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Portable PAs: Big Sound in a Small Package
Recitals: A Little Something for Everyone
Maximizing Your Practice Time
NAMM 2016: Roland - New Analog and Digital Synths
Data Driven Fretwork
5 Tips for Hitting High Notes
Although it's completely false to say that a singer's talent is measured by the number of high notes she or he can belt out, high notes are an unavoidable fact of life, and every vocalist will struggle with them at one point or another. Whether you're a deep-voiced bass, a coloratura soprano, or a humble shower singer, you can improve your voice by mastering proper technique in your upper range. Practice makes perfect, and here are some tips to help you as you ascend the scales.
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Stolen Goods – How to Protect Your Gear!
If your Facebook friends list includes musicians, odds are good that you regularly see posts seeking help locating stolen gear. Here are some simple tips to help minimize your chances of needing to write your own sad tale of loss on social media.
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The Vibrant Experience of Amateur Piano Competitions
In the world of classical piano, it can often feel like all the opportunities to perform or compete are exclusively for young prodigies and the pros - especially here in Canada, where we don't appear to have any established Amateur Competitions. But if you think you've missed the chance to showcase your talent on stage as an adult, you need to talk to Glenn Kramer!
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Improvisation for Everyone
The dictionary offers us this definition: “Improvisation: to compose or sing without preparation....” This definition is misleading and potentially discouraging. 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?
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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.
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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 effectively as the thought of packing up your drum kit and hauling it to your car at the end of the night. Here are some tips to help make that job easier!
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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. However adding a visual flair to drum performance is a lot like adding spice to a dish...context is everything and individual tastes vary.
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Sounding Your Best on Stage: A Guide for Singers
When you’re singing on stage, you want the audience to hear you at your best. It’s not just a matter of having a great voice: how that voice gets translated into amplified sound is vital to creating a polished, pleasing and professional performance. Here are a few things every singer should keep in mind.
Read More CommentsRecitals: 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.
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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!
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How to Overcome Stage Fright - For Musicians
Many of my music students and fellow musicians ask me, “How do I get over stage fright?” I am a professional musician, and at times I still experience stage fright. Here are some ideas and strategies which I have used in order to perform to my best ability, despite that primal and familiar fear of stage fright....
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What to do when your child doesn’t want to play in the recital
After shelling out big bucks and a significant amount of time, your child adamantly decides that they do not want to play in the recital. Sound like your house? Don’t worry; this happens to most children at some point.
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Long & McQuade
Performance Assurance
Buying a new instrument is an exciting event and we want to ensure that every instrument we sell comes exactly how the manufacturer intended it to be. That is why Long & McQuade performs a quality control check for every stringed, brass, and woodwind instrument over $99 ordered online at Long-McQuade.com.
Our team of experienced staff will unbox your instrument and perform a detailed inspection to ensure it leaves our warehouse looking and playing great with our QC card signed and dated for your peace of mind.
We work hard to source the best instruments from around the world from the finest brands. It is important to us that you are completely satisfied with your new instrument purchase from day one onwards.
Stringed Instrument Performance Assurance Checklist
Unlike our free set-up, which is included within the first year of purchase, this process is done to have the instrument set to the factory specs rather than to each player's feel or preferences.
We look after the following:
- Inspect finish and hardware.
- Check electronics to make sure everything is in working order. Check batteries on active pickups.
- Inspect strings.
- Inspect frets and fretboard.
- Check truss rod. Adjust for bow and relief.
- Tune instrument to manufacturer’s specified tuning.
- Check/set action height.
- Stretch strings and re-tune instrument and ensure machine heads are working well.
- Check for fret buzz by playing every note.
- Check/set intonation.
- Check/set pickup height.
- Cleaning and professional repacking.
Band and Orchestral Performance Assurance Checklist
We look after the following:
- Proper lubrication of valves and keys.
- Inspect pads.
- Proper fit of tuning slides.
- Proper fit of tenon joints.
- Lubricating corks for ease of set up.
- Inspecting the case.
- Safe removal of any shipping corks.
- Ensuring all accessories function properly.
- Inspecting bow hair and test tension.
- Ensuring soundpost and bridge are set correctly.
- Testing tuning pegs.
- Tuning strings to correct pitch.
- Cleaning and professionally repacking.