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Play Along Recordings for Jazz
If I could, I’d practice every day with a live rhythm section, but this is impossible so I settle for the next best thing: Play along recordings. This is not only handy but also a fun way to learn and practice tunes. Read More Comments
Learning a Song in Half the Time - Part Two
In part one of this series a “Four Across Map” was presented as an effective tool in learning the chord progression of any song in half the time. In this issue I’m presenting two more techniques that will also help. Read More Comments
Giving the Gift of Music Lessons
Giving the gift of lessons makes a great present for your loved one, no matter their age or stage. Whether you know someone who wants to improve their existing skills, who wants to pick an instrument up again after a long hiatus, or who has never touched music in their life, lessons as a gift are a perfect place to start. Read More Comments
Make it Shine! A Drummer’s Guide to Cymbal
Clean cymbals under bright lights can be the most eye-catching instruments on the stage. They also often represent the largest portion of a drummer's gear budget. It is, therefore, no surprise that many drummers go to great lengths to keep their cymbals as shiny and new-looking as they can. Read More Comments
Musical Gift Giving Made Easy
For many of us, the start of the holiday shopping season is a bit terrifying. So much to do, so little time. And how do you find that perfect gift? You know, the one that makes their eyes light up when they open it? If you’re shopping for the musician in your life it can be a challenge to find just the right thing. But it doesn’t have to be. Your friends at Long & McQuade are happy to help! Read More Comments
Rewriting the DNA of Tone
More than an effects pedal board, the Helix, as well as its slightly stripped down counterpart the Helix LT, is the latest in a long line of processors from the tone gurus at Line 6, and in this article I will not only explore the features of the Helix, but I’ll go over concepts like amp modeling, discuss features and how they can fit into (or completely replace) your rig, and I’ll talk about all things Helix. Read More Comments
Data Driven Fretwork
The PLEK Station is a specialized robot that creates a high-resolution digital scan of a guitar’s fingerboard and performs fully automated fretwork. The machine collects data about the playing surface, recommends fret adjustments for optimal performance, then cuts the frets with perfect precision. Read More Comments
The Undisputed Champion: The Ukulele
Once looked upon as a bit of a novelty, the ukulele has been riding a wave of popularity for nearly a decade. In this blog, we will discuss why that might be, and we’ll also discuss some basics to help you choose wisely when it comes time for you to don the tights and enter the ring. Read More Comments
Rees Harps and the Harpsicle
There is a renaissance happening in the world of music, with growing interest in learning how to play traditional acoustic instruments. One folk instrument garnering a lot of renewed interest is the harp, and this is in no small part thanks to the efforts of the Rees Harp Company in Indiana. Read More Comments
Demystifying Time Signatures
For many of us with limited experience reading standard music notation, time signatures can be a bit baffling. We’ve all experienced hearing them in different contexts, such as background music, focused listening, playing music and singing. In this article I will break down different signatures and explain how they function. Read More Comments
Songwriting
Songwriting is something anyone can do. For anyone involved in music, whether as the parent of a child playing an instrument or taking lessons, a student who loves music and wants an outlet, or as an undying passion that we live for every day, music is about expression. Great writers are people who have something to say, and use their voice to contribute something. Read More Comments
All About Strings
The strings on your guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument are a key component of your guitar’s sound. There is a lot of misinformation on how to choose strings, how often they need to be changed, or even how to change them. In this article, I’ll explain the basics of string choice and maintenance, as well as explain some of the common myths surrounding them. Read More Comments
