Musical Marvels

What’s that? You don’t know ANYTHING about music?! Well, never fear, this super deluxe guide is here! For all those seeking fame in the prestigious world of music, this guide is for you!

Getting started: Learning about music

Of course, you won’t go straight to the instruments. You’ll need to know the theory behind it first, won’t you? So dig out that library card lying forgotten somewhere and head down to the Book Shop to check out these informative titles!

1. Clef Notes – a guide to reading basic notes! Definitely something you’ll want and need to know, not just if you’re playing the piano. This book will guide you to learn basic note reading in no time, and you’ll soon be able to read scores with ease!

2. Learning To Sing Notes – Singing in tune is very important! If you can’t carry a tune, it won’t matter how good your playing is, it just can’t mask the awful singing! If your singing sounds like a Meowclops wailing, you KNOW this book is for you.

3. Neopian Music – Filled with music from every land, learning what’s in this book will make you a much more versatile performer, knowing the subtleties of music in different corners of Neopia. If you plan to be a travelling performer, this is definitely for you!

4. Learn To Play Jazz, Smooth Jazz Tunes – Ah, the soothing strains of jazz, sadly unappreciated by many... If you are a die-hard admirer of Jazzmosis and wish to follow in their footsteps, then these books will be your best friends. And what better way to make you unique than to master this misunderstood genre of music? Check out Jazzmosis Biography as well, and pick up some tips and tricks from the masters themselves!

The basics: Choosing your instruments

Now that you’ve read all about music, it’s time to decide which path you will set on next. Will you be the renowned master of the piano, tickling the ivories for the hearing pleasure of the top names in Neopia? Will you be in the string quartet performing exclusively at high-end events? Will you be the leader of the most famous rock band since Gruundo? Whatever you choose, you need to know the instruments best suited for the job!

Now, reality sinks in: you don’t expect to jump straight into playing a grand piano, do you? You have to start from the basics! Remember, practice makes perfect, so practice on these instruments and your playing will be divine before long.

1. For the pianist: A simple Piano will do, or a Valentine Piano if you wish to give your music that romantic feel. If you are daring, try out the Organ, which has a keyboard layout like a piano but relies on wind pumped through tubes instead of strings for sound; you could think of it as a combination between a flute and a piano. Remember, practice makes perfect; work hard at it and soon you’ll be a master!

2. For the string quartet: There are so many instruments here for you to choose from! The simple Violin and Cello are both good fallbacks, and the String Bass lends its deep sonorous voice to your music as well. The Viola is another good option for those who fear the tinny screeching Violins are prone to making. Having Harps is another interesting option and will lend a unique touch to your music. For more variety, opt not to be solely a string quartet; incorporate other instruments in! The Flute and Piccolo can enhance your music with their light sopranos while the Oboe and Clarinet add a touch of mellow richness when combined with the sonorous bass instruments. Remember, be unique; mix and match any four instruments to form your own quartet! They will be enough to get you started on your road to musical fame!

3. For the rock band: Drum Kits are a must for any band! They and the Bass Guitar forms a solid backbone for your performances, providing the rhythm and deep bass upon which your melodies are built on. Heart Drums and the Fire Bass can also spice up your performance, but be careful of the Fire Bass in particular; it has a nasty tendency to flare up during those high-intensity performances. The Electric Guitar, Gruundo Guitar and the two Moehawk Guitars are good choices as well, providing high intensity rock sounds for low cost; and what better way to show off your love for rock than by paying homage to two of its great contributors! Just remember not to play too loudly when you’re just starting out, or the Meepits will come after you... Alternatively, combine soft acoustic guitars with the electric ones to make a wider variety of sounds; the Maraquan Guitar, Fire Guitar and (for Flotsams) the Flotsam Guitar all produce beautiful harmonies when incorporated into your band. Remember, each band is unique; don’t restrict yourself to electric guitars. Let your imagination flow!

The advanced class: Take it to the next level!

Ah, now you’re done with the beginner group; you want to master the true essence of music by learning and conquering the toughest challenge yet: mastering the toughies. Be warned, many have given up, out of frustration or impatience... will you succeed?

1. Blueberry Jelly Bass – How do you play on a jelly instrument? The bow won’t even stay straight! Well, it may take a long time to perfect, but its unique sound cannot be achieved by any other instrument. The music it produces is in a class of its own! Sadly, many of the ones in existence have long been eaten by frustrated musicians, and so its price remains sky-high... but master it and be renowned throughout history for your proficiency on this fiendish instrument! (This also applies to the Orange Jelly Guitar, which is considerably rarer since orange jelly is favoured for its high Vitamin C content.)

2. Spirited Fiddle – Many stories have been told about this instrument... about the ghostly figure that brought a plague of Meepits forth from the woods with its haunting tune; about the thousand souls trapped in its strings that supposedly give it its ethereal quality; and especially the one where the enthusiastic novice bought one, brought it home... and was never seen again. However, the music produced by this fiddle cannot be denied its due; expert players can draw a vast array of beautiful melodies from its shadowy strings. Yet this soulful music comes with a risk... dare you take it?

3. Grand Piano – Ahhhh, the piece de resistance! The ultimate expression of wealth and class, this piano features in many top Neopian homes, yet embarrassingly few Neopians know how to play it right. This is where your countless hours of piano practice comes in; the grandiloquence and majesty of the music produced by these pianos are superb! Expert craftsmanship and the best materials in the land combine to produce an instrument the like of which you have never seen or heard! Mastery of this instrument all but guarantees you a life at the very edge of comfort and luxury; go for it now!

That wraps up this guide, and now you know more about music, yes? Have you been inspired? Then go forth, pick up that instrument and make yourself heard!