Music Lessons, Little Rock
Christmas gift ideas for the musician in your family
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So, Thanksgiving has passed and we are now in the Christmas season.
Some one asked that I do a Christmas Gift Idea blog, so here it is.
First off, I'll be linking to some online sites in order that you can see the product I'm referring to. In most cases (excluding the Roland Micro Cube amp), I'm not endorsing one retailer over the other ... or for that matter, one brand over the other. I'm just giving you an idea of what I'm talking about. Most of these gifts are less than $100. If you have more than $100 to spend, can I be your kid?
Also, if you think I missed the all too obvious idea, or have a great idea, let everyone know. Post a response to this topic.
Accessories
Gig Bags
Always easier to carry your guitar or bass to your lesson or to a friends house in a gig bag rather than a hardshell case. When looking at gig bags, make sure it has a shoulder strap and ample pocket space for music, cables, tuners, strings, twinkies or anything else you may need.
Straps
Straps should be about comfort first, then looks...Unless you're under 20 years old, then it's all about the image baby!!! Straps come in many different sizes. Stay away from really thin (width) straps as they will really cut into your shoulder if you play for any length of time. Planet waves make really cool looking straps, but most manufacturers have good straps with cool logos.
Cables
If your amp is making a sound like "scritch, scritchity, scritch" it may not be your amp but rather your old cable. Cables come in various lengths, the longer, the more expensive. For practicing or playing around the house, 10' cables are fine. For playing out at jam sessions or in a band, a 20' foot cable would be nice.
Tuners
If you don't have one, get one. If you have one that just has LED's (green / red lights) get one with a display that shows what note the string is tuned to and how far out of tune it is. Boss and Korg make some fine, inexpensive tuners.
Metronome
What? You still do not have a metronome? How long have I been saying "Practice with your metronome".
Look for a metronome with a volume control and the ability to sub-divide the beat (eighth notes, sixteenth notes, swing eights, etc).
Guitar/Bass Care Kit
These kits are pretty useful. Most contain string winders, polish, polishing cloth, fretboard oil, string cleaner, etc. Make sure it comes with a pouch and that it will fit into the pocket of the gig bag.
Picks
Get them a nice assortment of picks. You could get 10 packs that come in different sizes, guages, colors etc. for under $20. Or, you could save $20 by just going to the dryer and collect all the picks you find there !!!
Stands
Tired of seeing that guitar in the bathroom? Nearly broke that bass when you sat on the couch last night? Get a stand and get it to safety!!!
Effects
Multi-Effect Pedals
Manufacturers like Boss, Digitech and POD make self-contained units called multi-effect pedals that contain everything but the kitchen sink. I'm talking distortion, flanger, chorus, reverb, wah, filters, amp models, etc., all in one unit. All three manufacturers above make entry level units that are fun to play with and give some great effects.
Single (or stand alone) pedals
Rather than an all-in-one package as discussed above, you can go with a stand alone pedal. Distortion pedals give you a rock sound, wah-wah pedals are for funky playing or killer lead playing like Slash in Guns & Roses, chorus is a spacey effect ala Andy Summers in the Police. Rather than list everything out, just ask the giftee what they want. Chances are, they already know!
Amps
Roland Micro Cube
I'm really big on the Roland micro cube amps. Great tones, great effects, small size and low price. Don't let the size fool you, these are great amps for those that do not have an amp now, or have a small amp with no effects.
Wrapping up....
If you're just not sure what they would like, you can't go wrong with a gift card to a local music store. This way, they can pick out exactly what they want. Lame, I know, but sometimes musicians are just a flaky bunch - you know?
guitar guitar lessons practicing practice ideas
So, Thanksgiving has passed and we are now in the Christmas season.
Some one asked that I do a Christmas Gift Idea blog, so here it is.
First off, I'll be linking to some online sites in order that you can see the product I'm referring to. In most cases (excluding the Roland Micro Cube amp), I'm not endorsing one retailer over the other ... or for that matter, one brand over the other. I'm just giving you an idea of what I'm talking about. Most of these gifts are less than $100. If you have more than $100 to spend, can I be your kid?
Also, if you think I missed the all too obvious idea, or have a great idea, let everyone know. Post a response to this topic.
Accessories
Gig Bags
Always easier to carry your guitar or bass to your lesson or to a friends house in a gig bag rather than a hardshell case. When looking at gig bags, make sure it has a shoulder strap and ample pocket space for music, cables, tuners, strings, twinkies or anything else you may need.
Straps
Straps should be about comfort first, then looks...Unless you're under 20 years old, then it's all about the image baby!!!
Straps come in many different sizes. Stay away from really thin (width) straps as they will really cut into your shoulder if you play for any length of time. Planet waves make really cool looking straps, but most manufacturers have good straps with cool logos.Cables
If your amp is making a sound like "scritch, scritchity, scritch" it may not be your amp but rather your old cable. Cables come in various lengths, the longer, the more expensive. For practicing or playing around the house, 10' cables are fine. For playing out at jam sessions or in a band, a 20' foot cable would be nice.
Tuners
If you don't have one, get one. If you have one that just has LED's (green / red lights) get one with a display that shows what note the string is tuned to and how far out of tune it is. Boss and Korg make some fine, inexpensive tuners.
Metronome
What? You still do not have a metronome? How long have I been saying "Practice with your metronome".
Look for a metronome with a volume control and the ability to sub-divide the beat (eighth notes, sixteenth notes, swing eights, etc).
Guitar/Bass Care Kit
These kits are pretty useful. Most contain string winders, polish, polishing cloth, fretboard oil, string cleaner, etc. Make sure it comes with a pouch and that it will fit into the pocket of the gig bag.
Picks
Get them a nice assortment of picks. You could get 10 packs that come in different sizes, guages, colors etc. for under $20. Or, you could save $20 by just going to the dryer and collect all the picks you find there !!!
Stands
Tired of seeing that guitar in the bathroom? Nearly broke that bass when you sat on the couch last night? Get a stand and get it to safety!!!
Effects
Multi-Effect Pedals
Manufacturers like Boss, Digitech and POD make self-contained units called multi-effect pedals that contain everything but the kitchen sink. I'm talking distortion, flanger, chorus, reverb, wah, filters, amp models, etc., all in one unit. All three manufacturers above make entry level units that are fun to play with and give some great effects.
Single (or stand alone) pedals
Rather than an all-in-one package as discussed above, you can go with a stand alone pedal. Distortion pedals give you a rock sound, wah-wah pedals are for funky playing or killer lead playing like Slash in Guns & Roses, chorus is a spacey effect ala Andy Summers in the Police. Rather than list everything out, just ask the giftee what they want. Chances are, they already know!
Amps
Roland Micro Cube
I'm really big on the Roland micro cube amps. Great tones, great effects, small size and low price. Don't let the size fool you, these are great amps for those that do not have an amp now, or have a small amp with no effects.
Wrapping up....
If you're just not sure what they would like, you can't go wrong with a gift card to a local music store. This way, they can pick out exactly what they want. Lame, I know, but sometimes musicians are just a flaky bunch - you know?
guitar guitar lessons practicing practice ideas
to bad no one in my familly excpet me plays
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