Today we released a few small enhancements based on feedback from the Kompoz kommunity.  I thank you all for contributing your ideas, and encourage you to please keep them coming.  Post your requests in the Wish Lists and Suggestions forum.

Updates included in this release:

1. Show alerts for unread private messages on every page.  This one was suggested by Billy. 
2. Add the forum topic to the subject line of e-mails sent when new forum messages are posted. This one was suggested by many!
3. Show Creative Commons license icon on project overview pages.  This one was suggested by Drew.
4. Add Getting Started flow chart for new members.  This one was suggested (and implemented!) by Ben.

A video for Beast that Swallows Its Young, created by Matt Kresling, which features Kompoz musicians Matt, Lonnie, and Lewie, is now featured on YouTube's home page!  Over 110,384 views and 796 comments posted so far.  Congratulations Kompozers!

If you have not seen the video yet, here's the YouTube version.  

The music is available on Kompoz at http://www.kompoz.com/3102

Imeem is providing fans an opportunity to create their own musical theme for the new and highly anticipated television series, 90210, which premieres Tuesday, September 2, 2008 on The CW Network. The winner will have the chance to have his/her version of the song debut during an upcoming episode of 90210.

You have until September 16th to enter the contest at http://www.imeem.com/90210. From September 22, 2008 to September 30, 2008 the public will be invited to listen to the top 10 finalists' entries online and cast their votes.  That's not a whole lot of time. 

Let's show them what we're capable of at Kompoz!  Get busy people!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:

1. Go to: http://www.imeem.com/90210
2. Listen to the original BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 theme song and a view the sheet music
3. Start a project here on Kompoz to work with other members
4. When ready, e-mail the final mixdown track to imeem90210contest@gmail.com

Complete contest rules and instructions are here: http://www.imeem.com/90210

I knew it would happen.  Someone has created a virtual drumset application for the new Microsoft Surface.  This Surface application allows you to rock out to a 6-piece drum kit, and showcases the durability and responsiveness of the hardware. 

Check out the video.

Ooops.  I had another Corona moment last night, and somehow landed on stage singing with Mr. Nice Guy.  I sang back-up on "Drive My Car".  Nobody left, so maybe I did OK.  Doubtful.

One of the problems with tablature is that it does a poor job representing rhythm and the duration that each note is played - both of which are essential. To remedy this, most people play a recording of the original song as they examine a tab so they can figure out when to play each note. But this process is frustrating and time consuming.

Songsterr, a new startup that launched earlier this month, is looking to help guitar players skirt this issue by accompanying each song with an audio file that plays alongside it. The site's Flash player will also automatically scroll through each tab, indicating exactly which note is being played.

This site contains about 150 songs at the moment.  But as with other Tab sites, Songsterr will likely be shut down eventually by lawsuits from the record industry. Many of the web's most popular tab sites have been waging a losing war with copyright holders for years, as even user-created tabs for songs are considered infringements.  Enjoy it while you can.

[via TechCrunch]

Until very recently, rock music had been struggling on the charts, with hip-hop and teen pop taking the top spots.  Rock was finding it hard to break through with new music -- or sell more of the old.  But the ridiculously popular video games "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" have prompted kids to discover artists from the '70s and '80s, such as Aerosmith, Twisted Sister, Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more. Teens are getting into the rock heroes of the '70s and '80s.

When the game featuring Aerosmith ['Guitar Hero: Aerosmith'] came out, there was more than a 40 percent increase in their catalog sales.  Even in an uncertain economy, the video games also have increased interest in guitars, according to the nationwide Guitar Center chain. The games' success has helped sell rock music, guitars, and even music lessons.

Players of the video games use a plastic guitar-shaped controller to simulate rocking out.  Guitar Hero takes everything that is fun about performing music and throws out all the rest.  They have given the flagging record industry a nice kick in the amps!