6 Must Read
  • Features
    • Featured

      Christopher Dale Singing the Praises of Songwriting

      2018 marked the release of Dale’s single, Smile, which he used to promote a campaign in support of the international children’s charity Smile Train, which has provided over a million new smiles to kids who required corrective, cleft-palate surgery. In 2020, C. Dale released the EP “Where The Road Turns To Sand”.

      • New Commissioning Program “Just Songs” Amplifies Voices of Emerging Songwriters
      • Jason Mraz Foundation to Award Grants to 25 US Non-Profits
      • Tying It Together: Defining the Difference Between Ties and Slurs
      • Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists
  • How To
    • How To

      The Best Ways to Record Bass: Tracking All the Way to Mixing

      Musical Theory: Give It a Rest! 

      laptop recording

      Friday Flashback: Tips to Start Laptop Recording

      How To Create A Recording Studio For Just $100

      Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo for Beginners

      How to Set Up an Online Concert and Ticket It

      Carmine Miranda: The Joy of Life as a Cellist

      How to Sell a Guitar – and Make Money

      clean a trumpet

      How to Clean A Trumpet

      A Guide to Playing Altissimo Saxophone

      24 Exercises at the Piano

      Gideon Waxman’s Ultimate Guide to Buying Cymbals

      Previous Next
  • Video
    • Newest Video
      • Video

        Christopher Dale Singing the Praises of Songwriting

        New Commissioning Program “Just Songs” Amplifies Voices of Emerging Songwriters

        Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists

        Jane Lui — Lighting the Way of Her Own Path

        From National Opera to Otherworldly Chant Music — The Evolution of Shunia

        Mastering Best Practices Explained with Alan Silverman – Part 2

        Paul Abbott’s Zen Approach to Mastering – Part 3

        Community Video: Porsia Camille — Can’t Say the Same

        Community Video: The Wilderness — If I Have to Die

        Mastering Process Explained with Alan Silverman – Part 1

        Community Video: altre di B — Salgado

        Community Video: J.C. Andersen — I Go Out

        Previous Next
    • Product Spotlight
      • Product Spotlight

        NAMM Show 2021: Yamaha Announces New DGX-670 Digital Piano

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

        Making Music Product Spotlight: The Mute Caddy with Jeff Stockham

        akg lyra

        Making Music Product Spotlight: AKG LYRA Ultra-HD Multimode USB Microphone

        Making Music Product Spotlight: Balu Musik horn mutes and mellophone

    • Community Videos

      Musical performances submitted by readers.

      • Community Videos

        Pick the Winter 2021 Community Video Contest Winner!

        Community Video: Porsia Camille — Can’t Say the Same

        Community Video: The Wilderness — If I Have to Die

        Community Video: altre di B — Salgado

        Community Video: J.C. Andersen — I Go Out

        Community Video: Galand — Storyline

        Community Video: Hitha — We Will Last

        Community Video: Alto Key — Burning Up

        Community Video: Kendra Erika – Avalanche

        Community Video: The Moon City Masters – Over Now

        People’s Choice Winner TemperMental — A New Generation of LA Rockers Rising Up

        Pick the Fall 2020 Community Video Contest winner!

        Previous Next
    • Travel
      • Travel Video

        Mile of Music

        Wisconsin’s Fox Cities: More than a Mile of Music

        Alabama Gulf Coast Feeds a Musician’s Heart

        Inside Cash’s Boyhood Home

        crooked road

        The Crooked Road: A Journey Steeped in Music Traditions

        moab concert

        Moab Music Festival

        America Meets the Beatles! at Bethel Woods

        Discovering Music Destinations South of Nashville

        Cumbia: The Sound of Colombia

        Previous Next
    • How To Videos
      • How-To Videos

        Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo for Beginners

        Carmine Miranda: The Joy of Life as a Cellist

        clean a trumpet

        How to Clean A Trumpet

        Bass Guitar Lesson with Dan Hawkins – Using Scales To Create Killer Grooves

        restringing your guitar

        A Guide to Restringing Your Guitar for Beginners

        f major

        How to Play Clarinet Scales: F Major

        g minor

        How to Play Clarinet Scales: G Minor

        The No. 1 Thing Songwriting Guitarists Don’t Think About

        Teaching Jazz and Musical Creativity to the Classical Piano Student – Part 2

        Teaching Jazz and Musical Creativity to the Classical Piano Student – Part 1

        c minor

        How to Play Clarinet Scales: C Minor

        The Problem All Pianists Need to Overcome (But Many Don’t Even Know About!)

