Steps To Having An Old Fashioned Christmas Holiday

There are many Christmas traditions that are gradually being lost in today's high-tech, always-on-the-go world. But Christmas is the perfect time to slow things down and get back to basics to really enjoy the season. The following are three ways to have a traditional, old-fashioned Christmas.1. DecorationsFor many people, decorations are what make Christmas time special. The right decorations can set the mood for a traditional Christmas and let the whole family get involved in creating the Christmas spirit.Start with an old-fashioned Christmas...

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Simple But Powerful Songwriting Tips

Do you feel frustrated or unfulfilled with the songs you have written? Do you think your songs have to conform to a certain standard before they are any good? If so, what exactly are you comparing them to? You may find you have an unrealistic expectation of yourself or what you think a song is or should be.If you are unhappy with the songs you have written or think your songs are not what they should be, examine these three songwriting tips to focus your attention on clarifying what you think you want to gain from your songs.1./ Why Do You Want...

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Must Know Tips For Creating The Ultimate Scrapbooking Room

If you are a scrapbooking junkie like me, you know that your scrapbooking supplies can really stack up from your various projects. Many people just find a place to do their scrapbooking wherever they can find a spot.It can get pretty difficult to be creative when you are cramped in a tiny space or have a lot of distractions around you while you scrapbook.Why not create a scrapbook room that is all yours? Below you will find some tips on how to create the ultimate scrapbook room.Make the Most of Your SpaceWhile you’re designing your ultimate scrapbook...

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Birthday Party Games Everyone Will Love Playing!

What’s a birthday party without games? No party at all that’s what! Games bring excitement to any party and birthday parties are no exception. Sure there are the traditional birthday party games like pin the tale on the donkey and smashing the piñata open, but times have changed and while these traditional games remain classics, there are a few more out there that are sure to go down in the history books. The next generation will definitely be calling these games ‘classic’.Balloon Stomp – Here’s how this game works. Tie balloons to your ankles...

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Important Suggestions When Purchasing A Diamond Saw Blade

What are diamond blades you may ask? Well, have you ever been driving down the road and you see some construction workers cutting either the road or cement? The circular metal tool that actually cuts the material is what the diamond blade is. This metal is very strong only if it is used correctly. There are many different diamond blades made especially for different types of metals and concrete. Each diamond blade is made for certain abrasive material and if you do not have the right blade for the job it will not cut it. Finding the correct diamond...

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"Wrapping" The Impossible-To-Wrap Christmas Gift

"The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value." - Charles Dudley WarnerYou've found the perfect gift, one completely appropriate for the recipient. But now you've realized that this gift also happens to be the impossible-to-wrap gift.Maybe the gift is oddly shaped and won't fit in a box. Maybe the gift is digital and doesn't have a physical form. Or maybe the gift is too big and can't fit through your door. Here are ideas about how you can easily "wrap" even the most impossible gift.Oddly Shaped GiftsSome gifts...

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"Songwriting Tips: Un-original Melodies Can Be A Good Thing..."

The moment that people create a melody which they feel is great, many think it already sounds like another song. This is common, and I suffered from this many times. What you've got to understand is that ALL SONGS are RECYCLED MELODIES.Every song has a 'portion' of the tune which will be the same as another. So don't worry if you feel your song sounds like another.What's important to know here is that if your melody is a familiar one, then that's a GOOD THING. I'm not talking about a 'rip off' here, I'm talking about a part(s) of your melody...

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"Blue Groups" In Music History

I recently had an email question posed to me from my site that asked me what I thought was the most successful “Blue Group?” (I have narrowed it down to the word "blue" in the beginning of the band name)I can only say with such an eclectic list of choices that you would have to narrow it down to what type of music is being played by the group, how you define success and of course, personal preference.If you are looking for a hard-rock group, you have several selections, including Blue Cheer, a 60's group that some refer to as one of the first...

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"Beautiful Liar" By Beyonce And Shakira

“Beautiful Liar”, the duet performed by Beyonce and Shakira was amazingly good without either of the megastars jostling for star power. They were able to accomplish the blending of their singing voices in such a harmonious way without either being the dominant voice.  Both singers have powerful, strong singing voices. They can fill the biggest arenas with their vocal ranges just by themselves. One would think that they’d completely overpower “Beautiful Liar” with both of their voices together but quite the opposite happened. They were able...

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"Mask"erading In The Movies

Costumes are an essential feature of visual media such as cinema and theatre. In the ancient times, the symbol for Greek theatre was that of two masks -- one joyful and the other sorrowful. Back in those times, the actors had to wear huge masks that amplified their voices. The ancients were used to seeing characters as tall as seven feet thanks to their enormous masks and high shoes. After all, the characters had to be seen and heard by the people in the audience.These days, with the invention of lighting, microphones, and video cameras, actors...

