The rise of Lorde and electronic dance music, or EDM, across the world has brought a new level of attention to music festivals in the country of New Zealand. The country is currently producing a number of leading popular musicians and acts and is the birthplace of the latest worldwide pop sensation, Lorde(1). The music scene supported the rise of acts Gotye, The Naked and Famous and Mt. Eden.

Music Festivals NZ

Music festivals have experienced the subsequent rise in attendance and prominence as well(2). They’ve been able to attract larger acts to the country both as openers for their own success stories and artists who are looking to make a wave in a new market. This has been especially prevalent in the dance music world, with prominent EDM acts such as Chet Faker, Peking Duk, Poniiboi and Hardwell headlining events in the country.

Because of this, a survey was conducted bout the various music festivals that have or are occurring in New Zealand this year and it shows that more people than ever are getting off the fence when it comes to attending the music festivals NZ throws. Over 30% of people surveyed said that they actually attend festivals, while just over 20% say that they do not normally attend, but they do check the line-ups. Those people are sure to find their way into music festivals because of the ever-larger names that New Zealand continues to attract!

Most Popular Music Festivals

The Rhythm and Vines (2) festival continues to be the most popular of all of the music festivals NZ holds with 13% of people surveyed saying that they look forward to it every year. The BW Summer Festival comes in second on this festival survey. Over 32% of people have not chosen a favourite music festival.

Favourite Music Acts

With all of the big names that have been coming to festivals in New Zealand lately, it is also difficult for people to pick a favourite act from any of these festivals. The festival survey found that three of the top five acts at festivals in New Zealand were from the dance genre – Chet Faker(3), Peking Duk(4) and Flume(5) – indicating that EDM is perhaps the most popular genre of music when it comes to festivals. The survey also had Maxwell and Bastille as the other top two acts that people enjoy.

Notation Programs VS DAWs

Notation programs are software used to create sheet music. You would need to know how to read and write music to use it. DAWs or Digital Audio Workstations are stronger for producing professional sounding audio. The amount of sounds libraries, virtual instruments and effects are endless. DAWs have more powerful ways to manipulate notes and sounds than Notation programs.

How do I decide which type of program to choose?

Generally, if you want to create great sounding audio, use a DAW. Alternatively, if you want to compose for live instruments, an orchestra, choir and won’t need to record your tracks in a studio, plus you’re game in music notation, choose a notation program.

Best Notation Programs for Music Composition

Finale

Finale is the cream of the crop in music notation programs and is used professionally by sheet music creators. The printed music at your local music store would most likely be made using Finale. The learning curve is a little high though, with tons of features. It may be too complicated for beginners but you can try Finale Notepad first which is a free, easier version to use.

Sibelius

The main competitor to Finale, Sibelius is great for all types of composers. Finale targets the traditionalists, and Sibelius the more general audience. Maybe too bold of a statement, but Sibelius tends to be popular with media composers such as film and video game music composers. The interface is very easy to learn and use, and is more beginner-friendly.

MuseScore

MuseScore is the best free notation program out there. It has a lot of features and is considered equal to the full blown programs such as Finale and Sibelius. A little hard to learn for the beginner, but will greatly pay off considering this is a free program with full capabilities.

Lady Gaga has really revolutionized pop music at the end of decade with her perfect timing and the Fame really brings disco-pop and yes, even electro pop to life. While Pink, Christina, Beyonce and company are releasing their albums and singles, Gaga has already cemented herself as not only one of the fastest emerging female artists in history, but also as a pop culture icon and one of the biggest favorites of disc jockeys.

She is a staple of pop culture continuing come up with new concepts. Gaga sings (live too!), dances, combines music and fashion, designs her own stage, plays an actual instrument (true musician), and most of all, actually writes her own material. Her strengths have produced a million wannabe’s that want to dance like Gaga or sing like Gaga. She’s such incredible entertainer that disc jockeys can’t wait to see what she gives next.

Gaga can tear the house down sitting on a stool with a mic in her hand or do a full out dance routine and knock others dead. What Alexander McQueen did for fashion, Gaga is doing to dance music. The most amazing with Lady Gaga is that she can change style, whether ballad or pop dance which makes her the new Queen Of Pop. Gaga will continue her career the same way Madonna has. She is a marketing machine for her amazing concerts and the disc jockey who need danceable hits to play.

One thing you all have to admit finally is that Lady Gaga really shook up Top 40 into liking electronic/dance music and abandoning the aggressive sounds of hip-hop in the early and mid 2000s.

A Tracklist Will Help You Get Found
Including a tracklist or playlist with your mix sets is an essential part of promoting your career as a performing artist. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, a proper play list is the best way to ensure your mix sets are easily found by house heads worldwide. With each tracklist, you provide Google an opportunity to index key search terms such as song title, artist, remixer, and label. Use this as a tool to be found by fans that follow and support the same style as you. Technically speaking, a playlist will promote your mix even when you’re asleep!

In the world of house music, there are thousands of underground, unsigned, and aspiring artists it’s amazing how much music never makes it to the mainstream market. Even then, what our culture considers “mainstream” is still considered “underground” in the world of major labels. It’s important that your listeners identify where the music is coming from, so that their hard work is in the spotlight as well.

Playlists are an Industry Standard
House and electronic dance music has always been about discovering new music. As a DJ/Artist, it is your duty to educate your fans and audience. Don’t be afraid to include a playlist with all your mixes – It’s an industry standard and without one you can easily be misinterpreted as lazy or holding back.

