Marquez Music News

Buying a Flute

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:26:49 +0000

When you buy a flute, there are a few things that you will want to consider. The first is the brand of flute that you plan to buy, as some brands are better than others. You may want to consider buying a second hand flute. If you are looking a a new flute to purchase you can search "buy flute online" or "buy flute" and you will find dozens of sites that sell the finest brands.

Yamaha is generally the most common brand of any instrument, as well as Suzuki. These two brands are also known to be very high quality, as well as durable. Other brands should be researched before you think about buying a flute.

Buying a flute brand new from a music shop is the most favorable option. This way you can inspect the flute, and possibly even play it (if the music shop you go to allows that) before purchase. This ensures that you are getting a good quality and working flute. If you buy online, you need to make sure of what the instrument's condition is.

And finally, when buying a flute, make sure that there are no dents! A dent in a flute can give it a totally different sound (and you don't want to stick out like a sore thumb!). This is because the flute is such a narrow instrument.

Learn to Play Grenade by Bruno Mars on the Guitar

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:31:26 +0000

If your looking at teaching yourself to play the Acoustic guitar and saving some money on some lessons then YouTube Videos are perfect. If you are a guitar player that likes playing newer more recent songs then there are many artists who help and share how to play and this can be a fun and exciting way to learn.

Here is a Tutorial on how to play Grenade by Bruno Mars

Musical Instruments - Rent or Buy?

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 23:14:56 +0000

For high school music teachers, choirs and churches, or other schools with a band, if you are looking to buy cello, other string instruments ( violin, guitars, banjo, etc), choosing to buy in wholesale is a great way to save money on pricing, and to get the best possible quality instruments. Whether you are looking for the perfect steel string guitar for a rock quartet, or need a lot of instruments for a large group, purchasing in wholesale and in bulk orders, for larger groups, can really save money on these pricey instruments.

Or, if you like having new equipment for students every semester, or every year, the option to rent instrument and supplies for your ensemble or school band, is a great way to save money. You can get the best quality instruments, the newest accessories and newest instruments which are coming out, and save money, rather than if you had to purchase new equipment on a yearly basis. Renting is a great way to get the useful life out of your instruments (for students), and once a new group comes in, order a new batch for rent when ready. You can always have the newest instruments out there, without having to spend thousands of dollars a year purchasing them.

So, whether you are looking to buy instrument wholesale, or looking to rent, depending on the band and on your schools needs, both options will allow music teachers to save money, and have the best intstruments for students. Having these options allows music teachers more options as far as what equipment, accessories, and instruments they need to order, and it allows them to easily trade in, and trade up, once the newer instruments comes out. It also allows for you to always have the best sounding, and the best quality instruments being produced.

So, if you are looking to continually have new equipment for incoming students, renting is a great option for your school. Or, if you want to keep instruments on hand at all times of the year, and have backup instruments, purchasing in wholesale, will allow you to greatly reduce the overall cost of these pricey instruments.

Trumpets Now On Sale!

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:56:40 +0000

Are you looking to buy a Trumpet? Well you have come to the right place! We currently have our Trumpets on sale for a once only offer of $185 for a short time only. Get your Trumpet today at our Online Store. Marquez leads the way with quality instruments. This trumpet is high quality with superior craftsmanship that many other brands aspire to. With great features and tone this trumpet is a joy to play.

The trumpet Features:

Bb (B flat) design
4 Tuning slides for accurate tuning (including slides for all 3 valves)
2 Water keys
Lacquered brass construction
Nickel plated valves
Silver plate 7c mouthpiece
125mm bell diameter
Code: MTR100

Get your Trumpet today for only $185!!

Steel String Guitars

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:23:21 +0000

When you are looking to buy a acoustic guitar, note that there are two major kinds from which you can choose – the nylon string and the steel string guitar. Inside of this there are minor differences in the features that come with these guitars. The choice you make depends on the type of sound you need. Each type has its own distinctive feel that experts can easily distinguish. If it is a classic guitar that you want, then you should buy nylon strings for it. Such a guitar is good for playing Latin, pop and folk music.

Steel string guitars existed very early in history. Even in the 1850 BC there were instruments that fairly resembled the guitar of modern times. In ancient Egypt too there were evidences of guitar shaped instruments that had marked frets around the neck area. Europeans deserve some credit for fashioning a guitar that is quite popular in today’s times. Though they developed these guitars, original acoustic guitars were founded and developed in America. Martin and Gibson are two famous acoustic guitar manufacturers in America. The guitars of today have 6 strings or 12 strings and both are commonly widely as concert instruments.

