In the central portion of Paris, France there lies an island in the middle of the river Seine. There you will find the huge Cathedral Notre Dame which was built around 1200. Notre Dame is one of the most magnificently architectural locations in all of Europe. 

In the 12^th and 13^th centuries, Notre Dame was the focal point of polyphonic musical compositions. The first Medieval University was constructed around the cathedral and Kings and Queens built palaces surrounding the sacred location.

As you read the historical evolution of the first piece of harmony, listen to one of the earliest plainchant's of harmonical sound.

 

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The earliest written sources of music were medieval manuscripts of the late 9th century that contain liturgical texts. Small symbols were used called “neumes” that indicated the contour of the melodic lines.

The Cathedral of Notre Dame

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In honor of the construction of this massive structure, two composers created the first polyphonical piece in the history of  Western music. Leoninus was the eldest son and originally started the collection that was composed for Notre Dame. Perotinus added to the collection by extending the range and scope of the music.

Magnus Liber Organi

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The pieces of these two composers were made into a collection of compositions called the “Magnus Liber Organi”. The book itself contains sophisticated pieces for the year of Notre Dame.

Viderunt Omnes

The most famous of the compositions was the four part Viderunt Omnes by Perotinus, based on the plainchant of the same name. This chant was meant to be played in the middle of Mass services on Christmas Day.

The most incredible aspect about this piece is that it is built entirely on an ancient structure of musical composition many are not familiar with. In addition, the voice parts of the composition were sang entirely by monks or priests.

The evolution of harmony began in the 10^th century and it made its way all over the country and the entire world. Not only would your favorite harmonical songs be nonexistent if not for this invention but, our lives would be filled with monophonic music lacking instrumentation and including the voices of monks in unison.

This one may take you back a few years - and it has been covered by many people over the years.  Yet, who did the original version?  It was released on a 1971 album (back when they had them!) and reached number three in the US charts.  When the artist recorded it he was actually working in a factory.  Not so strange in itself until you learn that the factory made toilet seats for jumbo jets!  The song comes in at number two hundred and eighty in the Rolling Stone magazines "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".  Now got it yet?

Moving forward to 1981, this band took the world by storm with their electro-pop grooviness, a lead singer with an incredibly floppy fringe and two girl singers who couldn't really sing! In fact they made your average cat on a tin roof sound hot! This song is comfortably in the top thirty best selling singles of all time in the UK and was a global hit.  A "Star Is Born" theme runs through this tune, and despite its success the band initially did not want it released viewing it as very much a second rate filler track for their album "Dare".  They insisted that a large poster be released with the song which then gracefully adorned bedsit walls for years to come.  Has the "aaah" moment come?

From the album, Combat Rock, this single was recorded in the same year as second entry here but wasn't for ten years that the song made it to number one, after numerous re-releases.  What the song is about (specifically) remains a mystery, but the best bet is on that it concerns a relationship between a band member and a lady by the name of Ellen Folley, which was soon to go the way of so many relationships!  Come on, this one is easy!

This gentleman has had numerous hits but this one remains a firm favorite of people around the globe.  Reputedly, this track still gets played in clubs over a quarter of a million times a week, despite the fact that it was released in 1983.  The song is still regarded as the signature for this artist, for several reasons.  Firstly, the video was hugely successful, he performed a particularly famous dance routine of his while performing the song on live TV and there might also be something to do with a fedora and a single white, sequined glove as well.

This was released in the States in 1965 and is looked upon by many as the greatest rock and roll song ever put on to vinyl.  Its lyrics were considered extremely risqué for time and for quite a while it was only played on pirate radio stations.  The band is still going and the lead singer is known for his strutting stage performance and lips that were way out there before collagen implants had ever been heard of!  Another band member has recently hit the tabloids for his supposed philandering with a young Russian lady.  His song has been covered by artists as diverse as Otis Redding and Britney Spears.  Got it yet?

