NAMM Show 2021: Product Spotlight on the Yamaha YDS-150 Digital Saxophone

Yamaha recently introduced the YDS-150 Digital Saxophone, a first-of-its-kind instrument that allows saxophonists of all levels and those new to playing a wind instrument to create great sounding music from the very start. The YDS-150 effectively emulates an authentic saxophone experience digitally—from the sound and key layout to feedback from the instrument—while maintaining the sense […]

Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — good posture equals effective breathing

In this month’s video, Dr. Randy Kertz discusses better health practices for musicians who play brass and woodwind instruments, specifically, posture. Posture plays a large part in effective breathing techniques, which affects stamina, tone, and playability. In short, if your posture is lousy, your breathing is not as effective. Dr. Kertz’s monthly column addresses how […]

Philadephia Percussionist Brings Fresh Perspective to Revolutionary-era Fife-and-Drum Tune

Pandemic-Inspired Musical Project Brings Together World-Class Percussion And Brass Musicians Just a few weeks ago, on Independence Day 2020, a group of world-class percussion and brass musicians released a new arrangement of a Revolutionary War-era fife-and-drum tune, “The Downfall of Paris.” While the project started as a fun musical project during quarantine, it ended up […]

Trumpeter/hornist Jeff Stockham talks about playing historic instruments & his work in the film “Lincoln”

Trumpeter/hornist Jeff Stockham recently came to the Making Music offices for what turned out to be a rather lengthy interview about his passion for historic brass instruments — both playing them and collecting them. One of the many ensembles in which Stockham plays, in fact, is The Excelsior Cornet Band, New York State’s only authentic […]

Blastless Brass: Silent Brass System

Yamaha’s Silent Brass Systems for French horn (SB3XC), trombone (SB5XC), flugelhorn (SB6XC) or trumpet (SB7XC) allow horn players to practice while listening to hi-fidelity sound that only they can hear. The systems’ small pick-up mute offers outstanding sound reduction and a natural feel. The included Personal Studio attaches to an external audio player in order to practice with prerecorded material. The brass mutes are ideal for warm-up, evenings, hotels, and other silent practice situations.