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Guitarist Gift Guide: The Essentials

Still need the perfect gift for that picky guitar player? This article has some great ideas that will aid you in your search for the gift that should be on the wish list of even the most persnickety of guitar players. We focus on the bare essentials that any guitar player, from newbie to pro, will appreciate.

Guitar Picks: A Plethora of Plectrum Possibilities

People often ask us what picks are best for a beginner, what pick is good for country music, or what is the BEST pick. Picks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and materials. This article will enlighten and educate you on the humble plectrum and how it can be the most important part of your tone.

Eight (Holi)days a Week: How and What to Buy for the Beatles Obsessed

Ah, the Beatles. What more can be said that hasn’t been already? If you have a Beatles fan on your Christmas list, and you have no idea what to get them, read on. We’ll talk about what gear the Fab Four used and how you can find something on any budget, whether they are naughty or nice.

How to Research Recording Gear

You’ve decided that you want to get into home recording; but where do you start? The recording world is very vast; every piece does something unique, and they’re all at varying price points. You know what you want to do, but you aren’t sure how to go about it. Find out how to research recording equipment so that you get the right stuff for you.

Sympathetic Snare Buzz...Symptoms, Causes And Cures

You're getting ready for sound check at your biggest gig of the year and everytime you hit your tom, your snare sizzles like a pan of frying bacon. What do you do? Find out what might be causing the buzz, whether you should fix it, and how you can in this article.

Recitals: A Little Something for Everyone

When you think “Lesson Centre Recital” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it’s the image of a fun performance opportunity for really young children. While recitals are a great opportunity for youth to foster confidence in a safe, supportive space, it’s worth considering that there are actually benefits for students of all ages and backgrounds.

All About Performing Arts Festivals & Why YOU Should Enter!

Most cities and regions have at least one annual Performing Arts Festival, open to students in the arts. You may have heard about one, but don't know what it is, or realize that it's open for anybody to participate in. We're here to give you the details and explain the benefits of taking part in one!

A Simple Way to Learn a Song in Half the Time

Most of us learn songs from the internet these days, using a combination of lyrics with chord symbols posted above the words, and YouTube videos of someone teaching the song by breaking down the various sections and demonstrating how to play them on the appropriate instrument. While these may work, here is a more simple way to learn a song in less time!

The Traditional Tonewoods of Electric Bass

The kind of wood that your bass is constructed with is the heart of its tone. While pickups, electronics, and amplification will also shape the sound of your instrument, it all begins with the wood. In the world of bass guitar creation, there are nearly limitless combinations of wood types - but today we will focus on a few of the most common to give you a fundamental understanding.

The Value of Community Ensembles

I interact with scores of musicians on a daily basis. Musicians are more common than many people think, but this discrepancy is in part due to trouble in defining the word. What is a musician? Does a musician make a living playing shows at a local venue? Is a musician one who is currently enrolled in a music related degree or diploma program?

Musical Motivation: 4 Reasons to Stop Making Excuses and Just Do It!

We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded by distractions that are all competing for our attention. Case in point: you are reading this article right this very minute instead of engaging in any number of alternative tasks (the author thanks you kindly for your attention!)

Rhythmic Vocabulary

Harmony, melody, rhythm; these are the three fundamental ingredients that make up the music you hear. Whether it be beautifully complex, or downright simple, it all comes down to how the musician uses these ingredients to express his or her musical ideas.