My BlackHawk Mines Music

Babies can hear sounds from the outside world as early as when they are still in the womb.  Music is one type of noise that gets a lot of attention.  According to preliminary researches it appears to indicate that your unborn child might enjoy and benefit slightly from a daily dose of music although the jury is still out on the true impact of prenatal exposure to Mozart and Bach.

More or less at 17 weeks gestation a baby can start to hear sounds, normally just about the condition when the mother starts on feeling the first tiny flutters of movement and prior to the baby’s sex is clearly identifiable.  At the time when the baby is on his 26 weeks, his heartbeat will rate rapidly in response to sounds, including music that comes from outside the womb. Babies have been observed breathing simultaneously with the music, signifying consciousness of the beat happening during 33 weeks gestation and by 38 weeks, a baby in the womb responds in a different way to different types of music, showing different rates of fetal movement

According to Baby Center, the true effect of music on prenatal development remains unknown.  A loosely-controlled preliminary study in the “Music Educators Journal” in 1985 found that babies exposed to music before birth had longer attention spans than expected for their age and imitated adult sounds better.  One more small study in 1997 in “Pre- & Peri-Natal Psychology Journal” looked at babies enrolled in a program called FirstStart, which exposed unborn babies to musical stimulation. These babies demonstrated better motor skills, language development and cognitive skills from birth to six months comparing to the control group of babies.  On the other hand, since these studies were minute and have not been recurring, the query of whether and how much music influences unborn babies stays under investigation.

Back in 1991, a study concerning six pregnant women and a broader follow-up study in 1993 both examined at whether babies could be familiar with music they had heard in the womb after birth.  Music includes: Classical piano music, vocal music and rock music were all played through headphones on the mother’s belly.  Babies who heard music in the womb reacted with more awareness and physical actions during six weeks after birth, demonstrating that they have known the music they had heard in the womb. According to the BBC, this recognition of prenatal music experiences might actually last 12 months or more after birth. Letting babies listen to familiar music after birth might aid to calm a restless child who identifies the tune.

Mothers should remember that if they want to expose their unborn baby to music should not turn the volume up too loud.  The too loud music could over stimulate the fetus or even damage the developing ear.

Persons with no musical background were not only visibly more skilled after completing two weeks of regular exercise on a piano keyboard, their brains also changed measurably according to the studies by the University Hospital San Raffaele (Milan, Italy), presented at the 22nd Meeting of the European Neurological Society (ENS) in Prague.

The study also endow with evidence that even a diminutive episode of ambidextrous exercise directs to improved organization and more objective action between the left and right brain hemisphere.  The training also leads to better reactions to the nerve impulses in the fingers musculature.
In addition, the musical stimuli also provoked a structural rebuilding of gray matter in those brain regions that are implicated in harmonized movement.  The study exposed that the harder the task was, the better.
The brains ‘neuroplasticity’ a process in which the brain automatically reconstructs itself in response to a given task so that its internal structure and organization are best suited to a demand, scientists have only just researched about this.  Neuroplasticity works by automatically establishing enhanced interconnection of regularly used areas of the brain, at the same time as resources are wan down from those not oftenly used.
As two studies demonstrated Practicing music radically and efficiently speed up self-optimization of definite brain activities.
Researchers requested 12 musically inexpert accomplices to inishf ten 35-minute practice sessions on an electronic piano keyboard within a two-week period, in the first study.  They scrutinized the participants’ hand movement method before and after the training was done, demeanor neurophysiological tests by means of a 32-channel EEG (electroencephalogram) and a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
All participants achieved a dramatic increase in their motor skills dramatically through training, yet the most surprising result was the harmonization in which both hands were able to perform, the results revealed.

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“Our results show that two-handed exercise training among right-handers is associated with a significant improvement in the dexterity of the left hand. Ten days of a competently controlled exercise training can apparently suffice to trigger changes in cortical plasticity similar to results reported for professional musicians,” declared by Dr Elise Houdayer from the University Hospital San Raffaele in Milan.
Prof Massimo Filippi at the Neuroimaging Research Unit le the second study at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital, 45 musically inexperienced participants who were divided into 3 dissimilar groups.  Every participants were ask to use their right hand for playing a specific succession of notes on a computer-modified keyboard, at the same time as subsequent the rhythm of a metronome for 30 minutes per exercise session.  The study stage concerned ten sessions throughout a two-week period.
The results were: One group was only able to listen to the metronome, whilst the second group listened to another piece of music with the same rhythm as the metronome. The third group was given the most complicated task of performing the given task whilst listening to music with a faster pace than the metronome.  All participants underwent agility and brain tests using the latest imaging techniques prior to the study and at study end.
The findings revealed an improved dexterity in all three groups, and although there was no impact observed on “white matter” architecture of the brain following the exercises, the team did notice substantial changes in gray matter volume in brain regions, which are vital for coordinating movement. The findings also showed that the brain’s gray mass changed to an even greater extent in those who performed the most complicated task (Group 3).
Prof. Filippi concluded: “Musical stimulation during exercise training thus improves motor performance and affects the structural plasticity of the gray matter.”

