Music

Despite the status and the reputation that they may hold around the world because of what they do for a living, celebrities are just ordinary human beings and are pretty much the same as everyone else on the planet.

Of course, celebrities will generally be better off than the vast population because of the benefits that they may have been able to get for themselves because of their global appeal, but it is hard to hide from the fact that they are just very much like all of us.

In fact, one of the best ways to see how a celebrity figure is like an ordinary person is to look at some of the interesting hobbies that they may, as many of these can then be incredibly relatable, whilst others may just be incredibly surprising and something that would never have been expected in the wildest of dreams.

We take a look at just some celebs who are known to have an interesting hobby.

George Clooney

Okay, so George Clooney might just be one of the most attractive men to have ever walked the planet and have a number of people crushing on him extremely hard, but Mr. Clooney does need to get his own downtime and away from the limelight at times.

The Hollywood actor’s favorite hobby, though? Gambling. He is known to love to play a number of casino games and has even owned and invested in his own establishment in Las Vegas. He has also had film roles that have allowed him to combine the passion he has for gambling alongside his main line of work, with Ocean’s Eleven just one of those titles.

Taylor Swift

When Taylor Swift is not writing new music about previous boyfriends and past break-ups, it would seem she has a pretty niche hobby that helps her to get away from everything and put her mind to something else.

It has been revealed in the past that the superstar singer is a huge fan of making snow globes, with her taking the time to make her own over the holiday season each and every single year. She has become rather artistic with her hobby as she has managed to use a range of different materials and tools to create them including mason jars.

How did the inspiration for this particular hobby come about? When she was browsing Pinterest. Goes to show anyone really can learn a new skill or pick up a new hobby whilst being on social media.

Rod Stewart

Another global superstar from the music industry, Rod Stewart is another musical legend and icon who has a rather interesting hobby and one that may not have initially ever been thought of when seeing the icon.

Sometimes, it can be hard to distinguish whether something is a passion or an obsession, but for Stewart, it is evident it is all about model railways. There has been a move that he made about his passion as it revealed the 100-foot model railway he built of New York’s Grand Central Station, whilst those that have followed him closely will know how much love he has for his collection.

He is known to regularly take his model trains on tours with him, where he will sometimes book a second hotel room as a workshop so he can enjoy his hobby when not performing for the crowds of people that want to rock out with him.

John Lennon

Stamp collecting is not for everyone as there will be some who will love what it will do for them, whilst there are others that may even prefer to watch paint dry on walls once it has been applied.

However, one man who loved to collect them was John Lennon and if it was good enough for him, then it can be good enough for anyone.

The former Beatles band member was a noted philatelist and was known to have participated with the hobby ever since he was a child. His own personal collection has been amongst some of the best that the world has ever witnessed, as it went up in an exhibition back in 2016 at the World Stamp Show in New York after it had been at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum beforehand.

Furthermore, Lennon was also used as a commemorative stamp in the U.S. in 2018 after a sheet of stamps had been made and designed to look like a 45-inch vinyl that had been peeking out of a record sleeve.

 

Blackjack is a popular casino game that rose to prominence in the late 19th century. Its origins are a bit muddy, but it is well established that it derives its name from a reference to the mineral zincblende used during the Klondike Gold Rush. Today, there is likely no casino that legally can feature this game but chooses to omit it from its gaming floor. Thousands of blackjack sites also exist that let its fans enjoy it remotely.

Sadly, there are not a ton of songs that focus on it. So, players cannot blast a playlist entirely dedicated to blackjack. What they can do is mix the music featuring it with other tunes inspired by different gambling genres. Doing so can create a blend that may serve as the perfect fuel for adventures on tables where they hope to hit twenty-one.

Aminé – Blackjack

Adam Aminé Daniel, better known under the moniker Aminé, is an American rapper hailing from Portland, Oregon. He achieved global fame with his 2016 single Caroline, which peaked at the number eleven position on the Billboard Hot 100 standings. In 2018, he released Blackjack on his third mixtape titled OnePointFive. It is a lyric-heavy song that features a choppy but catchy chorus and will mainly appeal to younger demographics.

Ray Charles – Blackjack

Ray Charles is a musical genius who needs no introduction. He is the second entry on our list as he also has a song that fits our theme in content and name. Blackjack is the second track on side two of Ray Charles’ 1958 album – Yes Indeed! Its lyrics revolve around how blackjack can lead people down a road to financial peril.

