Category: Buyer’s Guides

Meet the Makers - Yamaha

Meet the Makers: Yamaha Band & Orchestra

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 […]

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Music Books

Songbook Gift Guide: Pop Hits of ’24 & More

Looking for that perfect stocking stuffer to match a new keyboard, guitar or band-and-orchestra instrument? Check out these best-selling songbooks from hitmakers including Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish.   Sure, you’re reading this on a screen, but we at Music & Arts continue to believe in the power of printed music. A great songbook can […]

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Guitar Care

A Beginner’s Guide to Guitar Care & Maintenance, Part 2: When Does My Guitar Need a Setup & Intonation Adjustment?

Understanding the fundamental maintenance tasks that will help your guitar stay in tune. It’s hard to overstate the importance of having a guitar that consistently plays in tune. Many beginners struggle more than necessary simply because their instrument isn’t set up correctly. Proper tuning and intonation can make the difference between becoming a lifelong guitarist […]

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High School Drummers

How to Recruit Top Talent for Your Band & Orchestra Program

Imagine that a gifted drummer, guitarist or pianist just started their freshman year at your school. The student’s middle-school teacher even passed along a note praising their abilities. As the band director, you’d love to get them involved in the music program. But so far, they haven’t shown any interest in joining. Most band and […]

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Clarinet Repair

3 Essential Quick Repairs for Clarinet

Imagine you’re backstage, minutes before the curtain rises on your school’s biggest concert of the year. Amid the frenzied last-minute preparations, your clarinet player walks up to you in a near panic and utters the four words every music educator dreads most: “My instrument isn’t working.” You’ve probably been through similar situations before and know […]

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Instrument Rental

Renting vs. Purchasing: Pros and Cons

It’s a question that confronts every parent of a band or orchestra student: Is it better to rent or buy an instrument? More questions follow: Will your child stick with it for a while? Will they want to switch instruments at some point? Will you need to start with a smaller instrument and upgrade as […]

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Woman playing the oboe

Overcoming the Challenges of Double-Reed Instruments

Double-reed instruments are some of the most unique members of the woodwinds family. Unlike the clarinet and saxophone, which utilize a single reed mounted on a mouthpiece, double-reed instruments feature—you guessed it—two reeds vibrating against each other to create an unmistakable sound. The most popular double-reed instruments are the oboe and bassoon, but the category […]

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Digital Piano Lessons

Keyboards, MIDI & Synth: A Beginner’s Guide

From affordable piano alternatives to analog sonic explorers, this helpful primer outlines the keyboard basics. There’s nothing like playing a real acoustic piano, but not everyone has the space or the budget to have the real thing at home. Fortunately, Music & Arts offers a wide variety of digital pianos, MIDI keyboards and synthesizers to […]

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Guitar Accessories

Essential Guitar Accessories: A Beginner-Friendly Guide

Whether you’re buying your first guitar or adding to your collection, there’s a world of accessories to explore that can help you get the most out of your instrument and playing experience. In this article, we’ll cover the top accessories every guitar player needs. First, we’ll look at essential accessories for all players, then explore […]

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Employee Instrument Picks

Top Employee Instrument Picks – December 2023

Music & Arts is an excellent destination for musicians of all levels, offering an extensive array of instruments that cater to every need. Whether you’re a student, an enthusiastic intermediate, or a seasoned professional, their collection spans from elegant string instruments to robust brass, and from soulful woodwinds to iconic guitars. Each instrument is crafted […]

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