As you’ve no doubt experienced, a particular song can take you back to a particular place and time; you remember where you were when you heard it and what you were doing. The song itself allowed you to access the memory and without it, you wouldn’t of.  Music, therefore, can facilitate memory recall.

A study conducted at the University of Florida confirmed that the benefits are not solely observed at the moment in time when sufferers are listening to, and enjoying, the music, but it actually affected them physiologically. They found that a music therapy programme raised melatonin levels and improved behaviour and sleeping problems.

Listening to familiar music can be both enjoyable and comforting; relieving stress and anxiety and improving mood.  An old familiar or favourite tune can stir emotions and memories, putting the sufferer in a better frame of mind, and encouraging better social relations. Listeners become stimulated, clapping or singing along. In a group setting, the music may prompt listeners to reminisce about their past and interact with one another.

Whilst people with Alzheimer’s can lose the ability to speak or recognise loved ones as the disease progresses, but many remember songs from long ago.  In the later stages of dementia, sufferers may not recognise family but may remember a song, and draw comfort from it.

It is not suggested, of course, that music can reverse awful effects of Alzheimer’s disease, but music therapy can complement other forms of treatment.

Follow these great tips and see how music therapy can be of benefit to sufferers Alzheimer’s and a great tool for carers…

1. Identify music that’s familiar and enjoyable to the listener. Find out what kind of music the person grew up listening to. Songs from childhood work really well because they can be remembered more easily.

2. CDs are better than radio as you have total control; interruption by commercials can cause confusion.

3. Use music to create the mood you want. Use energetic music to enliven and relaxing music before bed.

4. Link music with other things that can help stir their memories such as photographs.

5. Encourage movement such as dancing or clapping which will increase enjoyment.

6. Avoid distractions such as competing noises by shutting windows and doors and by turning off the television.

7. Ideally, try to listen to about 30-40 minutes of music a day, for at least five days each week.

More Music Therapy Articles

You don’t have to be a great writer to create a memorable music-related blog on MySpace. All you need are a few good band stories, gig stories, or an observational take on the music industry to start a blog. Once fans and others begin reading it, they will want to know more about your music and where you will be playing next. This is how to drive more traffic to your profile page.

The following tips can help you in writing a blog that is informative, opinionated, and entertaining. While you want to promote your sound, blogs should contain other info fans find funny and interesting. If you can build a relationship with fans, they will automatically visit your profile page and download music, check out band photos, and plan on attending your next gig.

Tip #1: Keep Your Blog Simple and Fun

Blogs are meant to be small glimpses into your life as a musician, your opinions about the industry, and a way to generate interest of fans and hopefully record labels. Bog your blog down with technical info, boring stories, and too many commercial plugs, and you will lose people very quickly.

When creating posts, try to write in a conversational tone (pretend you are talking with band mates or fans at a music event).

Tell funny stories about how you are struggling to make it in the music business, celebrity sightings, advice people have given you, and about current music trends. This will entice readers to come back, especially if you take on a witty, light tone.

Give fans an insight into your musical life. Tell them about your aspirations, what you are doing to reach your goals, and pitfalls along the way.

Tip #2: Update Blog Posts Daily

This is the best way to keep fans wanting more. If you only post once or twice a month, fans will lose interest and you will have fewer chances of getting others to hear your music. If you don’t want to post large blogs once a day, post a few small ones during the day.

Tip#3: Mention the Music, Not Your Profile Page

Fans can access your profile page at any time, they don’t need to be constantly reminded to do so. Blog about your music, what you have recorded recently, and where you are taking your sound. Fans want to be in on the evolution of your career. Blatantly selling yourself through your blog is not interesting to read and not that much fun to write. Use your blog to express yourself and your music.

Tip#4: Don’t Limit Yourself

You don’t have to limit yourself to just music. If you hold a day job, tell people about it! While you don’t have to go into specifics about where you work, you can tell fans what it is like to juggle a job and your music goals, how you manage to do both, and the great stories you have about work and music colliding.

A music blog on MySpace is one of the best ways to connect with fans. As long as you post regularly, update your profile page accordingly, and give fans a glimpse into your world, you will drive traffic to your site and get noticed by other musicians, record labels, and new fans.

There would barely be any human being on earth who doesn’t like music. God has been veritably benevolent for his creations like this. One form of musical art originated in African American cultures is jazz, a lively music with ultimate rhythms. It was formed when some African slaves experimented to contrast folk music with American music. Unlike other music, jazz requires immense interpretation by those who want to learn to play jazz music. The tremendous variety comes in jazz music because of the fact that its rhythm has a forward momentum, commonly referred as “swing”. The musical assembly affiliated with jazz music is big band jazz music.