Kenny Rogers – The Gambler

Kenny Rogers is likely most known for the song The Gambler, which explains that the trick to surviving in the world of gambling is knowing when to quit. However, before he made The Gambler into a hit, this song, written by Don Schlitz, also got recorded by Booby Bare and Johnny Cash. It makes no explicit mention of blackjack, but it is for sure about card action.

Stevie Nicks – The Dealer

Stevie Nicks is a singer/songwriter best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac. That said, this Phoenix-native also had a pretty decent solo career, with her album Bella Donna reaching multiplatinum status. In 2014, she released her eighth studio album named 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault. Its first single was The Dealer, written for the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk but never released. It is a card metaphor about bad choices made in life.

Leonard Cohen – The Stranger Song

Songs of Leonard Cohen is the debut album of legendary Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen released by Columbia Records in December of 1967. The fourth song on its A-side is The Stranger Song, a tune based on the 1955 film The Man with the Golden Arm. It explores commitment issues using a card game analogy.

Animals – House of the Rising Sun

There is no doubt that the Animals made House of the Rising Sun famous, but many speculate that this folk masterwork has been around since the 16th century. Other established artists that recorded it before the Animals include Alan Lomax, Jean Ritchie, Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan. It tells of a person’s life gone wrong in New Orleans.

The Eagles – Desperado

Desperado is the second album by the country-rock band the Eagles, released in 1973. Don Henley and Glenn Frey wrote its title track as their earliest collaboration. According to its authors, the song was originally about a friend named Leo but quickly evolved into something else. Despite it not being a hit, it has gone down in history as one of the band’s most famous works ever.

The Pogues – Bottle of Smoke

 

The Pogues were a Celtic punk band that gained international fame in the 1980s. Their politically infused music captured the imagination of many Brits and help them achieve mainstream success. Bottle of Smoke is one of their less known songs that describes the fate of a man who bet on the wrong horse.

Madonna – Gambler

Gambler is a 1985 song from the soundtrack of the wrestling film Vision Quest. It is an upbeat synth-pop single that features electronic handclaps and percussion. Its lyrics, entirely written by Madonna, emphasize self-independence. Even though critics did not care for Gambler, it was commercially successful, charting in the top ten in several countries.

Sting – Shape of My Heart

Likely anyone with a TV or radio has heard Sting’s Shape of My Heart. Yet, what is surprising about it is that few people have carefully listened to its lyrics, deducing that it is about a gambler who attempts to figure out the mystical logic of luck.

About the Author

Shelly Schiff has been working in the gambling industry since 2009, mainly on the digital side of things, employed by OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos.com. However, over her eleven-year career, Shelly has provided content for many other top interactive gaming websites. She knows all there is to know about slots and has in-depth knowledge of the most popular table games. Her golden retriever Garry occupies most of her leisure time. Though, when she can, she loves reading Jim Thompson-like crime novels.

 

Scales and tabs, reading music, and other classical guitar skills are all part of the standard guitar learning process. It’s a moment method that needs a lot of practice and study.

However, whether you’re looking for a fast and simple way to start playing the guitar, guitar tab and notation might be the way to go. Tabs are a good way to learn a tune, but they’re a great way to learn guitar in general.

So if you’re one longing to play guitar nowadays, let’s start to know the significance of the guitar tabs and how to read them.

What’s a Guitar Tab?

Are you excited to learn guitar in simple steps? Well, this guitar tab will bring you to the process itself. Guitar tablature, also known as TAB, is a fast and easy way to identify where a note or group should be positioned on the guitar.

But how do you interpret it?

There must be a written guide for all to follow to produce a symphony. For example, by looking at the free Beethoven Guitar tabs and notation, you can understand how the guitar tab works and create music, a Für Elise.

In such a case, the majority of the songs you’ll learn on the guitar are basic enough that you can play them with tabs instead of trying to know how to read sheet music. However, there’s no indication of which fingers to use or what pattern to perform in a guitar tab.

The Basics

A guitar tab is a basic version of music notation that only shows you which notes to play to complete the track. So, identifying the basic ways must be considered vital. So, here we go.

Identifying tab lines

The number of lines on a guitar tab staff would still be the same as the number of strings on your guitar. The strings of the guitar are indicated by six horizontal lines beneath standard notation, from the sixth string at the bottom to the first string at the top, which is the thinnest string.

