First off, let’s define these two terms: Practicing is what individuals do; rehearsing is what groups do. Individuals should always practice in between their group rehearsals. Practice Nobody gets better at playing their particular instrument without practice. No one. Even prodigies must practice. Following are a few pointers that may help you practice more successfully. […]
Stage fright is the bane of all performers – musicians, actors, lecturers, even professional athletes can all experience bouts of nervousness or even sheer terror before getting up in front of their respective audiences. The ability to get past stage fright (sometimes called “performance anxiety”), its causes, how to overcome it and climb up on […]
Remember the “P-words” It can seem to be the ultimate conundrum for the musician who wants to perform – how can I promote myself if I can’t get gigs? Yet, how do I get gigs if I’m unable to promote myself? Music gigs are not going to appear out of nowhere and just fall into […]
Handmade Electronic Music: The Art of Hardware Hacking provides a long-needed, practical, and engaging introduction to the craft of making—as well as creatively cannibalizing—electronic circuits for artistic purposes. With a sense of adventure and no prior knowledge, the reader can subvert the intentions designed into devices such as radios and toys to discover a new […]
Making music doesn’t have to be about dropping big bucks in the guitar shop or endlessly fiddling with expensive software. You can make good noise out of bits of wood and wire, plastic and steel. When you build your own instruments, creating your own sound comes naturally. Junkyard Jam Band is a step-by-step guide to […]
How To Play the Accordion, published by Santorella Publications, is an easy-to-follow guide which contains clear, logical lessons for beginners with helpful diagrams and photos. Designed for the adult beginner, Santorella’s easy method includes explicit instructions with diagrams and sketches that details basic music theory and a fundamental understanding of the accordion.
Even if you beginner or are a more seasoned musician looking to brush up on your musical knowledge, this guide covers every notational aspect of music on the page needed to understand music for any instrument. It is designed to be easily understandable, with everything laid out in an easy-to-digest and step-by-step manner. This guide […]
In the 30-plus years I’ve been playing music, I’ve owned dozens of guitars. Sometimes a new guitar is something you’ve been dreaming of for years, sometimes it’s a guitar that scratches an itch, and sometimes it’s a deal that’s too good to pass up. That said, I don’t think I’ve ever owned more than eight […]
Alternative tunings are a fantastic way to reinvigorate your guitar playing, songwriting, and creativity. The instantly altered sound naturally gives your mind different creative ideas, and makes you play a different way as a result. And of course, many great songs are written in different tunings, meaning sooner or later you’ll encounter material you need […]
Since its appearance in Guitar World in 1990, Vai’s intensive guitar regimen has been the Holy Grail for serious players. Here is the lesson that shaped a generation of guitarists. Vai sat down with guitarist/transcriber Dave Whitehill and outlined his practice routine for the January 1990 issue of Guitar World. Never before had a guitarist […]