Harmony+Central

**Harmony Central** http://www.harmony-central.com
This website was created in 1995 and does not broadcast the creator or publisher's names, but does include an e-mail address to contact the webmaster. There is no platform specified, and the website does not require any external software. The site serves as a reading resource for educators and musicians to stay updated on music news, new instruments in the market, the quality of products, upcoming events in the music world, and updates on music technology in recording and using MIDI. Therefore, this site could be useful in different contexts for all age groups in the classroom. It seems particularly helpful for a jazz, technology, or band class. The only downside is that this website was last updated in 2006, so it is hard to know how current this information really is.
 * AUTHORITY**

This webpage is all about listing their articles and new resources for interested readers. It is intended for someone searching for something in particular or simply hoping to explore different topics in music. Therefore, there is an endless amount of information that students and teachers could explore and continue to find new material. The website strongly caters to specific instruments: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, effects, synthesizers, and percussion. Then, there is a strong technology section: software, computers, recording/live sounds, and MIDI. They offer advice for each of these topics, the best options available, and cheap prices from users of the site who are looking to sell products. In addition, there are buying guides, and a library full of music resources.
 * INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT**

National Standards addressed (although these are mostly expressed through reviews):

5. Reading and notating music 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music 7. Evaluating music and music performances

This website serves as a resource for musicians who want to stay updated on events in the music world, developing music software, get opinions and advice on certain music products, or find out about the different options for various instruments. There are newsletters, magazines, blogs, forums, and much more that create a music community and serve as a great resource for getting other people's thoughts and experiences with different music products.
 * PURPOSE, VIEWPOINT**

The creators call themselves "The #1 Online Community for Musicians." I cannot say I found evidence to back up that claim, but they have 1.2 million visitors each month, which indicates that the website has made a name for itself. In addition, there is a lot of involvement from other people and that is what seems to really make this site thrive, so within a certain population it has definitely gained a reputation.
 * REPUTATION**

If able to find your way around the website and reach what you are looking for, I think that this is a useful resource for finding information about specific topics in music and staying updated on how different products are developing. Rating: *** Good
 * OVERALL EVALUATION**

Jennifer Zuk (4/2/08)