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A Guide To Buying A Digital Camera Equipment

How to Buy Digital Camera EquipmentThere are so many digital cameras that it can be confusing trying to buy digital camera equipment. Here are some tips to help you decide which the best choice is for you and buy digital camera equipment that you will get the best results with:• The first step before you buy digital camera equipment is to set a basic budget on how much money you want to spend. You do need to be realistic about the fact you won't be able to get the best of every feature, as you may have to make tradeoffs when you actually buy...

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A Custom Photo Purse: A Great Gift for New Moms

When a woman becomes a mother, whether it be for the first time or not, life changes at that very moment in time. When a mother has a child there is pride that is associated with that child.  The pride associated with having a healthy baby boy or girl is amazing, but it is hard to put into words.  As much as a mother would love to spend every minute with their child there are many who are unable to.  When life starts calling there are many parents who are required to place their infants into childcare.  Leaving a child behind,...

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A Brief History Of Photography

For centuries images have been projected onto surfaces. The camera obscura and the camera lucida were used by artists to trace scenes as early as the 16th century. These early cameras did not fix an image in time; they only projected what passed through an opening in the wall of a darkened room onto a surface. In effect, the entire room was turned into a large pinhole camera. Indeed, the phrase camera obscura literally means "darkened room," and it is after these darkened rooms that all modern cameras have been named.The first photograph is considered...

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Tips In Better Photography

Taking a good photo isn’t as hard as you may think. You don’t need the most expensive camera or years of experience, just 10 simple tips.Enjoy!Tip 1 - Use All Your Available SpaceDon't be afraid to use all the space in your photo. If you want to take a picture of something, it's ok for it to take up the whole shot with no or very little background showing. Keep distractions out of your shotTip 2 - Study FormsThis is a vital aspect to photography. Understanding forms in your photos. Don't see an object, she its shape and its form and find the...

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Tips For Better Digital Photos

Whether you consider yourself an amateur photographer, or you just want to create better family photos, there are many things you can do to get better photos. Here are some easy tips to use the next time you head out with your digital camera.Even a beginner can take professional-looking photos - suitable for framing.Be PreparedKeep all your photography equipment ready for use. Collect everything you’ll need into one place. A camera bag is ideal, because it keeps all your stuff together and lets you carry it all with you. Everything in its place....

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Attributes of a Successful Fashion Model

Have you ever looked at a successful model and said, "I am just as beautiful as this girl so I think I'll become a supermodel."I would like to clarify one thing and please listen carefully ...THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATURAL-BORN MODEL!!!Yes, some people have a natural beauty and some learn more quickly than others. I'll agree that these attributes are important. But, I'll say it again - There is no such thing as a natural-born model.If you believe this, let me ask you a question. Do you believe there is such a thing as a natural-born surgeon?...

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Ways To Earn Money With Digital Cameras & Photo Printers

When it comes to the internet and the advancements of modern technology, the revenue generating options are truly unlimited. One way that many people are finding great success as entrepreneurs is through the use of their digital cameras and photo printers. Whether you use your digital knowledge to enter photo contests using images taken with your digital camera or choose to start an online auction business, the use of a both camera and photo printer are essential.With entrepreneurship in mind, the following five tips may help to get you started...

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Tips To Help You Master Digital Photography

Have you already mastered the art of taking photos without ‘red-eye’ syndrome? Are there some pictures that you know you should have turned out a lot better than they did? It happens to all of us – even the expert photographers.Here are five tips to help you move from beginner to master of digital photography, whether you’re using your cell phone or a point-and-shoot camera to snap shots.Compose CarefullyOne of the most basic digital photography tips is to pay attention to what’s in the frame of the viewfinder. Fill the frame. Nothing but blue...

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5 Tips For Shooting Winter Landscapes.

Winter brings out the toughest elements in our climate, with many people putting away their camera bags ‘till early spring. But, if you do put away your camera you are missing out on the raw beauty that this magical season brings. Here are a few tips to make the trip more enjoyable.1. Wear the right clothes: It’s very important to wrap up warm when out shooting winter images. The winter season brings the toughest elements, so if you are planning to spend a few days out and about always be well prepared. 2. Watch the weather: It’s very important...

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Great Camera Tips for Enhanced Digital Photos!!

Just bought a new camera ?? And very excited to start taking photos with your new gadget??But Alas, why does the picture not look as good as you wanted to !! Fret no more, stay tuned below for 4 new tricks to taking more interesting and memorable photos.Trick #1 - Try out different camera exposure settings---------------------------------------------------By exploring the exposure settings of your camera, you could have pictures looking more brilliant with 0.5 to 2 stops underexposed in bright surroundings, and scenes appearing more clear with...

