Click a square and you'll make light and music (if you are in any way sensitive to flashing lights don't play with this, though)
Stumbled across this over at Aimee Stewart's Foxfires blog.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Saturday, January 17, 2009
We Got the Beat Ten
Ten Things to Help You Make Music
Freeware caution: always scan free downloads of anything for bugs and other threats before dumping the programs into your hard drive.
Get into your own groove by customizing one online with 8notes.com's Groove Generator
If you'd like to jam with other musicians online in real time for free, check out Jam Now.
The online music factory, Jam Studio, allows you to compose and play your original scores with a variety of instruments and beats (I actually wrote a song on this and it's extremely cool, and if I can do it you know it's easy enough for a toddler to use.) There's also what looks like a free recording program you can download and use to preserve your compositions.*
You no longer have to go to a bar to belt out your rendition of "I'll Survive", you can do it at home with KaraFun, "a free karaoke software for PC that offers a complete solution for home karaoke. Some of the player features are: Voice recording, Tempo and Pitch control, KFN, midi KAR, CDG+MP3 and LRC files replay, Direct 3D animation engine, playlist management, Fullscreen or windowed display, multi-monitor support."
MIDI to Wav Maker shareware "is an easy-to-use tool for converting MIDI to WAV format with CD quality."
Use this music code generator to get the HTML codes you need to add music to your web site, or this one for your MySpace page.
MyMusicTools.com has an entire page of music freeware here to help with your musical compositions.
This is one I really thought was neat -- the P22 Music Text Composition Generator turns your words into music played by your choice of instrument, music files and printable sheet music by allowing "any text to be converted into a musical composition. This composition is displayed in musical notation and simultaneously generated as a midi file." (Try this one when you have time -- it's the neatest online generator I've found since discovering Wordle.)
Wired has a good article here about creating music online with Hobnox Audiotool, a free virtual music studio.
Wolfram Tones is another free online music generator that uses music theory and algorithms to produce them. Just don't ask me to explain it.
* Link shamelessly swiped from Gerard over at The Generator Blog.
Freeware caution: always scan free downloads of anything for bugs and other threats before dumping the programs into your hard drive.
Get into your own groove by customizing one online with 8notes.com's Groove Generator
If you'd like to jam with other musicians online in real time for free, check out Jam Now.
The online music factory, Jam Studio, allows you to compose and play your original scores with a variety of instruments and beats (I actually wrote a song on this and it's extremely cool, and if I can do it you know it's easy enough for a toddler to use.) There's also what looks like a free recording program you can download and use to preserve your compositions.*
You no longer have to go to a bar to belt out your rendition of "I'll Survive", you can do it at home with KaraFun, "a free karaoke software for PC that offers a complete solution for home karaoke. Some of the player features are: Voice recording, Tempo and Pitch control, KFN, midi KAR, CDG+MP3 and LRC files replay, Direct 3D animation engine, playlist management, Fullscreen or windowed display, multi-monitor support."
MIDI to Wav Maker shareware "is an easy-to-use tool for converting MIDI to WAV format with CD quality."
Use this music code generator to get the HTML codes you need to add music to your web site, or this one for your MySpace page.
MyMusicTools.com has an entire page of music freeware here to help with your musical compositions.
This is one I really thought was neat -- the P22 Music Text Composition Generator turns your words into music played by your choice of instrument, music files and printable sheet music by allowing "any text to be converted into a musical composition. This composition is displayed in musical notation and simultaneously generated as a midi file." (Try this one when you have time -- it's the neatest online generator I've found since discovering Wordle.)
Wired has a good article here about creating music online with Hobnox Audiotool, a free virtual music studio.
Wolfram Tones is another free online music generator that uses music theory and algorithms to produce them. Just don't ask me to explain it.
* Link shamelessly swiped from Gerard over at The Generator Blog.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Sygkenis
A friend sent me a link to a new Canadian band who took their name, Sygkenis, from my Darkyn books. They have a MySpace page here, and they'll be performing September 15, 2007 at Club Lambi, 4465 Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec.
For me, this is like having a secret fantasy fulfilled. I only wish I could be there to see them perform. Break a leg, guys.
