Sep
21
Posted by Luke, under The World of Music · RSS ·
So, here’s the thing - after work the other night I went out to London - Camden to be precise, and hit the Kerrang! Klub at Koko. After a lonely pizza across the road, it was time to check out the place and the bands and DJs playing. If you’ve ever been to Koko you’ll know what I mean when I say it’s a stunning venue. It’s very versatile, laid out perfectly for a rock club, intimate gigs or huge-feeling larger capacity gigs, or as a traditional theatre-style venue. Wonderful. I grabbed a drink and sat down to listen to the tunes the DJ was playing. In my mind it’s almost a way of figuring out just how cool you are (or aren’t) - how many of the rock and metal songs played on the decks you actually know. It wasn’t many at all - I guess i’m not quite there.
But that wasn’t the point - after a couple of hours of tunes on the massive PA (click here to replicate a similar effect in a house party, here to fill a venue with your band’s latest noise, or here to shake your sofa.), the first band took to the stage. Lights dimmed, music faded - you know the drill. A young band called You Me At Six, who have taken the myspace.com music world by storm over the last year or so, jumped on stage with the energy of a young excited rabbit, and began kicking out tunes almost worryingly close to the sound and feel of Long Island’s post-hardcore outfit Taking Back Sunday. But that sort of thing is easily forgiven when they’re obviously giving it their all. I left soon after they played, bearing in mind that I had to open the shop the next day and it was already fast approaching the early hours.
It’s odd how the internet world has changed the music industry so rapidly. Just five years ago, the idea of breaking into the charts without selling a single CD or record was unheard of - and any such suggestion would have been ridiculed. But now, all you need is a strong website, a myspace account, an itunes sale, and the one thing which has remained consistent - damn good songs.
In the mean time though, it’s a good time to come into the shop if you’re after a digital piano. We’ve just stocked up on the Kawai range and many products are available on 0% finance. Also, I just bought the CD of Garden State’s beautiful soundtrack and it’s playing on the Yamaha PA.
See ya’ll soon.
Luke
Sep
6
Posted by Luke, under Guitars · RSS ·
…Kind of.
The all new Fender Squier signature series has finally landed. And they’re looking great.
We’ve got Deryck from SUM 41’s Stratocaster, a bass from Mike Dirnt of GREEN DAY and last but far from least, the very bass played and signed by a Mr. Pete Wentz of FALL OUT BOY. All three look and sound brilliant, and are exact replicas of the instruments these guys use on stage. We’ve got them in stock and out on display (at Maidenhead) for you to try out…
Excited? Me too. Currently these models are only available in the shop, but will be released online later this month. For now, check out the pictures HERE and HERE, then make your way down to Sheargolds opposite Odeon Cinema in Maidenhead town centre!
Aug
30
Posted by Steven, under Guitars, Pianos, The World of Music, Wind Instruments · RSS ·
This is not an easy task. It is all well and good finding a music teacher by looking through the Yellow Pages or Online, but finding a good music teacher is a different story.
It is so easy nowadays to create a website and add yourself to Google. You can even add a free listing on the Yellow Pages Website! Be wary of finding a music teacher this way (This is not to say that good music teachers cannot be found this way, just be cautious!).
There are much better ways of finding a teacher. You want somebody who you can relate to and really learn from, especially if it is your child who is learning to play. They need to feel comfortable when they go to their music lessons with a teacher. The more comfortable you are with your teacher, the quicker you will progress. On the other hand, you also need a teacher who will discipline you or your child. I have found in the past that some teachers are so laid back that you never really progress very fast and seem to be learning the same piece or technique for a very long time!
We have lists of Piano and Guitar teachers in our shops, which contain contact details for our recommended teachers in the local and surrounding areas.
It is very easy to look for the teacher closest to you, ring them up and book your lessons but that teacher may not be right for you. A teacher that is ideal for you child may not be the perfect teacher for you.
I would suggest calling a few teachers and just having a chat with them, get to know them and make a decision after speaking to them all. They don’t usually mind (unless they are in the middle of teaching!) because it also gives them a chance to know you as a pupil and maybe even think about the technique they would use to teach you (some teachers use a different technique for different pupils).
Once you have decided on a teacher, maybe ask if you can arrange to do 2 or 3 lessons as a ‘taster session.’ If you are paying for these lessons then the teacher will not mind.
If after the taster period you are still happy, then go ahead and book your lessons. If you are not fully happy, then start the process again!
It is more important than people realise to get the right teacher. If the chemistry is right, you will learn a lot faster and in a lot more detail making the whole musical instrument playing a lot more satisfying!
For a list of teachers in your area, email us stating where you live and we will forward you the list.
