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Our
online database has been updated as of September
1. 2005
3
libraries at a glance (the holy trinity)
Library
#42 by Artist
Library
#42 by Title
Library
#9¾ by Artist
Library
#9¾ by Title
Library
#33.3 by Artist
Library
#33.3 by Title
French
songs
Guide
to understanding our song codes
Children's
songs
We've
recently reprinted all of the Songbooks:
DOWNLOAD
& PRINT:
Library
#42 last
printing
Sept 2005 [Artist]
[Title]
[Genre]
pdf
Library
#9¾
last printing
Sept 2005 [Artist]
[Title]
[Genre]
pdf
Library #33.3 last
printing
Oct 2005 [Artist]
[Title]
[Genre]
pdf
We
add new songs to all our libraries regularly.
Keep up to date via our forum:
New to Library #42 forum
New to Library #9¾ forum
New to Library #33.3 forum
Find
Your Favorite Library:
Library #42 in
use at: Swizzles,
LookOut,
O'Brien's
&
Brig Pub
Library #9¾in
use at: Swizzles,
VIP,
Royal
Britannia &
Brig
Pub
Library #33.3 in
use at: Swizzles,&
Black
Bear Pub
easy
popup & print:
[weekly calendar] [monthly
calendar]
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What's The Deal With...
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...Song
Numbering System?Understanding
Our Song Codes:
ALL karaoke disks as not created equal. There are
many different manufacturers of karaoke disks.
CD+G
Manufacturer Differences
CD+G Manufacturers vary widely in quality. This
is due in part to the relatively young age of the
industry. RCA has been recording for almost 80 years
while Karaoke has existed for less than 20.
Karaoke
music tracks are recorded by studio, computer and
midi musicians and not the original artists, therefore,
the skills of the players, sound engineer and studio
manager have a great impact on the outcome.
Some studios do a better job of recreating music
as it was originally recorded.
Another
major factor in disk quality is the philosophy and
practices of the manufacturer. Some companies record
in a lower key in an attempt to make songs easier
to sing. Others truncate musical breaks so singers
don't stand around on stage with nothing to do.
Still other may include an extra keyboard line that
approximates the vocals to help those unfamiliar
with the tune known as a "guide vocal".
Karaoke
CD+Gs are often recorded at different levels. Some
of them record very quietly while others tend to
record very loudly.
As
a general rule, Sound Choice and Sing To The World
manufacture the best quality karaoke tracks. Sweet
Georgia Brown disks often sound muddy with a very
heavy bottom end. Backstage and Music Maestro are
recorded at extremely low volumes and tends to be
very thin and empty sounding requiring additional
boasting from the mixing desk.
North
American and UK based companies typically have more
accurate lyric wipes than Eastern European and Asian
based companies. North American & U.K. companies
are also more likely to have paid the appropriate
royalties for the rights to recreate the songs.
Hence, Sound Choice no longer markets anything owned
by Don Henley, Disney, or ABKCO as these Artists/Companies
refuse to allow rights to reproduce their materials.
Our
disc numbering system
Our disc numbers are comprised of four or five initial
digits. The first one or two digits identify the
manufacturer; the remaining two (or three) identify
the disc within a series and the final two digits
identify the track number.
For
Example:
if
you saw Play That Funky Music 8176-08 in
our song libraries, the disk number would tell you
that it is a SoundChoice recreation. Where the #
8 indicates Sound Choice and the last 2 digits indicate
the track number. You are encouraged to pick a song
with an "8" or "9" as the 1st
digit as opposed to a "1" .
Our
Song Codes:
10xx
Sweet Georgia Brown
11xx Pocket Songs / Just Tracks
12xx Sunfly
13xx Hellavu Disk, RCA, UBest, Ultra Sonic, UKK
14xx Backstage / Standing Ovation
15xx Nikkado/NuTech (SAVA & SAVP)
16xx Music Maestro
17xx Legends / Baseline
18xx Priddis
19xx AmeriSing
20xx Coast 2 Coast, BCI, A1, Cool /Star/Hip Tracks,
DJ Choice, misc
21xx Dangerous
22xx Sing It Now
23xx Performance Trax
24xx Sybersounds (Party Tyme)
25xx Chartbuster
26xx Chartbuster
28xx Madacy Karaoke Party
29xx Song Factory
32xx Doctor Music
34xx Hot stuff Karaoke Hits
35xx Mega CDG
36xx Radio Starz
37xx Country Starz
39xx Star Disc
400x Karaoke Maker
404x Sing King
407x Gamesman
41xx Zoom Entertainment
42xx TipTop
45xx Top Tunes
5xxxx Pop Hits/Rock Hits Today/Monthly
6xxxx Country/Nashville Hits Today/Monthly
7xxx DK Karaoke
8xxx Sound Choice
9xxx Sing To The World
Notice
the 1st digits range from 1-9 which helps to indicate
the general quality of the manufacturer.
