Beginning Guitar Lessons - Easy and Fast?

By Thanh Haas

Because of its popularity, the guitar is one of the simpler instruments to learn to play. Firstly, many learning resources exist and are readily available. Secondly, the guitar is a very portable instrument, especially the acoustic version which doesn't require you to plug in an amplifier. This makes it easy to learn and practice anywhere! Of course we're not even considering the 'coolness' factor.

All in all, is there anyone who doesn't want to learn to play the guitar? To get started, you'll need to take guitar lessons.

There are three methods to learn playing guitar. Firstly, you may adopt self-help with the use of chord sheets or online instructions and videos. The second way is to seek help from your family members or friends who do play guitar. Yet another way is to learn from the professional teacher in a group class or alone.

No matter what method you adopt, you must think beforehand, why you wish to learn to play guitar at all. Do some soul-searching for your reasons. Is it because you wish to be a performer in a band? Or is it because you wish to impress someone you like? Or, is your interest purely academic and you wished to learn purely for the sake of learning? This is important because it is the determining factor in your future dedication for it.

The first requisite for learning to play guitar is that you buy one. Borrowing a guitar from a friend or your brother allows you very limited time of practice. Besides, having your own guitar allows you the ease of getting accustomed to only one guitar which is a necessity for a new learner. It is also necessary to ascertain your degree of serious intent. You should know how much time you can devote for guitar practicing.

It is advisable to know your level of priority towards guitar-playing. If you are quite serious about learning, you must not stop playing even if your fingers hurt initially. You remind yourself of your reasons in the first place for learning to play guitar. - 30549

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Recent Indie Rock Debut Classics

By Lance Feldman

If you love indie music like I do, you know very well that there have been some exceptional musical debuts over the course of the last two years. We'll be including music from 2008 and 2009 here, and narrowing it down to the three that I'm going to mention will be a difficult task.

Unfortunately, I only have time to mention three here, which is probably a bad idea. It might actually take me more time to narrow it down to my three favorites than it would to write about my ten favorites during the same span.

The three articles that I choose to discuss are all wonderfully crafted albums that all music lovers should listen to. If you've never heard of these bands, you're in for a treat as soon as you do.

If you never heard Bon Iver's debut, I'd definitely suggest checking it out. This is an album that consists of raw folk, packed with emotion. The simplicity of the music is beautiful, and many critics and fans agree.

Justin Vernon is his real name, and he penned the entire album in a state of seclusion while in the woods of Wisconsin. The effort paid off big time, as Vernon is now a household name in the indie world.

The next album in my trio of newer debut classics is the first release by Vampire Weekend, a New York band with influences that span the world. One of the most unique blends of music I've ever heard, the band successfully mends styles that you never thought could go well together.

Lastly, Fleet Foxes came out with a debut in 2008 that was exceptional. The best way to describe the band's music is a mix of bluegrass, indie rock, and barber shop quartet. I know that's hard to explain, but their rich melodies will pull you in on first listen.

These are all instant classics in my mind, and worthy of repeated listens. - 30549

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Looking Back at OK Computer

By Max Thayer

The 1990s were a great decade for music, characterized by an alternative music that lent itself to the indie rock revolution of this past decade. Near the end of the decade, one band produced an integral record that not only stands the test of time, but acted as a catalyst for much of the music that followed.

If we go back to the last decade, it looks like Radiohead's OK Computer, the band's third album, had as much of an impact as just about anything during the era.

Depending on who you ask, you might find someone who says that this is the best piece of musical work they've ever listened to. This album was extremely innovative for the time, and it took the music world by storm.

While people recognized the fact that OK Computer was a huge achievement when it was released, we realize it even more so today after a decade has gone by.

Some of the musical highlights include songs like No Surprises, Fade Out, and Karma Police, though every song on the album is a musical accomplishment. His haunting falsetto and great emotion are present on just about every song on the record.

Thom Yorke crafted a set of beautiful songs on OK Computer and this album was the first of many that followed a continued evolution in terms of the band's music. Amazingly, this album still sounds fresher than much of the new music that comes out today.

How many other full lengths can you really say that about? Not many whatsoever, and that's what makes Radiohead a treasure in the world of music.

You've most likely listened to OK Computer at some point in the past, but perhaps it's been a while since you've most recently heard it. If this is the case, I would definitely suggest revisiting this landmark achievement. - 30549

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Revisiting OK Computer

By Robert Rosario

The 1990s were a great decade for music, characterized by an alternative music that lent itself to the indie rock revolution of this past decade. Near the end of the decade, one band produced an integral record that not only stands the test of time, but acted as a catalyst for much of the music that followed.

If we go back to the last decade, it looks like Radiohead's OK Computer, the band's third album, had as much of an impact as just about anything during the era.

Many critics call this one of the greatest albums of all time. Radiohead's sound was revolutionary at the time, and everything about the album was original and inventive. It was originally crafted, the music had its own unique sound, and the music videos were superb.

As we look back over a decade now, we realize how important Radiohead's OK Computer was an album. Both musically and conceptually, this album was way ahead of its time in every sense.

While just about every track on the album is phenomenal, there are definitely some standouts that are remembered more so than others. Paranoid Android, the band's first release, was an epic song, as were Fade Out and No Surprises.

The music is absolutely beautiful and while the band's sound has evolved over the years, if another band were to come out with an original album today that sounded like this (assuming the first one never came out), it would sound completely relevant and modern at that.

In a world where the music we listen to is constantly evolving and developing, an album like OK Computer is a rarity.

If you haven't listened to it in a while, throw the CD back into your player and give it a listen. Not only will it bring back some memories, but you'll realize how truly great this album was, and always will be. - 30549

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