A six-string guitar, for example, will have six strings, while a four-string bass will have four. On the guitar, the strings progress higher, as they do in the tab staff. It would be best also to analyze how other strings work, such as b string, g string, etc.

Numbers in a tab

The guitar tab has a line by each string on your guitar. A number on a line in the guitar tab indicates that you can work a particular note on that string.

Certainly, the numbers represent the fret note of that specific string to work. Tabs are also read from left to right. And check how your fretting hand works.

Understanding different symbols in a tab

Tablature or tab uses a series of symbols to allow the player to understand how or when to communicate. As such, all of these symbols denote basic guitar techniques for playing the notes. Some common symbols are slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs, string bends, and a palm mute.

Guide to Play Chords with Guitar Tabs

It’s time to progress and know how to read guitar chords after you’ve understood the basics of the guitar tab. Actually, chords are written in tab. And here are your tips to practice chords precisely and clearly.

First, start with basic chords. Take note that finger positioning can be a little uncomfortable at first. And switching from one chord to the next takes longer to master.

Second, make a square with your fingertips. This is a vital skill because it prevents you from hitting and muting other strings.

Next, recognize the optimal fret placement. To put it another way, don’t put your finger on the fret itself.

Lastly, make sure that all of your fingers are pressing the string firmly enough. This is regardless of the chord you’re playing.

Weighing in the Pros and Cons of Using Tabs

On the one hand, the greatest advantage of using a tab to learn songs is that you can easily play a song referring to different songs you know. If you read guitar tabs, you can comprehend more than traditional sheet music.

When you know how to understand tabs, you won’t need to waste money on paying a large amount for a guitar lesson. In fact, you can sit down and learn the guitar chords and process yourself.

On the other hand, to play the right rhythm, you must listen to the song and use your ear. You’ll need to sort out the fingerings on your own. And you must be careful not to learn from an incorrect tab.

Tabs aren’t all made equal. Guitar players have a few different tabs to choose from, and it’s good to know the differences.

Wrap Up

If you’d like to play the notes in classical guitar, you’ll want to learn to read music, but tabs will suffice for learning your favorite songs. Learning to read guitar tabs and standard notation has added the benefit of being transferable to other instruments.

Tab’s strength is its simplicity. However, if you have no practice, then you can’t achieve making your song. And above all, have patience and discipline.

Music is popularly called the food for the soul. Having the perfect blend of songs on your favorite playlist is a wonderful way to fully enjoy some of life’s simple yet satisfying pleasures.

For many people who either want to experience the French style of music for the first time or looking for amazing artists to boost their playlist, here are some modern French singers and bands to help give you the total experience.

1. La Femme (band) 

If there’s any playlist worth having, the dynamic rock band, La Femme, surely deserves a spot on it. With a track record of alternating between beautiful, hypnotic music and psychedelic rock music, they have a song for every season.

La Femme has highly sophisticated and talented band members. So, they often top their records with each release, making concerts and tours extra exciting for fans.To this very day, their second album, Mystère, is still a favorite of fans around the globe. They make it seem effortless. Yet they always have a wonderful blend of costumes and styles of music that many bands are incapable of pulling off.

Even though their rise to stardom wasn’t as swift as many artists today, they will always be referred to as the band that successfully hoodwinked their way onto the red carpet and into the hearts of millions around the globe. Some of their more popular songs are “Cool Colorado, Disconnexion”, “Paradigme”, “Où Va Le Monde?”, “Sphynx”, and “Le Sang De Mon Peochane”.

2. Thérapie Taxi (band) 

Another great option that has successfully taken hold of the hearts of fans around the world. The six-man group perfectly combines genres ranging from hip-hop and rock to pop music, creating the perfect blend of music. Formerly known by the name of Milky Way, they changed their band name as the band grew.

Their first song, “Salop”, under their new name, was what put them in the limelight and set the band on their way to worldwide fame.The album, Hit Sale, was the proverbial icing on the cake, as it has risen to be an all-time favorite worldwide. This is what prompted them to reissue the album under the title “Hit Sale Extra Cheese”.

Although the group has announced that they would be separating this year, 2021, their music will always have a place in the playlists of many with a taste for good music. Some of their best songs are “Hit Sale”, “Cadence”, “Salop”, “Superstar”, “Chula”, and “BB La Nuit”.

