Whether you're a professional musician or a doggerel devotee, you can expand your repertoire with Plug In: the Guide to Music on the Net
If you're already familiar with the Internet, skim the introductory material on "Getting Online", which covers such basics as hardware and software, BBSes, commercial online services, and direct Internet connections. This section gives relative newbies a good grounding in the essentials, including e-mail, mailing lists, newsgroups, and search tools.
Authors Ted Gurley and W.T. Pfefferle use most of the guide to teach how to "plug in" to the Internet's melodious spectrum of musical resources. You'll discover the amazing variety of music-related newsgroups, mailing lists, and Web sites that are available, from alt.fan.courtney-love, to a pre-baroque music mailing list, to the history of country music (http://digiserve.com/country).
"Plugging in" info on MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) also is featured, from the basics (required hardware and software) to MIDI resources (via Web sites, FTP, and BBSes). You'll discover not just how to play MIDI files, but how to create them.
Don't miss the "Business of Music" section if you earn even part of your livelihood from music. You'll learn how to access resources on topics ranging from classical guitar to karaoke DJs. The authors also detail how you can strut your stuff by creating your own Web page. The section on "Getting Your Band or Music Business on the Net" is applicable for any music-related business.
Don't neglect that bonus CD-ROM accompanying the book: you'll get sound and HTML editors, music databases, MIDI sequencers, business software, and more.