Muzikant

Though it is often referred to as the guitar’s baby cousin, the ukulele has many differences that make it a singular and special instrument. From its unique history and tone to the way it has penetrated popular culture, guest blogger Matthew Quilliam discusses how the ukulele can so easily stand on its own merits…

As soon as you start working with cables, you run the risk of cooking up cable spaghetti. To help you organise your set-up, we’ve listed five cable management tips. Dive in before you tie yourself up in knots.

If you’ve already checked out our Bass Drum Pedal Buyer’s Guide and want to learn even more about kick drum pedals, then this in-depth blog is the next logical step. Once you know exactly what the beater, footboard, spring tension, chain-drive and cam do, adjusting or upgrading your kick pedal will be much easier.

Just like vocals, the cello can seamlessly move from sweet-and-elegant to dark-and-raw, and while it’s a staple of classical music, this popular bowed string instrument can just as easily work its magic in styles like pop, rock and even metal. Read on and get to know it a little better!

If you’ve just kitted yourself out with a musical instrument or any other gear marked with ‘P65’ or ‘Proposition 65’, often with the added warning “This product may contain / can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm,” is it this something you actually need to worry about? In short: no. But to find out what the warning actually means and why you don’t need to panic, read on!

In previous blogs on chord theory, we covered all the most common chords so, to make the series complete, this edition will dive into a few more special, out-there chords, including minor-majors (mΔ), augmented sevenths (+7) and diminished triads with major sevenths (oΔ). These chords are often used as transitions, so they’re definitely worth knowing about, even if they are extremely rare.

What’s great about drumming is that you can hone your skills without having access to an actual drum kit – something that doesn’t fly if you’re a violinist, trumpeter or guitarist. In this blog, I’ll provide an overview of all of the drumming-without-a-drum-kit options out there, ranging from air drums, tabletop kits and practice pads to fruit crates, travel cajons and your own body.

The first ever synthesizer was actually developed way back in 1876, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that this future-thinking instrument got its big commercial break. Now, it’s impossible to imagine pop music or, in fact, any genre without synthesizers. In this blog, we’ll flip through the history of what would become the grandmother of electronic music, the role it plays in modern bands and offer a few tips to help curious musicians learn the ropes.

Boss pedals are probably the most popular in the game and are a piece of gear we’ve all had on our pedalboards at least at some point in our guitar journey. Their wide range of different effects, all in colorful cases, paired with the professional quality that characterizes the brand has earned them a deserved spot in guitar-head culture. In this article, Ramiro Somosierra from GearAficionado will tell you everything you need to know about the Waza Craft line, Boss’ take on boutique pedals.

Of course, your best guitar sound can only happen with the aid of your favourite amp and a stack of pedals, but let’s face it: it’s not always necessary. Say you just want to practise some riffs or noodle around with some scales in your living room. Why would you need, or even want, to lug in a sofa-sized amplifier? Especially since there are so many super-compact solutions out there to help shrink down your rig and set you up with a neat rehearsal setup. Here, we take a look at seven of them.

Having spent a year bombarded with news about the freshest music-making gear, how can any humble, hard-working musician possibly sort the wheat from the faff? Luckily, our specialists spend every day knee-deep in the newest gear, and have already done all the work for you. So stick the kettle on and get stuck into their Top 10 for 2022.

The banjo is as popular as ever. This timeless string instrument can brim with the energy of fast-paced punk and metal just as easily as it can grind out folk, country and bluegrass classics. Banjo player and former drummer Floris De Vries is happy to introduce us to the instrument and take us on a trip through the history, styles and various flavours of the banjo.