Band photos have been a promotional tool for three-quarters of a century, but now that most music marketing is done via the highly visual medium of the internet, good photography has never been more important.
Playing Guitar as a Lefty
About 10% of people in the world are left-handed, but you probably can’t think of very many famous left-handed guitarists. That’s because many left-handed musicians play guitar the way a right-handed person would: with the left hand fretting chords and …
How to Rent a Practice Space for Your Band
Renting a rehearsal space with your band-mates (and possibly other bands as well) is like renting an apartment with roommates. Find a convenient location that meets the band’s needs, be respectful, and get all the important stuff in writing — …
What Makes a Good Rock Documentary?
I’m a huge fan of rock documentaries. Whenever a new one hits Amazon or Netflix, I’m on it! I’m honestly afraid of subscribing to Quello because if I had access to THAT much true music television, I might never see …
Should You Learn Guitar or Bass First?
Many people end up playing both guitar and bass, and there is certainly significant overlap between them. But which one should you play first, if you’re just starting out? My suggestion is that you consider why you are looking to …
Renting a Guitar for Your Child (and What to Do Instead)
If you know a fourth-grader learning the clarinet, the clarinet is probably a rental. Rental programs are very popular with families whose kids are learning brass and woodwind instruments or participating in the school orchestra. But what if your child …
How to Find a Guitar Teacher
When you’re learning an instrument, a bad teacher can slow down your progress, or even frustrate you to the point that you give up entirely. That’s such a shame! So how do you find a really great guitar teacher? The …
Tips for Testing Out Guitar Pedals at a Store
Whether you’re at a huge chain like Guitar Center or your local independent music store, shopping for effects pedals can be a little intimidating. How do you make sure you’re making a good decision? And what exactly is the etiquette …
Demystifying the Guitar Set-Up — with Tips from a Luthier
I played guitar for years before I knew anything about guitar set-ups! I figured that guitars didn’t need much maintenance, other than changing the strings from time to time. The first time I got a guitar set-up was when I …
Do Beginners Need Guitar Pedals?
When you’re learning how to play the guitar (or your child is), it’s easy to become overwhelmed by gear. You may wonder whether beginners need guitar pedals, or if they should focus on mastering the technique first. Beginners on the …