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RainMusic Review - Issue #25 - December 99
Reviews this issue include the Cyberstore for Piano Players, CD Highway, Music-Scores.com,
The Indie Contact Bible, The Phenominal Internet Music Mall, Indiespace.com, The Piano Doctor, and Shareware Music
Machine.
RainMusic Review is a monthly email newsletter featuring reviews of the best independent music and pianist resources on the Internet. These sites are reviewed weekly at RainMusic.com, and then archived via this newsletter. This page is a summation of that 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.
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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
Feedback: email management@rainmusic.com
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Featured Reviews: Pianist Resources & Independent Music Resources
Pianist Resources
The Cyberstore for Piano Players
Pianoplace is essentially an online catalogue of instructional piano books, videos and music software geared specifically
for the pianist. You'll find everything from fake books to books and videos on theory and technique, improvisation,
and electronic keyboards.
Music-Scores.com
Music-Scores.com is a fantastic resource for those looking for free classical sheet music. This well organized
repository features all the greats, including music by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Pachabel,
Schubert, and Tchaikovsky. While most of the scores require the Sibelius plug-in to view (get it here), many are also available in the more common *pdf format, (though those to require a password to
view (the password being www.music-scores.com) which is rather irritating. Aside from that, Music-Scores.com is
well worth the visit. Added note, you'll find Christmas scores here as well!
The Phenomenal Internet Music Mall
The 'Phenomenal Internet Music Mall' is actually owned and operated by pianist/composer Brent Hugh. You'll find
free downloadable versions of his sheet music, which includes Blast Off (from the space songs series for the beginning pianist), as well as a few intermediate classical
and sacred tunes. The free versions of the sheet music are available in GIF format, Postscript format, or PDF format.
If you have trouble downloading the sheet music, it is for sale (and very reasonable). CDs of Brent's music are
also available.
The Piano Doctor: Piano Tuning and Repair
For those of a more 'mechanical' persuasion, the Piano Doctor offers a number of tips and tricks about keeping
your piano in fine condition. Articles, both short and long, include information on regulation, voicing, humidity,
and getting your piano appraised.
Independent Music Resources
CD Highway
This television show, featured on PBS on over 125 stations across the country, combines artist interviews and intimate
live performances for a unique look at music from the artists perspective. Guests include both known and new acts,
and recent examples have included Gino Vanelli, Billy Ray Cyrus, Rita Coolidge, and The Kingsmen. CD Highway is
currently looking for Independent Artists to feature on upcoming episodes. Artists must have their own CD with
original music as well as a compelling story that they can share with our viewers. Contact them here.
The Indie Contact Bible
So, you've got your CD done. Now what? How can create the buzz necessary to help you promote your music? Well,
if you're smart, you'll grab The Indie Contact Bible. This fantastic musicians 'black book' contains 311 pages
filled with every contact resource you need to find people interested in reviewing your music for their publication.
This first edition contains, 3100 reviewers and radio stations, including 100 services that will help you to sell
your music and more.
Indiespace.com
Indiespace (a division of the Kaleidospace Network) was one of the very first online stores dedicated to selling
independent art on the web. In fact, on April 7, 1994, they had became the first artist collaboration service reported
by Daily Variety. More press followed with notable mentions by CNN and Entertainment Weekly among others. Indiespace
has benefited from this attention and as of this writing, they boast a roster of over 500 clients, including musicians,
artists, and filmmakers. Indiespace offers a number of services to musicians, including Indiespace Commerce
which enables musicians who already have their own web site to use the Indiespace online ordering system. Full
membership includes online ordering, free calendar/event updates, streaming audio/video/mp3, traditional retail
distribution and more.
Shareware Music Machine
SMM has long been a key resource for musicians interested in music related software and hardware. With over 2400
music software titles available for download, it can safely be stated that if you're looking for a particular music
software title and you can't find it here, it probably doesn't exist. You'll find audio editors, players and recorders,
CD burners, ear training tools, music calculators, effects processors, internal computer synthesizers, sound generators,
drum machines, tuners, as well as sound cards and device drivers for virtually every operating system. SMM is also
an invaluable source of information for beginners as well as the technically inclined. Frankly, there's so much
good stuff at SMM we can't do it justice here. Check it out for yourself. Great site, easy to navigate with an
intuitive interface.
Featured News...
Net
Music Sales to Hit $5.2 Billion by 2005
Music sold over the Internet will rise to a value of $5.2 billion in 2005 from about $170 million last year as
users find it easier to order CDs and download songs online, a Music Business International (MBI) report said.
Consumer Research Shows Internet Users Prefer
RealNetworks Audio
7 of 10 Consumers Prefer RealAudio or RealNetworks MP3; Active Users Choose RealPlayer Over Other Streaming Media
Players 15 to 1.
Nemo 2000 Music Showcase and Conference
"The premier music conference and showcase in the Northeast" - NEMO Music Showcase & Conference takes
place on April 13-15, 2000 in Boston. Showcasing almost 200 bands and solo artists, NEMO also offers the opportunity
to learn about current aspects of the music
business, discover new talent, make new deals, network with the industry reps who count, and, most of all, spend
three days totally immersed in the fun of music.
Indie Music Awards
Indie Music Awards Show for Indie Music Industry in the works.