Jazz has gained so much of importance that people want to learn this music, specifically practice jazz piano, guitars and jazz bass lines. To learn jazz music one needs to follow certain things which will be beneficial for becoming a true music lover. Those who want to learn jazz music must adopt the habit of listening. Do the researches for the type of music you like i.e. old musicians such as Art Tatum, Count Basic etc or some new musicians and try to listen what you like as much as you can. Listening to the solo musicians will give the clear idea of the notes, for beginners this is the good option. For those who want learn to play jazz piano, they must get themselves familiar with all the 12 scales and when you get comfortable with them, learn pentatonic scale for the key you like the most. This will help them like wonders if they are dedicated. Have a start with playing very small notes and basic stuff.

The more you will practice; more you will sound like the things written in front of you while practicing, without knowing them. At last, improvisation is the key for learning the music, after learning one instrument it will be easy a lot to learn another. You should know what you want. Finding out how to play necessary chords at what time and how to sound the strings of the rhythm will make you master of the art.

Related Jazz Music Articles

Marketing is all the activities and processes of planning, communicating and executing a product, with a price, the promotion and the placement of an item to an end user. Your music is your product which you are then supplying to the end user – the music fan. Between you and the fan is a big space on how to bridge this gap. You may think that if you just get a record deal with some label, your prayers are answered and this instant bridge is built across that space. This is for the most part, not how things work today.

As an aspiring indie or unsigned singer, songwriter, or a musician in a band you can not do just a few things to promote yourself and expect success in your music career. Offline and online music promotion and marketing exposure is an ongoing process in this DIY age. Music companies are looking for artists that already have fan bases, sold CDs, and are proven ready to move up to a higher level. Presented here are more than 100 tips and ideas for you to think about and tweak as you will, to get noticed, gain fans, and get heard. You have to find a way to stand above the crowd, for talent alone is not enough.

Promo Tip #1 A music artist must start somewhere, that’s usually locally, but it’s better to not just dive in without a plan. But begin you must. Create a plan with some ideas and set goals as to what you need to accomplish weekly, monthly, and yearly. Start small and make it progressive. Reach bench marks and keep at it.

Promo Tip #2 Image is everything. Image is the complete package – artist/band name, look, performance, merchandise, and style, to how that brand is marketed. A stage name can be a descriptive statement of the image you or your band project. Be unique and interesting to look at in some way….build your own unique stage persona.

Promo Tip #3 Word of mouth has always been the best promotion – tell people what you do. Get people talking. Create your buzz by just giving enough info to get people interested, but hold some secrets close.

Promo Tip #4 Those that promote the most win.

Promo Tip #5 You may be a truly great talent, but without getting out there and consistently marketing yourself, networking, meeting the right people, maintaining your image, and being humble, your talent will only get you so far.

Promo Tip #6 Be innovative in your promotional efforts! The Internet has made it possible to hear a LOT more music, from a LOT more artists. You are now a very small fish in a very large pond – you will need to find a way to stand out, above and glow in the dark. Think beyond the box on every promo tip.

Promo Tip #7 Learn web basics to use the Net to your advantage. The Internet thrives on links, quality content, keywords and consistency. Properly use the tools of the Internet to build your online brand.

Promo Tip #8 Create a web site. Buy your own artist name or band name URL for your web site, keep it simple, easy to remember, make sure it loads quickly and is easy to navigate.

Promo Tip #9 Submit your web link to online music directories, search engines, good music resource sites, in the best possible descriptive category. Use niche sites like tour date sites, lifestyle, regional, music magazine, music ezines, music Blogs and similarly themed sites.

Promo Tip #10 Use Myspace, Tagworld, Frappr, Facebook and any of the good social networks and extend your fan base. Update on a regular schedule.

Promo Tip #11 Go beyond the social networks and sign up to the best indie and unsigned music artist sites. Add a full profile, good photos, your best music, update the info regularly and DO NOT REDIRECT them with only a little info to find out more at another site. These indie communities are built to attract music biz personnel as well, to browse for the talent needed for various projects. While you have the viewers attention and time, have the important info right there, don’t waste their time with a redirect link! Include a link to your main site, if they want to learn more they will go to it.

Promo Tip #12 Hand out your CDs (or demos). Have your web link printed on the CD. Include your band name and contact info as well. Remember, your name on the work is more important than the name of the work. Hand the CD to club owners that feature your type of music.