Recorded in 1985 and a huge global hit in 1986, this song featured on the soundtrack of a popular action adventure film of the period.  The video of the song was "helped out" by the presence of three Hollywood stars, De Vito, Douglas and Turner getting down with the kids.  If failed by a whisker to get to the number one spot in the US but was there twice in the UK, the second time for Irish heart-throb boy-band not-at-all-manufactured pop-sensation Boyzone.  Not got it, despite the overindulgent and wasteful use of hyphens?  Shame on you!

The lead singer of this band went on to be far better known for his charitable works and his wayward daughters than for his career as new wave front man.  Written after a particularly nasty incident at an American High School, this song pounded its way to the top of the charts in many countries in 1979.  Not so much in the US where it only reached number seventy three on the Billboard charts (due to the lead singer's antagonism towards the American media).  It penetrated deeply in to the American psyche despite this. No, take a look at the end of the article for the answers!

Soul music would never been the same again after this song.  It was released in 1959 and is still well known today due to its (some say over) use in numerous TV and film productions.  This song is an affirmation of affection that is loved the world over for its honest simplicity; it has been covered by the world, its wife and several schools of dolphins in to the bargain.   Most recently the song has become a parody of its former self, being used in a campaign for Barack Obama.  The lyrics were altered to make John McCain look foolish - "Don't know much about industry".  Shame on you Barack!

Taken from the eponymously title film this track was a breakthrough for reggae in the United States.  The film tells the story of a young Jamaican man in America, trying to make it big.  The film itself bombed until it became popularized by late night showings and then went mainstream.  Released in 1971 the song itself has titillated a number of generations of schoolboys who, for some strange reason, seem to find the title of the song the source of constant and upmost hilarity.

Really, if you can't get this one you have no right to call yourself a music fan.  And, OK, it's not strictly speaking a chart but this was irresistible.  This song has supposedly the greatest number of cover versions of any song ever recorded.  Ever.  Well, to paraphrase Many Rice-Davis, it would have, wouldn't it?  A sublime tune from 1965, it was recently voted the best song of the twentieth century in a recent poll of BBC radio listeners.

If you were stuck on any, here are the answers!

• Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers
• Don't You Want Me? by the Human League
• Should I Stay or Should I Go? by The Clash
• Billy Jean by Michael Jackson
• (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
• When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going by Bill Ocean
• I Don't Like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats
• Wonderful World by Sam Cooke
• The Harder They Come by Jimmy Cliff
• Yesterday by The Beatles

Being that I was born in 1977, I still was able to experience these songs with my parents and friends. It brings back nostalgic feelings of times in my life that were substantial.

Sit back, relax, and grab a cup of coffee and reminisce about the past.

Baby Hold On: Eddie Money

“Baby Hold On” was released as a single and reached #11 on the Billboard charts in 1977.

Baby, I Love Your Way: Peter Frampton

"Baby, I Love Your Way" was featured on Peter Frampton’s 1975 album Frampton. In 1976, a live version was released which hit #12 on the Billboard charts.

Dream Weaver: Gary Wright

Dream Weaver was a smash hit in 1976 by Gary Wright. It was a cosmic journey with floating words and feel good sound.

All by Myself: Eric Carmen

"All by Myself" was a powerful ballad composed by Eric Carmen in 1975. Carmen's full version has an extended piano solo and lasted over seven minutes, although there is also an edited version at four minutes and 22 seconds.

Love is a Battlefield: Pat Benatar

"Love Is a Battlefield" was a quintessential power rocker chick kind of ballad. Girls wanted to be her and men wanted to, you get the picture. It was released as a single in 1983 off the “Live From Earth “album. It was Pat Benatar’s most successful single topping the charts of Billboard and the Australian singles chart.

Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad: Meatloaf

"Two out of Three Ain't Bad" was the second hit single followed by "You Took the Words Right out of My Mouth" and followed by "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". It reached #11 on the Billboard charts making it Meatloaf’s highest-charting single.

