At Music Industry How To, we’ve talked a lot about how to get the tone you want as a guitarist. One of the most important components that determines how your guitar sounds is your pickups. In this guide, we’ll be looking specifically at the best Stratocaster pickups, so if you have a Strat and you…
There’s something glamorous about being a musician, isn’t there? Yet the road to fame and fortune is rarely easy, and if you aren’t prepared for what’s ahead, you could easily get knocked off course. Perseverance is important, but it’s not just about that – it’s also about knowing what steps to take to get to…
You know you live in amazing times when you can produce great piano songs using quality piano VST plugins. You don’t need to own a grand piano, or even spend the equivalent of one (thousands, tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars), to generate a comparable sound. All you need is a…
So you’ve chosen the right guitar pick for you, and now you’re trying to figure out how to hold that guitar pick properly. It’s surprisingly easy to hold a pick the wrong way, which can lead to bad technique and playing habits. As with certain behaviors, you may need to force yourself to do it…
You work hard to make great music. You try to create a connection with your fans. You play shows, post to social media and send emails. Day in and day out, you put your best foot forward. Yet, it seems like the more you do, the less you get for your efforts. It seems like…
Audiophiles will often stop at nothing to get the best sound possible. This doesn’t just apply to music but all forms of media they consume – TV shows, movies, YouTube videos and more. There’s no denying that a compact 5.1 receiver can fill your media room with rich sound. In a way, they allow you…
You’ve found your passion. You’re ready to embark upon a magical journey with your music. But your family doesn’t support you. They don’t want you wasting your life on something you can’t make money at. Or, maybe they want you to become a lawyer, doctor or attorney. They want you to make a “real” contribution…
The Klon Centaur, in case you don’t know, is one of the most expensive (it can cost about as much as a high-end guitar amp) and famous guitar pedals of all time. That’s because this is the pedal that changed how people thought about overdrive. To me, the Centaur has a warm, pure tone that…
“Wouldn’t it be fun to be a professional songwriter?” If you love making music, I’m sure that thought has crossed your mind. And, I’ve had guitar students in the past that managed to work their way into the songwriting game, just by applying themselves to the task. It’s not about skill level – it’s about…
Sometimes it’s necessary to change out the wiring in your electric guitar. It might be to upgrade the existing wiring and improve your guitar’s tone. It might be to fix broken wiring. All things being equal, it’s better to use solderless guitar wiring kits. After all, this will make the installation process a lot easier…
Talent shows are a dime a dozen. But I would be lying if I said they haven’t had a massive impact on my music career. The reason I decided to get into music in the first place was because the rush I felt performing live. And, the first time I ever performed in front of…
Guitars don’t always come equipped with the best parts. If you’re willing to spend more on the axe, oftentimes it features better components. Even then, sometimes it’s not exactly what you need. Swapping out pots, bridges, frets, and even tuners is common procedure, as it can make a difference to an axe’s tone, playability and…
What exactly is it that record labels do? Today, you can go about building a music career in a variety of ways. And, you don’t even need to rely on a label for your ultimate success. There are so many paths you can pursue that don’t involve a label. And, we even hear about artists…
There are plenty of people wanting to learn piano. But there are a variety of issues that can get in the way. Maybe you have a small room and can’t fit a grand piano. Maybe you can’t afford an upright piano. Perhaps noise is a bit of a concern with your roommates or your neighbors…
Many artists dream about one day becoming a full-time musician. In my experience, it’s altogether too easy to envision a rosy future when a humdrum or unwanted future is just as likely. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a chance. Far from it. Becoming a full-time artist could be better than you’ve ever imagined. But…