For me, this is like having a secret fantasy fulfilled. I only wish I could be there to see them perform. Break a leg, guys.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Winners
I love hearing what sort of music inspires other people, but I'm really impressed by the range of performers and songs posted for the Wednesday giveaway. You all are definitely not slaves to the pop charts. Now if we could just get our music stores here in the States to carry more Canadian and European indie bands, I'd be a happier girl.
Nevertheless, we put the magic hat into action, and the winners of the Heart and Soul Songs giveaway are:
Terri W. (whose comment began with For me it's Depeche Mode because it's written from the heart.)
Bettie
Kerry Allen
Annie
Jason
Winners, please send your full name and ship-to information to LynnViehl@aol.com, and I'll get your books out to you. My thanks to everyone for joining in.
Nevertheless, we put the magic hat into action, and the winners of the Heart and Soul Songs giveaway are:
Terri W. (whose comment began with For me it's Depeche Mode because it's written from the heart.)
Bettie
Kerry Allen
Annie
Jason
Winners, please send your full name and ship-to information to LynnViehl@aol.com, and I'll get your books out to you. My thanks to everyone for joining in.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
RW: Heart and Soul Songs
I'm suffering from a severe case of cover art envy this week. Yes, this means that Marjorie M. Liu's latest novel is out.
He's like Adonis of the Waves, right? Yeah. I thought so too.
Having a new installment of Marjorie's Dirk and Steele series to read does take most of the salt out of the wounds, though. In addition to beautiful covers, Marjorie has gorgeous titles for her novels, and I really like this one. Soul Song fits the novel perfectly. It's also a great analogy for the way Marjorie writes; her prose sings to you from the page and her heart. From what she's just posted over on her LJ about her novel soundtracks, it sounds like music is as much a writing partner as an inspiration.
Having spent the afternoon writing Valentin's book with Bach constantly playing in my head, I can definitely relate.
What performer, musician, band or composer plays your soul songs? Let us know in comments to this post by midnight EST on Friday, July 20th, 2007. I'll draw five names from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
He's like Adonis of the Waves, right? Yeah. I thought so too.
Having a new installment of Marjorie's Dirk and Steele series to read does take most of the salt out of the wounds, though. In addition to beautiful covers, Marjorie has gorgeous titles for her novels, and I really like this one. Soul Song fits the novel perfectly. It's also a great analogy for the way Marjorie writes; her prose sings to you from the page and her heart. From what she's just posted over on her LJ about her novel soundtracks, it sounds like music is as much a writing partner as an inspiration.
Having spent the afternoon writing Valentin's book with Bach constantly playing in my head, I can definitely relate.
What performer, musician, band or composer plays your soul songs? Let us know in comments to this post by midnight EST on Friday, July 20th, 2007. I'll draw five names from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned copy of Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
Saturday, June 02, 2007
MindTracks
Music is probably the single greatest source of creative inspiration for me. Whenever I listen to music, my brain goes into overdrive, and ideas begin to take visual form. The more I listen, the more characters, settings and details go into those ideas, until they become just like movies.
Once I can see the entire story, I hit the keyboard and translate the vision into words. I don't ever lose the story, either -- all I have to do is listen to the song that inspired it and the story movie plays out in my mind exactly as it did the first time I imagined it.
I have no musical preferences, and have come up with novels based on every type of music, from Mozart to Nine Inch Nails. The only strange thing is that I see images but I never hear dialogue, so in that sense, the movies in my head are silent (I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I prefer to compose dialogue spontaneously while I'm writing.)
If you've never tried visualizing story to music, here are a couple of tips on the process:
1. Fresh music won't have any associations for you, so try picking up some albums by musicians and bands you've never heard, or tune into a new station on the radio.
2. Listen when you're in a relaxing or quiet situation. I listen to CDs when I sit on the porch, take a bubble bath, fold laundry, or go for a drive in the country or down by the lake. The more relaxed you are, the more likely your imagination will want to come out and play.
3. Don't try to force it. Keep your mind open and let the images come to you in response to the music. If you're still having trouble envisioning things, try to imagine what colors would best express the song you're listening to. Once you have a palette in mind, imagine those colors defining something about a character or setting.