        Previous Next
    • Instrument Video
      • Instrument Video

        Christopher Dale Singing the Praises of Songwriting

        New Commissioning Program “Just Songs” Amplifies Voices of Emerging Songwriters

        Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists

        Jane Lui — Lighting the Way of Her Own Path

        From National Opera to Otherworldly Chant Music — The Evolution of Shunia

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

        Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo for Beginners

        Tracy Silverman: Defying Dogma with Electric Violin (Interview part 2)

        Jeremy Cohen’s Historic Prized Violin

        Serious About Fiddling Around with Sara Watkins

        Like a Butterfly Smashing Glass: Taking Flight with Cellist Tina Guo

        Defying Dogma: Violinist Tracy Silverman Redefines What “Proper” Is

        Previous Next
  • Health
    • Health

      The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health

      Written by a bass player for bass players, The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health, in two volumes, is designed to point out common and not-so-common problems that the musician may encounter during practice or performing situations. These books, written by Dr. Randy Kertz, a regular contributor to Making Music and creator […]

      • Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists
      • Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Posture Review for 2021
      • Things Vocalists Should and Shouldn’t Eat (Before Performing)
      • Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Bring Your Instrument to the Doctor With You
  • Instruments
    • Woodwinds/Brass
      • Wind

        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 […]

        • Buffet Crampon’s New GALA Clarinet
        • Jeff Stockham’s Past, Present & Future As a Horn Player
        • Saxophonist Prateek Thakur Triumphs Through Music
        • Peruvian Saxophonist Lucia Sarmiento Follows Jazz and Finds America
    • Bass
      • Bass

        World’s Smallest Guitar/Bass Multi-Tool

        GrooveTech Tools has released its newest guitar and bass multi-tool, the Mini-Multi. Based on the premise that some players don’t adjust truss rods using a multi-tool, GrooveTech concentrated on action, tremolo systems, intonation, pickup height, and most other adjustments on guitars and basses. The Mini-Multi consolidates 14 tools into a body that’s less than three […]

        • Jeff Stockham’s Past, Present & Future As a Horn Player
        • French Horn Basics with Michael Manley
        • Jazz, Trumpet & Nick Fields
        • Six Lessons for Playing Funk Bass – with Dan Hawkins
    • Guitar
      • Guitar

        Recording Acoustic Guitar in Stereo for Beginners

        Chuck Schiele takes you through the beginning steps on how to record an acoustic guitar in stereo. Part one is a general overview for beginners on the basic thinking and process of recording, what a signal chain is, and a thing or two about microphones and mic’ing technique.

        • Slash “Victoria” Les Paul Standard Goldtop Joins the Gibson Slash Collection
        • BOSS Pocket GT Guitar Effects Processor
        • Stereo Desktop Amplifier Designed For Acoustic Guitarists
        • The 8 Best Gift Ideas for a Guitarist
    • Drums
      • Drums

        Gideon Waxman’s Ultimate Guide to Buying Cymbals

        Cymbals play an integral part of a drummer’s set up, and they are a significant investment. With a cymbal purchase, you will have to be completely confident that sound is right for you and your music. They cannot be altered or tuned in the way that drums can. So it’s imperative to invest in cymbals that will compliment the styles of music you play! In this guide I aim to provide as much information as I can about cymbals to help educate you on how to choose the perfect cymbals that are right for you, and what you need to consider when looking to invest in new cymbals.

        • Taiko Drumming: Healthy Exercise for Music Makers
        • 12 Ways to Improve Your Drumming
        • Exploring the History of Playing Timpani (Kettle Drums)
        • Money Beats with Rich Redmond
    • Strings
      • Strings

        Tracy Silverman: Defying Dogma with Electric Violin (Interview part 2)

        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…

        • Jeremy Cohen’s Historic Prized Violin
        • Serious About Fiddling Around with Sara Watkins
        • Writing Well for the Modern Harp
        • What Are Strings Made Of? The Basics of Orchestral String Construction
    • Keyboards
      • Keyboard

        NAMM Show 2021: Yamaha Announces New DGX-670 Digital Piano

        During the 2021 NAMM Show, Yamaha unveiled the DGX-670, a new digital piano featuring a modern, attractive aesthetic and a simplified user interface. The new “Portable Grand” ensemble instrument is a full, 88-note weighted action keyboard with exceptional playability, superb sound and visual appeal, making it ideal for beginners and accomplished pianists alike. It replaces […]

