Instruments & Gear Reference Materials

Certain tools are essential to every occupation. For musicians, those "tools of the trade" are musical instruments and (if they're electric) their amplifiers. In order to become a better musician, you need to have a stronger understanding of your gear, including how it works and what you can do to make it look, sound and play better. That's why owning a decent collection of instruments and gear reference material comes in handy, and this catalog is loaded with choices from respected music education publishers.

Whether you're interested in learning the history of your tube amplifier, enhancing your knowledge of effects pedals or are looking for a guitar repair guide, you'll find something here to your liking. Take for example the Hal Leonard Tone Manual - Discovering Your Ultimate Electric Guitar Sound. In this course you'll learn about the individual components that come together and contribute to a superior guitar tone. Throughout this guide you'll get great tips on improving and making the most of the gear you own, and it even features interviews with well-known artists and manufacturers. By the time you're finished this guide, you'll be sure to have a better understanding on how to achieve your ultimate guitar sound.

Alfred is another company that's trusted for their fantastic instruments and gear reference materials, and their Instrument Repair Music Teaching - Stanley is a must-own guide for any band director. Throughout this comprehensive text on instrument repairs, you'll learn how to tackle certain challenges that every music teacher faces in the band room, study aspects of repair and learn excellent tips on preventative maintenance.

In addition to popular instruments like the drums, bass, guitar and piano, there are also instruments and gear reference materials on MIDI, mandolins, lap steel guitars and violins. You'll even come across guides that teach you how to achieve a similar sound to famous artists like The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. No matter what your musical instrument of choice is or what your aspirations may be, this section has something to improve your musicianship - and in the process, increase your playing enjoyment.