Minimum format: ARTIST – TITLE
Preferred format: ARTIST – TITLE – REMIXER – LABEL
Example: DJ Smith feat Mary Jones – “It’s getting funky” (Funklord Club Remix) – K1 Music

Show Your Support
It’s rare that you will become a world renown artist based solely on your DJ sets. Most disc jockeys do more than just play music. They often have a combination of elements working for them including a radio show, remix/production, a club residency, promoting their own night/event, or a record label. A natural progression for many DJs is getting into music production or remixing. One day, your music will be a part of someone else’s mix, and you certainly hope they give you proper recognition. Show your support and make sure you acknowledge their talent by including their information on your playlist.

Our Future Depends on You
With a tracklist you are providing a service to the artist or label in the event the listener wants to buy that song/track. Whether you’re a fan or DJ – Think about the all the times you’ve listened to a mix, and NEEDED to buy a certain song. You found out what it was, and you bought it on iTunes, Amazon, Traxsource, Beatport, or your favorite digital music store. With a proper tracklist, you’re saying YES to the future of the digital music industry.

A Tracklist Will Help You Get Found
Including a tracklist or playlist with your mix sets is an essential part of promoting your career as a performing artist. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, a proper play list is the best way to ensure your mix sets are easily found by house heads worldwide. With each tracklist, you provide Google an opportunity to index key search terms such as song title, artist, remixer, and label. Use this as a tool to be found by fans that follow and support the same style as you. Technically speaking, a playlist will promote your mix even when you’re asleep!

In the world of house music, there are thousands of underground, unsigned, and aspiring artists it’s amazing how much music never makes it to the mainstream market. Even then, what our culture considers “mainstream” is still considered “underground” in the world of major labels. It’s important that your listeners identify where the music is coming from, so that their hard work is in the spotlight as well.

Playlists are an Industry Standard
House and electronic dance music has always been about discovering new music. As a DJ/Artist, it is your duty to educate your fans and audience. Don’t be afraid to include a playlist with all your mixes – It’s an industry standard and without one you can easily be misinterpreted as lazy or holding back.

Minimum format: ARTIST – TITLE
Preferred format: ARTIST – TITLE – REMIXER – LABEL
Example: DJ Smith feat Mary Jones – “It’s getting funky” (Funklord Club Remix) – K1 Music

Show Your Support
It’s rare that you will become a world renown artist based solely on your DJ sets. Most disc jockeys do more than just play music. They often have a combination of elements working for them including a radio show, remix/production, a club residency, promoting their own night/event, or a record label. A natural progression for many DJs is getting into music production or remixing. One day, your music will be a part of someone else’s mix, and you certainly hope they give you proper recognition. Show your support and make sure you acknowledge their talent by including their information on your playlist.

Our Future Depends on You
With a tracklist you are providing a service to the artist or label in the event the listener wants to buy that song/track. Whether you’re a fan or DJ – Think about the all the times you’ve listened to a mix, and NEEDED to buy a certain song. You found out what it was, and you bought it on iTunes, Amazon, Traxsource, Beatport, or your favorite digital music store. With a proper tracklist, you’re saying YES to the future of the digital music industry.

Did you ever wonder why your gym work out isn’t cutting it right now? Is the thought of seeing that gray old building discouraging you? What about the cost? Well, there is new work out craze that is fun and cost effective. Yet, it isn’t that new. It’s a workout you use to do as a kid. Yet, back then you called it fun. What is this “new” exercise? Roller skating. Roller skating is coming back as a HUGE hit! Why? The 80’s dance music is blaring out the speakers people are enjoying themselves and the cost is so much lower than any gym membership.

80’s dance music is secretly loved by all generation X. And instead of singing off key in your car go sing out load at your local rink You will find more and more 80’s children are flocking back to “Xanadu” experience and you can’t beat your $9 cover charge.

More and more Skating Rinks are opening up “80’s Dance Music” theme nights for adults where you can find everyone young and old coming out and enjoying this favorite pass time of decades gone by. You will find all sorts of characters, with hot pants and retro hello kitty gear. Madonna will be buzzing by you, while Prince and Micheal Jackson are doing there own moves in the middle of the rink.

More and more adults are going out with their kids on church events, birthday parties and get together at the roller skating rinks with 80’s dance music themes surrounding the area.

So, what are you waiting for? Lace up those neon skate laces and head down to your locale Roller Skating rink with your family and get a fantastic workout while doing it! It is so much better than paying those ridiculous prices at the gym!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2774222

Although it is beneficial if you have a recording studio and many years of background experience in music production, the truth is that it is not the only way to make dance music. There are other options available that allow you to make amazing dance tracks just like the stuff you hear on the television and radio which have been made by professionals.

The way to make this happen is through the use of a brand new groundbreaking piece of software that can aid you in the creative process of making your own dance beats easily and quickly.

Be aware that if your background is not in this genre, it can be difficult to make music that sounds good or to even learn the software in general.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though, because that is not the case with this software…

One piece of software that was recently made available shows you step by step how to make your own dance music with ease. The best part is that both professionals and absolute beginners can benefit from this unique program.

A lot of people are even making there own professional music beats with this software and selling them online, which is also perfectly legal as though they were the ones that created the music, so there is no copyright worries etc.