L&M Blog Opens New Tab
Recommended
The NAMM Show 2020: Day 3
Classical Guitars 101
Acoustic Guitar Guide: Aren't all guitars just ... guitar shaped?
Tip Toe Through the Tulips: A Ukulele Primer by Ian James
NAMM 2016: Vocal Processors from Boss and TC Helicon
How To Play Electric Guitar Without Risking Eviction
Following up on a previous blog post, How To Drum Without Risking Eviction, let’s not neglect that other common neighbour-rousing art, the electric guitar. Let’s look at a few ways you can still kick out the jams without losing the roof over your head.
NAMM 2016: New Guitar, Bass, and Drum Amps for Stage, Studio, and Home
Preview Traynor's Acoustic Master Mini Amp, Traynor DW10 Drum Amplifier, Line 6 Firehawk 1500, Fender Bassbreakers, and more. This article is from our Namm Show series, where we focus on new and upcoming products in the world of music.
NAMM 2016: Gibson USA High Performance & Traditional Guitars
A tour of the Gibson USA lineup at NAMM 2016, explaining the differences between their new High Performance and Traditional lines. This article is from our Namm Show series, where we focus on new and upcoming products in the world of music.
Cause and Effect – Building a Pedalboard
When it comes to guitar players, gear placement is a topic that pops up on a regular basis. Whether it’s finding that sweet spot when miking a speaker cabinet, having that amp at the right angle so it projects well, or daisy-chaining effect pedals and rack gear to mold your tone of choice, placement is paramount.
The Benefits of Music Lessons Later in Life
Like many people, I took music lessons in school. Several years of clarinet, a few years of singing. I enjoyed it but my talent level determined that it certainly wasn’t going to be a career for me. Once university began, music became something that I enjoyed listening to or singing along with in the car.
Are Exams Right for My Child?
You’ve had your child in music lessons for a little while now and everything seems to be going well. They seem to be more confident while perched on the piano bench, they know that Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge and they practice every day (well, most days). Even their teacher agrees that things are progressing positively and they make a suggestion to you one day: “Have you considered having your child complete their RCM or Conservatory Canada exams?”
Musical Motivation: 4 Reasons to Stop Making Excuses and Just Do It!
We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded by distractions that are all competing for our attention. Case in point: you are reading this article right this very minute instead of engaging in any number of alternative tasks (the author thanks you kindly for your attention!)
The Value of Community Ensembles
I interact with scores of musicians on a daily basis. Musicians are more common than many people think, but this discrepancy is in part due to trouble in defining the word. What is a musician? Does a musician make a living playing shows at a local venue? Is a musician one who is currently enrolled in a music related degree or diploma program?
 resized.webp "The Traditional Tonewoods of Electric Bass")
The Traditional Tonewoods of Electric Bass
The kind of wood that your bass is constructed with is the heart of its tone. While pickups, electronics, and amplification will also shape the sound of your instrument, it all begins with the wood. In the world of bass guitar creation, there are nearly limitless combinations of wood types - but today we will focus on a few of the most common to give you a fundamental understanding.
A Simple Way to Learn a Song in Half the Time
Most of us learn songs from the internet these days, using a combination of lyrics with chord symbols posted above the words, and YouTube videos of someone teaching the song by breaking down the various sections and demonstrating how to play them on the appropriate instrument. While these may work, here is a more simple way to learn a song in less time!
All About Performing Arts Festivals & Why YOU Should Enter!
Most cities and regions have at least one annual Performing Arts Festival, open to students in the arts. You may have heard about one, but don't know what it is, or realize that it's open for anybody to participate in. We're here to give you the details and explain the benefits of taking part in one!
Recitals: A Little Something for Everyone
When you think “Lesson Centre Recital” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it’s the image of a fun performance opportunity for really young children. While recitals are a great opportunity for youth to foster confidence in a safe, supportive space, it’s worth considering that there are actually benefits for students of all ages and backgrounds.
Sympathetic Snare Buzz...Symptoms, Causes And Cures
You're getting ready for sound check at your biggest gig of the year and everytime you hit your tom, your snare sizzles like a pan of frying bacon. What do you do? Find out what might be causing the buzz, whether you should fix it, and how you can in this article.
How to Research Recording Gear
You’ve decided that you want to get into home recording; but where do you start? The recording world is very vast; every piece does something unique, and they’re all at varying price points. You know what you want to do, but you aren’t sure how to go about it. Find out how to research recording equipment so that you get the right stuff for you.
Eight (Holi)days a Week: How and What to Buy for the Beatles Obsessed
Ah, the Beatles. What more can be said that hasn’t been already? If you have a Beatles fan on your Christmas list, and you have no idea what to get them, read on. We’ll talk about what gear the Fab Four used and how you can find something on any budget, whether they are naughty or nice.
Guitar Picks: A Plethora of Plectrum Possibilities
People often ask us what picks are best for a beginner, what pick is good for country music, or what is the BEST pick. Picks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and materials. This article will enlighten and educate you on the humble plectrum and how it can be the most important part of your tone.
Guitarist Gift Guide: The Essentials
Still need the perfect gift for that picky guitar player? This article has some great ideas that will aid you in your search for the gift that should be on the wish list of even the most persnickety of guitar players. We focus on the bare essentials that any guitar player, from newbie to pro, will appreciate.
