A neurological disorder called dystonia is estimated to have ended the careers of at least one member of every major American metropolitan orchestra. Dystonia has claimed the livelihoods of musicians across genres including the acclaimed pianist Leon Fleisher of the Peabody Conservatory of Music, former first oboist of the Chicago Symphony Alex Klein, acoustic guitarist Billy McLaughlin, classical guitarist Liona Boyd, keyboard player Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, and others.
Radim Zenkl, the Czech-born, California-based magician of the mandolin has been on the road and onstage since he arrived in the USA more than twenty years ago. He recently swung through my hometown of Portland, Oregon and performed his eclectic solo show to a packed house of enthusiastic fans.
Rio Con Brio started out to make one CD. As they recorded tracks, they realized they had two albums on their hands. One is their third choro album, the other is the debut of fado singer Alexandra Coutinho.
The NAMM Show, one of the largest music products trade shows in the world hosted by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), opened today at the Anaheim Convention Center, welcoming an expected crowd of 90,000 musical instrument manufacturers, retailers, associates and their invited guests from all over the world to the industry's annual gathering.
If you were there, you’ll agree that the Baltimore host team put on an excellent convention for our quarter-century landmark. With so many people attending, the energy level was high. If you weren’t there, you want to know what you missed. Here are some highlights.
Links - Accessories
- Alessi Tuning Machines
I'm a family man and I have passion for music and photography. I have a degree in classical guitar. This love of music, combined with the fact that I worked as an industrial designer for more than 30 years, has inspired me to create my tuning machines. - Allen Guitars & Luthier Supplies
Has a lot of extragavanza for mandolin. - Ameritage
Coupling the invaluable input of musicians from around the world with nearly 50 years of case crafting experience, we are creating the “World’s Most Exclusive Musical Instrument Cases™.” Ameritage® is a brand of GWW Group Inc. - Bailey Mandolin Strap
The finest mandolin, small guitar and ukulele strap hand- braided to your exact specifications. - Clifford Essex Music company
Hello there, my name is Clem Vickery and I have been working with the Clifford Essex Music company since the 1960's. Every single musical item on our site has been personally tested by me. - Colorado Case Company
Colorado Case Company brand makes insulated soft cases, gig bags, case covers and rigid cases for most instruments. This premium, professional grade, brand is designed, engineered and tested to provide incredible thermal protection. - D'Addario Strings
D'addario Fretted is a manufacturer of quality guitar strings, electric bass strings, acoustic guitar strings, electric bass strings, nylon guitar strings, mandolin strings, banjo strings, ukulele strings, tenor guitar strings, oud strings, dulcimer - Dogal
Dogal started producing handmade strings for musical instruments in 1950. The production mainly regarded strings for violin, viola, cello and doublebass, both at educational and professional levels. - DR Strings
Since 1989, DR HandMade Strings has been dedicated to making wonderful sounding handmade strings. The idea is that great sound inspires a musician to play better and longer, while enjoying themselves even more. - Ernie Ball
Our product line covers all string and accessory products. - Exotic Woods
The company was founded by Gulab Gidwani, a mechanical engineer by profession, in 1975 to provide musical instrument woods to Gibson Co., which, at that time, was owned by Norlin Industries. - Fishman Transducers
For almost 30 years, the Fishman name has been synonymous with technical innovation in acoustic amplification. - Folkcraft Instruments
Thank you for visiting Folkcraft Instruments - a family-owned business that has two generations of luthiers creating quality crafted instruments. - International Violin Co
Violin, Luthier, Tonewoods ++ mandostuff - Lakota Leathers
We manufacture the finest guitar, banjo and mandolin straps available using native Bison (American Buffalo) and Elk hides exclusively. - Moongazermusic
Custom Electric Mandolin Kits, Parts, and Finished Instruments. - Pegasus cases
Pegasus has been building specialist cases for over thirty years. A Pegasus case is a musician's case, regarded by many as the best instrument cases you can buy. - Sabine Inc.
Sabine, Inc., located in its new international headquarters in Alachua, Florida, manufactures professional audio equipment essential to live, installed and recording sound venues large and small. - Saga
Our commitment to quality has never wavered. Our tradition-inspired products recreate, adapt or improve upon historic designs to meet all contemporary playing requirements without sacrificing the characteristics that appeal to the purist. - Schaller-Electronic
Producing mechanics and other accessories for musical instuments. - Stewart-MacDonald
Stewart-MacDonald has supplies, parts, tools, books, videos for guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin, instrument makers, luthiers, builders, repair shops worldwide. - Sully's Instrument Straps
Fine handcrafted professional quality instrument straps for guitar, banjo, mandolin, and dobro. - Thomastik-Infeld
Strings - Tone-Gard
The Tone-Gard™ is designed to isolate the back of a mandolin (or similar instrument) from your body, producing more volume and deepening the tone.