        • The Workings of the Piano: For the Up-and-Coming Pianist
        • Yamaha Announces New Portable Keyboards
        • Adjustable Padded Piano Bench
        • On-Stage LED Piano Lamp
    • Vocal
      • Voice

        Christopher Dale Singing the Praises of Songwriting

        2018 marked the release of Dale’s single, Smile, which he used to promote a campaign in support of the international children’s charity Smile Train, which has provided over a million new smiles to kids who required corrective, cleft-palate surgery. In 2020, C. Dale released the EP “Where The Road Turns To Sand”.

        • New Commissioning Program “Just Songs” Amplifies Voices of Emerging Songwriters
        • Playing Well with Dr. Kertz — Health Tips for Vocalists
        • HaMelekh (for High Voice and Piano)
        • Singing with Other People: Top Tips
    • Other Instruments
      • Other Instruments

        The Harp: A Global Story of Music, Man, and Medicine

        In simplest terms, the harp is a plucked string instrument where the plane of the strings is perpendicular to the soundboard.

        • Where Did the Banjo Come From? Here’s a Timeline of Its History
        • Western Contemporary Music: A Musical Melting Pot
        • Dulcet Tones: The Hammered and Mountain Dulcimer
        • The Harp: How Does it Work?
  • Products
    • All Products
      • Products

        Mic Stand Cable Hanger Tray

        The new microphone stand cable hanger and organizer from Gator Frameworks provides convenient, accessible storage for audio and computer cables in a compact size. Features include: Hanging design prevents potential damage to cables from over-coiling and kinks 5/8-27 female threads attach directly to standard mic stand 32 cable slots with alternating-size spaces from 5-9mm features […]

        Sennheiser MD 435 Wired Microphone

        The Sennheiser MD 435 provides every voice the same tonal qualities and characteristics made familiar with the MD 9235. Its high-quality aluminum-copper voice coil refines high frequencies with detailed transparency and highlights even the finest nuances. Even subtle vocals can be heard and accentuated effortlessly in the mix. The MD 435 may be sensitive when […]

        Korg SoundLink MW-2408/ MW-1608 hybrid analog/digital mixer

        Korg has collaborated with the legendary mixer design team of Greg Mackie and Peter Watts to create hybrid/analog mixing consoles that make creative mixing easy. Both the 24- and 16-channel models give you instant analog control for live mixing with stunning sound quality and musician-friendly features — paired with the power of high-quality digital. FEATURES: […]

        D’Addario Loknob — Lock in Your Sound

        Dial and lock in your sound settings with D’Addario’s easy-to-install Loknob. Once in place, simply rotate the knob to click into the sound you need. For larger sound adjustments, lift the knob, rotate to your desired sound, then release. Loknob retrofits to most amplifiers, effects pedals, instruments, and live/studio gear. Available in two sizes and […]

        ProSoCoustic Wave Pro Series Acoustic Panels

        Take Control of Your Room Announced at the 2021 NAMM Show: The ProSoCoustic Wave Pro Series offers a unique blend of absorption and diffusion in one product. Their unique diffusor pattern inside each panel allows greater absorption efficiency in the same amount of space. Wave Pro panels also include convenient machine screw inserts that provide […]

    • Audio Recording
      • Audio Recording

        Paul Abbott’s Zen Approach to Mastering – Part 3

        Paul Abbott is an audio mastering engineer, musician, and owner of ZenMastering (located in San Diego, CA). Paul established ZenMastering in the late 1990s — at a time when there were very few high-end independent mastering studios. Since then, Paul has mastered over 1,000 projects for clients throughout the United States and around the world, ranging from up-and-coming indie bands to award-winning artists and labels.

        • Korg SoundLink MW-2408/ MW-1608 hybrid analog/digital mixer
        • Music Production: Learn How to Record, Mix, and Master Music
        • D’Addario Loknob — Lock in Your Sound
        • Mastering Process Explained with Alan Silverman – Part 1
    • Live Sound
      • Live Sound

        Distortion Packs a Punch! Amps Explained with Christopher Ames; Part 2

        Making Music Mag visited with Christopher Ames at Guitar Center where he shares practical insights about distortion with the help of and Orange amplifier,  a Marshall amplifier and a Les Paul.

