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  • Close-up of hands playing a kalimba with a blurred sheet of music nearby on a wooden table.
    Kalimba

    How to Read Kalimba Tabs for Beginners

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 16, 2026June 16, 2026

    When I first picked up a kalimba, I stared at a row of numbers like “1 3 5 3 1”…

    Read More How to Read Kalimba Tabs for BeginnersContinue

  • Close-up of hands playing a kalimba on a wooden table with a blurred background.
    Kalimba

    How to Play the Kalimba for Beginners: First Steps

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 16, 2026June 16, 2026

    The kalimba is honestly one of the friendliest instruments I’ve ever picked up. It fits right in my hands and…

    Read More How to Play the Kalimba for Beginners: First StepsContinue

  • A close-up of a kalimba, a wooden thumb piano with metal tines, resting on a light wooden surface.
    Kalimba

    What Is A Kalimba? Origins, Parts, And Playability

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 16, 2026June 16, 2026

    The kalimba is a small handheld instrument with metal tines you pluck with your thumbs to play notes. It fits…

    Read More What Is A Kalimba? Origins, Parts, And PlayabilityContinue

  • Best Banjo Pickup: Piezo, Magnetic and Condenser Options Compared
    Buyers Guides | Banjo

    Best Banjo Pickup: Piezo, Magnetic and Condenser Options Compared

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

    Banjo pickups split into piezo, magnetic and condenser mic types — each suits a different situation. My honest picks and guidance on which approach fits your playing context.

    Read More Best Banjo Pickup: Piezo, Magnetic and Condenser Options ComparedContinue

  • Best Banjo Picks: My Top Choices for Finger Picks and Thumb Picks
    Buyers Guides | Banjo

    Best Banjo Picks: My Top Choices for Finger Picks and Thumb Picks

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 11, 2026June 30, 2026

    Banjo picks are essential for 3-finger style — here are the Dunlop options I’d actually recommend, with honest notes on gauge, fit, and what beginners actually need.

    Read More Best Banjo Picks: My Top Choices for Finger Picks and Thumb PicksContinue

  • Best Four String Banjo: Banjolele, Tenor & Plectrum — What You Actually Need
    Buyers Guides | Banjo

    Best Four String Banjo: Banjolele, Tenor & Plectrum — What You Actually Need

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 11, 2026June 30, 2026

    The four-string banjo world splits into banjolele, tenor and plectrum — and they’re not interchangeable. My picks and honest guidance on which type you actually need.

    Read More Best Four String Banjo: Banjolele, Tenor & Plectrum — What You Actually NeedContinue

  • best mandolin for beginners
    Mandolin | Buyers Guides

    Best Mandolin for Beginners: My Honest Picks at Every Budget

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 11, 2026June 30, 2026

    My picks for the best beginner mandolin — from the Vangoa kit to the Ibanez M510 and The Loar LM-110 — with honest notes on what actually matters at this price range.

    Read More Best Mandolin for Beginners: My Honest Picks at Every BudgetContinue

  • Best Banjo Strings: My Top Picks for Bluegrass, Folk and Old-Time
    Buyers Guides | Banjo

    Best Banjo Strings: My Top Picks for Bluegrass, Folk and Old-Time

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 11, 2026June 11, 2026

    My top picks for 5-string and 4-string banjo strings — from Ernie Ball Earthwood and D’Addario EJ69B to GHS loop end sets — with honest notes on tone, gauge and when to change them.

    Read More Best Banjo Strings: My Top Picks for Bluegrass, Folk and Old-TimeContinue

  • Close-up of an autoharp on a wooden table with sheet music around it.
    Autoharp

    Autoharp Chords Guide For Beginners

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

    A practical guide to autoharp chords for beginners — which chords to learn first, how the chord bars work, and how to build from simple three-chord folk songs to more complex progressions.

    Read More Autoharp Chords Guide For BeginnersContinue

  • Hands tuning the strings of a wooden autoharp indoors.
    Autoharp

    How to Tune an Autoharp for Clear, Stable Sound

    ByDaniel Johnstone June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

    Step-by-step guide to tuning an autoharp for a clear, stable sound — covering electronic tuners, string-by-string technique, common tuning problems, and how often you need to retune.

    Read More How to Tune an Autoharp for Clear, Stable SoundContinue

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