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Guitar Setups – Getting the Most Out of Your Instrument

admin March 20, 2025

A guitar setup is a thorough process performed by a skilled technician to optimize sound and playability of the guitar. The two main elements of a guitar setup are adjusting the action and intonation. Action refers to the distance between the strings and the fingerboard, which determines how easy the instrument is to play. Intonation refers to setting the length of the string from saddle to nut and determines whether each fret plays in tune.

THE UKULELE’S HISTORY: PAST TO PRESENT

admin March 11, 2025

The Ukulele is a cultural mainstay, appearing in top forty songs through the 20th century and surging in popularity since 2000. It is played by millions of people around the world and used as an accessible and simple teaching instrument. This Hawaiian branch of the guitar family, with its bright and joyous timbre, is almost instantly recognizable. But what are the roots of the instrument and how did it become part of the popular musical landscape?

Student Blog – Kevin Chen

admin November 12, 2024

Kevin Chen is one of the most accomplished students at Mint. A great bass guitarist, currently studying with instructor, Mark Ritter, his main focus is performing solo on the bass. In fact, he is booked this month to record an entire album of solo bass music at Mint with the assistance of Glen Alan and Carlin Nicholson. Kevin is also involved in many of the Rock Band Ensembles at Mint and even rehearsals and performs with his own band outside of the school – all on top of his day job in Web Development!

Guitar Pedal Workshop

admin November 8, 2024

On November 2nd, Danny J Ricardo, a seasoned guitar instructor with over 30 years of experience, led a workshop at Mint Music on using guitar effects pedals. The session aimed to address the common struggle many guitarists face in understanding the basics of effects pedals, beyond what’s often covered in online tutorials. Danny broke down essential concepts like signal flow, amplification, and pedal functions to help students grasp these fundamentals. He also demonstrated a variety of effects with his guitar setup, showcasing everything from subtle chorus to heavy delay, along with some unique pedals like the EVH Phase 90 and Digitech Flanger.

Thanksgiving

admin October 11, 2024

Thanksgiving in Canada blends Indigenous and European traditions, celebrating family gatherings and traditional meals. While the holiday can sometimes spark family tensions, its true heart lies in gratitude. This blog encourages readers to explore the deeper significance of thankfulness, highlighting the value of community and shared experiences. It invites us to recognize the interconnectedness of life by finding joy in the simple blessings around us. By embracing a positive mindset we can appreciate and amplify the positive experiences that shape and define our experience.

an oud, viewed from the bridge up the neck

The Oud: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Manar Naeem July 23, 2024

Characterized by its fretless design and ability to play microtones the oud holds significant cultural importance in Middle Eastern music. As an ancestor of the guitar, the oud’s evolution influenced various musical traditions across the Arab world and Europe. In this blog article we explore the origins of the oud, how it contributed to the development of the modern guitar and its role in contemporary society today. Explore the sounds and history of the distinctive instrument with links to videos of Mint Music’s own Oud teacher, Manar Naheem, her contemporaries and some of the greatest Oud players of all time.

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