December 11, 2024
William F. Ludwig and his son William Jr., both musicians as well as businessmen, represent the Ludwig brand, which bought Musser Mallet Percussion in 1966. Image courtesy of Conn Selmer. The history of Ludwig-Musser Percussion weaves together the stories of two pioneering companies and their visionary namesakes. From the beginning, music education has informed the […]
March 8, 2020
If someone asks you “who is the most famous percussionist?” it would be difficult to answer right off the bat without some clarifying question – specifically, what genre? Additionally, if you asked ten people to name the most famous percussionist, you’d probably get ten different answers. That’s all to say that narrowing it down to […]
April 2, 2017
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a percussionist is that you can develop a core set of techniques and apply your skillset to a wide array of different instruments. Unlike a violinist or trumpet player who is only expected to play one instrument, a percussionist in an orchestra or symphony is expected to […]
July 30, 2015
Renting a Percussion Kit There’s more to a drummer’s role than simply keeping time – in fact, school band percussionists may play any number of instruments, from triangles and tambourines to timpanis and xylophones. Typically, a percussion kit features a tunable drum practice pad or shallow drum, snare sticks and bell mallets, a 2-octave aluminum […]
March 14, 2025
Arizona-based master technician Malinda Stratton shares a few of her recent repair adventures — including a Gibson L-50 restoration and an extra-tricky guitarrón fix.
February 4, 2025
Industry leaders in orchestral and educational percussion, Ludwig-Musser honor their heritage while guiding the state of the art. Here are five instruments that will take your program to the next level.
January 24, 2025
Rigorously tested by elite drumlines, these new marching carriers and stands offer unsurpassed comfort and durability.
January 13, 2025
When musicians of all stripes have gear-transportation problems, Gator has durable, smartly designed solutions.
January 7, 2025
Inside the history and industry-defining innovations of the world’s premier sheet-music publisher.
December 5, 2024
The global giant in instrument-making, Yamaha has produced progressive, meticulously crafted products for well over a century. In this guide, we cover the brand’s storied history and survey some of its groundbreaking gear. Yamaha is the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instruments, with a legacy spanning more than 130 years. The company’s unwavering quality […]
