Stagg 52 Series Pro Drum Hardware

Stagg 52 Series Pro Drum Hardware is comprised of both single and double pedals, Hi-Hat, Snare, Cymbal (Straight & Boom) and a throne. The 52 series is laden with features not normally seen at this midrange price point, like heavy-duty pedals with double chain and maximum adjustability, combined with cymbal stands featuring omni-directional tilters.

Daisy Rock’s New Picks

The new eight celluloid guitar picks feature the premier pick material that give a traditional feel with a smooth striking surface and warm, round musical tone. The picks are USA-made.

Piano Scales from Hal Leonard

Lee Evans’s new 60-page intermediate/upper intermediate level book Jazz Piano Scales and Exercises: An Engaging Way to Practice Scales While Learning Jazz ($12.99 U.S.) provides notation and fingering for major, melodic minor and harmonic minor scales in all 12 keys (36 scales), plus providing three short jazz exercises for each (108 jazz examples.) These serve to reinforce the fingers and patterns, and provide the pianist with a strong sense of the melodies, rhythms and harmonies that are integral to jazz.


New Stratocaster Pickguards from EMG

EMG Pickups’ two new passive prewired Stratocaster pickguards are the ST-54 and ST-65. The two systems come in both vintage and classic styles and are the newest passive additions to EMG’s SRO Series. Both Feature EMG’s solderless technology and are drop in ready for a seamless install.

The EMG ST-54 pickguard is loaded with pickups featuring Alnico 2 magnets for an alternative to classic Strat tone. Benefits of the ST-54 include: Alnico 2 magnets that provide a warmer and fatter low frequency response, a more pronounced mid-range for a smoother flow from the lows to mids, a lower resonance, but a higher Q resulting in a sharper high end, a different feel and attack than traditional Strat pickups, and half the magnetism of a typical Alnico 5 magnet giving the Strat player a nice “squish.”

Gearcheck: October 2018

The latest and greatest must-have gear for jazz educators and musicians, October 2018.

Alvarez’s Cádiz Series

Alvarez Guitars’ brand-new Cádiz Series of Classical and Flamenco guitars feature Flamenco and Concert models in various configurations, including cutaway/electric and hybrid models with a slimmer nut width. Each model features a graduated solid AA grade Sitka top, asymmetric fan bracing and Spanish Heel neck joints. Flamenco models feature Cypress backs & sides, while Concert models are constructed with walnut backs and sides. With the exception of the hybrid designs, Cádiz Series stays true to traditional classic design choosing three-piece mahogany and ebony neck construction to achieve optimal strength and weight instead of opting to use a trussrod.

New Straps from D’Addario Accessories

D’Addario Accessories has extended their strap line in three new patterns: Classic Tweed, Sunrise/Sunset Hootenanny, and a Padded Garment Leather Strap. The Classic Tweed Collection features variations of the industry favorite tweed design including standard, grey, and blue tweed. The Hootenanny straps are in a legendary hootenanny style with vibrant colorful designs. The Padded Garment Leather Strap is a comfortable thick padded strap perfect for heavier guitars. It is 2.5” wide and comes in soft garment leather.

Hollywoodwinds Inc.’s Mouthpiece Position Guide

Hollywoodwinds Inc.’s mouthpiece position guide is a rubber mouthpiece pad that extends the lifespan of a mouthpiece, while promoting the proper embouchure and proper placement of mouth and teeth. The mouthpiece position guide is designed for clarinetists and saxophonists of all skill levels and abilities and works with all types of mouthpieces and reeds.

The nontoxic adhesive back makes installation easy, while removal is easy and does not leave residue. The mouthpiece position guide retails for $6 for a package of two. Education pricing is 10 pieces for $25.

The Signature Series Reeds from Légère Reeds

Légère Reeds’ newest and smallest reed is The Signature Series for Sopranino Saxophone. This is the first synthetic sopranino saxophone reed ever commercially released. The reed shares the same bright and responsive tonal qualities as found in the rest of the Signature Series product line.

New Releases from Sher Music

With New Orleans Trumpet: A Down Home Conservatory Method by Jim Thornton, students can learn the essence of trad jazz from an insider. This book includes music theory, fingerings, an engaging history of the music and much more. $26 list. www.shermusic.com