Portmeirion Botanic Garden Drum-Shaped Tea Cup and Saucer Set of 6

Inspired by 19th-century botanical illustrations, artist Susan Williams-Ellis has created a truly unique mix-and-match collection for Portmeirion. Designed in 1972, Botanic Garden features more than 30 different floral and butterfly designs, with new designs joining the collection on a regular basis. Each scene has been painstakingly reproduced by hand with every detail beautifully rendered. Butterflies flutter about, flowers bend in the breeze, and a distinctive leaf border can be found on each item in the collection.

This lovely 2-piece set includes a 7-ounce drum-shaped tea cup and matching 6-inch saucer. A cluster of yellow jasmine and butterflies adorn the outer bowl of the small cup, while the signature leaf pattern borders the edge of the saucer. Five other decorative flower motifs, including speedwell, pimpernel, heartsease, rhododendron, and forget-me-not can be found on this tea set. The Botanic Garden collection incorporates a full line of coordinating table settings, bakeware, serving items, and giftware. Made in Britain from high-quality earthenware, each tableware piece is safe in the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. --Lea Werbel

Currently, The Used is composed of Bert McCracken (lead vocals and piano), Quinn Allman (guitar and backup vocals), Jeph Howard (bass and backup vocals), and Dan Whitesides (drums). In the past, the group also worked with other musicians, such as Greg Bester, who served as touring guitarist during the early 2000s. Most notably, Branden Steineckert, who provided backup vocals and played drums, was kicked out of the band during the summer of 2006.

The Used released their first full-length studio album, which was self-titled, in 2002. The public readily accepted the new group, and they enjoyed a wealth of early success. Four singles ("A Box Full of Sharp Objects," "Buried Myself Alive," "Blue and Yellow," and "The Taste of Ink") helped claim a following. The album soon went platinum.

Discography & Musical Achievements

The future of The Used involves another CD and DVD compilation and a couple of tour dates. A new album is set for a 2007 release, and the group is adjusting to their new drummer, Dan Whitesides.

The Used - A Band Fused From Diverse Talents

During the mid-1990s, The Used was known in their early days as a local band called Froglick. At this time, Brenden Steineckert (founding member and drummer) was grouped with Quinn Allman (guitarist) and Jeph Howard (bassist). It was soon agreed that a full-time singer or frontman would be needed to boost the popularity of the band. Auditions were held, but a suitable member could not be found. Upon the suggestion of Allman, a friend from school (Bert McCracken) was asked to join and gladly accepted.

Brief Group History

Hailing from Orem, Utah, the alternative rock band called The Used has made its mark on the public with a couple of albums and music videos released under Reprise Records. With songs like "A Box Full of Sharp Objects" and "The Bird and the Worm," the band has established itself as a thriving music group. With an active following since 2001 (and still going strong), The Used possess a history of making music that begins in the middle of the '90s.

In 2004, the group released "In Love and Death," which also became platinum-certified, selling more than three million copies. The David Bowie remake of "Under Pressure" featured My Chemical Romance and was offered as a bonus track on the 2005 re-release of the album. Additional songs on the album included "Take It Away" and "I Caught Fire." Set for a 2007 release, The Used is planning on sharing "Lies for the Liars," which is also set to come with a DVD.

Current Members

The group began to record a few demos and hold a handful of local shows. John Feldmann, a member of the punk group, Goldfinger, heard the band and, in 2001, encouraged Reprise Records to sign the group. Within a couple of months, a ten-track demo CD was produced. The band would later become The Used after finding out that a band in Boston already went by the moniker Used.

2880 Super Multitrack Looper 2

Epiphone EL-00 Acoustic Guitar, Vintage Sunburst Chrome Hardware

EL-00 six string acoustic guitar featuring a solid spruce top, mahogany body construction, and Abalone Soundhole Inlay.

