Sean Connery: Still Sexy at 79?

 

Actor Sean Connery has played several roles throughout his career, but his most recognized was that of Agent 007. Yes, that’s Bond; James Bond. His role as Bond was probably the biggest catalyst for this actor’s overwhelming success, and it has certainly played a powerful factor in determining Connery’s sex appeal. Any Sean Connery trivia game is sure to include some tasty tidbits about his 007 role, but there is more to this man than meets the eye.

 

Sean Connery was born on the 25th of August, 1930 to Effie and Joseph Connery in Edinburgh, Scotland. His true first name is Thomas but his childhood friends called him by Sean (his middle name) in order to distinguish him from one of the other boys in the group.

 

Another piece of Sean Connery trivia is his first job as a milkman. One might wonder just how many women placed extra orders just to catch a glimpse of this handsome Scot. A short time later, Connery enlisted in the Royal Navy, but his service ended with a medical discharge. After his discharge, he held various jobs; including laborer, coffin polisher, lorry driver, bodybuilder, and artist’s model.

 

It wasn’t until 1954 that Connery got his first taste of acting; appearing in an uncredited role in the film, Lilacs in the Spring. Even more shocking, it was nearly three years later before he appeared in another film! The actor debuted as James Bond in the film, Dr. No, in 1962 and ended up playing the role in an additional 6 of the Bond films over the next 21 years.

 

The role of James Bond turned the actor into an international sex symbol; something that he has been able to maintain even at the age of 79. In fact, Connery, at a very mature 69 years of age, was voted the sexiest man of the 20th century. Surely, his good looks had something to do with that, but several women feel that Connery’s overall demeanor, calm and cool attitude, and his Scottish accent do help to push him to the top of the list. Of course, any Sean Connery quiz might also include the fact that he was knighted in July of the year 2000 by England’s Queen Elizabeth II.

 

Connery has made women swoon for nearly 50 years; however, he has married only two. He wed Diane Cilento, an actress, in 1962. The couple had one child, Jason, before divorcing in 1973. Two years later, he wed Micheline Roquebrune, a French painter. The couple remains happily married.

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Keyboard Lessons, what does it consist of?

 

Keyboard lessons – what it consists of

Keyboard lessons come in a very broad area of study. Here’s a keyboard lesson program specially designed for beginners in playing the keyboard. It points out the basics of every keyboard students should master to properly play a keyboard.

Lesson 1 – Building the Foundation.

· Preparation

· Learning the different keys

· Proper Fingering

This lesson will introduce you with the keyboard playing technique. Learning the proper posture and hands position in playing the keyboard is a very important skill, and will help the student as he progresses in learning how to play keyboard. It is advisable for the student that the fingers should remain curved and at all times should be relaxed. Finger numbers are often used as a temporary substitute for note names at the introductory lessons.

Lesson 2 – The basics in playing the keyboard.

· Note names and values

In the second lesson, proper note names will be discussed and the temporary “numbered fingers” notes will have to be forgotten. Also, the basics of treble and bass staffs will be taught. Both of them are composed of 5 lines, and with 4 spaces in between. The notes on the lines are named with the letters: E, G, B, D, and F. The spaces are labeled as F, A, C, and E. Memorizing the keyboard keys that correspond to each note is a little bit difficult to do. Practicing drills for naming each key will make it easier to remember.

Lesson 3 – Digging deeper.

· Dynamics

· Tempos

In this lesson the stylistic party of playing the keyboard will be discussed. Different symbols in reading musical notes will be taught to the student. Everything about legato, staccato, accent, crescendo, decrescendo, and other special symbols will seen on the spotlight of this topic. Another important points to be discussed in this lesson is the dynamics, which refers to the loudness or softness of the key piece to be played.

Lesson 4 – Learning the use of scales and intervals.

This topic will discuss the major and minor scales, and the intervals. Intervals are the intervals between keys on the keyboard. The range of intervals can be from the smallest, called the half step, to the largest gap called the octave. Intervals which are played to produce both pitches simultaneously are called Harmonic. On the other hand, Melodic intervals are those played one after the other.