3. Clara Lucian (singer) 

Once a member of the band “La Femme”, this singer/ songwriter has made all the right choices when it comes to pursuing her music career. As a solo artist s a remarkable pace for many others to follow. One thing that has endeared her to many is her fearlessness in expressing contemporary issues and her views on them. For example, her song “Monstre d’Amour” is aimed at breaking the silence after a heartbreak -something many find relatable.

After doing two songs with La Femme on the 2013 album, “Psycho Tropical Berlin”, Luciani left the band and went solo. She often performs with renowned musical moguls like Raphäel and Benjamin Biolay. Her love for music and songwriting began a long time ago when she was a little girl, and it has blossomed since then.

Not only does she perfectly render songs in the classical and rock genres, but she also formed the duo “Hologram” in 2013, with Maxime Sokolinski. Together, they released the album “Absolute Zero”, and have done several tours.

4. Shy’m (Singer) 

Only known to few as Tamara Marthe, Shy’m is a legend when it comes to R&B, bagging several music awards throughout her career. Her rise to stardom began when the rapper, K. Maro featured her in his song, “Histoire de Luv”. Soon after, she went on to release her first album, “Mes Fantaisies”, which was composed and produced by K. Maro.

After that, she branched out and set off to produce her music. She has been experimenting with different styles ranging from R&B to soul music, pop, all the way to synth-pop.

Often described as the Princess of French Pop music, this singer and songwriter is the perfect companion for those who love to dance. Her album “Chaméléon” is the perfect playlist for those who favor upbeat music. She strings words and tunes that perfectly capture the feeling of summer. Her hit albums include “Solitaire”, “Mes Fantaisies”, “Agape”, “H.E.R.O.S”, and “Jour 222”.

Conclusion

Nowadays, music has been figuratively assigned the role of creating and fostering bonds between people. You can learn more about French music on French Iceberg. Everything you need to know about French music and culture can be found on the website for all lovers of the language and the people. You can also read about the easiest ways to learn French.

 

If you’re new to investing in vintage guitars, you’re probably wondering what exactly qualifies as a vintage guitar. A vintage guitar, in the general sense of the word, is from the 1980s or earlier. American-made Gibson and Fender guitars from the 1950s and 1960s are some of the most valuable. If you’ve got a vintage acoustic guitar, you’d want it to be Martin, Gibson or Guild.

If you have an even older guitar, that’s even better. A “pre-war” guitar is a guitar that was made before World War II. The most valuable you’ll find are pre-war Martin and Gibson, explains Fata. You’ve got one of those in your attic, and it’s like you’ve just found gold.

“Yes, that guitar in your grandpa’s attic could actually be really valuable. But wait: don’t just take it to the pawnshop. There’s a lot more to the vintage guitar world than meets the eye, and you should weigh your options before making a rash decision,” advises Steven Fata, a seasoned vintage guitar investor, and collector. He’s been playing the guitar since he was a teenager and began investing in vintage guitars in his thirties. “I’m an entrepreneur by trade. I’m in the stock market, I have investments,” explains Fata. “But there is no investment as fun as when you open a guitar case and see what you’ve got in front of you. It’s like Christmas morning when you get a new instrument.”

But even still, when is a good time to get into the vintage guitar space? Is now a good time, especially with the pandemic?

It sounds like that depends on who you’re talking to. Like any other collectible, values are subjective. You never know when you could be making a great investment, or you could fall into a huge loss. There’s no substitute for talking to seasoned professionals, getting a good handle on the market, and learning how to take calculated risks.  Just like everything else, guitars took a hit. Prices for instruments were skyrocketing in the early 2000s and then the market plummeted by as much as 30 percent by 2010.

As founder and investor of Honest Instruments, Steven is one of the internet’s top vintage guitar collectors and was at the height of his collecting when the Great Recession hit. Vintage guitars investing is just like all markets; it’ goes up and down. Ever since 2010, the market has continued to go up and he believes that the market is still on its way back from the Great Recession, and will get back to its former glory eventually.

So yes, that guitar your grandpa passed on to you could change your life. And don’t worry if it’s beaten up: collectors will still pay big money for some of the most valuable instruments, even if they have wear and tear.

As to whether or not you should start your vintage guitar collecting journey, Fata asks ‘why not?’

Again, if the stock market is volatile, the vintage guitar market is right up there with it, but

look at it this way, the worst-case scenario is that you end up with a basement of some pretty interesting guitars. The best-case scenario, obviously, is that you just made a lot of money from them.