Dr. Rocca added: “The complexity of the task is also associated with different pattern of cortical activations as measured with functional MRI.”

The music industry has given a judicious endorsement to European Union moves intended at limiting Internet piracy.

The copyright directive was “a workable proposal”, said the industry’s umbrella group, the International Federation of Phonographic Industries.

IFPI, representing around 1400 major and independent record companies worldwide, said the newly-adopted UK legislation, requiring measures from ISPs to curb piracy on their networks, sets a powerful example to other countries.

IFPI chairman John Kennedy said: “The passing of the Digital Economy Act in the UK recognizes that if a country is to have world-class creative industries, then it also needs laws that will effectively protect their rights from the crippling problem of digital piracy.

“The new UK legislation is a decisive step towards dealing with P2P and other forms of illegal distribution in a way that can substantially reduce the problem.  Most importantly, it recognizes that effectively addressing piracy needs active cooperation from internet service providers, in helping curb infringements on their networks.

“The move by the UK creates momentum for the graduated response approach to tackling piracy internationally. Governments increasingly understand that, in the digital economy, creative industries like music, film, books and games can drive growth and jobs for many years to come if they are provided with the right legal environment and with a modern system of enforcement in which ISPs actively cooperate.

“The UK has today joined the ranks of those countries who have taken decisive and well-considered steps to address the issue. We hope this will prompt more focus and urgency for similar measures in other countries where debate is underway.”

“There are enough elements here for the music industry to speed up the offering of music to consumers in a wider range of ways,” IFPI Chairman Jay Berman said soon after the result was announced.

“The directive recognizes that copyright is an essential part of the Information Society.”

With members made up of more than 1,400 record producers and distributors in over 70 countries IFPI represents the recording industry worldwide.

“We appreciate all the work the European Parliament has put into making it possible for our companies to do business. This will be to the benefit of artists and consumers alike,” Berman said.

This has become vague problem for the music industry; it will make their profits go down.  This draft proposal permits rights’ holders in the music and film industries to prevent illegal replication of their works using advanced technology.

“Authors, performers, producers and broadcasting organizations will in principle enjoy exclusive rights regarding the reproduction, communication and dissemination of their work,” this is what under the text of the directive.

However, individual European countries have their own exceptions or limitations to the rules.

The limitations include when they regard to it to be in the public interest.   An example is to assist certain categories of people, such as the disabled, and reproduction for press purposes.  Nevertheless in several instances the exceptions will be on the circumstance that the copyright holder receives fair compensation and in others that the source, including the author’s name, is indicated.

Private individuals can produce a copy as long as it is solely for private use and non-commercial use.  This is an amendment designed to strike a balance between the rights of artists and the public.

Let’s predict the future by analyzing culture and trends today.  Last year has been the year for the solo female pop vocalists like Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, etc.  Solo male vocals were also hit last year like Psy, Eminen, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, etc.  These guys churning out all Top 20 hits all over the world.  There has been much collaboration with featured singers, with all the rapping, dub step and dance music.  But what genre or style of music will be dominant this 2013.

If 2012 meant to the dub step it is not the case this year because 2013 cannot come quick enough.  Although it will just be a passing phase this year because the lasting strong points of the year seem to be turning to the indie alternative gone pop.  It seems that 2013 will focus more on the artist which made 2012 only its transition.

Some made the prediction that guitar music may return to radio playlist in the near future.  It is expected that new guitar music is to be a fusion of something that will be playing in the radio stations this year.  This is actually already been starting.  More attention seems to be leaning towards the young singer-songwriter who plays the instrument and the hot tween pre-made dance talent is slowly vanishing.

This could mean Justin Bieber may be on his way out sooner than expected.  May this be a warning for him so that he can mature in terms of his music.  Songs like his built trend for the next wave and pop music could use some wake-up call wit more artist that could make a mainstream impact.

90’s R&B will go even more mainstream, this is due to almost every artist feels compelled to reel off their R&B influences.  When you go night out, you will never fail to endure repeated plays of R Kelly’s She’s Got That Vibe.  With many artists sprouting in every corner, attention span grows short regarding the choice or artist that listeners will listen to.  Those who cannot reinvent themselves will be quick to fall of the radar.

The charts below are the albums that are to be released this year.

January

 Long. Live. A$AP

 hip hop/rap

 Debut album

February

March

April

Unscheduled and TBA

*above charts from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_albums_scheduled_for_release_in_2013

Warning: do not buy pirated CDs.  This will affect the music industry.  How we listen and how we purchase will affect these artists and the future trends.

Country-pop Singer Taylor Swift’s “Red” Still No. 1 in the U.S. Album Chart for Three Weeks

Taylor swift continues to step a notch everyday, country-pop singer started at a very young age and from then on she struggled on her way up.  Her hardships didn’t last long.  She found her big break and here she is as how we know her.  Hardships are really paying off, singer’s album “Red” topped the U.S. album chart for a second week despite a big percentage drop.