Lesson 5 – The primary and the common chords.

Triad is the most common type of chord. On the other hand, the most basic chord in music is the major chord. The first, second, and third interval must be a major in order for a chord to be a major.

Lesson 6 – Mixing it up

  • borrowed chords

These are the chords taken from the parallel major or minor key. Also introduction of modulation will be taught in this lesson, moving further from the traditional harmony towards the borrowed chords.

Modulation is a technique to add tonal variations in the piece you are playing. But these techniques will not be tackled deeply in this lesson, since it requires a more advanced knowledge in playing the keyboard.

Lesson 7 – The Species one Counterpoint.

In the final lesson for the beginner keyboard players, the rules of species one counterpoint will be discussed. Voice leading is another term for species one counterpoint. This method of playing originated in the 16th century. The method of writing and playing this counterpoint is complex.

The different kinds of motion will be discussed in this lesson. The different motion styles are as follows:

Parallel – the voices move at the same interval and in the same direction.

Similar – the same as parallel, the only difference is it should be done in different intervals

Oblique – while the other remains on the same note, the other voice moves to the next.

Contrary – voices are directed at the opposite directions.

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Fun and Brilliant Keyboard Lessons In Singapore. Playing The Keyboard Is Easy With Our Professional Keyboard Teachers. Find Out More At http://www.keyboardlessonssingapore.com

 

 

 

 

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Tips For Buying A Cello

How to Buy a Cello

What are some of the factors to consider when you are buying a cello? Take note of other considerations before heading out to buy one, besides the age and experience of the user.

Age and height are the best yardsticks for determining the most suitable cello size. The cello varies in four sizes according to the player’s height and age.

1/8 size: 4 to 6 years old
1/4 size: 5 to 7 years old
1/2 size is suitable for ages, ranging from 7 to 11 years old
3/4 size is for 11 to 15 years old teenagers
4/4 size: 15 and above

One good tip to consider when buying your first cello is to bring along your teacher or a professional cellist. Ask him to play the instrument to determine sound quality.

The type of wood used for the cello should be factored into the section process. The best sounding cellos are built with spruce and maple. Typically cellos with spruce tops with maple sides and back produce the best sounds. Be aware that the wood quality impacts the sound of the cello. Wood from certain tree species found in certain areas of the world are sought for their sound qualities and are very expensive.

Young cello players or beginners may buy cellos made from laminated wood (layers of wood glued together) since they are still trying out the instrument or may need to purchase bigger cellos as lessons progress.

It would also be a good tip to remember to ask cello vendors if the cello’s top is made of maple as these are sometimes made from maple laminate. Tuning pegs made of ebony are the best quality but many players say that pegs made from rosewood are just as good. Before running off to the check out counter, check your cellos tuning pegs and slots as properly shaped as cellos with poorly shaped pegs and slots cannot stay in tune.

Look for cellos with endpins ( the thin post that rests on the floor while elevating the cello for playing) which can be adjusted. Some cellos need separate endpins which can also be purchased individually.

A good way to determine a cello’s quality is to inspect the top and back. Good quality cellos have hand carved tops and backs. Machine produced cellos are alright but hand carved cellos produce better sound and last longer. cellist are excellent to bring along whe buying cellos as they are able to identify if the cello is hand-crafted.

The bow is another key piece you need to consider for a cello purchase. Bows with amazing quality affect sound. Take note that only some cello makers include high quality bows while the others do not. However, you can always pick another bow should you find your bow unsuitable.

Cost is another good deciding factor. Cheap cellos are more appropriate for children and beginners as there is a high tendency to purchase new ones as the child gets old or as the cellist progresses. However, there are cellos available for rent, which is a good option to have as cellos are some of the more expensive musical instruments.

An expensive cello is a worthwhile investment for those serious about playing the cello.

For whatever reason or purpose, good luck in buying a cello!

The leader in introducing cello teachers in Singapore. Making cello lessons in Singapore fun and interesting. Helping hundreds of students master the cello quickly and easily. Find out more at www.cellolessonssingapore.com

 

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