Articles by John Mackinnon on ArticleSnatch.com

3 Part Time Cleaning Businesses You Can Start On A ShoeString

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:56:10 -0400

Starting your own cleaning service might at first seem to be too competitive with not much income potential. After all, the low start-up costs and the need for only common cleaning skills would mean that almost anyone can get into this business. The reality is that some people actually earn a significant full time income working just part time at this because they only need a handful of customers to succeed. Here are 3 of the best opportunities for extra income with a simple cleaning business. Cleaning Offices If you work for a cleaning company as an employee you might make something like $9.00 per hour. If you find just a handful of offices and clean them with your own one-person company you can make 2 to 4 times as much. Why is that? As an employee you are paid only for your time and have to share with the company owner. As your own freelance cleaner you are paid by the job and get to keep it all (less cleaning supplies and other minor expenses). One man, named Sam Rodman, claims to have started his office cleaning business with just a spray bottle and a vacuum cleaner. **End Summary** Topics: cleaning services]]> cleaning business]]> start cleaning business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For essential, first-hand, step-by-step advice from experts in the cleaning businesses mentioned above please follow this link: How To Start A Cleaning Business . For a collection of other extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas .

Dyson DC25 Vacuum Cleaner Review: What About The Long Term Costs?

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:14:17 -0400

James Dyson, inventor of the Dyson DC25 vacuum cleaner, was frustrated when his traditional bag vacuum constantly clogged, lost suction and became ineffective. A clever solution came to him one day while observing a device at a sawmill that would rapidly spin the air to remove sawdust. Over 5000 prototypes later the first Dyson Vacuum Cleaner with Root Cyclone™ Technology was born. Maintenance Costs with the DC25 from Dyson Mr. Dyson also believed that you shouldn't have to suffer the expense and hassles of continually replacing expensive belts, bags and filters. A study conducted by Dyson revealed that compared to the eight best selling vacuums this alone can save up to $267 over 5 years. The Dyson DC25 Ball Technology Traditional vacuums have wheels that do not turn which can make steering awkward at best. The Dyson DC25 all floor ball solves this maneuvering problem by getting rid of the wheels altogether. Instead, it uses a large ball that can easily maneuver around obstacles with just a flick of the wrist. The Overall Positives 1. Better cleaning power because the suction is strong and continuous, 2. Easier to maneuver because it rides on a ball not rigid wheels, 3. **End Summary** Topics: dc25]]> dyson dc25]]> dyson dc25 vacuum]]> animal]]> ball]]> upright]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> To learn how 728 owners rated their experience with the Dyson DC25 click here: Dyson DC25 For current pricing and tips on how to avoid shipping costs on the Dyson DC25 vacuum click here: Dyson DC25 Price

DIY Residential Windmills For Drastically Cutting Your Electric Bills

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:24:28 -0400

The possibilities of residential windmills for wind generated electricity is exciting. It has been written that there is enough energy sent to the earth each day to satisfy all of the power needs of every man, woman and child on the planet for an entire year. Yet despite of this incredible windfall of free energy in the form of solar light and wind power, to name just a few, we often prefer to think that we are helpless in the face of rapidly rising energy costs. Residential Windmills Used To Be Too Expensive In the recent past this was mostly true. Buying and installing a commercial grade small wind turbine for electricity, for example, would cost a minimum of about $8,000 to $20,000 and often require 8 to 12 years or more to pay back the initial investment. **End Summary** Topics: residential windmills]]> home windmill]]> windmill plans]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Be sure to read my detailed reviews of some of the top residential windmill plans to learn which guides are excellent and which ones to avoid. Just follow these links: How To Build A Windmill Or go directly to our detailed review of the top plan: earth4energy .