Part One Your in My Heart: Rod Stewart

Part Two Do You Think I’m Sexy: “Rocker Legs”

 In 1977, this song reached #4 in the US.  Stewarts look evolved over the years to a rocker glam look with tight pants and loads of make-up. He earned the name “Rocker Legs”, especially when his oh so sexy number one single came out called “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” ,which was a crossover hit.

Open Arms: Journey

"Open Arms" was song written about two lovers who were trying to come back together with a different perspective, “open arms”. It has been remade by Country music artist Collin Ray, Pop singer Mariah Carey, and Korean singer Younha.

Sister Christian: Night Ranger

"Sister Christian" was a hot power rock ballad first released on the album, “Midnight Madness”. The band’s drummer, Kelly Keagy, wrote and sang the song about his sister. The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard charts and #2 on the Hot Mainstream Rock chart.

Amanda: Boston

"Amanda" featured a mix of acoustic and electric guitars forming a love ballad, a type of song Boston doesn't typically perform. It was Boston's biggest hit single on the Billboard chart, reaching number one for two weeks in 1986.

I Want to Know What Love Is: Foreigner

"I Want to Know What Love Is" was a power rock ballad which hit #1 in the UK and the US charts. It was Foreigner’s most successful single and best known song.

Lady: Styx

“Lady was first song released on Styx II in September 1972 and was a local hit in Chicago, but failed to hit the top of the charts. The song was re-released in 1974 and topped the charts at #6. The song was originally written by Dennis DeYoung’s for his wife.

Dust in the Wind: Kansas

This song was just being released in the year I was born, 1977. It rounded out at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978.

Tiny Dancer: Elton John

"Tiny Dancer" was written in 1971 by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The lyrics were written to describe the love Taupin felt for his fiance Maxine Feibelman, a dancer for Elton John’s tour.

Take it on the Run: Reo Speedwagon

"Take It on the Run" is the fifth track on the REO Speedwagon album, Hi Infidelity. In 1981 it reached #5 on the Billboard Charts. This song followed up the ever popular “Keep on Loving You”.

The Sword - Age of winters (2006)

Stoner metal outfit The Sword hail from Texas but you would be surprised to believe it! Is it true? It seems so but with their style it provides a European metal standard. With fantasy and dark lyrics the band project Sabbath style riffs and mighty drums that will take you on the battlefield. The song "Freya" was used on the recent Guitar Hero game and the fabulous "Winter Wolves" (noted for it's stylish music video) provides a fantastic sing a long and a guaranteed head banging session.

Recommended tracks- Lament of the Aurochs, Winters Wolves, Freya

Lacuna Coil - Comalies (2002)

When Lacuna Coil released the opening track off the album "Swamped" it became an instant hit and used mostly on the UK music channel Scuzz and the horror channel. Italian Goth rockers provide an adrenaline rush with this album. "Daylight Dancer" and "Heaven"s A Lie' are wonderful and make you want to wear black and rock out all night, one of the finest rock/metal bands to date.

Recommended tracks- Swamped, Daylight Dancer, Heaven's A Lie

Blackbud- From the Sky (2006)

British band Blackbud, inspired by the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead. What more could you want? Their debut album is a strong effort and with similarities to Jeff Buckley voice, the band is edging towards fame within the rock world. Their contemporary sound illustrates a band to be taken serious. Their single release of "Barefoot Dancing" earned them play on the British soap opera "coronation street".

Recommended tracks- Barefoot Dancing, Market Streets, Days Passing Away, Heartbeat, Sitting by the River

The Darkness- Permission to Land (2003)

Love them or hate them? It's no surprise that some might find the Darkness sickening but there is no doubt that while they lasted they set the UK on fire! Winning the Brit Awards and Kerrang magazine quoted that the debut was the best rock album in twenty years. Combined with riffs similar to thin Lizzy and AC/DC and the high pitched vocals of Justin Hawkins the band we're an excellent showcase. Permission To Land was allowed once they released the likes "I Believe In A Thing Called Love" and "Growing On Me" the excellent rock numbers of "Love On The Rocks With No Ice" and "Get Your Hands Off My Woman" and the Status Quo style "Stuck In A Rut" Darkness had Permission to rock!

