Saturday, August 14, 2010
How to create a Navbar, (home, about, contact me, bar to blog
Adding a new navigation bar (home/about/contact bar) to your blogspot is super easy. (should only take 5 minutes) ONLY 4 EASY STEPS here are the exact steps to take...
1. copy this stuff (13 lines of code). ctrl+c to copy \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ START below here
1. copy this stuff (13 lines of code). ctrl+c to copy \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ START below here
a.navigation {
background: #000000;
color: #ffffff;
margin: 1px;
padding: 5px 35px 5px 5px;
border-width: 0;
text-transform: uppercase;
text-decoration: none;
font-weight: bold;
}
a.navigation:hover {
background: #5d5d54;
text-decoration: none;
background: #000000;
color: #ffffff;
margin: 1px;
padding: 5px 35px 5px 5px;
border-width: 0;
text-transform: uppercase;
text-decoration: none;
font-weight: bold;
}
a.navigation:hover {
background: #5d5d54;
text-decoration: none;
STOP above here /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\
note: highlight the text by placing mouse cursor just before the first letter of the first line you would like to copy and stay. Then press and hold the left mouse button, then drag mouse, while holding the button, to the last letter of the last line you would like to copy.
2. Here is how to Paste copied stuff to blogs html (add css)
a. now go to your blog click design in the top right of the screen; to the right of your name.
b. click the words(button in top left of screen) Template Designer New
c. click the advanced option in the list in the top left.
d. click the add css option in the next box over. almost done
e. now, in the box on the right (titled add custom css), paste(ctrl+v) the stuff you copied. CLICK APPLY TO BLOG then click back to blogger (top right) almost done
3. Now lets make a gadget of html, on your blog, for your customizable nav bar! a. copy this stuff \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ START below here
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your link</a>
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your second link</a>
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your third link</a>
STOP above here /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\
b. now you should be back on the design page of blogger. Click an add a gadget box
c. Click the HTML/ Java script gadget from the list on the right.
d. now a widow will pop up,with two boxes, asking you for a tiltle and content. leave the title box blank but in the content box paste the stuff you just copied.
e. click SAVE now you should have the a working navigation bar, but you still have to customize it with your own info. SAVE SAVE SAVE
4. final step is to customize your navbar (here's how) a. go back to the design page of your blog and click the edit option on the gadget you just created.
here you will see the stuff(code) you just pasted there. If you read the code you will see that there is a url (starting with "http) for each button and a title(your link) that will be displayed as the title of the button. replace "http://your-link-url.blogspot.com" with the URL of the post or page (or link) you would like the button to link to, and replace the link text (eg: Your Link) with the text you would like to display.
a. now go to your blog click design in the top right of the screen; to the right of your name.
b. click the words(button in top left of screen) Template Designer New
c. click the advanced option in the list in the top left.
d. click the add css option in the next box over. almost done
3. Now lets make a gadget of html, on your blog, for your customizable nav bar! a. copy this stuff \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ START below here
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your link</a>
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your second link</a>
<a class="navigation" href="http://your-link-url.blogspot.com">Your third link</a>
STOP above here /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\
b. now you should be back on the design page of blogger. Click an add a gadget box
c. Click the HTML/ Java script gadget from the list on the right.
e. click SAVE now you should have the a working navigation bar, but you still have to customize it with your own info. SAVE SAVE SAVE
4. final step is to customize your navbar (here's how) a. go back to the design page of your blog and click the edit option on the gadget you just created.
 |
Once you have created your links (you can add as few or as many as you like), save your HTML/Javascript widget, and take a look at the effect in your blog.
Friday, August 13, 2010
How to pick a good band name (branding your band)
The big question. what is a good band name. In many cases the name of the band is not really that important. YEA I SAID IT. What's more important is the message that your band is sending to your fans (via music style, lyrics, clothing you wear, colors etc. Just like a business you will need to brand your band.
First come up with three attributes that encompass what your band is about. for example... heroic, fun, and local(St. peters MO). note: consider your target audience (your demographic)
using these three attributes you can now come up with a brand identity. Now pick a name, and a tag line. As i said before the name isn't as important as how you render it. ie the colors, font, tag line. for this example we will pick the name Saint. Before I lock down that name I should make sure it is cohesive with(goes along with) my three attributes, and yes it does. The word Saint references heros and ties into the local town named St. Peters. Now pick a tag line. We'll pick something that brings out the attribute of fun sense the name saint does not as much. The tag line is is usually used to clarify the title or brand name(saint) ie we dont want people thinking this is some kind of catholic band. (not that I don't agree with interlacing god in all we do, it shouldn't be that obvious) any way.. the tag line... I think I'll go with "Your Sound." Now people will understand that we are talking about music because we have used the word "sound" and the word 'your" relates to the attribute of local.