3 Great Ways to Earn Extra Money with Your Writing

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:06:49 -0400

Earning extra income from writing can be a lucrative, low-cost and schedule friendly adventure. It is not at all necessary to be a William Shakespeare to get work. All that is needed is the ability to do quick basic research and write clearly in an organized fashion. Here are 3 of the top writing opportunities for the part time writer. Freelance Writing Online: The internet has created an almost insatiable need for content. Articles are needed as a way to promote every product and every page of a website. Some marketers hire freelancers to write 30 to 50 short articles for each product they are selling. Obviously this is a monumental task for just one webmaster so it becomes necessary to seek writers for help. The success of blogs has also created an opportunity for freelancers. Some blog owners hire writers to post short items in their blogs on a frequent basis. Google often rewards blogs with fresh content by sending more visitors their way. Several websites, like elance.com, are now available where freelancers can bid on all kinds of writing assignments from all over the world. **End Summary** Topics: extra income ideas]]> freelance writing]]> earn money writing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For essential, first-hand advice from experts in the writing businesses mentioned above please follow this link: Extra Income Ideas for Writing . For a collection of other extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas .

Automotive Income Ideas That Have Low Start-Up Costs

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 17:01:01 -0400

If just a small fraction of the U.S. car and truck owners purchased a few specialized services for their more than 250 million vehicles this would still be a huge market. In fact, the market for small niche services that clean, repair or modify some aspect of these autos seems almost limitless. Here are 4 ways to earn extra income in the automotive markets. Mobile Windshield Repair: This business will always be in big demand. Windshields will always need stone chip repairs to save the money and hassles of having a full windshield replaced at a shop. Even the insurance companies agree and are willing to chip-in (I know – bad pun). Author Martin Collins helped pioneer the Windshield Stone Chip Repair business. He claims that it is possible to earn $300 to $500 per day if you learn to market this service effectively. The start-up costs range from $500 to $1500 depending on the level of equipment you choose. Mobile Car and Truck Detailing: Auto detailing is sort of like a regular car cleaning on steroids. **End Summary** Topics: extra income ideas]]> earn money]]> automotive]]> cars]]> trucks]]> autos]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For essential, first-hand advice from experts in the Car and Truck businesses mentioned above please follow this link: Extra Income Ideas for Cars and Trucks . For a collection of other extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas .

4 Great Ways to Earn Extra Income with Jewelry

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:16:37 -0400

Earning money with Jewelry has its distinct advantages. It seems like even women with little interest in Jewelry have at least a small collection of it. Another wonderful thing about Jewelry is that by definition much of it eventually goes out of style and needs to be replaced. All of this adds up to a very large continuous market. Even in a bad economy the decision for many women is not whether or not to buy but, rather how much can they afford to spend. Here are 4 great, proven ways to earn extra income with Jewelry. Sell Jewelry at Shows, Fairs and Festivals: There is nothing better than putting up a jewelry booth at an event where people have come with the specific intent to spend their money on jewelry. Jewelry booths can present a golden opportunity especially when compared to a fixed store location where it is uncertain whether or not the ideal customers will be in the vicinity. With Jewelry booths the business is actually moved to where jewelry customers are known to be. **End Summary** Topics: Extra income ideas]]> jewelry]]> earn money]]> jewelry party business]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For essential, first-hand advice from experts in the jewelry businesses mentioned above please follow this link: Extra Income Ideas for Jewelry . For a collection of other extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas .

The 4 Best Extra Income Ideas for Your Digital Camera

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:03:24 -0400

With just a digital camera and a need for extra income it is absolutely amazing how many good money making opportunities are available. One of the reasons there are so many options in digital photography has to do with the incredible need for illustrating the never ending increase of web pages on the internet. Another reason is that it is so easy to share photos online with friends and family. People that can"��t be bothered to shoot and share the old film-style photos are now eagerly seeking photos that are digital. Despite the many people that shoot their own digital photos there will always be a need to hire photographers that have a good eye and a system for consistently delivering clear and interesting shots. Here are 4 of the best ways to earn extra income with a digital camera. Child and Pet Photography: Children and pets will always evoke a tremendous passion from those closest to them. Where there is passion there is usually an eager market of people willing to open their wallets. The secret of success in this market is to offer higher quality creative photos than the customers can produce on their own. **End Summary** Topics: extra income ideas]]> make money]]> photography]]> digital camera]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For essential, first-hand advice from experts in the photography businesses mentioned above please follow this link: Extra Income Ideas for Digital Cameras . For a collection of other extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas .

Extra Income Ideas: Why You Should Forget The Part Time Jobâ¦

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:31:12 -0400

What is the Most Common Mistake People Make When They Need Extra Income? When someone has an urgent need for extra income it is common to consider getting a second job. If they have no special high-demand skills the search often ends in a lower wage job at $8 - $10 per hour. If this part time job is a secondary source of income these wages can be taxed at a high rate. An $8 per hour job can end up earning less than $5 per hour in some circumstances. It is safe to say that using this slow trickle of money to retire debt, save for college, to buy a car or to save for a down payment on a house could take quite awhile. A Smarter Choice for Finding Additional Income Jack, a 51 year old Michigan man had worked successfully as an executive for the same company for over 28 years when it was sold and he was out of a job. If that wasn’t bad enough, the economy took one of the worst nose dives since the great depression over 80 years before. **End Summary** Topics: extra income]]> extra income ideas]]> earn extra income]]> extra cash]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> For a collection of extra income ideas and expert training materials click here: Extra Income Ideas . For a free eBook called â39 Extra Income Ideasâ¦ That Pay Way More Than Most Part Time Jobs click here: 39 Extra Income Ideas eBook

Learn and Master Bass Guitar: Top Video Instruction For Less Than 2 Lessons With A Local Teacher?

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:28:06 -0400

The Learn and Master Bass Guitar Lesson DVDs are the most recent attempt by the folks at Learning Legacy Systems to produce yet another award winning guitar course. This all-video instructional program is designed to utilize a world-class bassist to teach someone with little or no experience how to play the bass in a logical, comprehensive, step-by-step way. About The Instructor: According the publisher, Tony Marvelli is a professional bassist and instructor. He has played bass for Mark Schultz, gospel singer Andre Couch, American Idol Finalist Mandisa, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra and many others. Mr. Marvelli comes from a diverse musical background that includes Rock, Jazz, Folk, Big Band Swing as well as old-school R&B. **End Summary** Topics: Learn and Master]]> Bass Guitar Lessons]]> Review]]> Tony Marvelli]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn And Master Bass Guitar Review If you would like to see how Learn and Master Bass stacks up feature by feature with other top bass guitar lesson programs just click this link: Bass Guitar Lessons Comparison Chart

Guitar Trick: 45 Online Video Instructors For The Price Of One...

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:23:07 -0400

In the late 1990’s Jon Broderick searched the internet for online guitar instruction and came up empty handed. His frustrations lead to the creation of the Guitar Tricks website for which he claims to have pioneered online video guitar lessons. At this point in time there are about 45 different instructors delivering over 3000 video lessons. Each instructor is an experienced guitarist and many are naturally gifted teachers. While some are less comfortable than others on camera they all seem to present an orderly logical progression to the lessons. Who Will Benefit Most From These Online Video Guitar Lessons? There are guitar courses for beginners that have never touched a guitar. There are also courses for intermediate to advanced students that cover most major genres of guitar music, techniques, popular songs as well as the individual style of many famous musicians. Are These Lessons Designed For Electric or Acoustic Guitar Players? The lessons are designed for a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars. The Video Quality is adequate to excellent. This variance depends on when the video was made. The more recent lessons produced after 2005 seem to be much sharper than earlier ones. **End Summary** Topics: Guitar Tricks]]> Guitar Tricks Review]]> Online Guitar Lessons]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Guitar Tricks If you would like to see how Guitar Tricks stacks up feature by feature with other top guitar lesson programs just click this link: Guitar Lessons Comparison Chart

How To Find The Best Blues Guitar Lesson DVDs For You

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:13:27 -0500

When looking for the best blues guitar lesson dvds there are two basic types. The first type contains limited but highly focused lessons that are based on learning blues music in the style of certain historical periods like the Delta, Chicago or 1960’s Rock Blues. Also, there are specialty dvds available that focus on learning to play in the style of certain artists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughn just to name a few. This article will focus on the second type of blues guitar course. The kind created for students that desire comprehensive training in the fundamental skills required to play songs of many popular blues periods. These courses typically cover the essential riffs, techniques and music theory. Often these courses teach how to build interesting solos as well as being a supportive rhythm player in a live band. General Guitar Skills Required Before Learning Blues Guitar? To get the most out of these complete blues instruction dvds it is first critical to have some familiarity with the basics of playing the guitar. Specifically, know how to play many of the major, minor and dominant seventh chords. **End Summary** Topics: best]]> blues guitar lessons]]> blues guitar courses]]> reviews]]> play]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Blues Guitar Courses John Mackinnon has posted detailed reviews and comparison charts to a series of popular blues guitar lesson dvds. Learn which Blues Guitar Courses are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Blues Guitar Lesson DVDs

