Artist Interviews - Page 2

The founding Anthrax axman and avatar of thrash metal looks back on a career of plaster-shattering landmarks

Check out four amazing musical prodigies in performance, and learn from educators what you can do to help your future musicians grow their skills.

Music is extremely powerful. From the time we are in our mother's womb, it molds and shapes us, affecting our development and mood. Later in life, music reflects and alters our emotions in a way nothing else can. One real way that music changes lives is by helping to heal past trauma and even cope with mental and emotional disabilities.

Still Rocking The Road After 30 Years

In an age of producer-driven, computer-generated music, Jordan Rudess stands as an icon of virtuosity within amplified modern music. His technique is nonpareil, his harmonic imagination is vast, and his passion is without limit, and as such, he has emerged as a standard bearer for quality and innovation within the field of progressive metal. As the keyboardist for Dream Theater, the reigning kings of their genre, the audience for his thrilling musicality has swelled into the millions.

Our panel of audio producers and mastering engineers explain how they work and weigh in on what they can do to help bring your musical vision to life.

The Isley Brothers guitarist talks about his gear, career, and living with Hendrix

The ukulele was born in Hawai’i, a modification of a guitar-like instrument called the machete that had been brought to the islands by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century. Today, the ukulele continues to grow in popularity for many reasons. As an easily portable instrument with an affordable entry level price, it is accessible to many. Its design makes it easily to learn, with beginners able to enjoy the satisfaction of playing a complete song quite quickly.

As the Foo Fighters proved with their album Wasting Light, the garage doesn't stop being a place of creativity for musicians. It's a sanctuary for most of us. It's where we get our start as musicians and truly hone our chops. The new signature instruments from Chris Shiflett, Nate Mendel and Taylor Hawkins are all based on early guitars and drums from their garage days that helped pave their musical paths. These instruments pay homage to the originals that created a signature sound and helped develop their personalized sounds. Although most of us won't sell millions of records like the Foo Fighters, they continue to make music that inspires us, moves us and reminds us that even from the humble beginnings of a garage band can come first-class musicianship and worldwide success.

We talked to a handful of talented, experienced bass players to find out how they got into playing bass, who influenced them, and which basses are their favorites.