The washboard, as a musical instrument, is more popular than ever before. It’s inexpensive and pretty easy to play. How to Play the Washboard will show you what you need to know to reach for washboard stardom—even if you’re not an experienced musician. In this book, you’ll find information about buying a washboard, choosing an […]
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 […]
For many years, the recording studio was the exclusive dwelling of rock stars and millionaires; and for anyone wanting to produce high quality audio, a professional, well-equipped studio is still the number-one option. However, in the last 20 years or so, the cost of producing music yourself has come rocketing down, and we’ve published articles […]
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.
The holiday season is a time for numerous music events, late nights, and celebrations. Here are 9 tips to avoid a hoarse voice during the holidays:
This year, the music industry has experienced one of the biggest shifts in its existence. Online music events have seen an increased demand among music fans this year. Creating an online event can be a simple process, and all you need is mastering a handful of skills to help you manage all the preparation phases […]
American cellist Carmine Miranda has quickly established an award winning international career and recognition as a soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. Praised by many publications such as Fanfare Magazine for “fast becoming known for his ability to combine virtuosity with intense, well-thought-out interpretations” and by The Strad Magazine for “showing himself to be in full command….
If you want to get into playing the piano, it’s a good idea to get a basic understanding of how the instrument works. Before you even sit down at the piano bench, or sign up for lessons, educating yourself about the instrument gives you a base to start from, and may even help you decide if it’s the right choice of instrument for you.
To confidently identify intervals, you’ll first need to master your understanding whole-steps and half-steps—also known as tones and semi-tones. A half-step (semi-tone) is two different notes with the smallest possible distance between them—for example, B up to C, or E down to Eb. Think of two frets right next to each other on a guitar, or two keys (including the black keys) right next to each other on the piano. A whole-step (tone) is made up of two half-steps—for example, B up to C#, or E down to D…