Abigail Lewis

A Beginner's Guide to Folk Rock

Folk's storytelling, plugged in and given a rock band's backbeat — here's what folk rock actually is and where it came from.

Bagpipes Explained: Features, Types and Tips

From the Great Highland pipes to the uilleann and the Galician gaita, bagpipes are a far richer family than most people realise. Here is a patient guide to the instrument in all its forms.

Tenor Ukulele for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting started on the ukulele is easier than most instruments — here is everything a new player needs to know in one practical guide.

Ukulele for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting the fundamentals right from the start makes progress faster and avoids habits that are harder to correct later. Here's what to focus on first.

How to Set Up and Use Lap Harp

Hang Music Instrument: A Complete Buyer's Guide

No shop full of handpans to try here — just patience, provenance and the right questions. Here's what actually matters before you buy one.

How to Set Up and Use 5 String Banjo

A properly set-up five-string banjo is far more enjoyable to learn on. Here is how to fit strings, position the bridge, set the action and make your first sounds.

Mandolin Strings for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Folk Music Subgenres, Explained

A solo singer with a guitar and a full electric band playing centuries-old ballads are both folk music. Here's how the genre's branches actually differ.

Harp: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Lever or pedal, new or used, nylon or gut — a patient, unhurried walk through everything worth checking before you commit to your first harp.

Erhu Explained: Features, Types and Tips

The erhu is China's best-known bowed instrument — a two-stringed, fingerboard-free fiddle with a voice closer to singing than playing. Here's how it's built and why it sounds the way it does.

Concert Lighting: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Before you buy any lighting gear, work out what your venues actually need — this guide walks through fixtures, control and the details that matter most.

How to Set Up and Use Fender Ukulele

From unboxing to first chord — here's the full first-session walkthrough for getting your ukulele ready to play.

Common Melodica Music Instrument Mistakes to Avoid

A forgiving instrument, but a few habits still slow players down or damage it early. Here are the common melodica mistakes, and the simple fix for each.

Tuning a Fiddle for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Worried one wrong turn will snap a string? Here's a safe, unhurried, step-by-step way through your first few fiddle tuning sessions.

Ukulele Case for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Getting a case right from the start prevents damage and builds good instrument care habits. Here's what every beginner should know.

Guitar Ukulele Strings Explained: Features, Types and Tips

Wondering if you can put guitar strings on a ukulele? It's a genuine question. Here's what actually works, and what risks damaging your instrument.

How to Set Up and Use Baritone Ukulele

The full walk-through for getting a baritone ukulele properly strung, tuned and ready to play, one careful step at a time.

Electric Fiddle: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Pickups, preamps, four strings or five, and a few brand names worth knowing — here's what genuinely matters before you buy.

Banjo Strings: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying banjo strings well just takes knowing a handful of specifics first. Here's what genuinely matters, in the order to think about it.

Didgeridoo: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Choosing a didgeridoo means matching the material, key and bore to your playing stage. This guide covers what matters and what to ignore.

Accordion for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Self-contained melody and accompaniment make this instrument uniquely rewarding — this guide covers the first instrument, basic technique, resources and realistic progress expectations.

Choosing a Kids Ukulele: Size, Setup and Tuning

A good kids ukulele opens doors to music quickly. Discover what size suits your child, what to look for when buying, and how to support their first chords.

The Best Guitar Ukulele Strings for the Money

There's no single 'best' set for everyone. Here's how to match your budget tier to your ukulele, rather than overpaying for features you won't use.