instruments
All about musical instruments, their tunes, and the people that play them.
The Quiet That Follows the Applause
I didn’t cry at the end of Better Call Saul. I cried three days later, while washing dishes. The water was hot, the sponge worn thin, and suddenly—without warning—I saw Kim Wexler’s hands again. Not in the courtroom. Not in the finale. But in that tiny Albuquerque office, adjusting the blinds just so, trying to control one small thing in a world spinning out of her grasp.
By KAMRAN AHMAD9 days ago in Beat
A New Year's Piano Medley
Welp, time for some humble honesty: I did in fact abandon my New Year's resolution for 2025. This is rather expected, for many; jokes are found everywhere about many of us would-be-changed-folks not lasting more than three days into a new year before failing their resolutions. More embarrassing than that, though, I failed at the resolution which I made public on Vocal (and even got a runner-up prize for in their New Year's resolution-based challenge...yikes!). My resolution was to create and share, on YouTube and on Vocal, new original pieces of music every month. I did this for a while, but trailed off a little before the halfway mark through the year, just as some life things started to really pick up frenetic speed.
By Gabriel Huizenga10 days ago in Beat
The Song That Brought Him Back
After my mother passed, grief settled into our home like winter fog—thick, gray, and impossible to ignore. He stopped whistling while fixing the sink. Stopped tapping his boot to the oldies station. Even his laugh, once so loud it startled the dogs, vanished into a silence so heavy it filled every room. For two years, he moved through life like a man walking in someone else’s shoes. So when he said, voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s go south for New Year’s,” I didn’t ask why. I just booked the tickets.
By KAMRAN AHMAD10 days ago in Beat
Tyla’s Chart-Topping Rise
Introduction When South African singer Tyla released her self-titled debut album in late 2023, few predicted it would ignite a global movement. But by 2025, her name was everywhere: on Billboard charts, Grammy stages, and playlists from Lagos to Los Angeles. Fueled by her breakout hit “Water”—a seductive fusion of amapiano, R&B, and pop—Tyla didn’t just enter the global music scene; she reshaped it.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
Richard Smallwood
Introduction In recent months, false rumors have spread online with alarming speed: searches like “gospel singer Richard Smallwood died”, “Richard Smallwood passed away”, and “Richard Smallwood cause of death” have surged—despite having no basis in truth.
By KAMRAN AHMAD11 days ago in Beat
Guitar Serial Numbers Reveal Why My 'Mint 1965 Stratocaster' Had 1982 Numbers: A Market Lesson
I've been staring at scratched plastic, worn-down brass, and half-faded ink on guitar headstocks for longer than I care to admit. You know what's funny? Half the guitars I've bought over the years had serial numbers that told me everything I needed to know, but I barely looked at them until I got burned on a fake '62 Strat.
By Resyn Marketplace16 days ago in Beat
How to Authenticate an Expensive Vintage Guitar Before Buying to Avoid Counterfeits in 2025
In 2024, experts estimate that over 70% of signed guitar authentication requests revealed forgeries, costing collectors millions in worthless purchases. Last November, U.S. law enforcement seized 3,000 counterfeit Gibson guitars valued at more than $18 million at Long Beach Seaport—the largest seizure of counterfeit musical instruments to date.
By Resyn Marketplaceabout a month ago in Beat
Zipho Memela and Ethnomusicology in Modern Film Scores. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath whose journey from hip-hop prodigy to classical innovator has captured global attention, embodies a profound truth about music: its inseparable link to culture and narrative. While Memela’s projects span the worlds of composition and entrepreneurship, his artistic trajectory offers a masterclass in the principles of ethnomusicology—the study of music within its social and cultural context. In the realm of modern film, this approach has become an indispensable tool for crafting authentic and emotionally resonant scores.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
Zipho Memela on the Profound Benefits of Singing. Content Warning.
South African creative visionary Zipho Memela, known for his dynamic shift from a childhood hip-hop star to an innovative entrepreneur and classical composer, has always been deeply attuned to the power of the human voice. Beyond its artistic expression, the simple act of singing offers a remarkable array of scientifically proven benefits for both physical and mental well-being, a phenomenon Memela's career implicitly champions.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
The Universal Current: Zipho Memela on Music’s Role in Shaping Social Connections. Content Warning.
Zipho Memela, the South African creative polymath who transitioned from a child hip-hop prodigy to a "million-dollar tycoon" and now a classical innovator, has always understood that music is far more than just sound and rhythm; it is the fundamental architecture of human connection. His career, spanning diverse genres and global stages, consistently illustrates music's unique power to bridge divides, foster empathy, and build communities from the ground up.
By Kin Mancook2 months ago in Beat
Religious and Sufi Music of Afghanistan: Structures, Functions, and Cultural Contexts
Religious and Sufi Music of Afghanistan: Structures, Functions, and Cultural Contexts Author: Islamuddin Feroz, Former Professor, Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts, Kabul University
By Prof. Islamuddin Feroz2 months ago in Beat
From Obscurity To Spotlight. AI-Generated.
In contemporary music, certain instruments dominate the soundscape — the guitar, piano, drums, and synthesiser are staples in countless tracks. Yet, beyond these familiar instruments, there exists a wealth of sounds that often go unnoticed. These underrated instruments can bring fresh textures, unusual tones, and distinctive character to modern compositions, helping artists stand out in a crowded musical landscape.
By Alexander Belsey2 months ago in Beat