Blues Guitar Lessons Review: Playing Through The Blues with Griff Hamlin

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:52:50 -0500

According to author Griff Hamlin: “Playing Through The Blues - Guide For The Lead Guitar Player“, is the most comprehensive and easiest method to learn Blues Lead Guitar… You will learn every amazing lick, scale, technique, and cool trick that you’ll ever need to know… You’ll learn how guys like Eric Clapton, BB King Buddy Guy, SRV, Angus Young, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie King, Robert Cray and so many more have amazed audiences around the world”. About The Author: Mr. Hamlin is a 20 year veteran of teaching guitar and performing gigs all over the world. He has also been formally trained in music at the USC Thorton School of Music. Currently he has released 2 albums and has played on recordings of several other artists. Who Will Benefit Most From Playing Through The Blues? This blues guitar course is not for absolute beginners especially if they have never touched a guitar. However, you don’t need a lot of experience to succeed either. **End Summary** Topics: Playing Through The Blues]]> Griff Hamlin]]> Guitar Lessons]]> review]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Playing Through The Blues John Mackinnon has posted reviews of popular video blues guitar lesson courses on his website CompareGuitarLessons.com. To learn which blues guitar lesson courses are gems and which to avoid click here: Blues Guitar Instruction

Popular Painting Styles: Realism Painting Techniques

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:14:01 -0500

The Realism painting style depicts life as it actually appears without added glorification, drama or emotion. This movement attempts to keep the artist’s interpretation to a bare minimum. The idea is to present life in its natural environment which often includes the ordinary, the mundane and even the ugly. Any message that seems to emanate from a realistic painting is meant to be a direct result of what was actually happening at that specific moment in time. It is, however, in keeping with this style for the artist to manipulate compositional elements for the purpose of more clearly communicating the truth of an event without changing its meaning or scope. This style of painting originated in the mid 1800s in France as a reaction to the predominate Romantic movement of that time. This period also coincided with the development of photography. French artist Gustave Courbet is considered to be the father of the realistic style. His famous painting, A Burial at Ornans, depicts the 1848 funeral of a relative and is generally credited with kicking off this artistic style. Other significant artists that incorporated realism painting techniques in their work include; **End Summary** Topics: realism painting]]> realism painting style]]> realistic painting]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn Realism Painting John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Lesson Reviews

Learn Impressionistic Painting Techniques For Immediacy And Movement

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:09:02 -0500

Impressionistic painting was a reaction to the more precisely crafted and classically styled techniques of the old masters. This movement, (roughly 1860 -1900), brought artists out of the studio and into the open air to observe the every day life of the middle and lower classes. Because this style of painting was generally done quickly to capture an artist’s impression of an event as it happened, little effort was made to conceal brush strokes or to worry about small details. Also, little time was spent on mixing paint to render exacting hues. Instead primary paints colors were applied to the canvas right out of their tubes. The result of these techniques was a relatively loose and brightly colored painting that suggested excitement, immediacy and movement. The name Impressionism was coined by an art critic that considered this style of painting to be no more than unfinished sketches of the artist’s impressions. The French art establishment at the time mostly rejected these works for exhibitions, gallery inclusion, juried prizes and for membership qualification into the all important Academie. Impressionists eventually received permission from the Emperor Napoleon III to set up their own juried exhibit called the Salon of the Refused. **End Summary** Topics: impressionistic painting]]> impressionistic style]]> impressionism]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn Impressionistic Painting John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Courses