Recommended tracks - Growing on Me, Black Shuck, Get Your Hands off My Woman, I Believe in a Thing Called love

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (2000)

San Francisco rockers follow the likes of The Ramones and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their debut has shoegazing and rock n roll inspiration all over it! "Spread Your Love" is an instant classic rock song and has to be checked out! "Love Burns" "Red Eyes and Tears" "Salvation" "as Sure As the Sun" are mouth watering and leave you begging for more.

Recommended tracks- Red Eyes and Tears, Love Burns, Spread your love, as sure As the Sun

The Answer- Rise (2006)

The Answer's debut album made them rise into fame in the classic rock magazine. Winning the award for the best new rock act at the classic rock awards two years hasn't kept them away from rocking out at gigs and inspiring rock fans around the globe. An inspirational debut and will be amongst one of the finest rock debut's in years to come!

Recommended tracks- Under the Sky, Preachin, Never Too Late, Be What You Want

Kasabian - Kasabian (2003)

Debut album from Leicester based band Kasabian. The have the attitude of Oasis and musical beats like Primal Scream. The band is a modern great! This debut was a fine example of what is to become. "Club Foot" is a great beat and one that'll get your foot pounding in seconds! The dance rock number of "Processed Beats" to instrumental pieces like "Ovary Stripe" too politically driven "Running Battle" and "Reason Is Treason"

Recommended tracks- Club Foot, Ovary Stripe, Reason Is Treason, Cutt Off, Processed Beats, L.S.D (Lost Souls Forever)

Roadstar - Grand Hotel (2006)

Roadstar came and went quicker then The Darkness. They never reached the peak that should have been. After playing gig after gig in the UK and playing at the Monsters of Rock 2006. Roadstar were I liked band by those who viewed them and their debut album is a classic that will be looked upon in the future. Hard rock riffs written all over it and self titled track "Roadstar" is a glorious tune that makes you realize you've been hit on the head and left to drift into the band's chambers.

Recommended tracks- Roadstar, Liar, Stolen My Pride, Lets Get It Started, Magic Hat, Misplaced Paradise

Panic Room- Visionary Position (2008)

Debut album from the ashes of Karnataka, Panic Room provide a brilliant progressive rock encounter with instrumental play. The eighteen minute closer is edgy and poignant and an example of experienced musicianship.

Recommended tracks- Firefly, Elektra City, I Wonder What's Keeping My True Love Waiting, The Dreaming

Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)

So you may be wondering why Porcupine Tree is included because they are in fact over ten years old. Steven Wilson began as a solo artist with his Porcupine Tree band but overtime they have became a four piece band. "Fear of a Blank Planet" proves how capable Wilson is of producing and recording music time and time again. A concept album that's inspired in a progressive format, features the likes Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson and Robert Fripp. Six explosive pieces and a seventeen minute "Anesthetize" it's a progressive fantasy and essential rock album of the 00 years.

Recommended tracks- Way out of Here, Anesthetize, Fear of a Blank Planet, My Ashes.

Why Do I Want to Play An Instrument?

Many people play for mere enjoyment, but you may have a special reason for taking up the instrument you're going to play. For example, if you're planning on joining a rock band, chances are that you shouldn't take up the tuba (although it's up to you). If you want a portable instrument that you can take to your friends' places, you probably won't opt for piano. Be aware of your musical goals before making a decision.

What Type of Music Do You Want to Play?

While any song can be adapted for any instrument, choosing an instrument suited to your genre of music is the easiest way to select a repertoire. Guitar and electric bass are suited to rock, metal or pop; woodwinds usually play classical music; and brass instruments and saxophones are often associated with jazz. Some instruments, like drums or piano, are versatile when it comes to genre, but not necessarily suited to one style or another.

What's Your Hand/Body Size?

Instruments come in all shapes and sizes, some of which are difficult to adapt to for smaller-sized players. Large instruments in general, like an upright bass or a tuba, are hard to handle for musicians of small stature. In addition, to play instruments like the piano or bassoon, which require a large hand span, you'll need to have, obviously, big hands. You need to be sure that you can handle the instrument you choose.

