Muzikant

Pop music would be unthinkable without vocals coating in at least some effects. In fact, pretty much any recorded music – vocals included – will come packed with effects these days. If you’re a vocalist and want your voice to sound more up-to-date and want to be able to really slice through the sound of the rest of the band, then vocal effects are a must. In this blog, we take a look at the mass of options available to the modern vocalist – from the common compressor, equaliser and reverb to special effects like tremolos, distortions and harmonizers. Try something new and give your live and recorded vocals some proper impact.

Scientists are discovering more and more about how the human brain works, and if you’re a musician that ever-increasing knowledge can be put to good use. Using vocalists for our little case study, in this blog, we’ll focus on ways musicians can use the power of repetition to reach the next level in their development.

Playing guitar with a tube amplifier at max power without the neighbours complaining – is it even possible? Well, yes. The only problem with playing through a tube amp is that it needs to be hooked up to a speaker cabinet before you flip it on. If you don’t, you risk doing irreparable damage to your amp. That’s because tube amps require a ‘load’, and that’s exactly where the loadbox comes in to replace your loud cab. Read on to learn how to use one and what it can do.

Most drummers and percussionists will have come across them: ‘low-volume’ cymbals – also-known-as ‘mute’ cymbals. The big names as well as smaller names have released their own take on the low-volume cymbal, but what exactly are they and what can and can’t you do with them? Why would you even need a set of low-volume cymbals? In this blog, we lay it all out for you. What Are Low-Volume Cymbals? Here’s a short and sweet summary: low-volume cymbals often have a perforated design which, in some cases, reduces the volume by up to 80% when compared to normal cymbals. Low-volume cymbals are usually made of some kind of special alloy to keep the structure strong while offering the same rebound and playing feel as normal cymbals and, just like normal cymbals, low-volume cymbals come in a range of different colours, so you can finish off your kit with your own […]

When it comes to optimising playing ease and upping the speed, most guitarists will look for a model with a ‘fast neck’. But what exactly is a ‘fast neck’? And does ‘fast’ mean the same thing for everyone? In this blog, we look at the effect that the nut width, the fretboard radius, the scale length and even the finish, the frets and neck profile can have on the feel of an electric guitar, so you can fully arm yourself with the knowledge you need to take things up a few gears.

Ever spotted a set of ‘Send and Return’ ports round the back of a guitar amp and wondered what they’re for? These jack ports make up the effects loop, which is an infinitely useful feature when you’re trying to make external guitar effects sound as good as possible. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly which effects you should incorporate into your FX loop and why.

Two guitarists in one band: sometimes it’s a happy accident, sometimes it’s part of the plan. Regardless of how it came to be, to work together well, both guitarists will have to make conscious decisions all the time. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for two guitarists to work side-by-side.

Ever made it to a drum fill only to find out that your hands and wrists have tightened up and refuse to move any faster? Whether you’re new to drumming or more experienced, you probably know what I’m talking about. In this blog, I’m going to show you how you can make it through fast-paced parts without slowing down, getting sloppy or having to simplify your parts.

You’ve no doubt seen one clamped on the neck of a guitar before: a capo. Also known as a capodastro, this handy little tool typically features a metal, plastic or rubber-coated bar that, as soon as the device is clamped on, holds down all six strings at the preferred fret to change the pitch, essentially changing the key the guitar is in. Never used a capo before? Then read on to learn all about it.

Nothing is more boring and unappealing than a song that doesn’t go anywhere, which is why any successful song needs to build tension and make sure that the listener is kept curious about what will happen next. So what can you do to keep a song fresh and surprising? How do you make a song instantly recognizable but a pleasure to listen to? Songwriting teacher, Peter van Vleuten offers some handy tips and tricks.

You might not know it, but the concept of a headless electric guitar or headless bass is actually pretty old. In 1979, Steinberger released a headless model with a distinctively minimal design, and soon after, Hohner released their own ‘licensed by Steinberger’ models. During the last few years, a headless trend has been brewing and these less-than-standard models have experienced a comeback, so in this blog we dive into the benefits and the pitfalls of owning your own headless guitar or bass.

While the guitar industry is fairly conservative when it comes to innovation, some recent developments are worth checking out. So, if you’ve never heard of multiscale guitars before (aka models fitted with so-called fanned frets), simply read on and be amazed.