Popular Painting Styles: The Impasto Painting Technique

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:08:00 -0500

The impasto painting technique involves varying the thickness and texture of paint on the canvas. This results in paintings that offer an exciting emotional response that is quite different from artwork with a more uniform application of paint. If well done, the subject of a piece of art will almost appear to leap out of its frame. Some of the old Masters like Rembrandt and Hals, employed impasto techniques to selectively add depth and emphasis to specific areas of a painting such as the folds in clothing or wrinkles in skin. Monet used a widely variable thickness of paint to increase excitement and therefore hold and direct the eye of the observer. Van Gough utilized these techniques to evoke certain emotions. Oil and acrylic paints dominate impasto for the simple reason that straight out of the tube they are already very thick. Their viscosity naturally allows the paint to stand out from the surface. Simply put, the more paint applied the more it raises off the canvas. Other types of paints like watercolors can be used but require a thickening agent. The painting surface needs to be somewhat rigid and non porous. **End Summary** Topics: impasto]]> impasto painting]]> impasto technique]]> techniques]]> learn]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn Impasto Painting John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Lesson Reviews

Popular Painting Styles: Alla Prima Techniques Add Freshness

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:11:24 -0500

Alla prima painting is a technique that was pioneered in the 1600s by Flemish master painter Frans Hals. This technique is also referred to as “direct painting” or “wet on wet painting”. In its purest form the artwork is completed in one session before the paint is dry. Each brush stroke is intended to be final with no retouching afterwords. The sessions can last from a few hours to a few days depending on how long the paint stays wet and therefore workable. Alla prima painting was a response to more indirect forms of painting called glazing or scrumbling. These techniques, employed by some of the old masters like Rembrandt, started with an under-painting that when finished was a nearly complete work of art. Thin layers of opaque or semi-opaque lighter colors were then added to soften and add depth to the final piece. One benefit of this much slower painting style was that it rendered consistent results. Alla prima paintings are often said to have a fresher more spontaneous feel than the scumbling methods because they are completed quickly while in the midst of inspiration. **End Summary** Topics: alla prima]]> alla prima painting]]> alla prima technique]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn Alla Prima Painting Techniques John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Compare Painting Lessons

How To Use Scumbling Painting Techniques For Softening And Depth

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:56:05 -0500

Scumbling techniques have been used by master painters since the 1600s to create smooth gradations, modify a previously dried layer of paint and to add a sense of depth. This technique is accomplished by applying thin layers of light opaque colors over dark layers of dried transparent paint. The final results gives a painting a surface that various in how much of the under painting is revealed. An ultra thin layer of an opaque paint can soften an area of a painting while giving it a misty, almost out of focus look that might be typical of background objects. Adding a thicker layer of paint to an area would naturally give that object an appearance of being in the foreground. However, scumbling too much of a canvas with thick opaque paint can result in a return to a flattened sense of depth. The scumbling technique is often used to create a beam of light penetrating an otherwise darken room. It is also useful to add a glowing effect to accentuate individual objects and skin tones. **End Summary** Topics: scumbling]]> how to scumble]]> scumbling painting techniques]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn Scumbling Technique John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Compare Painting Courses

Guitar Mojo Blues Lessons Review by Kenny Mann

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:58:43 -0500

According to the publisher of Guitar Mojo, it is the internet based learning method that can teach you how to play blues guitar like the pros. Guitar Mojo achieves this through tablature, video, audio, diagrams, pictures and easy to follow instructions presented in our exclusive “members only” web site. About The Author: Kenny Mann is a resident of Memphis, Tennessee and the guitarist for a blues band called “Spinning Jenny”. He has taught guitar for over 10 years. With his various online guitar courses, he has trained 1000s of students from all over the world. The Lesson Topics For Guitar Mojo: Important blues scales, commonly used blues chords, improvising in any key, playing by ear, playing the slide guitar, acoustic blues techniques and playing turnarounds. Guarantee and Support: There is a 30 day money back guarantee. An online member forum is available but appears to be used by relatively few students. Price: $29.95 for a lifetime membership that includes access to Guitar Mojo and these other Guitar Alliance programs; the basic beginner guitar program called Guitar Alliance, 100 Hot Blues Licks, Fretboard Memory, Strumming School and Just Acoustic. Bottom Line: This online blues guitar course has lots of problems. **End Summary** Topics: Guitar Mojo]]> review]]> Kenny Mann]]> blues guitar lessons]]> online]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Guitar Mojo Blues Lesson Review John Mackinnon has posted reviews of popular video blues guitar courses on his website CompareGuitarLessons.com. To learn which blues courses are gems and which to avoid click here: Blues Guitar Lessons

Learn and Master Blues Guitar DVDs Review: Learn How To Play In A Blues Band?