There are so many great Led Zeppelin posters; it's tough to pick a favorite. Certainly, one of the best would be the Swansong poster art of Apollo (not Icarus) above the runes. The composition is so simple, but the emotional power behind the art is undeniable. Of course, Apollo's mane of hair makes it a rock poster classic. While the meaning of the runes is still subject to debate this day, depending on your source, the most widely accepted version is that each member chose a symbol to represent them on the album cover. Robert Plant's symbol of a feather in a circle comes from an ancient mythical Mu civilization, and represents truth for Plant. John Bonham's rune of the three interlocking circles has a mysterious origin, but Plant has said that he thought it implied the trilogy of man, woman and child (or it was the emblem of Ballantine Beer inverted). John Paul Jones's symbol of a circle overlaying three ovals represents unity and family. The meaning of Jimmy Page's "zoso" symbol has not been disclosed to the public.

Some mistakenly attribute the symbols and runes on Led Zeppelin posters to an involvement by one or more band members in cults or alternative religions, and delusional rumors about satanic subliminal messages in the Stairway to Heaven played backwards have been spread for years. Though, these wild accusations often show that their fundamentalist accusers were more warped than the band. While many Led Zeppelin songs do demonstrate an attempt by the band to put people in touch with their spiritual or mystical sensitivities, nothing the band produced conflicted with basic Judean-Christian philosophies. The Led Zeppelin poster Writhing Angel should evidence the bands belief in the struggle of good against evil. Listen to Led Zeppelin yourself. You will find the lyrics to Immigrant Song, The Battle of Evermore and Whole Lotta Love and any others, are just pure rock.

Led Zeppelin hypnotized a generation around the world with powerful rock anthems. They synthesized wild combinations of musical influences and defined hard rock for the 1970's. Despite the fact that the band has produced a magnificent collection of poster art, it is interesting to note that the "plane photo" poster of the four band members in front of their airplane is still one of the most widely demanded rock music posters. In the same stature as the Beatles and Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin fans will not let go of this band. Their music means too much. In the end, the tremendous weight of success was too much for drummer John Bonham. But even with his passing, we can still buy the Stairway to Heaven. Maybe that's enough for this life.

Rock music fans wept from heartbreak on September 25, 1980. On that date, John Bonham, the talented drummer for the band Led Zeppelin, died from symptoms caused by an alcohol overdose, and concluded the reign of musics greatest heavy metal band. While the story of Led Zeppelin rightfully revolves around the bands music and their antics on and off stage, Led Zeppelin posters also have a firm place in rock history. The bands contribution to the image of rock music as portrayed through the bands posters was monumental. Led Zeppelin took rock and blues influences to new heights with their music, and captured the imagination of a generation with their poster art.

Rock Band Guitar Strap Gothic Design

Yamaha YT150 Guitar/Bass Tuner

Yamaha innovation grants the YT150 features normally found exclusively in more expensive tuners. High-resolution LCD meter display provides quick, accurate tuning. Made possible by sharp/flat/in-tune LEDs, tuning in the dark or from a distance becomes a breeze. The TY150 model tunes any acoustic, electric or bass guitar (4, 5, or 6 string) and includes a special "bass mode" displaying bass string notes in proper order.

It is an old configuration but one of the better form of configuration where the music is reproduced quite correctly. Here, two omnidirectional mics are placed apart by a dummy head put in between to reflect a dummy human head. This configuration is a simulation to reflect how the human ears pick up the sound, and quite readily shows the importance of microphone placement in a recording session. The recording is to be listened to using headphones.

The distance between the two mics causes the beat frequency problem. This configuration solves the earlier problem. Here the two cardioids mics are placed close to each other, with a right angle formed at the top.

An amateur musician cannot overlook the importance of microphone placement, as it is the microphone which captures the music and converts it into electrical signals, to be decoded later by the speakers.

