One thing that happens to cymbals as you use them over a certain period of time, is that they get dirty. When we say dirty, we mean dust that sticks to them, along with various other kinds of unwanted staining. A decent majority of drummers pays no special attention to this, even though they should. […]
Continue reading →The deep, warm tone of an upright bass is the foundation of an orchestral string section and an integral part of the groove for many jazz ensembles. When you’re shopping for a bass, you want to find something that will give you depth and warmth, especially in the low end, without losing clarity or sounding […]
Continue reading →The first Fender Jazz Bass came out in the 1960s and was instantly revered for its rich tone. Fifty years later, the model still dominates the electric bass guitar market, continuing the classic approach to tone and construction even though there have been many changes made to the model over the years. One constant you’ll […]
Continue reading →Most people are aware of electric guitars and electric pianos, but these aren’t the only traditionally acoustic instruments that have gone digital in the modern era. Percussionists now have the option of buying electronic drum kits, the best-known of which are the V-Drum series from Roland. Just like with acoustic drums, the cymbals on an […]
Continue reading →The phrase “transcription software” means different things to different musicians. A jazz or rock musician is likely looking for something that can let them slow down sound files without altering the pitch, letting them catch details of the music that are hard to pick out at full speed. For a composer, transcription software is something […]
Continue reading →Unlike guitarists or wind players, who can carry their instruments with them relatively easy and practice almost anywhere, the time and space it takes to assemble a drum kit can be a limiting factor when it comes to practicing percussion—and while brass players have mutes and guitarists can turn down their amp, the sheer volume […]
Continue reading →Whether you’re a professional musician or a hobbyist looking to take your music to the next level, having an understanding of the basic tenets of music theory can be an incredible help in perfecting your technique. This doesn’t have to mean spending hundreds of dollars on lessons or professional classes; there are several high-quality and […]
Continue reading →When the Klon Centaur was released in 1994, it became the first “transparent” overdrive pedal available on the market. Finally, guitarists had a pedal that could give you more out of your set-up without adding its own quirks or color to the sound. The design was revolutionary when it first came out, with each individual […]
Continue reading →Popularized by Jimi Hendrix and other psychedelic guitarists from the late 1960s, the original Fuzz Face was one of the most distinctive guitar effect pedals of its time—not least because of its housing. The iconic “flying saucer” shape of Fuzz Face pedals was said to be inspired by the base of a microphone stand and […]
Continue reading →The soft swish of a drum brush can be a perfect way to keep time on ballads and other softer tunes in your band’s repertoire. It can also give you a new array of sounds to play around with, whether you use them on your snares and toms or scrape them across your cymbals for […]
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