Poor: Backstage, Standing Ovation (14xx)
Good: Ameri-sing (19xx), Sing It Now
(22xx)
Better: Radio Starz (3xxx), Pop/Rock.Urban
Monthly (5xxxx)
Best: Sound Choice (8xxx), Sing to
the World (9xxx)
This
is not an absolute. Personal preference plays a
huge part in which track you will enjoy.
next
month: what's the deal
with...color coded libraries?
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SINGER TIPS
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"Herbs
to the Rescue"
(Mother
Nature has a remedy for just about anything)
by Mark Baxter
The other day I woke up with a killer sore throat.
It was pay back for too many long nights in the
studio on top of jet lag from a recent trip. Obviously,
I didnt heed my own words of warning (see
free lesson entitled : Singing With a Cold ) and
so I humbly insert foot in mouth. Anyway, the last
time I hurt that much to swallow was years ago,
on the morning of an "unplugged" show
my band was playing at the Hard Rock in Boston.
Luckily, I didnt have to sing this time around;
a snow storm had canceled my studio session. However,
I always treat these nasty little detours as dress
rehearsals for the future. Aside from catching up
on some much-needed rest, piling on extra layers
of clothes and forcing fluids, I reached for my
trusty herbal extract.
Herbs
are an excellent way for singers to treat many ailments
without the adverse effects accompanied by pharmaceuticals.
Drugs leave behind residues which are difficult
for the body to eliminate. Sometimes the cure is
more harsh than the cold. Herbs work naturally within
your body, helping to fight infections and correcting
imbalances. They also have a preventative quality
which fortifies the immune system to recognize future
intruders. Since they dont leave behind any
toxins, there is no adverse effect on your vocal
membranes (such as the drying from antihistamines).
The problem is that they dont provide the
big bang weve become accustom to from western
medications, so its important to administer
them early. In order to discover the right herbal
combination and dosage, I strongly recommend experimenting
on non-gig scenarios.
The
best way to gain the benefits of herbs is via liquid
extracts. Youll find racks of herbal extracts
in any natural food store (they come is small bottles
with eye-dropper tops). The label will detail what
ailments a particular herb relieves. Some claims
will seem pretty far-fetched, so heres a few
I recommend for singers: Echinacea for the beginning
stages of a cold. It activates the immune system,
fights infections, mobilizes white blood cells.
Golden Seal to reduce mucous membrane inflammation
due to sinusitis, hay fever and allergies. Osha
Root to loosen mucus. Slippery Elm soothes sore
throats. Wild Cherry Bark is a good expectorant.
Collinsonia reduces irritation in the pharynx (upper
throat). Licorice Root is also good for sore throats
and has mild anti-histamine properties. Astragalus
Root is the best at preventing colds. It increases
production of interferon and helps resist viral
infections if taken daily before cold season.
Herbal
extracts are also sold in combinations for greater
convenience. My favorite tonic is Echinacea and
Golden Seal, which is what I used to rid myself
of that burning throat infection. One squirt of
the eye-dropper on the back of the tongue every
hour did the trick. What used to last a week was
squashed in a day -- twice. I must warn you the
taste is extremely bitter. If you need to, the drops
can be diluted in a glass of water or juice -- or
a vodka martini, I guess.
Speaking
of alcohol, you might notice most extracts contain
an alcohol base. This, I am told, is the best way
to remove the herbs vital resins and preserve
their medicinal qualities. If youre a recovering
alcoholic, place your drops into a cup of boiling
water. This will reduce the potency of the extract,
but evaporate the alcohol completely. If youre
worried about the affect of alcohol on your voice,
dont be afraid. There is twice as much alcohol
in a whole ripe banana than in a single dose of
extract. There is, of course, loads of info on herbs
throughout the web. Run a search for starters or
visit your local health food store and start asking
questions. So, now that Im feeling better,
its off to the studio for more abuse. Adios
my fellow vocalteers.
Mark
Baxter is a vocal therapist who offers private
and video lessons. To contact him, call: (800)659-6002.
Visit his website at: www.voicelesson.com
(reprinted
with the kind permission of Mark
Baxter)
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