Blog

The djembe is a West African hand drum you can play a first rhythm on straight out of the box. We go through the four decisions that drive both price and sound: size, head, shell material and tuning system.

A cajon is a box you sit on and play at the same time. We go through how it works, what it is made of, what size you need and which brands and models are worth a look.

Most people know the classical guitar as the first one they learned on. It is also called a Spanish guitar and music schools still start on it. We go through what size a child and an adult need, and which strings you are allowed to fit.

August was a rich month for new gear. Two names the whole world had been waiting for arrived, along with three brands we never carried before and a new generation of Yamaha mixers. These are ten pieces from August you should know about.

You have the kit and the sticks, and the whole thing still sounds cheap. Nine times out of ten the cymbals are to blame. They are the most expensive pieces of metal a drummer buys and the first thing an audience hears.

A tuner is the first thing a guitarist needs. Before the first chord. We compare clip-on tuners, pedal tuners and phone apps so you know what to buy first.

You are sitting at the computer with a project open in your DAW, clicking notes into the grid with a mouse. It works, but it takes forever and the result sounds like clockwork. This is the exact point where most people buy their first MIDI controller, also known as a MIDI keyboard.

Have you always been drawn to the deep, singing tone of the cello and finally want to learn it? You can start at any age. We will tell you where the cello comes from, which one to choose, what accessories you need and how to make the first steps so you play sooner than you think.

Living in a flat and want to play, but not to go to war with the neighbours? You do not have to stop or play in secret. Just pick an instrument you can play at full volume through headphones, or quieten the one you already have. We show you the top quiet instruments for a flat and a few tips that keep anyone from hearing you through the wall.

A harmonica is a cheap, pocket-sized instrument on which you can play your first melody within minutes. The catch is that there are two completely different types, and the wrong choice will slow you down. We explain the difference between a diatonic and a chromatic harmonica and advise which one, and in what key, to pick to start.