4. If you choose to listen to music that you've heard before, avoid songs that have bad associations, or that for whatever reason depress or upset you (unless that's a good writing mood for you, then go for it.)
5. After you've listened to music, go spend a little time on the keyboard. Write about whatever you thought of while you were listening. Don't worry about making it perfect, just describe what you saw in your head. I don't listen to music when I write because I find it actually becomes a distraction, but if you don't have a problem with that you can also play the song while you're writing.
Don't be afraid to experiment, either. About half the music I listen to is made outside the United States, and by trying bands from other countries I've discovered some terrific artists that normally don't get air time on our radio stations. I think I have a thing for Canadian bands in particular; Nickelback, The Golden Dogs, and Wintersleep have practically owned the CD player in my car for the last couple of years.
Let's hear what you have to say about music and story -- in comments to this post list a song that inspired you creatively (or if you're new at this, just throw your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Monday, June 4, 2007. I'll draw one name at random from everyone who participates, and grant the winner a musicwish* along with a copy of the Nickelback album that inspired me while I was writing Night Lost, my personal notes about the songs involved, and a signed copy of the end result. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
*A musicwish is any music CD by any artist you choose, provided that the CD can be 1) ordered from an online source and 2) costs up to a maximum of $25.00 US dollars. I'll throw in for free any shipping and handling fees that are involved.
Related links:
Laurence O'Donnell's excellent article Music and the Brain.
Music and the Brain: Processing and Responding (A General Overview) by Feyza Sancar explains some of the nuts and bolts involved with the brain as it processes music.
Once I can see the entire story, I hit the keyboard and translate the vision into words. I don't ever lose the story, either -- all I have to do is listen to the song that inspired it and the story movie plays out in my mind exactly as it did the first time I imagined it.
I have no musical preferences, and have come up with novels based on every type of music, from Mozart to Nine Inch Nails. The only strange thing is that I see images but I never hear dialogue, so in that sense, the movies in my head are silent (I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I prefer to compose dialogue spontaneously while I'm writing.)
If you've never tried visualizing story to music, here are a couple of tips on the process:
1. Fresh music won't have any associations for you, so try picking up some albums by musicians and bands you've never heard, or tune into a new station on the radio.
2. Listen when you're in a relaxing or quiet situation. I listen to CDs when I sit on the porch, take a bubble bath, fold laundry, or go for a drive in the country or down by the lake. The more relaxed you are, the more likely your imagination will want to come out and play.
3. Don't try to force it. Keep your mind open and let the images come to you in response to the music. If you're still having trouble envisioning things, try to imagine what colors would best express the song you're listening to. Once you have a palette in mind, imagine those colors defining something about a character or setting.
4. If you choose to listen to music that you've heard before, avoid songs that have bad associations, or that for whatever reason depress or upset you (unless that's a good writing mood for you, then go for it.)
5. After you've listened to music, go spend a little time on the keyboard. Write about whatever you thought of while you were listening. Don't worry about making it perfect, just describe what you saw in your head. I don't listen to music when I write because I find it actually becomes a distraction, but if you don't have a problem with that you can also play the song while you're writing.
Don't be afraid to experiment, either. About half the music I listen to is made outside the United States, and by trying bands from other countries I've discovered some terrific artists that normally don't get air time on our radio stations. I think I have a thing for Canadian bands in particular; Nickelback, The Golden Dogs, and Wintersleep have practically owned the CD player in my car for the last couple of years.
Let's hear what you have to say about music and story -- in comments to this post list a song that inspired you creatively (or if you're new at this, just throw your name in the hat) by midnight EST on Monday, June 4, 2007. I'll draw one name at random from everyone who participates, and grant the winner a musicwish* along with a copy of the Nickelback album that inspired me while I was writing Night Lost, my personal notes about the songs involved, and a signed copy of the end result. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.
*A musicwish is any music CD by any artist you choose, provided that the CD can be 1) ordered from an online source and 2) costs up to a maximum of $25.00 US dollars. I'll throw in for free any shipping and handling fees that are involved.
Related links:
Laurence O'Donnell's excellent article Music and the Brain.
Music and the Brain: Processing and Responding (A General Overview) by Feyza Sancar explains some of the nuts and bolts involved with the brain as it processes music.
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