Software 995

I have spent the last several years performing live, producing in the studio, and talking with musicians on forums like Reddit’s r/synthesizers about what makes a great instrument. When you are shopping for the best workstation keyboards, the options can feel overwhelming with prices ranging from under $900 to nearly $3,000. A keyboard workstation is … Read more

I still remember hauling my dreadnought through three airports and watching the headstock crack on the baggage claim carousel. That was the day I started hunting for the best travel guitars, and I have not looked back since. A travel guitar is a compact, portable instrument built for musicians who refuse to leave their playing … Read more

I still remember the first time I heard a 12-string guitar in person. A friend pulled out a Guild at a campfire, strummed one open chord, and the sound filled the entire clearing. That shimmering, chorus-like shimmer is unlike anything a 6-string can produce, and it’s the reason 12-strings have been a staple of folk, … Read more

I still remember the first time I plugged a resonator into a room and watched jaws drop. The metallic shimmer, the bell-like sustain, and that unmistakable slide voice turned a quiet jam into something that felt alive. Resonator guitars do what regular acoustics simply cannot: they cut through a band mix and speak with a … Read more

I had my first encounter with a hammered dulcimer at a folk festival two summers ago, and that single moment sent me down a six-week rabbit hole of workshops, builders, and player forums. What I learned is this: the best hammered dulcimers are not interchangeable, and choosing the right one shapes whether you fall in … Read more

I still remember the first time I heard a Celtic harp played live at a small festival in Galway. The bell-like resonance cut through the chatter of the crowd and stopped me mid-sentence. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole that has lasted years, and since then I have tested dozens of lever harps … Read more

Few instruments carry the emotional weight of a good accordion. Whether you are chasing the punchy sound of Norteño music, the lively pulse of Zydeco, or the timeless melodies of folk traditions, the right accordion makes all the difference. Our team spent weeks evaluating models across every price range to bring you the best accordions … Read more

I still remember the first time I heard a flugelhorn live at a small jazz club in Brooklyn. The player leaned into a ballad, and that warm, smoky tone wrapped around me like velvet. By the time the set ended, I knew I had to find a flugelhorn of my own. If you’re searching for … Read more

I still remember the first time a cornet landed in my hands. I was a middle school trumpet player, and my band director handed me a battered Besson to try during brass band rehearsal. Within a week I had switched. The conical bore, the warmer core, and the way it sat in my hands felt … Read more

I picked up my first piccolo eleven years ago during a college band rehearsal, and I have spent the last decade testing every model I could get my hands on. So when readers ask me which of the best piccolos actually deserve their money in , I take it personally. I have played gigs in … Read more