However, it is the steel string guitar that is more prominent of the two. The nylon string guitar may prove to be a bit difficult for people who are used to playing electric guitars, especially novices. The steel string is more easier to play, thanks to the closer spacing of strings and the right measure of string tension. There are guitarists who play music from both the guitars. It depends on the music and the mood that goes with it.

A Steel String Electric guitar is used mainly to play folk, country, western, Celtic and jazz music. This is because these guitars have a stronger bracing inside the body, provide an earthly resonance and a more natural tone. The Steel String Electric guitar has more tension and a steel truss rod embedded in its neck.

A Steel String Acoustic Guitar has a bright and lively resonance, especially when you get a guitar that is made of real rosewood. There are so many models and they are available for various prices. Some of the best in the market are: Epiphone DR-212 12-String Acoustic Guitar Natural Chrome Hardware (12 string guitar),Yamaha F310 Acoustic Guitar Pro Pack, Falcon FG100N Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Natural, Candy Rox 3/4 Size Acoustic Heart Guitar Pack, Martin Smith Resonator Style Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst and Chrome, Washburn Rover N Travel Acoustic Guitar - Natural and Classic Cantabile WS-12 Western Guitar with Preamp / EQ.

Here are some Steel String Acoustic Guitar players - Jerry Piatt – who was famous for his 12 string guitar, Steven Thompson, Joe Shmoe, Sydney B, Johnny Rowland and Joseph Graziosi.

How to Assemble the Bridge on a Cello

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:46:30 +0000

When you start to assemble the bridge there are a couple of things you need to think about before you begin installing it onto your cello. Consider the shape of the bridge, most bridges are even but some differ with the height of each side. If one side of the bridge is taller, then you will need to place the taller side closest to the C string and then the shorter side should always go closest to the A string.

Next in this assembly you will need to loosen the strings on your instrument so that the bridge can fit into its place. One thing to remember is that you only need to loosen the strings enough so that the bridge can flip upright into its proper position. After you have loosened the strings you will need to make sure all of the strings are in their proper slot at the nut. Then you should use one hand to pull the strings out where the bridge will be going, and then with the other hand put the bridge in position and flip it up into place.

The right place for the bridge is in the center of the two F holes. Most cellos are made with a notch cut into the center of the F holes, so all you will need to do is find the notches and line the bridge up accordingly. One last thing to remember is once you have placed your bridge you should leave it there because it will begin to differ your intonation and your notes will not sound the way you expect them to.

Assembling your own bridge is fairly easy, however you may prefer a professional assemble cello bridge for you. If so you will need to find someone local to help you for a fair price. You can look for someone online, look in the yellow pages for your local instrument professionals or even ask your school's music teacher for advice on where to buy cello help. Call around and get quotes on how much the service will be so you can find the best price for you.

MC100 Classical Guitars Now On Sale!

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:34:12 +0000

This Month we are having a Big Sale on our MC100 Acoustic Classical Guitars. We have 3 sizes available ½, ¾ and full size so we have one suitable for the whole family.

We have reduced the prices on these guitars to $99 - all sizes!!

These guitars are a great student or beginners guitar and have Solid rosewood fretboard/fingerboard, Solid rosewood bridge, Spruce top, Catalpa back and sides and are great quality for an exceptional value.

Get your Acoustic Classical today for only $99, Hurry only available until stocks last!

Teaching Yourself to Play the Guitar

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:30:13 +0000

Teaching yourself to play guitar can seem very impossible, but really it’s not. You may think that it’s something that you will never be able to accomplish. You could pay for guitar lessons but, they can get expensive over time. The easiest way to learn is instructional books and DVDs. If you don’t know what you’re doing you could use the Internet to help. The easy way to learn guitar is by teaching yourself to play. You could learn at your own pace and gain a lot more respect for the art of playing the guitar.