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:49:46 -0500

Learn and Master Blues Guitar Spotlight with Steve Krenz is designed to be an “in depth, step by step, course in Blues Guitar Playing - the real nuts and bolts and not just a couple of Blues licks. You’ll get what you need; the musical understanding, the concepts, chords, techniques and riffs that allow you to enter the world of serious blues guitar playing.” About The Author: Steve Krenz , according to the Learn & Master Guitar web site, has a degree in music and has played professionally with a broad range of bands from symphony orchestras to the well known “Fifth Dimension”. Steve is currently an active guitarist playing and recording in Nashville, Tennessee. Besides having taught thousands of lessons to students of all ages and skill levels he has held guitar playing and music workshops all over the world. Steve is soft spoken and down to earth with out being boring. His teaching was logical and thorough while moving along at a good pace. He cleverly offers short , fun and impressively inspiring performances as transitions between many lessons. Who Will Benefit Most From The Blues Guitar Spotlight? **End Summary** Topics: Learn and master]]> blues guitar]]> review]]> lessons]]> Steve Krenz]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Learn And Master Blues Guitar Lessons John Mackinnon has posted reviews of popular video blues guitar lesson courses on his website CompareGuitarLessons.com. To learn which blues guitar courses are gems and which to avoid click here: Blues Guitar Lessons

Guitar Gift Ideas: Is Buying A Beginner Guitar Package A good Idea?

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:23:08 -0500

So your favorite guitar player wanna-be has asked for a new guitar and you aren’t sure exactly what to do. This article will discuss the pros and cons of buying beginner guitars that are bundled with all of the equipment needed to get started. Electric Guitars Bundles For Beginners: ($150 - $350) These are designed to supply a rank beginner with all of the items they will need to get started in learning to play the electric guitar. These kits generally include the guitar, amplifier, guitar-to-amp cord, padded guitar bag, a tuner, strings, strap to support the guitar while standing, picks (plectrums), instruction book and or a limited set of beginner lessons on dvd. The guitars in these bundles are usually very low end versions of some of the famous classic designs like the Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster for example. These guitars look great and are fun but, are not designed to last a long time. Also, they do not have many of the adjustments that more expensive guitars have which means that they can be difficult to keep in tune. **End Summary** Topics: guitar gifts]]> guitar player gifts]]> beginner guitars]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Beginner Guitar Packages John Mackinnon has posted links to specific brands of bundled guitar packages and accessories listed in the article above. Also, to learn which Guitar lesson dvds are gems and which to avoid before you buy go to Video Guitar Lesson Reviews

Gift Ideas For Guitar Players: Gifts For Improving Skills?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:50:35 -0500

When searching for gift ideas for guitar players look for items that will help propel their knowledge and skills. Tools that make learning to play more fun, easier to understand and provide experiences that would not otherwise be possible should be a top priority. Here are three categories of educational guitar gifts that are worth consideration. Guitar Music Slow Down Devices: ($50 - $150 USD) When a guitarist reaches the advanced-beginner stage it is very common to want to learn to play popular songs. It can be difficult to listen to a song at full speed then figure out which notes and chords to play. This is especially difficult when the song contains a fast or complicated solo. Slow down devices play back dvds at much slower speeds without distorting the pitch of the song. Often a difficult part of the song can be set to continuously loop until it can be conquered. Two basic varieties are available. One is software that you load on your computer and the other is a modified dvd player. **End Summary** Topics: guitar gifts]]> guitar player gifts]]> guitarist gifts]]> guitar dvds]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Beginner Guitar Packages For your convenience John Mackinnon has posted links to specific brands of bundled guitar packages and accessories listed in the article above. Also, to learn which guitar lesson dvds are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Video Guitar Lesson Reviews