How Much Space Do You Have?

This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you have a small living space, don't buy a grand piano. It's that simple.

Can You Make Noise Without Being A Public Disturbance?

Some people have sound-proofed studios in their basements for practicing their instruments, but if you live in an apartment or townhouse, you may not want to have the police knocking on your door because of your 2AM drum sessions. If your circumstances won't allow you to play a characteristically loud instrument, don't bother with it. There are hundreds of quieter instruments to choose from.

What Can You Afford, Instrument-Wise?

Instruments generally aren't cheap. While I'm sure you can find $10 axes on eBay, quality will always be an issue. If you're serious about being a musician, try and save up your cash and buy a decent instrument. If you just want to play an instrument because it sounds like a cool thing to do, you can compromise-an instrument like a recorder is only about four dollars!

After you've answered these questions, you're pretty much ready to choose an instrument to play and make music with. Look into your musical soul, just to be sure you've made the right choice. You won't regret it!

Hopelessly Devoted To You

This is my most favourite song.I listened this song ten years ago while I was watching the

John,was also actress of Grease movie.She was the partner of John Travolta in Grease.This is a part from the lyrics of “Hopelessly Devoted To You”.

Guess mine is not the first heart broken,
my eyes are not the first to cry ı

I'm not the first to know,
there's just no gettin' over you

What's Another Year

It was the song of Ireland in Eurovision Song Contest in1980.It was the winner of that content.When I first listened “What's Another Year” , I cried for hours and hours.This is the first song I have been impressed too much.The singer,Johnny Logan, is the most popular and well-known singer of Ireland.He increased his fame in Europe by this song. This is a part from the lyrics of “What's Another Year”.

I've been waiting, such a long time
Looking out for you
But you're not here
What's another year

I've been waking such a long time
Reaching out for you
But you aren't near
What's another year

Hold Me Now

This was another song of Ireland in Eurovision Song Contest in 1987. Not surprisingly,it was the winner of this contest again.It was composed and performed by Johnny Logan.After this song,Johnny Logan proven his musical capabilities to all Europe by winning the contest twice. This is a part from the lyrics of “Hold Me Now”.

Hold me now
Don't cry, don't say a word
Just hold me now
And try to understand that
I hope at last you've found
What you've been searchin' for
And though I won't be there anymore
I will always love you

Mama

Mama is performed by famous multinational music group Il Divo.Il Divo is formed by famous singers Carlos Marin, Urs Buhler, David Miller and Sebastien Izambard. This is a part from the lyrics of “Mama”.

Mama thank you for who I am
Thank you for all the things I'm not
Forgive me for the words unsaid
And for the times
I forgot
Mama remember all my life
You showed me love,you sacrificed
Think of those young and early days
How I've changed
Along the way,along the way
And I know you believed
And I know you had dreams
And I'm sorry it took all this time to see

In the song, the melody is an upbeat one with pitches ranging from low to high. The main melody is a repeating series of pitches. The different pitches jumping in intervals from high to low creates a sense of happiness that plays well with the vocals. The tone being major also contributes to the positive feel of the song. In this song, tonality is a really big part of how the listener thinks about the song. Because it is in a major tone, the listener gets a better understanding about how the music was intended to be as.

Also, there is a very strongly defined motive in the piece. For the majority of the piece, the melody consists of a short high pitched motive that changes pitch in relation to the lyrics and vocals. In the motive, the interval between each individual pitch is relatively short, with each pitch coming very soon after the previous pitch to make a relatively smooth melody. The motive is repeated throughout the song in conjunction with the same lyrics. It can also be heard in slightly changed versions with either modified pitches or unique timbre from different musical instruments.

The contour of the piece is also important to the overall sound of it. In the melody the contour is mostly angular with successive pitches being spaced relatively wide apart. In some parts separate from the motive however, there are melodies that have a smooth contour, with successive pitches being spaced close together. Near the middle of the song there is a melody that switches between sets of 3 consecutive pitches.

