http://www.perthmusicshop.com.au/blog/ en-en PrestaShop Blog Module http://www.perthmusicshop.com.au/blog/entry/52-Learn-to-Play-the-Djembe-Drum The djembe is possibly one of the most enjoyable instruments to learn to play! Hand-crafted djembe drums are beautiful instruments with an attractive sound. Popular instruments for drum enthusiasts, the djembe is all about energy and fun, traditionally played for people to dance, sing and clap along with. Originating in West Africa, djembes were originally used in ceremonies and for motivating warriors into battle. They are still used to unite communities and as a form of entertainment. They are one of the most versatile drums in the world and have become more mainstream. In schools they are used in ensembles and are also used in music therapy. They are a really versatile instrument, being  easier to carry around than a drum kit! You can create entire songs and rhythm patterns on a djembe. If you are a vocalist, they can help with rhythm and beat counting. Traditionally djembes are carved out of hard wood with hollow bodies, and the drumheads are made from untreated rawhide. They come in different sizes. How to Play Played with bare hands, the djembe makes bass, tone and slap sounds. It is played between the knees, at an angle to the floor so the sound escapes from the bottom of the drum. When you strike the skin with your palm near the drum's centre, a bass note is prouduced. The slap sound can be activated by striking the rim. To achieve a tone, the player keeps the fingers together and strikes the drum's edge at a flat angle. Slaps are sounded with open fingers on the drum's edge in a fast percussive attack. Learn how to play with a Djembe DVD. 2012-05-12 12:32:49 GMT 52 Crescendo Music http://www.perthmusicshop.com.au/blog/entry/50-Why-Every-Guitarist-Should-Play-Ukulele If you are a lapsed guitarist, your interest can be sparked again by picking up the ukulele. Even if you think you were an average guitarist, you can become a pretty good uke player! This in turn can improve your guitar playing. You will learn more about rhythm and chords.   Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Kurt Kobain, Jack Johnson, Paul McCartney, Brian May, Pete Townshend, Bob Brozman and Neil Finn - all ukulele players, so you'll be in good company. As George Harrison said ... "Everyone should have and play a ukulele .... it is one instrument you can't play and not laugh". If you can play a song on a guitar, you can play it on the ukulele - same chords, just in a different key. The concert ukuleles are easier for larger fingers as the frets are less close together and there is extra room for playing chords. The baritone ukulele is tuned the same as the top 4 strings on a guitar. Baritone ukes could be a good choice for blues players and fingerpickers. Ukuleles have the advantage of being easy to carry around so they're easily accessible to pick up and practice. They are quieter than a guitar, and easier to show non-players how to play. If you've given up guitar because of the sore fingers and frustration of not getting anywhere with technique, then the ukulele is much smaller to find your way around and easier on the fingers. Learn more about Chords Most guitarists make do with three-note major and minor chords. On a ukulele you can learn more about how chords are formed, and create new sounds. You can use open tunings, slide, bending and chord melody playing. Use More Rhythms Ukulele playing has more emphasis on techniques such as triplets and syncopated rhythms. Do yourself a favour and buy a ukulele. It won't break the bank and just by picking up a different instrument, it can make you get excited about playing again. Be warned, it can be addictive! Read about Why Starting with Ukulele before Guitar is a great idea for children. 2012-05-06 23:14:22 GMT 50 Crescendo Music http://www.perthmusicshop.com.au/blog/entry/49-Casio-Keyboards-and-iPads Casio have developed a great range of keyboards and digital pianos, and now they can be used with the iPad and other Apple devices. You can learn, create, and record music with your Casio piano and iPad. It's quick and easy. You can connect the entire range of current Casio keyboards and pianos, and expand on what you can do on the instrument alone.   The most straightforward connection is any Casio keyboard (with USB compatibility) to a Macbook Pro using Apple's GarageBand software and the Casio Plug and Play Cable pack. With GarageBand, you can expand on what you can already do on the piano keyboard, and add other instruments such as drums and guitars.   By connecting the stereo audio output to the Casio stereo inputs you get to hear the music from the iPad.   It's as simple as: Plugging the USB cable from your Casio Keyboard into your MacBook Pro Starting a new project in GarageBand on your Macbook Selecting the Keyboard/Software Instrument Option Press Record and you're away   There are also possibilites for the iPad, with the addition of the iPad Camera Kit accessory.   Download the Garageband App, then start a New Project Plug the USB cable into the Camera attachment accessory, which in turn plugs into the iPad Select Piano from the instrument list Press Record Crescendo Music supply a good range of Casio Keyboards and Pianos. 2012-03-27 17:56:21 GMT 49 Crescendo Music http://www.perthmusicshop.com.au/blog/entry/48-Casio-Privia-PX-130-Digital-Piano-Review If you've ever wanted to learn to play the piano, then consider the Casio Privia PX 130 Digital Piano. Popular because of it's sound quality, and versatile enough for home, church, school or stage. For a beginner player, it is never too early or late to start.   The Casio Privia PX 130 requires little or no maintenance, always plays in tune, and provides many more features than a traditional piano.   Attractively priced 88 keys Weighted hammer action Headset jack Light and portable  Minimal buttons and lights   88 is the same number of keys as on a traditional piano, and the PX 130 gives you the same feel of a real piano because each key weighs the same as on an acoustic piano. As you go lower you will notice the keys feel heavier and as you go higher on the keyboard the keys will feel lighter.   The PX 130 has a sustain pedal and when pressed all notes played will continue to sound until released.   You can split the keyboard and play different sounds. Your teacher can play on one half of the piano, while you learn along side them on the other half.     If you are wanting to practice without disturbing the neighbours, then headphones are a must. With the addition of a USB cable you can transfer and store compositions onto your computer. Buy the Casio Px 130 at Crescendo Music. 2012-03-27 13:47:58 GMT 48 Crescendo Music