Six; R U Mine? Arctic Four; The Nine Monkeys live review thousand pound violin
Five; Thinking of playing live? All you need to know Contents
Eight; Reality TV and Music. Do they fit? Ten; Busking. How to impress amd entertain Contents
Wallace Hartley’s violin sells for record price at But why so much for an old violin?
The reason that it sold for so much is because of its historical significance.
It was the violin played by the leader of the Titanic's string band, who continued to play as the ship slowly sank. With an estimated selling price of 300,000 pounds, it would be fair to say it was slightly under priced. It is possible that because it was a violin it was worth more. If it were a mouth organ up for auction, it is unlikely that the same estimated selling price would be set. So even though the Titanic disaster is one of the world’s most famous tragedies, with plays and one of the highest grossing films of all times behind it, paying just less that a million pounds for it is possibly a little rash.
Wallace Hartley was born in Lancashire, England on the 2nd of June 1878. After leaving school, he joined the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra in 1903. In 1912 he was asked to be the bandmaster for the White Star Line ship. Hartley initially refused, as he didn’t want to leave his fiancee Maria Robinson, to whom he had recently proposed.
Gigging for the first time? How are you feeling? I
t can be a worrying experience gigging for the first time, or even gigging in a town you aren't familiar with. But relax, it's usually not something that needs too much background research. There are a few helpful hints that can be used to make sure that you hold your own when you're out and about. It is important to avoid alcohol. Although you feel the need for a little Dutch Courage to calm you down before you go onstage, it's best to leave it until after you've performed. This can affect your vocals if you are a singer. But it can also mess with your thoughts and things that sound good drunk, may not sound so good sober. So leave off the beers until after your show if you want to get it right!
Another overlooked tip is to rehearse any between song chat. It is important that you know what you are going to say, when you are going to say it. Obviously, you need to keep it spontanious as well as organised, so don’t go as far as writing down exactly what you will be saying on cards! Just get a general idea in your head as to how you will introduce songs and other band members if needs be. Other than keeping calm, enjoying what you are doing is the biggest part of ensuring you are a hit. Believe in the songs, and they will get you through.
“I have a question for you tonight Glagow. Obviously we’re entirely yours. But R U Mine? One sentence is enough to bring bedlam to the
Glasgow Hydro. It's the last song of the night from Alex Turner's Arctic Monkeys after an hour and a half of old hits and new tricks. Alex Turner was indeed "ours" for the night as he rattled out award winning song after song. A mysterious string sequence rings out as the Sheffield superstars hit the stage, fashionably late as expected.. It only takes two bars of Matt Helders' drums for the audience to guess what was about to happen.
The show opens with the first track of new album "AM". Not so surprisingly, "Do I Wanna Know" is a big hit. Take that, followed by the pulse raising "Brianstorm" and you have an audience full of life. With a set full of rise a fall, in particular when the band's most famous offering "I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor", a song about a lack of success out on the pull in nightclubs, is followed by "Cornerstone" and "No. 1 Party Anthem", two of the band's more beautiful numbers which capture despair over losing dream girls and trying to impress mysterious women at parties. What’s changed most about the band in recent years,as well as their sound ,is their image. They are no longer boys, but men. Lead singer Alex Turner channels Elvis Presley swagger, a new hair cut and a snappy dress sense. It certainly makes a change from the sportswear that they wore all those years ago on the release of first album “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. Unfortunately not all of the band have followed suit, if you’ll pardon the pun. Drummer Matt Helders still opts for sports trousers and a T-Shirt as he thrashes out the band’s new R&B influenced drum beats. With so many hits to their name. writing an Arctic Monkey’s set list these days cqn be tricky. The exclusion of “When The Sun Goes Down” doesn’t go un noticed, as murmers are heard as fans exit the arena. All in all, a huge performace from the biggest band in the world just now, topped off with a shower of confetti accompanying new tune “I Wanna Be Yours”.
Support came fro,m Irish rock band The Strypes “Is everyone looking forward to the Arctic Monkeys tonight?”. This was about all that we heard from Ireland’s latest musical export. With debut album “Snapshot” recently hitting the shelves the band were out to prove a point. That they could share the stage with the best of them, and what better way than to play with Arctic Monkeys. Semi suited The Strypes have impressive guitar rifs and tight sound, but in terms of showmanship we see very little. Lead singer Ross Farrelly seems more intimidating than welcoming as his sunglasses hide him away from his audience. Trying to pull off the John Lennon look in Glasgow is a new one by all accounts. Lead guitarist Josh McClorey scrubs up well and has the moves to match as he flies around the stage, often accompanying Farrelly on vocals.
