![Musical Gift Giving Made Easy Musical Gift Giving Made Easy Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/96db3c6de282820386493c79b5dd1544_Present Music.webp)
Musical Gift Giving Made Easy
For many of us, the start of the holiday shopping season is a bit terrifying. So much to do, so little time. And how do you find that perfect gift? You know, the one that makes their eyes light up when they open it? If you’re shopping for the musician in your life it can be a challenge to find just the right thing. But it doesn’t have to be. Your friends at Long & McQuade are happy to help!
![Rewriting the DNA of Tone Rewriting the DNA of Tone Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/bbe8ad1670896cc747678266f5aa689c_ARTICLE-HELIX3.webp)
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 Data Driven Fretwork Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/b109c32a8e43c5a86dd7e3551bab0527_PLEK article Main image.webp)
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 The Undisputed Champion: The Ukulele Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/92bf1c58251553e34f39c4103d718df1_Ukulele Day Blog Head.webp)
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 Rees Harps and the Harpsicle Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/779047a7a0f58d524b6fdddbdd847998_harp-lady-music-951.webp)
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 Demystifying Time Signatures Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/2df3f5802427ac8314eec4539f1c27fc_Music_notation_signatures.webp)
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.
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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.
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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 Beating the “Load-Out Blues” - Ten Tips to Make Moving Your Drums Easier Image](https://cdn.long-mcquade.com/images/blog_images/data/d5765d8215553f4075424abf5750265b_Beating-The-Load-Out-Blues.jpeg)
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!