Creatively Applying Robust Music Notation
Students are growing up in the most connected world ever, where technology makes communication, collaboration, and creativity possible at all levels of music education. How do we integrate intriguing and engaging lessons into our programs in the world of ever-changing technological tools? One answer is Noteflight!
Sounding Your Best on Stage: A Guide for Singers
When you’re singing on stage, you want the audience to hear you at your best. It’s not just a matter of having a great voice: how that voice gets translated into amplified sound is vital to creating a polished, pleasing and professional performance. Here are a few things every singer should keep in mind.
The NAMM Show 2019: Day 3
We're at the winter NAMM show again this year! On Day 3, we're taking a look at new products from Cerwin-Vega, Yorkville Sound, Dynaudio, Hughes & Kettner, HK Audio, ART, IK Multimedia, Native Instruments, KRK, Stanton DJ, Allen & Heath, Radial, Tonebone, Warm Audio, Universal Audio, Cranborne Audio, Audient, Nord, Vox, Korg and Novation.
Starting Out in The Wonderful World of Recording
One of the most terrifying things many musicians will experience is hearing the playback of their first recording. On the other hand, it can also be an essential part of your development as a musician and ultimately hugely satisfying. It's never been easier to get started recording regardless of your skill level or your budget.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Make it Shine! A Drummer’s Guide to Cymbal
Clean cymbals under bright lights can be the most eye-catching instruments on the stage. They also often represent the largest portion of a drummer's gear budget. It is, therefore, no surprise that many drummers go to great lengths to keep their cymbals as shiny and new-looking as they can.
Giving the Gift of Music Lessons
Giving the gift of lessons makes a great present for your loved one, no matter their age or stage. Whether you know someone who wants to improve their existing skills, who wants to pick an instrument up again after a long hiatus, or who has never touched music in their life, lessons as a gift are a perfect place to start.
The NAMM Show 2020: Day 4
We're at the 2020 winter NAMM show! On Day 4, we're taking a look at new products from Cranborne Audio, Denon, Numark, M-Audio, HeadRush, Drum Workshop, Pacific Drums, Gretsch Drums, Zoom, Dynaudio, EarthQuaker, Electro-Harmonix, Paiste, Remo, Korg, Vox and Solid State Logic.
Improvisation for Everyone
The dictionary offers us this definition: “Improvisation: to compose or sing without preparation....” This definition is misleading and potentially discouraging. Without preparation? If that’s true then what were iconic improvisers like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins doing during the marathon practice sessions they are known for?
The Heart of Your Drums: A Guide to the Sound of Different Shell Materials
One of the best ways to decide what drum set you want to see yourself behind (aside from which model has the coolest finishes!) is by choosing what sort of materials you want it to be made of. This quick guide gives you a basic rundown of the most common, and even some rarer, materials used, the sort of tone they produce, and the best musical setting to use them in.
5 Tips for Hitting High Notes
Although it's completely false to say that a singer's talent is measured by the number of high notes she or he can belt out, high notes are an unavoidable fact of life, and every vocalist will struggle with them at one point or another. Whether you're a deep-voiced bass, a coloratura soprano, or a humble shower singer, you can improve your voice by mastering proper technique in your upper range. Practice makes perfect, and here are some tips to help you as you ascend the scales.
Drum Muffling Part 2: Bass Drum Muffling
In many ways, bass drums define the sound of the drum kit. Only you can determine the appropriate bass drum sound for the music you are making. However, it is good to experiment and learn how to modify the sound of your bass drum. You may be surprised by the range of sounds available to you without buying another kit.
The Benefits of Playing Musical Instruments
The Chinese philosopher Confucius once said, "Music emits a pleasure that the human race can't do without." If hearing music can be so beneficial to the human race, it follows that playing a musical instrument would be even better. Here are some benefits of playing musical instruments.
5 Reasons Why Steel Drums Are the Perfect Choice for Students During a Pandemic
Move over, recorders. Students have another option when it comes to basic music education, and it’s more sanitary than many other options! Steel drums are a low-touch, high-performance instrument for kids to learn music during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Reverb Pedals
Over the years, there have been many variations of reverb types as technology has evolved, such as spring reverb, plate reverb, hall reverb, chamber reverb, modulated reverb and many more. There are many more excellent reverb pedals available but these models should whet your appetite.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Accordion (But Were Afraid to Ask)
Of all the instruments, the accordion is undoubtedly one of the weirdest and most wonderful. Played badly, it can be irrepressibly irritating; played well, it can be enchanting. Keep reading to find out how the accordion came to be, how to acquire one, and how to make it sing!
Ukuleles for Songwriting
Ukuleles can be beneficial for beginners and advanced players, as it is a physically easy instrument to play. Writing songs on the ukulele frees your mind to be more creative and focus more on melodies and lyrics instead of focusing most of your mental energy on the physical chord changes and rhythmic patterns.
It’s All About that Short Scale Bass
People come in all shapes and sizes, and so should instrument choices. Whether you’re looking for a bass for a younger learner, an adult with a smaller frame and hands, or you just want a bass that is more comfortable to play - there are many fantastic short scale bass options on the market.