Instructional books and DVDs can be a good source if you want to learn acoustic guitar. This type of guitar may be the easiest to learn first. The books and DVDs can teach you the cords and notes you need to know to play. With the acoustic you will pick this up very fast and learn the music very quickly. By watching the DVDs you will feel like you are taking lessons without having to come off all the money. If you don’t understand something in the books you could easily switch to watching the DVDs. You can also learn the different types of acoustic guitars like…

“The Steel String Guitar” Which is just a modern form of the classical guitar made with steel strings. The steel helps to make a brighter, louder, and awesome sound. You can find sample of how these guitars sound by searching the Internet and using sites like Youtube. There are many sites on the Internet that can also help with teaching you the guitar. Once you learn to play the acoustic the steel string guitar should come as a breeze. Then you can rock out to any cool jams you want and maybe even start your own rock band. It’s just as simple as looking on the Internet to teach learn how to play!

So whether you’re trying to learn for fun or learn to start the next big rock band, just know you have a lot of resources to teach yourself. It’s also really good to learn in groups. So if you have any friends interested in learning the guitar you should definitely try to get them involved. The more the merrier, and who knows if you don’t understand something one of your friends might. Just make it as fun as you can and you’ll be rocking out in no time.

If you are interested we have some links to online Guitar lessons here: Beginners Lessons

Learn to Play the Guitar

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:28:25 +0000

If you are interested in learning how to teach your self how to play the guitar, there are many ways in which you can go about it. You can opt for guitar lessons which can work out to be quite expensive in the long run or you can use resources to help teach yourself. There is also many books and DVD’s available for beginners to help become familiar with the cords and playing the guitar on a beginners level. Many people have opted for the self teach way and Youtube has become a huge forum for helping this happen.

Whether you are interested in learning to play a Steel String guitar or a Classical Acoustic guitar the basics are just the same, so get your guitar in front of the computer and start your lessons. I have added below some very helpful and informative video’s to help you get started.

Beginners - Lesson 1

Beginners - Lesson 2

Beginners - Lesson 3

Beginners - Lesson 4

Beginners - Lesson 5

Beginners - Lesson 6

Beginners - Lesson 7

Saxophones: Types and How to Determine Which One is Right for You

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:31:51 +0000

Saxophones can come in different shapes and sizes, each playing a different pitch. There are several types of saxophones, but the four most common are the soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone.

The smallest of the four is the soprano saxophone. Its pitch is the highest of all saxophones and is in the key of B flat (Bb). The soprano is usually a straight instrument but some older ones may have a bend in the neck or bell. It is most often used to play jazz music. Although the soprano is the smallest of the saxophones, it is often the hardest to play due to high pitch. It is more ideal for experienced musicians.

The alto saxophone is medium-sized and is the best choice for beginning musicians. Unlike most sopranos, the alto usually has a curved bell and is the shape of a "J." It is in the key of E flat (Eb), lower than the soprano, and has a smaller mouth piece. The alto saxophone is commonly used in high school band, jazz bands, and symphony orchestras. It is ideal for beginning musicians.

The tenor saxophone is larger than the alto but is shaped the same way. It is in the key of B flat (Bb) but its pitch is lower than both the soprano and the alto. The tenor has a larger mouthpiece and which makes it very versatile. The tenor is mainly used in jazz and rock pieces but it can be used in classical pieces as well. Because of its size and shape, the tenor is more easily damaged than the other saxophones. It is ideal for intermediate musicians.

The biggest of the four is the baritone saxophone. It is in the key of E flat (Eb) but has the lowest pitch. It is mainly used in the bass section in both jazz and concert band music. Because of their size, they are also the heaviest and most expensive out of the four. They require a stand on the floor to support them during use, as well as a neck strap. Like the tenor, they are prone to damage because of their size. Baritones need to be well taken care of and are ideal for intermediate to advanced musicians.

When buying a saxophone, there are a lot of things to think about; what size, what pitch, and what skill level you are.

If you are a beginning player, the best choice for you is the alto because of its smaller size and mouthpiece.
If you are an intermediate player, the best choice for you is the tenor or baritone because they will be more difficult than the alto.
If you are an intermediate to advanced player, the best choice for you is the soprano because its higher pitch makes it more of challenge to learn.

Every saxophone is different in some way so remember to take into account their size, weight, and pitch.

How to Tune a Guitar

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:47:56 +0000

A guitar is a great instrument that provides hours of enjoyment for both those who listen to the instrument being played and those who play it. However, it is just as important to know how to tune a guitar as it is to know how to play it correctly. The approach to get an in tune acoustic guitar is the same approach used to tune an electric guitar. No matter what type of guitar you have, the goal is the same: to get the best possible sound out of your instrument.

