The bodhran is one of the best instruments for a beginner to get started in Irish music. Their thumping rhythm provides a great accompaniment to jigs and reels, and they’re welcome at sessions around the world. While you can certainly spend a lot of money on a nice bodhran, you don’t need to! In fact,…
There’s a certain romance to strapping a banjo on your back and hopping on the next train headed out west. Of course, for most of us, the reality of travel is more like stuffing your banjo into the overhead compartment of a plane headed to Atlanta. Wherever you’re going, though, and however you get there,…
The banjo is one of the most iconic sounds in American music. From bluegrass to old-time to folk, the banjo can brighten up just about any song. Old-timers used to send away for a cheap banjo from a mail-order catalogs. The times may have changed, but one thing hasn’t: there are a ton of great…
Just because you can spend a lot of money on a mandolin doesn’t mean you have to. In fact, finding a great cheap mandolin is easier than ever. No matter how small your budget, you can find a mandolin that will get you playing your favorite bluegrass licks or Irish jigs in no time. From…
The Chieftain Thunderbird is one of the more popular low D whistle models around. It’s designed and built by Phil Hardy, who learned to make low whistles from the inventor of the instrument, Bernard Overton. Hardy has created a fairly loud low D whistle with a fat, reedy tone, hence the “Thunderbird” name. I had…
Sometimes, you need a loud tin whistle. Whether it’s a big, noisy session, an outdoor gig, or a busking session, sometimes the volume of a normal tin whistle just doesn’t cut it. That’s where these whistles come in. They’ve been designed to give you some extra oomph and help you cut through the noise. You’ll…
Busking can be a fun way to play music, get outside, and interact with people. It can also be a great way to make money. In the right location, a couple good hours of busking a day can bring in enough in tips to support you full-time. Or, it can be the perfect side hustle…
Traditional Tenor Banjo Tuning: CGDA The tenor banjo first gained popularity in jazz. The punchy, loud sound could cut through back in the days before amplification, and provided a nice rhythmic backing to early jazz bands. CGDA tuning is the most popular jazz tuning for the tenor banjo, and is usually what people mean when…
The Chieftain “mezzo*” high D whistle is one of the more popular tin whistles on the market. It’s made by Phil Hardy, who also makes the “Kerry” brand low whistles. He learned from the great Bernard Overton, and his early designs were very similar to Overton’s own whistles. Nowadays, Chieftain whistle designs are based on…
The banjo has gotten a lot of well-deserved attention recently, as more and more players trade six strings for four or five. While you won’t find banjos for sale on every street corner, there are plenty of places to get your fix, both online and in person. If you’re just starting out, brands like Deering,…