A cool instrument with an even cooler name, you’ve probably heard a dulcimer played, even if you don’t know what it is. The refined cousin of the banjo, Appalachian dulcimer is sometimes called mountain dulcimer because that’s where it was invented. We’ve got loads of information coming up on the history of the mountain dulcimer, …
Mountain Dulcimer: Differences Between Hammered and Appalachian Read More »
Some of the greatest guitarists of all time have stunned us with their flowing and lyrical slide guitar solos on both acoustic guitar and electric guitar. With nothing more than a piece of glass, metal, or stone these creative musicians can coax that distinctive sound from their instruments. You can find this technique in almost …
Guitar Vibes Amplified: The Best Slide Guitar Songs of Any Genre Read More »
A new instrument that sometimes requires a waiting list to own often carries a high price tag, and goes by a different name depending on who you ask, this is the handpan. Since the first handpan was created by a company called Hang, most people refer to handpans in general as Hang Drums. But, is …
Mandolin players and fans know there’s nothing like a fiddle tune or a good folk song. Listening to the musical style of the mandolin doesn’t have to be for country and bluegrass fans. Indie artists have long been influenced by bluegrass and the mighty mandolin. Some of the best indie music out there features the …
Best Mandolin Songs: From Bluegrass to Indie Folk and Rock Read More »
Vinyl records have enjoyed a long and healthy life up to now. During the heyday of vinyl records, an album was often something closer to a novel. An artist might release a set of songs in a particular order to tell a specific story. But, there were also vinyl singles, and there were different sizes …
Types of Vinyl Records: An Easy Guide to Sizes and Speeds Read More »
A good breakup song can be life-changing, life-affirming, horrible, and everything you need all at once. But, how does a great breakup song work its magic? Why are some breakup songs almost like musical witchcraft while others fall so, so very flat? Let’s take a look at some of the best indie breakup songs that …
25 Best Indie Breakup Songs: Heartbreak is for Any Genre Read More »
The cello is such a gorgeous sounding instrument. It’s full, deep, and so soothing. It’s also one of the most popular string instruments in indie pop. It has a long history in orchestral music, and it’s important in genres like chamber pop as well. But, is cello hard to learn? Let me tell you a …
Is Cello Hard to Learn? 9 Tips for Success as a Beginner Read More »
What is a Melodion? Melodica is the most ubiquitous term when it comes to pianicas and key harmonicas; however, there are other names that the blow-organ goes by that are either not as common or specific to a certain instrument maker. The Melodion is one of them. Melodions are Suzuki’s contribution to the melodica market, …
Learning to play an instrument at an older age There are so many reasons why someone might want to learn to play an instrument at 40, or 60, or 90. Learning an instrument in your 20s can bring a long lifetime of enrichment and fun. But the benefits of learning an instrument as an adult …
When considering the choice between a 32 key melodica and a 37 key melodica, you might be tempted to think, “what will five more keys do for me anyway?” Well, you’d be surprised. Every time you step up in the number of keys you open up lots of options musically. This is true for everything …
