April 20, 2026
Paul Carr’s All-State Jazz Audition Essentials
Conquer All-County and All-State with these strategies from the eminent educator and saxophonist.
Category: Student Tips
December 10, 2025
‘No Retrograde Inversions!’: Randy Brecker in Conversation
Now 80, the legendary trumpeter talks about his practice regimen, classic sessions with Steely Dan, Paul Simon and other icons, and that time he bonded — briefly and weirdly — with Miles Davis over wah-wah pedals.
November 20, 2025
Gator Frameworks: The Band Director’s Hassle-Free Music Stand Solution
The trusted accessories brand produces durable, stylish and versatile music stands that are perfect for school bands and orchestras.
October 17, 2025
Battle Band: Eric Alexander & Vincent Herring in Conversation
Two of jazz’s premier saxophonists on 20 years of friendly competition, the secrets of impromptu arranging, and why Hank Mobley wrote remarkable tunes.
April 16, 2025
Fender vs. Gibson: How Scale Length & String Gauge Affect Playability
Music & Arts’ resident guitar guru, Alan Day, shares a pro tip that will help beginning electric guitarists choose the perfect set of strings based on scale length.
March 14, 2025
Tales From the Repair Shop: Guitars & More
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.
March 7, 2025
Clarinet Masters: Essential Listening Guide for Students
Anat Cohen and Paquito D’Rivera, two of the world’s top jazz clarinetists, reflect on the recordings that transformed their musical journeys — and have the power to transform yours as well.
February 7, 2025
Jazz Saxophone Reed Guide: Pro Tips
Four great saxophonists in modern and contemporary jazz — Dave Koz, Gerald Albright, Lakecia Benjamin and Miguel Zenón — offer expert advice based on decades of selecting, preparing and storing reeds.
January 28, 2025
Music & Artists: Béla Fleck
The world-renowned banjo master offers beginner tips as well as insight into his Gold Tone Mastertone “Bluegrass Heart” banjo.
December 23, 2024
Upright vs. Electric Bass: An Educator’s Guide
Two of the greatest bass players on the planet, John Patitucci and Linda May Han Oh, share stories and strategies to help students and teachers navigate the electric-acoustic divide. Plus: Gear advice and accessories picks.