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Improvisation for Everyone

“Improvisation: to compose or sing without preparation” If that’s true then what were iconic improvisers like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins doing during the marathon practice sessions they are known for?

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 4

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 4, we're taking a look at new products from Cranborne Audio, Denon, Numark, M-Audio, HeadRush, Drum Workshop, Pacific Drums, Gretsch Drums, Zoom, Dynaudio, EarthQuaker, Electro-Harmonix, Paiste, Remo, Korg, Vox and Solid State Logic.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 3

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 3, we're taking a look at new products from Martin, Empress, Sabian, Zildjian, Nord, Ernie Ball, Marshall, Pearl, Gibson, Yamaha, Line 6, Revv, Two Notes, and Tama.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 2

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 2, we're taking a look at new products from Roland, Mapex, A&F Drum Co., American DJ, Pioneer DJ, Sonor, Warwick Music, Dunlop, Ludwig, Hohner, D'Addario, Softube, Audio-Technica, Royer and Taylor.

The NAMM Show 2020: Day 1

We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 1, we're taking a look at new products from ART, Yorkville, Mackie, Godin, KRK, Fender, Shure, Avantone, Radial, Warm Audio, Presonus, Aston, Tascam, ESP, Focusrite and Universal Audio.

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.

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.

Giving the Gift of Music Lessons

Giving the gift of lessons makes a great present for someone who wants to improve their existing skills, or who has never touched music in their life.

A Drummers Guide to Cleaning Cymbals

Clean cymbals can be the most eye-catching instruments on the stage. You can clean cymbals in one of five ways. This guide will teach you how to clean your cymbals and recommend cymbal polishers.

Musical Gift Giving Made Easy

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. Here are some gift ideas for musicians.

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.

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.