Promo Tip #13 Send press releases and reviews of your shows to local print newspapers, magazines and event papers. When writing press releases, read up on “press release tips” and the like to tweak your presentation.

Promo Tip #14 Professional photos mean you take yourself seriously. All photos in your press kit should be quality photos, not just your main bio picture. The money spent on a photographer that can capture your music “image” is money well spent.

Promo Tip #15 Collect addresses and email addresses (email is free!) to keep your fans current on what you are up to. When building your lists, try to list their location – city, state and zip with a bit of personal input about that fan. This is a great way to create a more personal and targeted mailing list without bombarding people that are too far away to attend a show.

Promo Tip #16 Practice and practice and practice. Longevity in the music business means learning new things, constantly creating, and always improving.

Promo Tip #17 Zero in on your target. Know where they hang out, where they shop, what they do for fun, and hit them where they live – online and off. Your audience is a specific crowd of people so don’t waste time being where they are not.

Promo Tip #18 Play, play and play some more. Get gigs in one part of town on Friday and another part of town on Saturday. Do mini tours outside of your town.

Promo Tip #19 Create your own support group of family, friends, and school mates – communicate well with them on your plans and goals to help spread the word on you, where you plan to go and how you plan on getting there. Delegate tasks to the appropriate people.

Promo Tip #20 Online send out press releases and reviews of shows via all appropriate sites.

Promo Tip #21 Get online air play. There are a lot of indie radio webcasts, join sites and do what you have to do to get on the playlists.

Promo Tip #22 Create an interesting banner to drop in your forum signatures or other online locations. Many message boards will let you leave a link and/or banner in your signature, but don’t like blatant advertising.

Promo Tip #23 Brand your name across the world and be ever mindful of the image you wish to portray whenever out in public or online. When it’s in print, it’s permanent.

Promo Tip #24 There is such a thing as overkill, in that it is better to describe your band/music as “we sound similar to the Beatles” rather than “we are the biggest thing since Led Zeppelin!” (or better than). So word your description accordingly.

Promo Tip #25 The music business is in the business to make money. If your career is in music, know when to be businesslike.

Promo Tip #26 Learn every area of the business you are in. Knowledge is power.

Promo Tip #27 You must network. Meet people, get out there, shake hands, listen to them as well and let them know about your music. Build those relationships.

Promo Tip #28 Be on friendly terms with other bands and artists in your area.

Promo Tip #29 Create a “street team”, online and/or offline…they are core people that wish to help you further your marketing efforts. Give away free tickets, CDs or merchandise to your street team as incentive.

Promo Tip #30 Announce every song, every CD, decent chart position, contest win, top sales on releases, announce anything and everything to stay in the public’s eye. If you can’t write a decent article up for the press release, get someone that can. Write a review of every gig and get feedback from local VIPs, fans, whomever matters and include the best quotes. Is it news worthy? Write and promote it. Get the most mileage you can from your promotional tactics.

Promo Tip #31 Never mail your CD without a purpose or a contact person’s name on it and expect miracles. Far better that the contact person knows to expect your CD, his or her name is spelled correctly, and you are mailing it to a company that actually works with your style of music.

Promo Tip #32 Wear your band! Get a jacket, t-shirts (etc) and add your band name or logo on it. Wear it everywhere and be a walking advertisement. If you have a niche fan base, think of a merchandise item that they need that of course has your name on it!

Promo Tip #33 Create an interesting band logo. It can be a conversation starter or a potential contest question.

Promo Tip #34 Join a Songwriting Circle. This is a local idea (though it is possible through the Internet), to meet with other songwriters in your own area and share your songs. You can get feedback on your work, share ideas and tips, possibly collaborate on work, learn about what’s happening locally, help each other in many ways. If you wanted to start your own circle or look for one, you could use Craigslist for your Wanted or Needed post. Most ask that you be open minded and dedicated, with a willingness to listen and give feedback.

Promo Tip #35 Burn your best song as a single. On the CD and cover include ALL contact info, website, names, etc and distribute that CD wherever you go, for free.

Promo Tip #36 Have a custom vinyl car wrap created about your music/band and put it on your car. OR a use a magnetic door sign for your vehicle will work as well.

Promo Tip #37 Cross promote online on your web sites with local bands as well. You give them a boost on your site and they give the same back to you. Ask other people to LINK TO YOUR music site from their website!

