December 12, 2024
Theo Wanne demonstrates the art of mouthpiece refacing at a clinic in Thailand, 2016. All images courtesy of Theo Wanne. The legendary saxophone mouthpiece designer tells the story of his hard-won success, and reflects on a lifetime of striving for peace and beauty through music. If it seems like there’s something extraordinary, even otherworldly, […]
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 […]
December 6, 2024
As Yamaha clinicians, the swing-revival aces take their fun-loving approach to schools across the country. Glen “The Kid” Marhevka, featured trumpet soloist and lead clinician, reflects on music education and how the retro-swing movement changed the perception of band kids. When trumpeter and educator Glen “The Kid” Marhevka looks back on all the shows […]
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 […]
December 3, 2024
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 […]
November 21, 2024
Yamaha’s YEV Pro electric violin retains the character and sound of an acoustic instrument while revolutionizing its range and aesthetic. When plugging in an electric violin, many players are looking for an instrument that delivers the volume and power to go head-to-head with an electric guitar. What they don’t want is an instrument that sounds […]
October 16, 2024
Classic keyboard parts and solos from the golden age of progressive rock, featuring Rush, Pink Floyd, Yes and more. Robert Moog introduced his signature Moog synthesizer in 1964, five or so years before the Big Bang of progressive rock. But that instrument and that genre were destined to find each other. Both pointed toward a […]
October 2, 2024
Now in its 130th year, the iconic instrument brand has redefined music by balancing craftsmanship and innovation. If you’ve attended a concert, listened to the radio or a streaming service, or watched music videos at any point in the past half-century, you’re no doubt already familiar with Gibson guitars. Whether you’re into jazz, bluegrass, metal […]
August 6, 2024
Linguistics researcher Naomi Baron, Ph.D., on the meaningful advantages of handwritten annotations and scores you can smudge In recent decades, as our avenues for information have been transformed by technology, music-education resources have followed suit. Books and play-along cassettes became books and play-along CDs and software; VHS lessons became DVDs and then online tutorials. The […]
July 15, 2024
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 […]
