Saxophone Reviews

The saxophone was developed in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian-born instrument-maker, flautist and clarinetist working in Paris. While still working at his father's instrument shop in Brussels, Sax began developing an instrument which had the projection of a brass instrument with the agility of a woodwind.

Piano and Keyboard Reviews

The piano is a musical instrument which is played by means of a keyboard. Widely used in Classical music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music, and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal. Although not portable and often expensive, the piano's versatility and ubiquity have made it one of the world's most familiar musical instruments.

Guitar Reviews

The guitar is a musical instrument of the chordophone family, being a stringed instrument played by plucking, either with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number but sometimes more, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with either nylon or steel strings. Some modern guitars are made of polycarbonate materials. Guitars are made and repaired by luthiers. There are two primary families of guitars: acoustic and electric.

Upright Bass and Bass Guitar Reviews

The function of the bass in a traditional rhythm section is somewhat different than that of a chordal instrument. Like a pianist, a bassist must normally outline the chord changes, but the bass usually emphasizes the roots, thirds, and fifths rather than any extensions or alterations. In traditional jazz forms, the bass player also has a very important role as a timekeeper; as much as a drummer, if not more so. That is why bass players so often play walking bass lines that consist almost exclusively of quarter notes or rhythms that strongly emphasize the beat.

Drum and Cymbal Reviews

Jazz drumming is the art of playing percussion (predominantly the drum set, which includes a variety of drums and cymbals) in jazz styles ranging from 1910s-style Dixieland jazz to 1970s-era jazz-rock fusion and 1980s-era latin jazz. The techniques and instrumentation of this type of performance have evolved over several periods, influenced by jazz at large and the individual drummers within it. Stylistically, this aspect of performance was shaped by its starting place, New Orleans as well as numerous other regions of the world, including other parts of the United States, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Percussion Instrument Reviews

Percussion in jazz is virtually synonymous with the drum set, which is made of a variety of drums and cymbals. In addition to the drum set, it is not unusual to see congas, timbales, tambourines, triangles, or other types of percussion instruments in jazz as well. Please find reviews here for jazz-related percussion products.

Guitar and Bass Amplifiers



Jazz guitar amplifiers and jazz bass amplifiers for the discerning player.

Music Accessories Reviews

From music stands to gig bags, music software to guitar plectrums Jazzwise looks at a wide range of musical accessories for the performing jazz musician.

Jazz Instructional Book Reviews

Jazzwise reviews a wide range of instructional books and DVDs that are all available to order from the Jazzwise Direct website.

Hi Fi Equipment Reviews

Jazzwise reviews some of the best Hi-fi equipment for listening to jazz on.

Jazzwise looks at the best trumpets on the market for playing jazz – from starter level instruments to top pro models we look at the full range of trumpets currently available.