Promo Tip #38 Introducing your band whether in person or online has a lot of similarity in speech writing techniques, in that you have to grab the reader or listener or viewer in the first 30 seconds. Your opening line needs to have punch, snag the audience and reel them right in. Remember the rock group KISS and “Are you ready to Rock?!!” Find your attention getting line and use it. Don’t fall victim to the less inspiring, “um, hi guys, um, we are the ‘Example’ band…”

Promo Tip #39 Use Internet class ads as well as local newspapers to promote upcoming events and possible collaborations with others. Print papers and magazines need advance notice so plan accordingly.

Promo Tip #40 Create an online newsletter, with content of value to the receiver. This is an invaluable way to keep fans informed on gigs, news, gossip, new releases and other great info. Send out your newsletter about once a month.

Promo Tip #41 Be outrageous or controversial. Shock value can work, but it can backfire too. Can you maintain the image? It has worked for many, but was a disaster for many more. Think this tip out.

Promo Tip #42 Create a fan club online and get them to spread your banners, links and provide content for them to spread.

Promo Tip #43 Who are the VIPs in your community – who are the popular people in your area? Get to know them, give them a free CD and invite them to your show. When they speak, others will listen.

Promo Tip #44 Create a video and get on YouTube. Place your video on all relevant video sites. Video Scrapbook (or Diary) your music band’s progress, accomplishments, and jam sessions. This could make for good clips in other projects.

Promo Tip #45 Have a CD, digital download and other merchandise for sale. Generate some sales so you have something to invest in other areas of your marketing effort.

Promo Tip #46 Have star quality, but don’t be a big-head. Let people know you are professional and have the ability to be a long lasting star in this business.

Promo Tip #47 Never Spam email.

Promo Tip #48 Have a press kit ready to send out or email. Have it neatly organized with a brief bio, a short description (about 30 words or less) on what you sound like, full length bio, quality photos, music samples, current press releases and quality newsworthy items, song lyrics, radio airplay and chart position information, and detailed contact information.

Promo Tip #49 Join online music groups and newsgroups.

Promo Tip #50 Be a bit mysterious, hold back and leave them wanting more. Timing is everything for some info, releases, etc.

Promo Tip #51 Create a music slogan of up to 8 words (less is better) that quickly, accurately and in a catchy manner describes your music in a real way.

Promo Tip #52 Give a review to get a review, honestly is the best policy, but never brutality. Many times someone will return the favor and it shows your knowledge, your twist, on the music created.

Promo Tip #53 Print up posters and/or flyers about your upcoming show and post them wherever your type of fans would hang out and include your web link, show date, name of CD, where CD can be purchased.

Promo Tip #54 Get into podcasting and videocasting yourself or making your music available for podcasting.

Part 2 of 100 Tips to Marketing Your Music continues the remaining promo tips plus some bonus ideas!

Now Pay Close Attention –

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You do not have to worry about the legality of downloading online music at these online music stores. The online music stores have sought for the permission or licence of record labels to distribute their music. In return, the record companies are paid hefty sums of royalties of course. What are some of the handy tips music lovers can use when downloading online music?

1. Cost per song

It is important to compare this among the licensed music retailers as their prices tend to vary. On average, a price of $0.99 or less per music piece is quite reasonable. Some sites offer you a monthly subscription that permits you to download a specific number of songs every month. It can be anything between 30 to 40 songs.

2. Newsletters

Sometimes, there would be promotional offers for entire albums or top hit singles. The trick is to sign up for their newsletters to receive such news updates.

3. Music Genre

Different music stores offers different music genre. Some specializes in rap, while others may offer oldies. Generally, the most established ones would carry Alternative music, Rock, Country music, Hip Hop, Christian music, Pop, Reggae, Dance music, R&B, Jazz, Techno, Blues, Classical, Trance music and movie soundtracks. Music videos are also available at majority of the online retailers.

4. Service Agreement

Remember to read the terms and conditions of the online music site. Downloading online music directly to your computer is acceptable at all sites. However, if you wish to copy them to a portable digital device such as an MP3 player or to copy and burn them onto a CD, it requires different user rights. Be sure to clarify with the site to ensure that you stay on the right side of the law.

5. Sound Quality

The most common music format is MP3. But for those who appreciate better music or want to listen using a home theatre system, this piece of advice would be useful to you. Music files are normally compressed to reduce the space required. MP3, AAC, WMA and Vorbis formats are compressed files that have lost bits and pieces of the original music. Such music files are called lossy files. MP3s are the worst of the lot. So if you want to get the best out of your favourite musical piece, avoid these. WMA and FLAC file formats are able to retain the original sound without music loss, making them ideal choices if you are downloading music online to build a private music collection.

Read more about downloading online music at my popular music blog. This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.