Cellos are not just a large violin, though they are part of the violin family. A standard cello will have four strings tuned a fifth apart: C, G, D, and A. Compared to a piano, the C string is the second lowest C on a piano and it goes up from there. Cellos are classified […]
Different Types of Horns
When we imagine horns, we often think of spaghetti westerns or military movies, where buglers trumpet commands to groups of soldiers. However, it is difficult to imagine horns outside of this setting or used in the modern-day, especially if you are unsure what you are looking for beyond a boy scout with a small bugle. […]
Brass Instruments List
Brass instruments, also known as labrosones, which accurately means “lip-vibrated instrument”, they create sounds with the reverberation and amplification of the vibration of the lips through a “tubular resonator“, made distinct by their size, sound, and material. Scholars and critics have often defined brass instruments with the sound it makes and not by the material […]
Different Types of Violins
Standard violins are small, wooden, four-stringed instruments which are played with a bow. They were first developed in the 16th century and largely retain their original form, although some features have been modified over time. There are several types of violin which differ significantly from the modern standard model, as well as historical violins (e.g. […]
Different Types of Tubas
The modern tuba that we see now being played in parades, concerts, and orchestras has its origins from the bass tuba patented in 1835 by German inventor Johann Gottfried Moritz and army bandmaster Wilhelm Friedrich Wieprecht. The valve mechanism has allowed the instrument to have a complete selection of notes, including a low range of […]
Different Types Of Ukulele
You may remember learning the ukulele at school, holding the instrument, and thinking it’s nothing more than a plastic mini-guitar. Often it’s one of the first instruments that will lead to a guitar but in actual fact, they are so much more than a child’s toy, or a warm-up to the ‘real’ thing. Ukuleles have […]
Famous Trombone Players
If you were born in the early decades of the 20th century, you might have heard Glenn Miller’s In the Mood, and you might have swayed to its sound. In fact, it is included as one of the 20th century’s 100 Most Important American Musical Works. Sun Valley Serenade, a movie, and in Doctor Who, […]
10 Most Famous Double Bass Players
The double bass, or simply the bass, is the lowest-pitched and largest bowed string instrument in the contemporary symphony orchestra. And if you are playing it, you will surely be conspicuous and get the attention of everyone. Kidding aside, it is indeed very conspicuous because of its huge size. Throughout the years, countless musicians have […]
10 Famous Cello Players You Should Know
As an aspiring cello player or a student cellist, you will undoubtedly be looking to some of the greats in the industry for some inspiration or perhaps encouragement. If you’re thinking along this line, you’re not alone. But, most people do not know where to look or even whom to look for. If you fall […]
How Many Strings Does a Double Bass Have?
The double bass, as an instrument, had a long history of evolution from the three-stringed bulky instrument to the modern-day five-stringed double bass. It is an essential component of the orchestra’s string section, and it is not hard to notice, for it stands proud among the string instruments. Maybe you have watched the comedy-mystery films […]
Interesting Facts About the Double Bass
The double bass is truly a remarkable instrument. It is the largest of all the stringed instruments that feature in a modern-day symphony orchestra. Also, it has the lowest pitch amongst all stringed instruments. But, that is not all there is to know about the double bass. For instance, did you know the instrument goes […]
How Much Does A Cello Cost?
When it comes to musical instruments, the string instruments are amongst the best. Not only do they create the most beautiful sounds, but they really help to elevate an orchestra. While many people are familiar with the violin, some people may not have a large understanding of the cello. It is a truly wonderful instrument […]
What Is Shredding Guitar?
Shredding is a high-octane, fast and furious guitar style popularized in the 80s by six-string wizards such as Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Kirk Hammett, Paul Gilbert, Dimebag Darrell, Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing… the list goes on and on and on! It’s possibly the definitive […]
How To Clean a Guitar
As a musician your instrument is your pride and joy, you want to look after it as well as you can. Guitars are very intricate pieces of musical equipment and they do require some specialist care especially when it comes to cleaning. It is important that you know what you are doing when it comes […]
What Is Phrasing In Music?
You may be familiar with phrasing in your language class. Yet, when it comes to music, you might feel a bit confused with musical phrasing. Musical phrasing, of course, is how a musician shapes and colors the note sequence in a music passage. He does this to relay an impression or emotion. He achieves this […]
What Are Violin Bows Made Of?
The Violin is not complete without the bow, for the bow is the real partner of the violin. Without its partner, the violin would surely not make any good sound at all. But with the bow, the violin can elicit good sound, and in the hands of a violin virtuoso, the bow can produce great […]
Understanding Violin Notes and Finger Placement
There are some prerequisites to learning how to play the violin. These prerequisites include understanding violin notes and how to place your finger on the fingerboard. The latter is called “finger placement.” If you want to learn how to play the violin, you should be cognizant of these two concepts. You need to learn reading […]
Types of Microphones Used In Theatre
A good sound makes for a great theatre production. You might be staging an award-winning play, and the actors might be exceptional in their craft, but if the audio is substandard, it will not captivate the audience as much as you expect them to. The impact of the performance is highly dependent on the quality […]
Saxophone Reed Strength Chart
I was asked the other day by one of my students about tips on improving his saxophone’s sound, and as an obliging instructor, I casually reminded him of the importance of having the right reed for his saxophone. I also told him that he needs to choose the right strength of reed carefully. But what […]
How To Clean A Guitar Fretboard with Household Items
The strings and other parts of the guitar usually outshine the fretboard when it comes to significance in the eyes of guitar users. However, despite its seeming insignificance, it plays a crucial role in the production of sounds of the guitar. The fretboard is the contact point between the guitar’s body and the notes that […]