Nov 25, 2011

Midi Keyboard-experimenting With Sounds

A midi keyboard primarily refers to musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) keyboard which is just like a piano only but offers more features than a piano. A midi keyboard is used in recording studios. A piano has 88 keys whereas the midi keyboards have bigger and heavier keys making them more appropriate for studio and high end technical recordings.
Though there are a variety of midi keyboards available in the market but it is important to have some basic understanding about the keyboard and the features offered by the same. Add to this most electronic keyboard offering midi capabilities which means more number of choices and the more the number of choices the more the confusion. Midi keyboards are known to offer perfect quality sound in terms of harmonies, scales and effects. These keyboards are known to bridge the gap between computer generated audios and perfectly refined tunes.
It was in the late 1990s that the concept of midi keyboards captured the market by a storm with many amateurs trying their hands on the system and trying on offering varied and differential tunes to cater to the music market.
Considering the choices available in the market one is completely spoilt as there are some basic to extra features which would not only make a huge difference to the sound quality but also render a satisfaction feel to the composer. However, ones budget is one of the key factors which should be taken into account while buying a midi keyboard. If one has a restricted budget then it is important to opt for a keyboard which offers the best feel and then later can be upgraded to offer more enhanced sound quality.
Handling skills in the form of number of keyboards that one is comfortable using is another point which must be kept in mind while choosing the keyboard, as one can choose from a 25 to 88 length key board system. If you a more classical musician kind of person then you should opt for an 88 keyboard system, else you can also opt for a 76 keys board which is more popular. Though lesser keys board are always recommended for amateurs as they need to get a feel of how the keys need to be used and how can they improvise on offering better quality sounds. Thus knowing about the sound and the functionality of the keys and the board at large would offer better sounds and would also help the individual in growing with every innovation.

Nov 19, 2011

Music Helps Raise IQ

Growing up, music has helped me cope with the many dramas I encountered. The first love, the first broken heart, the loss of my father, and the happy times with friends and family. Even at work, I relax myself from all the stress by listening to the music of Enya. I played the guitar but never really formally took lessons. I just learned how to play so I can socialize with each circle of friends I got to meet. 
Recently I discovered that music is actually helpful in the development of our IQ and mental development. Researches on how music affects the brain and mental development are available in musicology and music advocacy sites. It has been observed through the use of advanced technology such as the PET scans and MRI imaging that new neural pathways are created when an individual is engaged in a musical activity. Activities referred includes but not limited to composing musical pieces and playing musical instruments. It has been observed that ALL sides of our brain literally lights up in the monitors as opposed to only a part of the brain lights up when engaged in any other activity. I’ve heard of parents making their babies listen to classical music even when they’re still in the womb so that they will grow smart but it was only recently was I informed of the science behind it and the studies that back the claim. Indeed passively listening to music helps. But measurable mental development is mostly attributed to composing and playing musical instruments. 
There are, however, many other benefits that can be derived from music. Socially, music is an ageless hobby creating interaction with great people. It can be observed that creativity and striving for excellence is developed and embraced among musical groups. Discipline and organization are also honed. These are traits that prove valuable for us in later life. Think about having children develop these traits early in life, wouldn’t it be neat? Sharon Burch, a music teacher and creator of Freddie the Frog® book series thought it would be a great idea to get our children interested in music to reap these benefits and help them raise their IQ. She wrote fanciful books with the mission of breaking down big abstract concepts into developmentally appropriate pieces for kids. And she made these books interesting by introducing fascinating characters and places so children can easily retain the lessons in memory.
I wish we had the same resources before when I was younger but then these helpful books are meant for the next generation and my future children. Help raise your kids’ IQ by engaging them in activities related to music as early as preschool so we can have a future filled with creative, vibrantComputer Technology Articles, and smarter citizens.