So now we have a band name and a tag line... Saint, your sound. Now we need to pick colors, a font for the title and the tag line and create some kind of logo. the logo can either be a cool rendering of the band name, or something separate from the title like a symbol or icon. Metallica uses their band name as their logo. I think too many bands do that. In most cases it's better to have a logo separate from the band name and title. that way people will see your logo and know exactly what it is. This will also make it easier when people from other countries start to listen to your music. A picture speaks a thousand words. Some examples of a recognizable logo are pepsi, apple computers, car companies like bmw, and toyota.
When you see their symbol you automatically know what it is. you don't need words.
see an example of effective branding here effective branding
note: try not to be redundant, making your tag line and you title too similar. This is an opportunity to create a bigger message by combining two different ideas.
First come up with three attributes that encompass what your band is about. for example... heroic, fun, and local(St. peters MO). note: consider your target audience (your demographic)
using these three attributes you can now come up with a brand identity. Now pick a name, and a tag line. As i said before the name isn't as important as how you render it. ie the colors, font, tag line. for this example we will pick the name Saint. Before I lock down that name I should make sure it is cohesive with(goes along with) my three attributes, and yes it does. The word Saint references heros and ties into the local town named St. Peters. Now pick a tag line. We'll pick something that brings out the attribute of fun sense the name saint does not as much. The tag line is is usually used to clarify the title or brand name(saint) ie we dont want people thinking this is some kind of catholic band. (not that I don't agree with interlacing god in all we do, it shouldn't be that obvious) any way.. the tag line... I think I'll go with "Your Sound." Now people will understand that we are talking about music because we have used the word "sound" and the word 'your" relates to the attribute of local.
So now we have a band name and a tag line... Saint, your sound. Now we need to pick colors, a font for the title and the tag line and create some kind of logo. the logo can either be a cool rendering of the band name, or something separate from the title like a symbol or icon. Metallica uses their band name as their logo. I think too many bands do that. In most cases it's better to have a logo separate from the band name and title. that way people will see your logo and know exactly what it is. This will also make it easier when people from other countries start to listen to your music. A picture speaks a thousand words. Some examples of a recognizable logo are pepsi, apple computers, car companies like bmw, and toyota.
When you see their symbol you automatically know what it is. you don't need words.
see an example of effective branding here effective branding
note: try not to be redundant, making your tag line and you title too similar. This is an opportunity to create a bigger message by combining two different ideas.
How to create a rock song with garage band.
Most musicians like to start with some kind of driving melody(using the bass or the guitar) and build on that by adding drums more guitar for solos and lead. I prefer to star out playing around on the piano until i find a rif(short note progression) that sounds cool and then try adding some drums to it. If you fund one small rif that you like, just rec it into garage band, via mic or manually type the notes in, then copy and paste it like 20 times.(ctrl+C[copy]/ctrl+V[paste])
Once you have done that you should have about one minute of that rif repeating.(if you set the tempo to 120, which is the default tempo) After you have that you will need to add some drums, if you haven't already. look through the list of pre recorded drums, testing them with your rif, until you find one that you like and sounds good. Once you find a beat that you like, the hard part is over. now just keep laying the song oner and over, using the keyboard to play along as you recored. You probably wont keep everything you recored, this is just a way to find something that sounds good(gold).
Now take a break, come back later with fresh ears. at this point it will be easier to hear the flaws.
notes: If you create the whole song using garage band instruments(manually typing in the notes) you will be able to change the tempo on everything all at once, just by dragging the tempo meter up or down.
If you have use real instruments combined with software instruments, do not change the tempo.
the tempo meter only changes tracks that are manually typed in or pre recorded tracks from apple.
Once you have done that you should have about one minute of that rif repeating.(if you set the tempo to 120, which is the default tempo) After you have that you will need to add some drums, if you haven't already. look through the list of pre recorded drums, testing them with your rif, until you find one that you like and sounds good. Once you find a beat that you like, the hard part is over. now just keep laying the song oner and over, using the keyboard to play along as you recored. You probably wont keep everything you recored, this is just a way to find something that sounds good(gold).
Now take a break, come back later with fresh ears. at this point it will be easier to hear the flaws.
notes: If you create the whole song using garage band instruments(manually typing in the notes) you will be able to change the tempo on everything all at once, just by dragging the tempo meter up or down.
If you have use real instruments combined with software instruments, do not change the tempo.
the tempo meter only changes tracks that are manually typed in or pre recorded tracks from apple.
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i love music
to hear some good music click on music or just click the player to the right. my personal favs are uk and usa
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