Singer-songwriter Swift has undoubtedly paved the way to stardom on her own.  She gained the respect of her fans by being one of them.  Teen girls idolize her by being her, she’s reasonably gorgeous even in ballet flats.  She’s awkward but speaks her mind through her song.  She’s a geek chic oozing with sex appeal.  And above all, she’s a star but she is approachable.  It was not a surprise that her forth album “Red” is another big hit.

Released October 22, 2012 through Big Machine Records, Red is the fourth studio album by singer-song writer Taylor Swift.  According to Nielsen SoundScan data for the week ending Nov. 4, “Red” retained the apex with 344,000 copies sold, may sound much but actually it has a decline of 72% from  1.21 million sales on the first week.  Despite the big difference in terms of sales, Red maintained to be on top on the second week and until now on its third week.

There is no stopping “Red”, industry forecasters put forward that the album will spend a third straight week atop the Billboard 200 chart next week.   The new Billboard 200 chart’s top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Red is a 16-song geyser of willful emotions, Swift’s songs grows with her as well.  As she ages her songs matures with her.

Album includes songs entitled, 1. ”State of Grace” – a not typical Taylor at all is what you will see in this song, she was blindsided by love.  Lush and dreamy, a drum driven song is what you can expect in “State of Grace”.  2. “Red”- this song is a different shade for Taylor, it talks about how impossible it is moving on from a past love.  The song really captures the feeling and emotions of a bitter heart.  3. “Treacherous”- She knows he’s not good for her but she can’t help herself, is the drama of this song.  Swift delivered her lyrics with a delicate voice while enough twang in the guitars of this tender ballad.  4. “I Knew you Were Trouble”- a cute track! With the upbeat music and repetition of the lyrics, the song has nursery rhyme vibe in it.  5. “All Too Well”- melancholy confessional ballad with stuffed lyrics.  6. “22”- a fun song with an energy of ‘WANEGBT’ and some Avril Lavigne-style sass.  Song dedicated for teens and how complex their life can get.  7. “I Almost Do”- wanting an ex boyfriend back is Swift’s drama in this song but she holds back.  It’s a push and pull of herself restricting from what she truly wants.  8. “We are Never Ever Getting Back Together”- this one talks about loving yourself first, teaching oneself not to drown over a one-sided love story.  But sure this song can make you dance like crazy.  9. “Stay Stay Stay”- swift goes indie rock one the second time in this album.  The song goes with handclaps and girlish swing on it.  10. “The Last Time”- the most adult and contemporary track in the album.  11. “Holy Ground”- fast and uber catchy, sure this song can make you move your feet on the floor.  12. “Sad Beautiful Tragic”- perfect sample why Swift is truly a poet, best listen to with your ears open wide and heart listening attentively.  13. “The Lucky One”- tap tap beat, a fun song, which makes Red really a balance album.  14. “Everything Has Changed”-  you’ll no longer miss Swift’s doing acoustic, here is a song for acoustic lovers  and swifters. 15. “Starlight” 16. “Begin Again”- a song that can keep you warm, a song that you will love to hear over and over.

The former leading social network site Myspace announced in Monday that it’s getting a resurgence in popularity due to their introduction of a new online music player.

Over a million new users have registered at myspace.com in the previous month, averaging 40,000 accounts activated daily. Its new owners attribute this positive response mainly to Myspace’s integration with Twitter and Facebook.

The ousted social network star has transformed into an online community for music enthusiasts and appears to be growing into a platform that is ready to co-exist with Twitter and Facebook.

Instead of competing with Facebook, it is now going head to head with online music services like Rdio, Jango, Pandora and Spotify. Myspace is now claiming they have the biggest catalog of tracks online with 42 million songs.

MySpace was purchased by News Corp for USD 580 million in July 2005. But according to Rupert Murdoch himself, the chief executive of News Corp, their purchase has been a big mistake and that it was mismanaged in every way possible.

So it was not at all surprising for them to sell it in June 2011 to Specific Media for only USD 35 million, a mere 6% of their original valuation.

The new owners, Chris and Tim Vanderhook, along with artist Justin Timberlake invested and reinvented Myspace. They managed to shift the site’s focus from social networking into an entertainment portal.

Since its launch of the new music player 2 months ago, there has been an increase in registrations and a significant rise in the amount of site traffic.

Myspace appears to have a number of assets in its possession including a huge song library, large traffic and brand recognition that if the firm can sustain its new-found upward trend, the new owners may certainly have gotten a bargain.

This new MySpace player boasts of unlimited and free music streaming from unsigned and established artists. They also offer customized radio mode and an easy integration with Facebook.

It’s yet to prove that this resurgence is not only an isolated case. But with Spotify, a competitor, starting to limit the quantity of songs that free account holders can play, it might just be possible that MySpace can fill the void for an online music player that provides similar service for free.