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A Guide To Piano For Beginners

Classes that involve piano for beginners would include an introduction to reading and understanding the keys, chords and how to read musical notes. The piano is unlike any other instrument and sounds wonderful as stand alone music or as part of a group. The intense sound of a piano is one that captivates audiences with power or soothes them with serenity.Budding musicians always find it exciting to explore the world of piano for beginners. Whether this is their first venture playing the piano or being used as a reminder of forgotten skills, piano...

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A Guide to Buying an Acoustic Guitar

Knowing how to choose the right guitar and how to identify a bad one, will save you from countless headaches, not to mention finger aches. Acoustic guitar bodies come in basically the same hourglass shape, with some variations, but they do vary in size, color, wood-type, style, and extra features. You can even buy an acoustic guitar so small that fits into a hiking backpack. Guitars come in a very wide range of prices, but when it comes to instruments, in general, you get what you pay for, especially when you buy new. There’s a real difference...

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A Good Music Tutor Will Never Go Hungy!

If you are a musician, and interested in teaching, then you will never go hungry! There is always a want for tutors - people will always want to learn music and need the guidance of someone else... you!Ask one hundred random people, and chances are that the large majority will have an interest in singing, or playing some sort of musical instrument. Whether they enjoy singing, or playing, once you ask a little deeper you'll find that a large percentage of this number have at some stage sought the guidance of a tutor.While the music industry booms,...

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Tips for Effective Musical Practice

The quality of your practice is much more important than the quantity. The old saying "practice makes perfect" is only true if the practice itself is perfect. Here are 7 tips to help make your practice more effective and efficient. Practice motions slowly The muscular memory of our bodies allows us to physically carry out patterns of motion with little or no conscious involvement. Examples of muscular memory include walking, riding a bicycle, typing, and of course playing a musical instrument. In order to develop this memory, the muscles require...

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Reasons to Learn Music Theory

If you thought music theory was a waste of time and not necessary to further your musical goals, then read these following 5 reasons why this is not true.1.Read sheet music: Being able to play from any piece of sheet music. Well it may be hard to play BUT you can read it!2.Be able to transpose: Say you are playing a piece from the sheet music you can now read but you think it sounds too high or too low, or just not right. Well now you can move it into a new key and play at a better singing.3.Be able to modulate: You will be able to, with a few...

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Important Tips on Piano Lessons

Important Tips for Piano LessonsMust-Have information before deciding on Piano Lessons!Music is a very important part of our lives. It does a lot more than just please our ears – it is an integral part of human development.  Several years ago, there was an experiment done by scientists at the University of California at Irvine in 1993. (published in the journal Nature) They had college students listen to Mozart Sonata for two Pianos in D Major, a relaxation tape or silence.  Immediately after these sessions, the students took a spatial...

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Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Music Lessons

Whether you are using a book, video, a real live human, or online lessons, keep these pointers in mind in order to get the most out our your studies.1. Complete and master each section before moving on to the next: As you work through your studies make sure you have each new technique or idea conquered before moving on to the next. Lessons are planned to build upon each other and trying to rush through without fully understanding one will just lead to frustration and wasted efforts.2. Study as if you were in school. Do some homework every night....

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Steps to Playing Comfortably for a Crowd

Most people are not comfortable performing in front people. When I say of performing, such as an instrument, or singing, or acting, I mean more than just knowing how to do well at your chosen craft, I mean doing it well and in front of people. It’s the “in front of people” part that gets us every time. How many of us sing like a bird in the shower but then when people are watching we can’t carry a note. Here are three steps to start you on the road to comfort (never complete) when called on to shine.1. Don’t neglect to practice. Whether you sing...

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Critical Truths About P2P File Sharing Networks.

If you're confused about file sharing networks,  and the hazards involved, you're not alone.Many people looking for for free downloading networks online have unanswered questions about p2p sites and RIAA lawsuit risks.  So here are crucial facts and important information you need to know about p2p file sharing sites - before using them!- File Sharing Download Truth #1:  File sharing networks are extremely controversial.Although file sharing applications have been ruled legal in a court of law, controversy lies in the fact that...

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‘Things Just Ain’t the Same’: Hip-Hop’s Reconstruction of the Gangster Rap Identity

Gangster rap, or hardcore rap, is generally considered a sub genre of the larger category of rap music, which itself is a subcategory of hip-hop. Gangster rap is differentiable from other rap music in that it makes use of images of urban life associated with crime (Haugen, 2). According to the Encyclopedia Britannica definition of gangster rap, the top four images associated with the genre are violence, drugs, materialism and sexual promiscuity. Gangster Rappers as Defining the Hip-Hop Social GroupAs the hip-hop movement has gained recognition...

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