It is easy to place the blame for a guitar not sounding right on the person playing it, but sometimes the real reason for the sour note is because the instrument simply is not in tune. Guitars tend to fall out of tune rather quickly, so you should take a minute to tune your guitar every time you pick it up to play. Initially, it may take about five minutes or so to tune a guitar, but once you get used to it you should be able to tune up a guitar in less than a minute.

You usually tune acoustic guitar by ear. Traditionally, a tuning fork is how to tune a guitar that is acoustic. A single string of the guitar is chosen to match the pitch of the tuning fork. Then the note from that particular string is used to tune the other strings on the guitar. An electronic guitar tuner is another popular method. These devices use a meter with LED lights or a needle to determine if a guitar is in tune or not. This tends to be easier, especially for beginners. Another method is to find low E on a piano and use that to tune to the same note on your guitar. You may have to play around with finding the right E that matches the one on your guitar.

The other five notes will need to tuned. The six open strings are E, A, D, G, B and E. If you know how to count up a string, you simply count up til you get to the one note already in tune and use that to tune the rest, repeating the process until all six strings are in tune. Once your guitar is tuned, check it with the electronic tuner or tuning fork again to be sure it is tuned correctly and adjust if necessary.

How to Buy a Guitar Online

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:06:52 +0000

When you decide to buy guitars online, the main drawback is not being able to get a feel for it in your hands or hear the sound of it. Buying a guitar is not the same as buying a bath mat or a part for you car, so when looking for an online guitar shop it is important to find one that can give you as much detail as possible.

Whether you are looking to purchase an electric guitar, a steel string acoustic, or a starter classical guitar for a child, you will want to find a reputable site that comes with great descriptions of the instruments. For someone who wants to buy guitars online, seeing what the instrument looks like from multiple angles will give a good idea of the appearance and overall shape, rather than a single line description with just one, front facing image.

Playing guitar is immensely fun and rewarding, opening up the world of music to those that learn to play. But with the wrong instrument, a beginner can be easily discouraged.

Find an online guitar shop that is willing to answer any questions you have about the suitability of a chosen instrument. Find a site that has a good reputation, comes with many positive testimonials, and is willing to engage with you as a customer before you spend your cash, one where you can phone and speak to a real person as well as contact by email.

If possible, look for an online guitar shop that has audio or video demonstrations. These give a good indication as to the tone and range of the guitar. This in turn assists you in your decision if it is the right guitar for the style of music you want to play. A good video also helps gauge the size more clearly too.

As purchasing a quality instrument means spending a reasonable amount of money, you should ensure that the site you buy from has clear pricing regarding shipping as well as a transparent returns policy. As already stated, the main hazard of buying a guitar online is not knowing if it is exactly the right instrument before it arrives. You need to know that if the guitar you buy turns out to be unsuitable for you, that you can return it without hassle and begin your search again.

Guitars & more back in stock!

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:20:28 +0000

Marquez guitars are no back in stock and most importantly, still at 2008 prices for a limited time.

Yes, that's right. We only have limited stocks at the moment with more on the way but due to the Australian Dollar value falling against the US Dollar prices are sure to go up.

Also back in stock are hard cases which were in huge demand late last year due to our low prices and extremely high quality. Great to have them back, but there are only 60 so they won't last long at all.

And some more great brands are coming soon too, so visit regularly, or subscribe to our RSS feeds for new products or our blog news

New RSS Feeds Now Available

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:53:40 +0000

We have added some new RSS feeds to our RSS page, enabling you to keep up to date with things like special offers, new products, and product discounts.

What is RSS?

RSS is a fee of information, sent to you when you use an RSS reader. There are lots of RSS readers available, you can view a list by clicking here: List of RSS readers.

Google also produce a popular reader called Google Reader.

By subscribing to our electronics RSS feeds you will automatically get notified every time we add a new product to our catalogue, start a new sale, or place a product on special!

Why not try it today?

Welcome to the new store!

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:08:53 +0000

Welcome to the new Marquez online store!

The new marquez store is a big improvement, allowing faster more efficient browsing, easier ordering, and customer account features that allow you to track your orders, re-order items, and enjoy a better shopping experience.

Over time we will be adding more features, like user polls, catalogue and member specials and more great brands of guitars and musical instruments for sale.

So don't forget to register an account, or join our newsletter and stay up to date with Marquez!