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As a beginner you will already be making your own music on your instrument but learning how to play chords by strumming or striking two or three strings of the guitar at the same time takes your playing one step further and learning how to do this can be very rewarding.

The three most frequently used chords are G major, C Major and D major. These are also the easiest chords for placement of your fingers so an ideal place for the beginner to start learning and practicing to play chords. When these easy chords are mastered the more challenging chords can then be studied.

To play a chord in G major you need to place your second finger on the sixth string of the third fret. Then place your first finger on the fifth string of the second fret. Your third finger is then placed on the third fret of the first string. It is important to curl your fingers so they are not touching any other strings as this will change the sound of the chord. Then with your fingers in place when you strike all the six strings in one continuous strum the sound of the G major chord will be heard.

To play the C major key, you need place your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Then, your second finger should be placed on the second fret of the fourth string and finally your first finger on the first fret of the second string. When playing the C major chord only the bottom five strings should be strummed so make sure you avoid hitting the sixth string as this will also change the sound of the chord.

The D major key involves all three fingers being placed in close proximity so this may be a little difficult for some beginners although once the technique is mastered it will no longer be a problem. Put your first finger on the third string of the fourth fret. Then your third finger on the second string of the third fret. Lastly, put the second finger on the first string of the second fret. You will then play the D major chord by strumming the four bottom strings.

There are many songs to choose from which have only these three chords and then once you are fully familiar and confident you can move on to songs involving different chords. There is only one way to play chords to perfection and that is to practice on a regular basis.
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About the Author: Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of MusicianHome.com, a site that provides information and articles for musicians at all stages of their development.

How To Build A Bird House – If you enjoy spending time around birds then you may want to build a birdhouse. Building a birdhouse is a great way to become a companion of birds. Birdhouses add attractiveness to any landscape. Crafting, designing and building birdhouses is a in-expensive hobby.

You need to construct a birdhouse that is easy to clean. It should be sturdy, cool, and rainproof as well. Remember, this is your birdhouse, so use your imagination; you will have something unique and all your own when your project is completed..

It is important not to use metal to build your birdhouse, not even nails; use non-toxic outdoor wood glue. Metal can become very hot when the sun is beating down on it, plus it can have very sharp edges. Wood is the best material to build a birdhouse. To keep water out of the entrance of the birdhouse you need the roof to pitch enough to shed water.

Add a couple small holes near the top of the birdhouse for ventilation on hot days. The bottom of the birdhouse should be constructed with screws, so it will be easy to take apart when you clean it.

When your bird house is built it is time to mount it. When mounting your birdhouse it is important to keep in mind predators, such as squirrels, cats and snakes. Place your bird house mount out of the range of jumping and climbing animals. The best mount for a birdhouse is PVC pipe which can be purchased inexpensively at your local home hardware supply store. Get an 8′ long piece of PVC that is 3 or 4″ in diameter. Also be sure and buy a “flange” that will fit into the PVC. When looking at a ‘flange’ from the side it has the shape of a man’s dress hat, as one would also look at the dress hat from from it’s side view. The round part of the ‘hat’ – or ‘flange’ slips down, about 2″ into one end of the PVC pipe. The flat part of the ‘hat’ – or ‘flange’ should have a small hole pre-drilled in each corner. A large, approx. 12″ x 12″ piece of plywood is attached, to the flat part of the ‘hat’ or ‘flange’ with screws via the pre-drilled holes. Be sure this is placed in the middle of the 12″ x 12 plywood. This will serve as your birdhouse base. Now turn this over and simply slide the round part of the ‘hat’ – or ‘flange’ into the end of your PVC pipe. On top of this securely mount your bird house. When you have moved your PVC to an upright mounting position, you would be looking upward, and see the screws that attached flange to your 12″ x 12″ base.

Now it’s time to mount your bird house. Dig about an 18″ hole and drop it in! Be sure and pack the dirt solidly back around the base to secure it. For added security you could pick up an inexpensive bag of ready mix cement. Just mix it with water, set the PVC in the middle of the hole and pour the cement evenly around it. It is a good idea if you could put your hands on a level to make sure your PVC stays vertically straight while working. That’s all there is to it!

When you are ready to clean your bird house simple unscrew the 12″ x 12″ base mounting screws, slide off the base with it’s attached birdhouse and clean it! When cleaned, replace the 12″ x 12″ base and reinsert your screws. Now wasn’t that easy!

For more great information be sure and visit:
http://www.bird-city.com

If you lightly coat the PVC pipe mount with in-expensive vegetable oil ants and other crawling insects will not be able to climb disturb the bird nest.

