Billshrink

I found out about Billshrink, an independent recommendation service, via an article about T-Mobile inviting current and potential customers to use Billshrink to compare cell phone plans. Billshrink currently does recommendations for cell phone plans, credit cards, and gas stations along your daily commute route (if you drive to work).

I just tried the Gas Advisor and it looks useful. However, the list of recommended gas stations were all stations along a route I actually don't use to drive to work, because of the traffic. Still, it's got potential.

Ray Charles Turnaround Lick for Guitar

I admit, I haven't worked very much on turnaround licks, but this one looks and sounds cool enough to learn. Thanks to Arlen Roth for this lesson.

Piano Lesson Excerpt: The Impact of Key Speed on Soft Playing

Vietnamese Street Guitar

Electric guitar jammin' on the street, Vietnamese style:



Quite fitting, considering the Vietnamese most likely invented the world's first whammy bar.

Controlling Analog Synths from Software

Most analog synthesizers and some effects processors, eg. the Moogerfooger pedals, can be controlled by voltage. Such devices have "control voltage" ("CV" for short) inputs. MOTU has released a software product called Volta which can send CV signals, allowing for more convenient integration with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) such as Pro Tools, Logic, Sonar, Cubase, etc. It requires an audio interface with DC-coupled outputs such as MOTU's own audio interface products. I'm not sure if Volta can also receive control voltage.

If you have Cycling 74's Max, you could try implementing something similar in Max. This discussion thread has more information.

HacDC

HacDC is a hacker space located in Washington, DC...

Latcho Drom

From http://www.rambles.net/latcho_drom94.html:

They are called Gypsy, Romany, Rom, Tsigane, Bohemian, Gitano and are known by other names as well. They live primarily in Eurasia where they have wandered and engaged in specific trades for centuries, if not millennia. They constitute a large underclass in European countries like Romania and Slovakia, the poorest of the poor.

They also produce music that is among the finest in the world, that has strongly influenced the European classics and jazz, and that is an intrinsic part of their culture.

Tony Gatlif's 103-minute 1993 film Latcho Drom (Safe Journey) is a homage to the music of the Rom people from Rajastan, India, where the journey begins, to Egypt, Turkey, into Romania, Hungary and Slovakia, and finally into France and Spain.

Unfortunately, the DVD seems to have been discontinued. Fortunately, somebody uploaded the movie. Start at the linked page below and follow the links to the rest of the film:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x47tom_latcho-drom-part-1_music

Turn your iPod Touch into an iPhone (almost)

I'll probably get an iPhone when the next model is released. But some folks simply want to run the cool iPhone apps without getting stuck with a phone company contract, hence the appeal of the iPod Touch. This article introduces iPod Touch owners to Voice Over IP ("VoIP") and SMS software for the iPod Touch. With VoIP software, one can have phone conversations over the Internet without need of a phone company.

The article touches on a disadvantage of this approach, in that you need to be at a WiFi hotspot. Still, a cheap cell phone and iPod Touch might be an attractive alternative to an iPhone for some folks.

Creative Rhythmic Concepts for Jazz Improvisation

Interesting book by Irish jazz musician Ronan Guilfoyle:

This publication is the first of its kind to clearly explain the most recent developments in jazz rhythmic techniques. Intended for use by all instruments, it explains clearly how to go about developing and exploring one's rhythmic technique and how to use these sophisticated techniques in a jazz context. Areas discussed include

Metric Modulation
Subdivision
Odd Metres
Bulgarian music
South Indian Tala system
Multiple subdivision
Polyrhythms
Odd meter polyrhythms
Odd meter modulation.

Each technique is clearly explained and clearly notated and the accompanying CD acts as both a demonstration of the various concepts, and as a playalong CD. There is a comprehensive listening list included in the book as well as 6 compositions that demonstrate the different techniques outlined in the book.

Check his website for more info

ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox

I read about this compact amp in one of the many NAMM 2009 reports.


I currently use an Electro-Voice SXA 360 Powered Speaker and a Roland KC-350 for amplifying my processed guitar and synth signals. The same two amps are also used for the band's vocals. I'm thinking it would be nice to get more separation for just my guitar/synth rig from the vocal mix, without adding more bulk to what we have to stuff into my car. This looks like a viable solution.

http://www.ztamplifiers.com/lunchbox.html

Harp-like Harmonics Guitar Lesson

The beautiful harp-like arpeggios utilizing harmonics, as played by the likes of Tuck Andress and others, have always been a mystery to me. I think this video might be helpful:

Crayon Physics Deluxe

The goal of this game is to get the ball to the star, using crayons to draw items to move the ball. It's been out for the PC and was recently released for iPhone/iPod Touch.

SynthPond

synthPond is a relaxing spatial sequencer and audio toy by conceptual new media artist Zach Gage.

Unlike a normal sequencer where you place notes on a grid and a moving playhead plays them, in synthPond you place nodes in a field (pond).

There are two major types of nodes.
-Circular nodes release waves at certain intervals.
-Hard-edged nodes release waves when waves hit them

Moving these nodes about allows you to create complex and relaxing melodies.

ABC News: Five Best Work-From-Home Jobs

Five Best Work-From-Home Jobs

RjDj

RjDj is a music application for the Iphone. It uses sensory input to generate and control the music you are listening to.

Here's a demo video:

Which food is not worth buying organic, and which is

Is 'Organic' Worth It?

How Quit A Day Job

A professional blogger's story of how she quit her day job to pursue her passions.

I'm not even thinking of quitting my day job now or within the next 2 years, actually. But I'm fascinated by this type of story.

Tips for reducing tension in seconds

Learn the Art of Self-Massage

A couple of good roundup articles on green countertops

One decision I've been putting off on the upcoming kitchen remodeling project is which countertop to use. Anyone who has been following this blog (yes, all 2-4 of you) knows I've been looking for something environmentally friendly.

The Kitchen Designer - Green Kitchen Countertops

New York House Magazine - The best in green kitchen countertops

I was initially leaning towards recycled glass such as IceStone... until I found out recycled glass countertops cost just as much as granite (which, though popular, is not considered environmentally friendly due to quarrying practices). I'm probably going to get PaperStone Certified, which is made from 100% post-consumer standard office paper.

One Block Off The Grid program

One Block Off The Grid is a group "on a mission to make solar accessible at a fraction of the cost, one city at a time".

Solar power is notoriously expensive, typically costing about $20,000 US per home. Should I wait for Ikea to start selling affordable solar panels, or sign up with One Block Off The Grid?

I'd love to get my house off the grid, or at least generate so much electricity via solar power that the electric company would have to pay me.