A recent article posted on the science website Phys.org offered some interesting research on how famous violin builders Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppi Guarneri “del Gesu” were able to create instruments of such incredible sound quality more than two centuries ago. Turns out, it was not necessarily the luthiers’ skill in building their instruments that gave […]
Band & Orchestra School band and orchestra instruments are divided into four categories: brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. Following is a brief look at each one. Brass: Brass instruments make their sounds through the lip vibrations of the player, combined with the movements of a slide, in the case of trombones, or the opening and […]
As the calendar turns to August, we begin to hear the words “back to school,” much to the chagrin of many students. This is a chance, however, for students to explore participation in their schools’ music programs, be it by playing an instrument in the band or orchestra, or by singing in the choir. MakingMusicMag.com […]
Casio recently introduced the PX-S1100, the latest addition to its Privia PX-S series of digital pianos. In a press release, the company said: “The PX-S1100 replaces the PX-S1000, which has become one of the top-selling digital pianos on the market today and earned its reputation for sound and features that punch far above its price […]
It was almost by accident that Tom Hosmer got into the violin repair business. Almost five decades later, he’s still at work. Hosmer Violins in Fayetteville, NY, will be 50 years old in November; his shop is Central New York’s go-to place for the repair and restoration of violins, violas, and cellos. After studying photography in […]
A guide to this small South American powerhouse If you were to take a mandolin, combine it with a ukulele and maybe toss in some oud or perhaps a bit balalaika, you might very well end up with a charango. So, what’s a charango? This diminutive, multi-stringed, multi-coursed, hollow-bodied axe offers up sweet sounds reminiscent […]
As an enterprising force in the world of indigenous and exotic instruments, Sandra further engages in collaborations with a many musicians working with diverse genres of music. Sandra goes on to create and personally facilitate musical study trips to different countries — leading people into the heart of individual folk cultures through the music and dance of each country. She strives to nurture a deep love of music and the arts in both children and adults.
The first thing violinist Tracy Silverman did was to earn his degree from Julliard. The second thing he did when he graduated was to throw it all out the window and join a rock band…
Imagine a violin that has had a bigger career than most any musician… Times 10. Player Violinist Jeremy Cohen is the founder of Quartet San Francisco, an eclectic Grammy-nominated ensemble that regularly jumps boundaries, and Violinjazz, a jazz group and publisher of sheet music for modern string players. The QSF’s latest album is Pacific Premieres: […]
Acclaimed songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy winner Sara Watkins has been a steady fixture over the years in LA and the greater folk and Americana scene. A founding member of both Nickel Creek and I’m With Her, Watkins is freshly off of two years of consistent touring with I’m With Her (Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan) garnering praise from the NY Times, Rolling Stone, The Guardian and more….