Don’t forget to treat your feathered friend with feeders, bird baths or bird pond sprinkle the area with some wild flower seeds. When your wild flower are in bloom your feathered friend will provide you with constant delight. ~ Anthony Benjamin ~ http://www.mysecretsites.info

Anthony Benjamin is an avid world traveler, lover of nature and animals. He loves to write and share his wealth of information and adventures in his writings. His favorite place to retreat and write is his summer home, secluded high on a mountaintop in the Great Smoky Mountains. A visit to his website is a true delight: http://www.appalachian-treasures.com

When it comes to setting the mood or atmosphere in a room, not only does proper illumination add to the allure of your personal space, but also the sources of light. While table lamps and ceiling lights serve a functional purpose, floor lamps are expansive in the many different ways one may decorate their space and showcase their creativity. Whether you choose an antique selection to brighten your den or side with a traditional Victorian fringe design for the bedroom, the never-ending possibilities of a floor lamp shine through in the mind-boggling variety in choices.

Antique Lamps

There is a certain elegance and intrigue associated with displaying an antique floor lamp. In home design, the mystery and unknown past of such an item is enough to spark the imagination, as well as provide a delightful conversation topic when family and friends visit. Today, there are manufacturers that strive to recreate this very look by emulating flowery, ornamental approaches towards antique furniture, which allows homeowners to match their lighting sources with other elements of their décor.

A few common features of antique lamps include the stained-glass lampshade, brass finishes, and intricate designs. When one is interested in truly decorating their home with antique floor lamps, genuine specimens may cost quite a bit, such as French antique lamps carrying a price tag of more than thousands of dollars. Usually, an antique or antique-styled floor lamp is selected because of its look and fit within a setting, rather than bringing light into the room.

One-of-a-Kind Pieces

Floor lamps are also known to serve as a work of art, as some artists fashion one-of-a-kind pieces that sometimes depict odd, creative, or unusual displays. Some of the unique possibilities of artsy floor lamps include planetary designs, sculpted wooden figures, wild animals, and abstract images. Artistic floor lamps may also use unusual objects to construct the base of the lamp, such as animal antlers, petrified wood, branches, or heat-treated metal. They may rise in the air like an ivory torch or bring the look and feel of fantasy with fairies decorating their base.

Some floor lamps are fashioned with a specific art movement in mind, such as colorful Art Deco pieces. Artists may also hand craft their samples and hand paint customized detailing on the outside of the shade to add characteristic touches for home and/or office use.

Regional Flair

Floor lamps are sometimes used to represent or pay homage to regional pride, as seen in Southwestern selections showcasing characteristic elements added to a lamp, such as images of cacti and rattlesnakes. A New York City-themed floor lamp may showcase a silhouette of the Empire State Building. Cozy wilderness scenes of Colorado and other rustic locations may utilize the image of wild critters, such as the grizzly bear or bald eagle.

Create a Mood

Floor lamps allow individuals to create a mood within their home or office that becomes the focus of the space when one enters the room. A gateway to the past may come alive with a Victorian-style street lamp displaying the soft, burnt orange glow of a custom crafted glass lampshade. Perhaps, the theme of your living room is Oriental – a solid hardwood floor lamp with a Chinese raw lacquer finish with mother of pearl and metal chrome accents will fit into the décor. Color also helps create a mood, such as the vibrant shades of red in Asian-style floor lamps.

Mix and Match Color Bulbs to Match Lampshades

The unique part of purchasing a floor lamp is that you may change lampshades to the base of your favorite lamp, just as you can match different colored light bulbs to create varying effects within a room. Depending on the time of day and other outside factors, various lampshade colors transform light into an array of shades, but red, blue, green, and even yellow lights can establish the atmosphere into a controlled setting, such as a romantic environment to a room set aside for contemplation, withdrawal, or reflection.

In conclusion, the many uses and décor ideas regarding floor lamps are quite vast, as homeowners may choose from a host of inviting and exciting selections on the market. Today, an assortment of contemporary, traditional, hip, artisan, and antique lamps expand the possibilities of floor lamp interior design.

Desmond Smalls is the owner of http://SnSLamps.com

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Driveways are normally used as a passage to a garage or home. As garage and driveways are part of house so while considering home interior and exterior design both comes in the plan. The driveway is the first thing that any visitor notices. One can decorate it in many ways like one can put trees, flowers, bushes along the path in order to have a neat and colorful look. As this pathway leads to garage so one should also keep the garage clean and the best way is to use garage floor mat under the car.