Search
Promote
Your
Music
Online!
Try This!
Indie Music
Resource
Center
Piano / Pianist
Resource
Center
More Review
Archives
RainMusic Review - Issue #27 - February 2000
Reviews this issue include the Happy Note Music
Theory Game for kids, MySheetMusic.com, Stonalink's Music Competition Database, CDRecordingSoftware.com, Lawgirl,
RainTree CD Manufacturing and the USA Songwriting Competition.
RainMusic Review is a monthly newsletter featuring reviews of online music resources of interest to musicians. These sites are reviewed weekly at RainMusic.com and then archived via this newsletter.
For maintenance purposes, this archive does not contain
the entire newsletter. It does however contain the prominant reviews featured each week. Subscribe Here
to get the full content delivered to you each month.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
RainMusic.com Site Info
RAINMUSIC.COM SITE DETAILS
The Music Promotion Academy: http://www.rainmusic.com/promotion/academy.htm
Independent Music Resource Center: http://www.rainmusic.com/promotion/resources.htm
Pianist Resource Center: http://www.rainmusic.com/pianomusic/piano.htm
Free Sheet Music Guide: http://www.rainmusic.com/pianomusic/free.htm
The Sheet Music Addict: http://www.rainmusic.com/sheetmusic
Feedback: email management@rainmusic.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Featured Reviews: Pianist Resources & Independent Music Resources
Pianist Resources
Happy Note!: Music Theory
Game for Kids or Adults
Designed by licensed music teachers, Happy Note! is a real computer game with all the bells and whistles that allows
children and adults to learn musical notation while playing. It's both fun and educational. Happy Note! can be
incredibly easy or it can be very difficult: whether you're a child or an adult, a beginner or an experienced player,
you can customize the game to fit your needs and skill level. Say good bye to boring music theory lessons, now
you can play and learn at the same time. Happy Note is a shareware program which you can download from the above
URL to try out completely free.
MySheetMusic.com
MySheetMusic.com has one of the more complete catalogs of free sheet music that we've reviewed here. You'll find
dozens of titles, sorted by category as well as alphabetically. While a majority of the pieces are classical, there
is a considerable selection of music from other categories including Ragtime, Hymns, Children, Christmas, Exercizes
and Choral. A majority of the pieces are available in the popular *.pdf format. Note, free downloadable manuscript
paper is also available.
Original Christmas Sheet
Music by Austin Rudy
This site features sheet music for four original Christmas songs by songwriter and publisher Austin Rudy. These
downloads are actually lead sheets, but both melody and chords are provided allowing for easy improvisation. Audio
versions of the songs are available on the site for reference.
Original Compositions by Anne
Ku
Here you'll find free sheet music for a number of original compositions by composer Anne Ku. Click on the song
title link for a song description and links to sound files and scores. Scores available in varying formats, typically
*gif or *pdf.
StonaLink's Music
Competition Database
Want to test your skills against the professionals? This exhaustive database of music competitions, searchable
by medium, country, competition level and type offers enough competition to keep you busy all year long. For example,
just searching for Piano competitions, we came up with 432 current listings from all over the world. Detailed information
for each competition is available, including website address, email address and full contact information with telephone
numbers. Listing are sorted alphabetically with eligibility requirements and application due date. Great source
for those with the competitive spirit.
Independent Music Resources
CD Street
Do a focus for Glenn Gomez in exchange for his running our article
CDRecordingSoftware.com
CD recording from an idea to finished product requires multitrack digital audio recording software, a soundcard,
and a CD burner for your PC or Mac computer. Here you'll find it all! Plus MIDI software, sound modules, effects
plug-ins, and music software for quality audio production from your home recording studio. Browse by brand or category.
Very comprehensive!
Lawgirl.com
Lawgirl is a solid resource for musicians confused about copyright or trademark laws. You'll find easy to understand
copyright basics, an interactive copyright registration walk-though, a moderated question and answer board, a music
law forum, and some interesting articles.
Raintree: Audio and Graphic Services
Raintree offers a number of services for the musician including recording, pre-mastering, editing, CD manufacturing,
mastering and duplication. While Raintree's manufacturing prices are very, very reasonable (1000 CDs, $1299 for
the works, including film and design!), the service they provide that really sets them apart from most other manufacturers is
their willingness to run very small quantities. For example, you can run 50 CDR's (including full color on-disc
print and jewel case) for only $175. That's a great price for a small run. Other services include graphic and web
design (check out their artwork samples here), broadcast spot
recording, and location recording. Raintree is a great solution for
any musician looking for assistance getting their project organized, packaged, and out the door.
USA Songwriting Competition
The official site of the annual USA Songwriting Competition, the
world's leading international songwriting event honors songwriters, composers, bands, recording artists everywhere.
First prize includes over $50,000 worth of equipment and services. Entries to this year's competition must be postmarked
by May 31st of this year.
Featured News...
MP3
Sues RIAA
Web site strikes back against recording industry group, charging
unfair business practices.
Music Career Expo and Job
Fair
Boston's three largest music colleges are pleased to announce a first-ever collaboration. On Sunday, February 27,
2000, the Music Career Expo and Job Fair 2000 will be "the place to be" for music students, music college
alumni, and anyone interested in a music career. The event takes place from 11:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. at the
Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston. For more information, or to register for the event, call
(617) 747-8970, or go to the Berklee
web site.
Online
music earnings nothing to dance about
Online music may be the future, but the latest batch of earnings
from two key Internet music players won't have investors dancing. CDNow missed bottom line expectations and Liquid
Audio missed top line expectations.
Where Next for
Digital Music? (You Won't Like It)
The big talk this week is about the future of digital music. There have been several significant announcements,
including the Time Warner, America Online and EMI Music alliance. What does it mean for you and me?
MP3: More than an Internet-Only
Fad
Stereo component decks, car systems, and an unending stream of portable players firmly establish MP3 as the format
of the future.
Copyright suit against MP3.com
The Recording Industry Association of America has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against MP3.com for its
services that allow users to instantly hear music and add their
personal music to a play list. The lawsuit, filed Friday in New York, claims that the San Diego-based MP3.com's
use of the music is unauthorized because the company does not own the music and is offering the music without permission.
Music
Giants Join Forces
Britain's leading record company, EMI, is to merge with Time
Warner in a multi-billion pound deal, creating the world's largest music group.
Nomad Jukebox
Takes MP3 Mainstream
A year ago, MP3 was poised for either greatness or the techno-dungheap.
Gear guy Jim Louderback reveals how products like the new Nomad Jukebox are taking MP3 mainstream.
The NY Music and Internet Expo
March 3, 4, 5, 2000: Bringing new music and new media together for two days under one roof, The New York Music
& Internet Expo synergistically focuses on promotional productivity for the music industry as well as securing
customer loyalty to existing music industry websites and companies in a fun, exciting and grass roots fashion,
while keeping a fine balance between artistic integrity and commercial success for all involved parties.
Indie Music Artists Form Advocacy
Group (SIMA)
Perceiving an opportunity to right longstanding wrongs, anew coalition
of independent artists is challenging the music industry to adopt standards and practices that treat independents
more fairly than in the past.
Featured Articles...
The Art of Networking
If you are trying to have a career in music without the help and input of others, you’ll find less success than
those who scratch their lotto tickets.
Featured Discussion...
If 1999 was the
year of MP3, what will 2000 bring?
Stop over at MP3.com and voice your opinion!