When you look at the song as a whole, melody is the foundation of it and supports the other musical elements. When looking inside melody, all of the musical aspects of melody work in conjunction to create a catchy and distinctive melody. “Like a Rolling Stone” is a strong example of a great song and melds all six elements of music into a strong piece of music.

This musical instrument originated from the indigenous peoples coming from the northern part of Australia. It is called a “didgeridoo”. It was first created using the trunk of a eucalyptus tree which had had its inner plant cells completely eaten by the ants, so that it would create a mysterious buzzing sound when blowing through it. Most musical scholars believe that this is the most ancient musical instrument. Its origin can be tracked back to nearly 40,000 years ago.

When blowing through this instrument, one trembles the lips and mouth in order to make the traditional sounds. Its sound brings to mind an in-depth resonance of the earth if it is played properly. Modern research has revealed that blowing through this instrument can help in the treatment of snoring and shortness of breathe, as it is found to be very useful when used to exercise the related respiratory muscles.

Glass Piano

This odd musical instrument was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. He once declared: “In all my inventions, this glass piano satisfied me a lot.” He had the idea to invent this instrument when he found that friction at the mouth of the glass bottle with water inside it could create some unusual musical sounds. Franklin then took advantage of this principle by inventing a glass bottle that could be rotated by his legs while he used moist hands to "play" the bottles, creating unique musical sounds. It is alleged that Mozart liked this type of instrument so much that he specifically composed two songs for the glass piano.

Tsabouna

This instrument was invented by Greek shepherds about 2000 years ago and is made with goat's skin. It shrinks to become a flat mat when it is not inflated, but when blowing through it, it will expand to its full size. It has a short tube used to play with the mouth, while the other part is a wider tube with holes for the fingers. Unique melodies and musical tones are created when playing this traditional instrument.

Hand Drum

Eight years ago, the Swiss invented this unusual instrument whose outer appearance somehow resembles a strange UFO flying saucer. It is made of metal and the sound is created when the fingers and palms are used to hit percussively against the instrument. Its tone can change in accordance with the force of the hands. Some have said that this instrument can sound like an additional performer on the stage.

Bonang

This is one of the legendary Java musical instruments said to have been invented by the Sang Hyang guru 230 years ago. This instrument is played by hitting two rows of alternately arranged and tuned drums with each drum creating the different musical notes. The sound of these drums are somewhat similar to bells or chimes.

This is crunch time. You've spent months working on your walk, trimming up your paunch and experimenting with smouldering looks in front of a mirror. You feel prepared and you feel confident.

In the run-up to the audition, you decide to keep working your usual lower-grade jobs, modeling for the Beatnik Fashion Emporium on Saturday afternoons. All your friends come along to see how you're doing and to wish you luck for your London show.

That's when it happens.

You mince your way onto the Beatnik Fashion Emporium's makeshift cardboard catwalk full of confidence, but looking like an even camper version of Julian Clarey and your smouldering look makes you look constipated. You aren't a bad model, you just need to take longer strides and definitely need to stop pulling that face - the question is, will your mates tell you what's wrong?

Of course not. They are, as all friends should be, an incredibly sycophantic and spineless bunch that tell you the Versace job is practically yours and the audition is merely a formality.

The same friends will, of course, cry out at the injustice of Versace's decision to turn you down due to "lurching gait and uncomfortable grimace" and may even bang off an e-mail or two to the customer relations team at Versace HQ to tell them that they don't know what they are talking about.

Analogy over. I think you get the point! This is the very reason that people can turn up on X-Factor, peddle the dodgiest performance since Bjorks's colon-related encore and still be surprised when the judges laugh at them.

'Everyone tells me I have a great voice', they claim. Well of course they do and in the context of your own front room and in the company of generous friends whose to say it isn't vaguely passable.

The point of this whole rant? It's great to hear nice things, but make sure you can get your hands on an honest opinion before you decide to take on the world, or you'll never get your chance at a coke-fuelled orgy with Kate and friends.