machines were placed in restaurants and hotel rooms. In 2004, Inoue won the tongue-in-cheek Ig Nobel Peace prize for his invention.

Karaoke Hits the USA

Karaoke machines came to the United States during the 1990s when karaoke bars, also called KTV boxes, began having competitions or fun karaoke nights for amateurs.

Advancement of Karaoke Machines

The early karaoke machines worked with cassette tapes, but later became more advanced using CDs, laserdiscs, VCDs and today?s DVDs.

The machine has audio input, audio output, and a way to alter the pitch of the music.

The most popular machines are audio mixers that include a microphone input that?s built in with a Laser Disc, Video CD, CD G or DVD player. Karaoke machines that are capable of producing a video lyrics display are called KTV in many countries.

Another unique feature of many karaoke machines is the ability to change the pitch of the music, or key, to fit the vocal range of the singer. With this feature, songs that are too high for the singer can be played in a lower key.

From Karaoke Machines to Computers

Karaoke songs are now being played over computers everywhere via music files such as MIDI, MP3 and many others.

The karaoke machine is not needed with these files, but a downloadable karaoke player instead. Both the players and song files can be downloaded on the Internet.

More Advances in Karaoke Machines are Coming

Karaoke machines are being modernized in many other ways as well. From auto karaoke to mobile phone karaoke, people are going to be able to ?sing along? from just about anywhere before long!

Karaoke Machines Still Going

Even with all the modern devices and methods in karaoke, the karaoke machines will still be around for a while.

The karaoke machines are convenient for restaurants, bars, gatherings and other public karaoke events because they can be moved easily, use a screen and sound everyone can see and hear when a big crowd is present, and they provide affordable entertainment.

Got your karaoke machine yet?

Bob Pardue is owner of Karaoke Singing and is a retired karaoke DJ. You can view his other music articles by going to http://www.karaoke-singing.com