Some songs do get a reaction from the crowd. Blue Collar Jane proves popular with the Scottish crowd as its rock and roll loyalties get them moving. All in all, The Strypes do what all support bands should do. They perform well without stealing the show.
Reality Television. Is it ruining music? W
ith the year coming to an end, Reality TV shows are everywhere. But that what do they mean to music lovers?
"First of all, let's sort this out! I am not a number, I am a human being!"
T
his was the first thing that Ariel Burdett said as she stomped through the door of the X Factor auditions in 2008. She then went on to tear a sticker off her sleeve, given to her by producers of the show and scrunch it up before throwing it at judge Louis Walsh. As you can probably tell from her antics, she was rubbish and didn't qualify. But what is the real reason behind programmes such as the X Factor showing contestants that clearly cannot sing and haven't a snowman's chance in hell of winning? It could be seen as an insult to music if television companies would rather dedicate time to people who are embarrassing themselves on national television. I often wonder how these people aren’ t stopped by their families when they tell them that they plan to enter the X Factor. My mother would kill me if I said I planned to enter, and I believe myself to be not that bad at singing! Okay, maybe that doesn’t help my point very well... Even though behaviour like Ariel Burdett demonstrated is inappropriate, embarrassing and just plain strange, it does make for good television and gets the nation talking.
Therefore all we have is show that claims it is dedicated to finding the next pop superstar/ superstars, feeling the need to waste the time of the nation by showing us a handful of people that have no chance of achieving stardom through music. If X Factor was purely a musical talent show, then surely the need for these jokers is non-existent? At the end of the day, the X Factor is not a talent show, it’s a reality show and it doesn’t really matter if its winner can sing or not. It is about the entertainment value. It would be unfair to say that X Factor is a show all about exploiting people, because it has also created superstars. Boyband One Direction are currently the hottest act on the planet. Girlband Little Mix, JLS and James Arthur also spring to mind as X Factor success stories. So to answer the original question, Is Reality television ruining music? No, it's not. But it certainly isn't helping as young fans have the gift of music manipulated infront of their eyes by corporations and money.
Hats off to the buskers
Where to start What to play How to be known
B
usking is not only a good way to achieve recognition around your area, but it is also a good way to make money, as well as being incredibly worthwhiile. What makes a good busker is one who makes good use of what they've got. Show off what you've been given. If you are a fantastic singer, then your instrument is not required as much. If you are a guitarist for example, do not thrash at your guitar. to make it stand out. It may seem obvious. but the amount of buskers who cannot find the balance between the two is worrying. A good sound set up is required if you are out to impress. If you are only doing it as a fun way to kill an afternoon then it is acceptable to bring your instrument along to a busy public place and let the music flow! However, if you want to be noticed and recognised then it is a good idea to look at finding a power supply if needs be. Plus, if it looks as if you have made an effort then people are more likely to stop and watch. But the real beauty of busking is the freedom which it brings. Do not mistake this as being able to just go anywhere you like and start playing however.
Lots of cities/ publc places require you to have a license if you are to start busking so whatever you do, make sure you seek out how to get a license before you start up. So that leaves deciding what you are going to play to the lovely shoppers, strollers who are passing by you. Usually it’s better to stick to covers if you are unknown. This is because it’s a good way to stop people if they hear a song they recognise.
Putting your own spin on classic songs is a popular way of being noticed. Just recently I heard a young man about the same age as me playing his own version of Lionel Ritchie’s “All Night Long”. It kept to the same vocal melody and all in all sounded terrific. So don’t be fooled into thinking you can only play acoustic songs if you are on your own. Aim big! Good luck, wherever you’re busking.
“I take my hats off to the busker man, when they drown all their sorrows singing songs.”
Kyle Falconer, The View
“I’ve done my share of busking, and it’s fun until it isn’t. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they’re so good.” Andrew Bird
“A person who entertains people for money in public places (as by singing or dancing), usually while asking for money” Definition of Busker
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