MS Configuration

AB Configuration

For drums the mic needed to have the ability to handle High SPL or Sound Pressure level, as at times the sound pressure created by drums can be of extreme nature. For Snares one mic may be placed from top and the other from the bottom. Mics must also be used for the Kicks, the Toms, Hi Hats and the Ambience.

Importance of microphone placement and the accepted configuration for Stereo Recordings

XY Configuration

MS is acronym for Mid or Side configuration. It is one of the most interesting of all the configurations. For this configuration one Cardioid mic or an omnidirectional mic is used along with a Figure 8 mic. Figure 8 is a type of mic where both the left and right channel possesses a transducer facing 180 degree from each other. It is a type of stereo mic, hence the two channels, left and right, are distinct from each other.

Microphones are like real estate property; placement and location is one aspect which cannot be neglected. If a microphone testing is conducted with a number of positions of the microphone, and the music is recorded, it will definitely show the great importance of microphone placement.

Binaural Configuration

The simplest form of all the other configurations is the AB form. Two Cardioids mics are placed several feet apart, facing forward, with an angle between each other. However, this configuration can cause some problems. When the sound waves are entering into the mics they may land odd timed with each other causing constructive and destructive frequencies. In the recording this may show as beat frequency.

Importance of Microphone Placement

Steps to remember in pacing a microphone correctly

One of the rules of thumb is to place the mic at the side of the mouth of the speaker but as close as possible. However, if it is too close it would pick up unwanted sounds.

Tender Turntables Wthomas Toy

The Craft of Lyric Writing

With over 100,000 books in print, this successful author and songwriter provides a complete guide to writing words for and to music, showing how to create lyrics with universal appeal, choose a song form, and more. 350 pages. 6x9.
Customer Review: Surprisingly good
I've gotten over "writer's block", which was a myth to begin with. I'm writing great lyrics now, and feeling confident in my lyrics.
Customer Review: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK ON THE SUBJECT OF LYRIC/POETRY WRITING
If your goal is to learn all you ever need to know about lyric writing, then this is the book you must own. I have read many books on this subject, and this book is clearly, the authority on the subject. And because this book brings forth a sound foundation for meter and rhythm, it is perfect for high school and college students that are studying poetry; I should know, by reading this book, I got all A's in my English classes where poetry was taught. And being a songwriter for over 10 years, I can't say enough about what a great help this book has been to all my research in the field of popular music composition. The book is full of examples from newer pop songs, but also gives examples of Tin-Pan Alley songs that are worth noting; upon listening to the Tin-Pan-Alley songs, my taste in music has expanded.

Cook won American Idol season 7 on May 21, 2008, receiving 56% of the votes. Cook then sang "The Time of My Life", the winning song of the 2008 American Idol Songwriter's Competition. David Cook's strong vocal and guitar-playing skills should help him obtain plenty of commercial success after his impressive American Idol victory.

David Cook is an American rock singer and songwriter. He was born in Houston, Texas on December 20th, 1982 and was raised in Blue Springs, Missouri. On May 21, 2008, he won the seventh season of the reality television show American Idol. David Archuleta was the first runner-up.

Cook took advantage of the decision to allow contestants to play musical instruments. Besides his Hollywood audition, he also accompanied himself on electric guitar for his performances of "All Right Now," "Hello," "Day Tripper," "I'm Alive," "Baba O'Riley," "Dare You to Move," and "Dream Big," and on acoustic guitar for "Little Sparrow," "All I Really Need Is You," and "The World I Know." Since the Top 12 week, he has also been wearing an orange wristband to support a 7-year-old fan, Lindsey Rose, with leukemia.

David Cook - American Idol Winner

Experimental Jet Set Trash No Star

Hohner Rockwood Electric Guitar with Humbucker Pickup

Hohner Rockwood, A great guitar for the price! If you are looking as a beginner or need a guitar to work whatever you got to give this baby , then this guitar is the real deal ! This guitar is really beautiful , plays and sounds great. It really has good action on the neck. You will have no problem shredding away on this baby!