        • Radial Engineering Hotshot 48V Condenser Microphone Switcher
        • Zen and the Art of Acoustic Guitar Amplification, part 2
        • That Clean Sound! Amps Explained with Christopher Ames: Part 1
        • Zen and the Art of Acoustic Guitar Amplification, part 1
    • Books/Sheet Music
      • Books and Sheet Music

        The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health

        Written by a bass player for bass players, The Bassist’s Guide to Injury Management, Prevention and Better Health, in two volumes, is designed to point out common and not-so-common problems that the musician may encounter during practice or performing situations. These books, written by Dr. Randy Kertz, a regular contributor to Making Music and creator […]

        HaMelekh (for High Voice and Piano)

        HaMelekh, by Jonathan Leshnoff, is a setting of two chapters from Heichalos Rabasi, an ancient Jewish mystical text almost 2,000 years old, that detail the approach to the presence of the Divine. Each space is a different room (heychal). The first movement set by the composer, Oso Odom, expresses both the fear and trembling of […]

        Passions of Bloom

        A Passion for Solo Voices, Chorus (SATB) and Orchestra Martin Bresnick’s Passions of Bloom for solo voices, chorus (SATB) and orchestra is based on the writings of Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and Emily Dickinson. It was composed in honor of Professor Harold Bloom and the love of literature he has instilled in generations of devoted […]

        Rufus and Rita: A Children’s Opera

        (Piano-Vocal score) Rufus and Rita, by Lauren Bernofsky, is an adorable, light-hearted opera about a girl and her zany dog, commissioned by Reimagining Opera for Kids for in-school performances. The libretto features several forks in the road where the audience votes on what should happen next. The opera is scored for four singers of any […]

        Sing from Your Core: The Vocal Body

        Sing from Your Core addresses singers of all kinds, from professionals to amateurs. It is about empowerment. The voice is different from any other instrument because it is a part of your body – emanating from your core. You are the instrument. The core principle of this book by Jole Berlage-Buccellati is that joyful and […]

        Alfred’s Teach Yourself to Sing

        Everything You Need to Know to Start Singing Now Alfreds Teach Yourself to Sing, by Karen Farnum Surmani, will open up a new world of musical knowledge. Beginning with the fundamentals, you will learn about equipment used by singers, vocal health, and getting acquainted with reading music. You will then move right along to breathing, […]

  • Music Theory
    • Music Theory
      • Music Theory

        Dave Sanborn, Legendary Saxophonist, Presents the First Season of His New Show “Sanborn Sessions”

        Dave Sanborn, the veteran saxophonist, and six-time Grammy Award winner, has announced he will soon present the first episode of his new music show, Sanborn Sessions. The new series is hosted by Sanborn and features a diverse roster of accomplished artists from a variety of genres and generations. In its initial season, Sanborn welcomes Kandace Springs, […]

        • The No. 1 Thing Songwriting Guitarists Don’t Think About
        • The Importance of Chord Knowledge for Pianists
        • How Musicians Incorporate Artificial Intelligence into Their Songs
        • Transcription Errands – Chord Charts and the Nashville Number System
    • Clip N’ Save
      • Clip N’ Save

        Tying It Together: Defining the Difference Between Ties and Slurs

        The difference between tied notes and slurred notes in music can cause confusion—which is not surprising, since they are both noted the exact same way! Both slurs and ties are indicated with arc-shaped lines placed either above a grouping of notes (if the notes’ stems are pointing down) or below a grouping of notes (if the stems are pointing up).

        Musical Theory: Give It a Rest! 

        Just like notes, rests have precise rhythms; every type of note value has a corresponding rest with the same time value. And although there is no sound, in order to play with rhythmic accuracy, rests must be carefully counted.

