Levys PM48NP3 3.5-inch Padded Neoprene Guitar Strap

The Levi?s PM48NP3 is a 3 1/2 inch neoprene padded guitar strap with leather ends. Also has 2 inch polypropylene webbing with tri-glide adjustment at back end. click here to learn more

Garfield Blackman, more popularly known as Lord Shorty and Ras Shorty I, was the innovator of Soca music. When Shorty was a kid he always heard Calypso or Indian music being played around him. He created Soca music by combining Calypso and Indian music together-- and added lots of beats toit with a bunch of Indian rhythm instruments. Lord Shorty first called this new musical style Solca, representing the true "Soul of Calypso." Solca became popularly known as Soca. Lord Shorty wanted Soca "to uplift people's spirits".

Soca music is a dynamic mix of Calypso and Indian music. Soca rhythm and beats are hit out on a bunch of different Indian rhythm instruments like the dholak, tabla and dhantal. It is most popular in the Caribbean, but also has fans around the world.

A Little Bit About Shorty and His Childhood

Soca numbers by several other performers are also very popular. Soca continues to evolve into new musical forms.

Jamoo is a mix of reggae and gospel, with a modest following . It was pioneered by Lord Shorty after he quit performing Soca. Jamoo spreads a message of goodness and spirituality, as Lord Shorty had originally intended Soca to do. But Lord Shorty came to feel Soca performers were spreading bad messages in sharp contrast to its original purpose: "to uplift the spirits of the people."

Jamoo

Garfield Blackman, who would become most widely known to the world as Lord Shorty then as Ras Shorty I, an extraordinary Calypso singer and composer who invented Soca Music and Jamoo Music, was born in Trinidad on October 6, 1941. During his childhood in Trinidad, Shorty was exposed to a sea of music: Caribbean Calypso music, West African Music, and East Indian music. As a young child Shorty "was inspired by his older brother George, who played the mouth organ, and he was so talented that he soon mastered the organ and the guitar," a cousin recalls. Garfield Blackman aka Lord Shorty aka Ras Short I started singing Calypso songs before he was seven.

Soca and Jamoo - Totally Original Musical Styles

Soca spread around the world like a hurricane after several hits by Soca performer Arrow, including Hot Hot Hot.

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It's very important that you are practicing with guitar backing tracks every day. Don't skip this! If you are short on time, just play through one track. At least you are doing it everyday. This step is just as important as any other step in your practicing.

Paul Celly has started writing for ckoMusic. Make your guitar practice way more productive with ckoMusic guitar backing tracks.

You already know that you need a collection of guitar backing tracks in your jam room. Whether you have a bunch of play-along CD's or a ton of tracks on your iPod doesn't really matter. What does matter is the quality of these tracks. If your hoping that your downloaded guitar backing tracks you found on the internet are going to inspire you, you may be disappointed. If the drums sound like a cheesy 80's film and the guitar is about as exciting as a high school assembly, are you really going to want to pick up your guitar and play with them. Probably not. Go for the ones that will inspire you.

The thing to remember, when you are shopping for practice materials quality guitar backing tracks should be at the top of your list.

Get some Play-Along CD's that feature a REAL band playing and sound like they are having fun. That is going to be a hell of a lot more inspiring to you as a player. You are also going to want tracks that have dynamics and offer a bunch of different keys and styles. You have spent tons of money on books and lessons. You have spent tons of time practicing and learning new techniques. Don't let it all go to waste by skipping this very important step in your guitar playing. Remember, what we practice is what we play. If you are practicing licks that are out of time and sloppy, guess what's going to come out at the jam.

If you are into jazz guitar, check out the Jamey Aebersold series. There is a ton of great stuff there. Also, all the tracks have great players on them. For more rock style tracks, check out the ckoMusic band jams series guitar backing tracks.