Category: Buyer’s Guides

Drum Pad with Metronome

What Are Drum Practice Pads?

Most drummers own or at least have heard of the practice pad. If you’re new to the drums and are unsure if you should invest in drum practice pads,  we’re here to explain what they are, how to use them, and what to keep an eye out for when shopping for them. A practice pad, […]

Learn More
Beginner's Guide to Woodwind Instruments

What is a Woodwind Instrument?

Although woodwind and brass typically fall under the wind instruments category, the woodwind family is a great place for a beginning musician to start. These instruments are generally easier to play because of the way the air is blown into them, and many musicians who begin their music education with an instrument from the woodwind […]

Learn More
Brass Instruments: A Guide

What are Brass Instruments?

Many of the world’s most important genres, including jazz and orchestral music, wouldn’t be possible without the use of brass instruments. From Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong to Mozart and Bach, many of history’s most beloved musicians and composers relied heavily on the use of brass instruments in their music. Whether you’re new to the world […]

Learn More

Six Things to Consider Before Buying a New Guitar

Whether you’re buying your first guitar or your tenth, shopping for your next electric or acoustic guitar is always a super exciting thing. Just as you research cars before you buy one, the same due diligence should be applied to musical instruments. From browsing online reviews to asking your friends for their opinion, you can […]

Learn More

An Introduction to Guitar Pedals

Every guitarist loves pedals, and most have at least a handful in their collection. When you’re first venturing into distortion and other pedal effects, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin. At the end of the day, most guitar pedals look alike–so what makes them so different? While distortion and overdrive have […]

Learn More

Microphone Preamp Buying Guide

In case you’re not familiar, a preamp’s job is to take an audio signal and give that signal shape and definition before the signal is output through speakers, headphones, or other audio gear. Critical in creating quality sound, a preamp can add character, warmth, and dimension to music. It might sound like a pretty boring […]

Learn More

What Size Electric Guitar Amp Do I Need?

If you’re interested in learning to play the electric guitar, you’ll find that there’s a lot to consider. For most people, it’s a bit overwhelming at first. Once you’ve decided which electric guitar you’re going to purchase, you need to decide what kind of amp you’re going to get. While it may not seem as […]

Learn More
Four Tips for Choosing the Right Instrument

Improve the Tone of Your Guitar with These Tips

There’s one thing virtually every guitar player wants, and it’s perfect tone. Some guitarists even spend their entire life pursuing it. For others, perfect tone is slightly out of reach–reserved for the guitar gods they idolize on the radio. Although perfect tone may seem impossible, there are plenty of things you can do make the […]

Learn More
Viola Strings

How to Choose the Right Set of Viola Strings

Many student musicians and their parents are amazed at the sheer volume of strings available for their instrument. At times, the selection can even seem overwhelming, particularly for those who have never had to purchase strings before. Since trying out every type of string on the market is unrealistic, we’ll explain some of the characteristics […]

Learn More
Cello Pickup

What’s a Cello Pickup (& How Can One Improve My Sound?)

So, you’ve been playing the cello for a few years, know all the basics, and are ready to start experimenting with your sound. Chances are, you’ve come across a cello pickup in music stores or while browsing online, and are curious about what it is and how it can improve your sound. For most beginner […]

Learn More