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The Unique Sounds of George Harrison

George Harrison famously brought a unique sound to the Beatles with instruments such as the sitar, electronic synthesizers and the ukulele.

Plastic Instruments - Fun For Everyone!

pBone line of plastic instruments are vibrant, lightweight, and built to last! Perfect for beginners, students, and young kids. pBones are easy to play, budget-friendly, and great for travel.

Living the Freelance Life

There are many career options available to a musician who is skilled at their instrument. Some musicians don't want to be tied down and would rather become a freelance musician.

Ohm Improvement: Get a Great Tube Tone Quietly at Home

Tube amplifiers. They’re warm, they’re often heavy, and they’re loud. All of this said, guitarists can’t seem to get enough of them, and the history is there to prove that....

Things I Wish I Knew Then

Starting my drum journey over 20 years ago, here are some of my tips, tricks, and tools that I wish I knew then that would have saved me time and money!

Proper Fretboard Maintenance - A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn essential tips and steps for proper guitar fretboard maintenance. Keep your guitar sounding and looking great with a guide on cleaning and caring for your guitar fretboard.

Modular Synthesis (Eurorack) - A How-to Guide

The concept of modular synthesis is ridiculously vast. Modular refers both to the concepts of modular synthesis and synthesizers, as well as the physical modules themselves.

Maximizing Your Practice Time

Have you ever got stuck while practicing feeling like you're just not getting any further with a piece of music, or a section in a song? Here are a few tips for maximizing your learning curve to get the most out of your practice time.

Three Ways for Musicians to Beat the Covid-19 Blues

Covid-19 blues got you down? Check out these three tips to help you stay musically active and energized!

The Best Method Book

You've just bought or rented your new instrument and you are SO EXCITED to play! There are so many books to choose from, but which method book is the best for you?

For the Love of Learning

How do you foster success for students learning at school, or adults who are going back to an instrument? Here are a few time tested ideas that can help!

Stolen Goods – How to Protect Your Gear!

Odds are if you're a musician then you regularly see posts seeking help locating stolen gear. Here are 10 tips to protect your music instruments and gear from being stolen.

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?

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.

Beating the “Load-Out Blues” - Ten Tips to Make Moving Your Drums Easier

Nothing compares to the thrill of playing live music in front of an appreciative audience. Similarly, nothing can dampen that excitement as the thought of packing up your drum kit and hauling it to your car at the end of the night.

In Defence of the Stick Spin

Live music is entertainment, and anything you can do to raise the level of excitement for your audience is positive.

Long & McQuade as an Invaluable Networking Tool

Regardless of your skill set or level of involvement within the music industry, if you are a musician in Canada: you have likely crossed paths with Long & McQuade Musical Instruments.

Who Are You? (Finding Your Own Sound)

Your sound is your trademark. Here’s how four musical pros have developed theirs.

A Simple Way to Learn a Song in Half the Time

Most of us learn songs from the internet using a combination of lyrics with chord symbols posted above the words, and YouTube videos of someone teaching the song. While these may work, here is a more simple way to learn a song in less time!

How to Overcome Stage Fright - For Musicians

Many of my music students and fellow musicians ask me, “How do I get over stage fright?” Here are some ideas and strategies to perform to your best ability.

Tim Hicks: Rebel With Applause

There's something to be said for old stomping grounds. The Golden Horseshoe cities of St. Catharines and Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Five Ways to Diversify Your Musical Experience

"I'm not getting any worse, but I'm definitely not getting any better...” "I'm bored"..."I don't feel like picking up my instrument...” Sound familiar? Here are a few different trick for avoiding a musical dry spell.

How To Run a Band Rehearsal

Every band needs to rehearse. That should go without saying. But some young bands might not fully appreciate what is needed to run a proper band rehearsal. So here are some pointers for getting the most out of your band rehearsals.