Learn To Paint Landscapes: 8 Basic Planning Tips

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:13:45 -0500

To learn to paint landscapes is to learn to be effective at planning. The idea is to make all the critical decisions about perspective, composition and even what supplies and tools to pack well before you even think about adding paint to the canvas. It is an absolute myth that all great painters are just free spirits that only act spontaneously when the mood strikes. Consistently productive professional artists always refine their preparation routines in a way that positively impacts the final results of a painting. Here are 8 tips for successful landscape painting preparation. 1. First, take a walk around the landscape you wish to paint. It can be amazing how a slightly different perspective will reveal one of nature’s compositions that will just knock your socks off. Consider taking a sketch pad or even a digital camera to record your ideas as you walk about. 2. Select the time of day that the painting itself will take place. Picking the ideal time of day may mean investing an entire day starting at sun up and ending at sundown. Again, take photographs every few hours for later comparison. **End Summary** Topics: landscape painting lessons]]> learn]]> paint]]> planning]]> tutorial]]> tip]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Landscape Painting Lessons John has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Compare Painting Lessons

Canvas Painting For Beginners: How To Prime A New Canvas

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:40:45 -0500

Beginner artists must learn how to prime a new canvas before even a drop of paint is applied. This process neutralizes the material’s natural tan hue so that it does not undesirably alter the overall coloring of the final painting. Priming also serves to create an even look to the final painting by making the surface smooth and non-porous. Here are simple instructions and tips for learning how to prime a canvas. The Materials and Tools Needed For Priming a Canvas 1. Gesso - is a thick white liquid canvas primer that can be found at art supply stores. While there are other primers that are clear or color tinted, the white variety of Gesso, as described in this article, is the most common. 2. Paint Stirrer - used to thoroughly mix water or some other thinning agent with Gesso. 3. Plastic Container - this needs to be large enough to allow room to add a thinning agent if desired. 4. Gesso Application Brush - this brush has nylon bristles that can be easily washed with soap and water when finished. 5. **End Summary** Topics: how to prime canvas]]> preparing a canvas]]> canvas painting]]> new]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> How To Prime A Canvas John Mackinnon has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Course Reviews

Learn How To Paint On Canvas: How To Stretch Your Own Canvas

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:04:40 -0500

Painters can either learn how to stretch their own canvas or buy them ready made. The advantage of buying pre-stretched and mounted canvas is that it saves time. The disadvantages include higher cost, it takes up a lot more room while transporting and storing and you have to settle for the standard sizes. This article will provide simple instructions and tips for stretching your own canvas. The Materials Needed The most common canvas materials are cotton (called Cotton Duck) or linen. Cotton is generally less expensive than linen and has a rougher surface. Cotton is also more inclined to warp from moisture which can ruin a painting by causing the paint to chip and crack. Linen, however, has stronger threads that resist pulling apart after being stretched on a frame. This makes it more suitable for long term archiving. Both materials are commonly available at most local art supply stores. Heavy unbleached calico from a fabric store will often do the trick and for less money. The frame is usually made out of wood and comes from the factory with the four sides separated. **End Summary** Topics: How to]]> stretch canvas]]> canvas painting]]> canvas painting tips]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> How To Stretch Canvas John has posted a series of detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best video painting courses. Learn which Painting and Drawing lessons are gems and which to avoid before you buy... Go to Painting Course Reviews

12 Guitar Practice Tips: The Best kept Secret of Professional Guitarists

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:11:11 -0500

If you really want to learn to play guitar well you must do one simple thing before anything else. You must learn how learning takes place between your muscles and brain. If you understand the process that your brain must go through to train your muscles your practice sessions will produce predictably effective results. You have probably heard the term muscle memory. This is the process of your brain learning and storing a set of precise instructions for each group of muscles needed for every small task you want your fingers to perform on the guitar. When muscle memory is solidly established it becomes a naturally effortless and an almost unconscious act to play the guitar well. These tasks need to be practiced at speeds that are slow enough so that you can consistently perform them perfectly. If you practice the guitar at a tempo that produces lots of mistakes you end up teaching your muscles how to play the exercise with the mistakes included. Unfortunately muscles cannot distinguish between playing with mistakes and playing without them. Here are 12 tips for having practice sessions that will support the development of good muscle memory: 1. **End Summary** Topics: guitar practice]]> tips]]> how to practice]]> guitar]]> guitar lessons]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> John Mackinnon has had a passion for playing guitar for over 40 years. Have you ever dreamed of playing the guitar? I mean really playing - like a master? John has posted over 14 detailed reviews and comparison charts of some of the best and worst popular guitar courses available today. Learn which ones are gems and which to avoid before you buy. Click here Guitar Lesson Reviews