Rewriting the DNA of Tone
More than an effects pedal board, the Helix, as well as its slightly stripped down counterpart the Helix LT, is the latest in a long line of processors from the tone gurus at Line 6, and in this article I will not only explore the features of the Helix, but I’ll go over concepts like amp modeling, discuss features and how they can fit into (or completely replace) your rig, and I’ll talk about all things Helix.
Data Driven Fretwork
The PLEK Station is a specialized robot that creates a high-resolution digital scan of a guitar’s fingerboard and performs fully automated fretwork. The machine collects data about the playing surface, recommends fret adjustments for optimal performance, then cuts the frets with perfect precision.
The Undisputed Champion: The Ukulele
Once looked upon as a bit of a novelty, the ukulele has been riding a wave of popularity for nearly a decade. In this blog, we will discuss why that might be, and we’ll also discuss some basics to help you choose wisely when it comes time for you to don the tights and enter the ring.
Rees Harps and the Harpsicle
There is a renaissance happening in the world of music, with growing interest in learning how to play traditional acoustic instruments. One folk instrument garnering a lot of renewed interest is the harp, and this is in no small part thanks to the efforts of the Rees Harp Company in Indiana.
Demystifying Time Signatures
For many of us with limited experience reading standard music notation, time signatures can be a bit baffling. We’ve all experienced hearing them in different contexts, such as background music, focused listening, playing music and singing. In this article I will break down different signatures and explain how they function.
Songwriting
Songwriting is something anyone can do. For anyone involved in music, whether as the parent of a child playing an instrument or taking lessons, a student who loves music and wants an outlet, or as an undying passion that we live for every day, music is about expression. Great writers are people who have something to say, and use their voice to contribute something.
All About Strings
The strings on your guitar, bass, or other stringed instrument are a key component of your guitar’s sound. There is a lot of misinformation on how to choose strings, how often they need to be changed, or even how to change them. In this article, I’ll explain the basics of string choice and maintenance, as well as explain some of the common myths surrounding them.
Beating the “Load-Out Blues” - Ten Tips to Make Moving Your Drums Easier
Nothing compares to the thrill of playing live music in front of an appreciative audience. Similarly, nothing can dampen that excitement as effectively as the thought of packing up your drum kit and hauling it to your car at the end of the night. Here are some tips to help make that job easier!
Long & McQuade as an Invaluable Networking Tool
Regardless of your skill set or level of involvement within the music industry, one thing is inevitable if you are a musician in Canada: you have likely crossed paths with Long & McQuade Musical Instruments at one time or another. The following is a list of suggestions of how you might effectively network through Long & McQuade.