Most simple songs contain just 3 chords called primary chords. So even a stark beginner can learn 3 simple chords well enough to strum along and accompany himself as he sings. But after that, the sky is the limit there are thousands of possible chords, so it is up to the individual guitarist as to how many he or she want to master.

Broken chords (also referred to as arpeggios) are three or more notes that aren't played at the same time but closely enough to still be heard as a group or whole. And even the three-note rule is open to the occasional exception; some guitar chords consist of only two notes, but they still function as chords because they work diatonically in the same way that a major or minor chord would.

So how many chords does a guitarist really need to know?

Just like any other instrument, the sheer number of possible guitar chords can often be overwhelming for a new guitarist. And even the frequently taught guitar chords are beginning to fall by the wayside, making room for a variety of guitar chords created by tuning the strings in almost innumerous ways. Though power chords (guitar chords using a base note, an octave note and the fifth) are still the most common type of guitar chords, new bands are increasingly experimenting with alternate tunings to create new sounds; alternative bands have been toying with this way of playing interesting guitar chords for decades.

(With Mollie Wells)

Guitar chords, (chords played specifically on a guitar,) differ only from other types of chords by virtue of instrument; they're simply a series of three or more notes played together. These notes don't necessarily have to be played simultaneously, however.

Guitar chords might very well be the most important element of guitar playing; after all, they're the basis of what makes a song. Most people picking up a guitar for the first time figure out a few guitar chords before even going for their first lesson, and still more teach themselves guitar chords without any help from an instructor. Self-taught guitarists learn guitar chords in a number of ways. Some learn by listening to their favorite songs and slowly picking out the notes, a common yet often frustrating process. Others figure out guitar chords by learning to read guitar tab, a type of sheet music intended for fretted instruments that uses a graph-like chart to show where on the frets the fingers are placed. Both techniques are common among those learning guitar chords, though the number of self-taught guitarists who never learned to read tab is fairly high.

Starlicks Sessions With Les Paul Instructional Guitar Video

6 String Travel Guitar - Sunlike

This is a 6-stringed instrument (three courses) meant to be held and played like a mandolin or banjo, rather than on the lap. It has a diatonic dulcimer fretboard and is tuned similarly to most dulcimers, D-A-D. The first and second strings are strung as one course, tuned in unison to D. It uses standard dulcimer strings. It is well-built, with full linings attaching top and back to sides, two crossbraces each on top and back, and an adjustable trussrod. The sound is bright, with plenty of volume despite its compact size. The tone is somewhat like a mandolin. It is about 25 inches long overall; the body is just over 7 inches wide.

The I minor, bVII major, to I minor are very strong Aeolian progressions, as well as the I minor, bVI major, bVII major, to the I minor.

2008 Michael E. Fletcher. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

1) The tonic note of the Aeolian mode must always be established. In other words, if we were analyzing a C Aeolian scale, the root note C must be voiced (established; played). It's always important to establish a tonal center with any mode.

The Aeolian Chords are: I minor, II diminished, bIII major, IV major, V minor (7), bVI major, and bVII major. There are typical and then, very strong Aeolian chord progressions. We'll examine both in this article.

1) I minor (C minor) progressing to the bVII major (Bb major), progressing to the I minor (C minor), progressing to the bVII major (Bb major), progressing to the bVI major (Ab), progressing to the bVII major (Bb), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

The Aeolian Mode is just one of the seven essential modes that every guitarist should have in his/her arsenal. Of course, the other modes are Dorian, Phrygian, Mixolydian, Lydian, Ionian, and Locrian. All of these are essential guitar scales that should be practiced daily.