        The following chart breaks down the types of rests you are most likely to find in music…

        Clip ‘n Save: Stepping Up and Stepping Down: Augmented and Diminished Intervals

        n our “Intro to Intervals,” we learned how to recognize major, minor, and perfect intervals—first, recognizing the distance between the two notes on the staff and then counting the precise number of steps between the two pitches. In addition to major, minor, and perfect, there are two other interval qualities that can come into play: augmented and diminished…

        Going the Distance: Intro to Intervals

        Clip N’ Save: Understanding Enharmonics

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  • History
    • History

      A complete history of Tom Petty in Los Angeles

      When Tom Petty arrived in Los Angeles in 1974 in search of a record deal for his band Mudcrutch, the Gainesville, Florida native found one almost immediately. While he thought he had found exactly what he was looking for in L.A., it would take years for Petty and his subsequent band, the Heartbreakers, to break […]

      • The Winter Solstice in Song: A Short List for the Longest Night
      • The Harp: A Global Story of Music, Man, and Medicine
      • What Are Strings Made Of? The Basics of Orchestral String Construction
      • The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece
  • Jason Mraz Foundation to Award Grants to 25 US Non-Profits
  • Nancy Wilson, The Go-Go’s, and More to be Honored at 2021 She Rocks Awards
  • Worldful of Pianos to Gather Global Pianists for NAMM’s Believe in Music Week
  • New Partnership Helps Struggling Musicians
  • Ford Musician Impact Fund to Announces Grant Program
  • D’Addario Receives State Grant to Continue Manufacturing PPE Face Shields 
  • Sweet Relief Raises More Than $9,000 for Musicians  
  • Last Call to Register for the 2021 Marvin Hamlisch International Music Awards

Tag: guide

A Guide to Playing Altissimo Saxophone

How To, Instruments, Woodwinds/Brass October 9, 2020October 8, 2020 Making Music 0 Comments

Of course, the altissimo register really comes into its own in improvisational jazz, so if you’ve ever wanted to blow your horn like Lester Young or John Coltrane, read on!

guitar picks

Time To Pick – Guide to Guitar Picks

Featured Article, Guitar, Products March 12, 2020March 12, 2020 Making Music 0 Comments

Picks have existed from the earliest days of string instruments. There’s evidence that ancient Egyptians used picks made of stone or bone, similar to picks found today. Modern picks come in a huge variety of materials, both natural and man-made, even recycled, and in many shapes and sizes.

A Beginner’s Guide to Learning Harmonica

How To, Other Instruments April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 Making Music 2 Comments

A wonderful Beginners’ Guide to Learning Harmonica with a easy-to-read graph so you don’t need to read paragraphs of texts to understand the basics.

holiday gift guide

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: The Perfect Gifts for any Musician

Making Music December 1, 2017January 22, 2018 Making Music 0 Comments

Need something for the musician in your life? Check our holiday gift guide filled with all sorts of items any musician could use.

How to Overcome Inhibitions and Improvise

How to Overcome Inhibitions and Improvise

Featured Article, How To, Making Music, Teachers Resources February 17, 2017February 16, 2017 Christopher Sutton 0 Comments

Improvisation is the art of creating music on the spot and without preparation. It’s commonly seen in jazz or blues music where musicians routinely improvise solos or melody lines.

Jazz Language

Your Guide to Understanding the Jazz Language

Featured Article, How To, Teachers Resources August 11, 2016 Jennifer Paterson 4 Comments

This guide will help you understand the fundamental building blocks of a jazz piece a bit better, as you enter the world of jazz and understanding the jazz language.

italian Dictionary

Essential Italian Dictionary for Musicians

Featured Article Sidebar, Teachers Resources October 14, 2015January 20, 2020 Jon 4 Comments

Print out this Italian dictionary in your instrument case or music bag as a helpful cheat-sheet to refer to when you’re lost in translation.

acoustic guitars

How to Buy an Acoustic Guitar

Featured Article, Guitar September 24, 2015August 17, 2016 Making Music 2 Comments

Great acoustic guitars have character and, if you’re lucky, the guitar you buy will become a cherished heirloom. But finding this heirloom may take patience, perseverance, and plenty of shopping around. It’s important to look for a guitar that is just the right match for you.

Guide to Master Sight-Reading

A Beginner’s Guide to Master Sight-Reading in 7 Easy Steps

Featured Article, Teachers Resources September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 Making Music 0 Comments

Sight reading is the ability to take a page of music you’ve never seen before and play it in time and with the correct notes and expression. That doesn’t mean it’s easy or everyone would do it. Lucky for you, Making Music is here to help with our handy guide to master sight-reading and all in 7 simple steps!

is it Too Late To Learn Piano

Is it Too Late To Learn Piano?

Featured Article, Keyboards, Teachers Resources August 28, 2015August 28, 2015 Making Music 23 Comments

Many adults are afraid it’s too late to learn piano or any instrument for that matter, but rest assured, it isn’t and here’s why it’s never too late.

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