The Aeolian Mode - Pure Minor At It's Very Best - Another Must Know For Evey Guitarist

keep in mind that, the actual theory involved here, ironically infers altered scale tones once we discuss key signatures other than the key of C major (key of no sharps). In the key of C major, half steps automatically occur between the 3rd and 4th degrees of the major scale, and then once again between the 7th and 8th degrees of the C major scale (no alterations are necessary). In every other key signature, the degrees of the scale must be altered (using sharp signs or flat signs) in order to create the specific formula needed (whole steps and half steps) to establish a major scale.

Once again, for purposes of this article we will be utilizing the C Aeolian Mode. By adding some difficulty, the learning process will be authentic. Therefore, prepare yourself for just a little confusion. However, with some concentration, any initial confusion should clear up shortly.

2) The third scale step must be used in order to establish the minor quality of the Aeolian Mode.

4) I minor (C minor) progressing to the bVII major (Bb), progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor), progressing to the V minor (G minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

Ultra Guitar Method is designed to place years of professional playing experience under your fingers in a very short amount of time thus, placing you light years ahead of the competition. All theoretical, technical, mechanical, and application principles contained in the method are designed exclusively for the guitar. Learning is made exciting and fun.

5) I minor (C minor) progressing to the V minor (G minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor), progressing to the bIII major (Eb major), progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

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It's helpful to think of the Aeolian Mode as being rooted on the sixth degree of the major scale. For example, the scale tones for the C major scale are C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C. Therefore, the Aeolian root note would be A (rooted on the sixth degree of the major scale). Thus, A-B-C-D-E-F-G-A (Aeolian). Do you notice that the tonic note is present? Do you notice that the distance between A and C is a minor third interval? Also the 6th and 7th degree scale tones are natural (no alterations). This is why I offered this particular example in the key of C major (key of no sharps, no flats). It's easier to keep track of the theory.

TYPICAL AEOLIAN PROGRESSIONS: study the following progressions and transfer them to your guitar.

The quality of the Aeolian Mode is minor (minor 3rd interval between the root note of the scale and it's 3rd). For purposes of application, the following elements apply:

NOTE: Do not emphasize the bIII major because it tends to suggest the I major chord in the actual key signature. This takes away from the Aeolian flavor.

It's best to think of using triads (three part chords) when engaging in an Aeolian progression. My personal students are taught how to extend all chords to their fullest diatonic range. This adds flavor to any progression but will, most likely, annoy the strict theorists. There's something to be said about Pop-Rock; we can get away with a lot of rule breaking and our audiences love it.

Thus far, we've established the tonic note, the minor 3rd, and the use of the natural 6th and 7th degree scale tones for the Aeolian mode. It's safe to say that Aeolian, at this point, has been born.

NOTE: Notice that we brought our listener back to the tonic I minor (C minor). It's very important to establish a tonal center.

2) I minor (C minor) progressing to the bVII major (Bb), progressing to the bVI major (Ab), progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

The Aeolian mode (also known as the pure minor scale or Natural Minor), as a stand alone musical mode (scale), is absolutely beautiful in sound and structure. Personally, I believe the Aeolian Mode to be the center of the musical universe. I, among others, believe this to be true for many reasons. Therefore, several of these reasons will be discussed throughout this article. You then, the reader, can decide for yourself as to the importance you place on this particular mode.

3) Only the natural 6th and 7th degree scale tones (no alterations) be used to attain and preserve the Aeolian modal flavor or essence.

In the end, music is based on sound. All of the theory in the world is just theory unless analyzed, practiced, and implemented. The guitar is a wonderful instrument. We should all strive to continuously educate ourselves in order to unlock it's endless secrets.

Make no mistake about it; if your goal is to understand the entire guitar fingerboard and experience an incredible new mechanical and theoretical freedom as a guitar player, then Ultra Guitar Method is an absolute must.

6) I minor (C minor) progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the bVII major (Bb), progressing to the bVI major (Ab), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

3) I minor (C minor) progressing to the bVI major (Ab), progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the V minor (G minor), progressing to the IV minor (F minor), progressing to the I minor (C minor).

Tribute To Metallica 2008 Hd