Saturday, 28 May 2011

A Discovery !

We received the June releases from Naxos this morning, including several copies of the world premiere recording of a Violin Concerto by Respighi.

If you don't recognise the name, you may already know some of his music, for instance the lovely orchestral suite "The Birds" that used to introduce "Going for a Song" the first popular TV antiques programme. "The Pines of Rome" is another superb orchestral showpiece, worth seeking out if you don't know it already.

The violin concerto just released harks back to the writing of Vivaldi and Mendelssohn, and foreshadows the orchestral technicolour of his later works. It's the first time it has ever been recorded, and its arrival is to be warmly welcomed. There are three very attractive fillers included on the disc, a snip at £5-99 !

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

SALE TIME !

It's Bury Festival again, and therefore time for BALAAMS MUSIC SPRING SALE !!
Time to take the plunge and get 15% discount off that really big purchase you've been thinking about. Pearl Solid Silver Flutes - Roland Pianos - Yamaha Pianos & Keyboards - Tanglewood and Faith guitars - Buffet Clarinets - Tama Drum Kits and some fantastic new Trevor James Saxophones.
There are also big savings on printed music as well as accessories, as long as you spend over £20.

Saturday, 14 May 2011

Miyazawa Flutes

We've been appointed dealers for Miyazawa Flutes - fabulous hand-made instruments from Japan. We're stocking the 102, 202 and 402 models, full details at www.miyazawa.com
The prices reflect the quality of top-of-the-range instruments as you would expect, but we have a range of options to help any intending purchaser.
With solid silver instruments from Miyazawa, Pearl and Trevor James, we now have a fine range of top-quality flutes.

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Free Money for Musicians

Now that the Arts Council has narrowed eligibility for Take it Away (you have to be between 18 and 25 now) Roland has introduced an Interest-Free credit scheme open to everyone (subject to credit clearance, obviously). It's called Take it Today, and offers nine months interest free credit on any Roland prducts over £500. It takes about 15 minutes to do the online credit application and you can literally Take it Today (or have it delivered today, if we can manage it!)

Simple enough - except that nanny state insists that I now include the phrase "Representative 0% APR". Frankly, I think "Interest -Free Credit" is clearer. Anyway, you don't pay a penny extra for paying by ten equal instalments (the first one is the deposit).

Time for that nice new Roland piano......

Saturday, 26 March 2011

Bridge Electric Violins

The latest arrivals here are a couple of Bridge Electric Violins. Radical design, dramatic paint finshes and a real pleasure to play!
We have the Aquila (4-String) models in stock. The Lyra 5-String should be with us in May.

Thursday, 3 March 2011

Grab it before it's Taken Away !!

This is the last month of the Arts Council's Take it Away scheme in its present form. If you didn't know, the scheme is to help with the purchase of musical instruments up to £2000. Nine months interest free credit, a brilliant, easy scheme, open to more or less anyone solvent.

With the cuts to their budget, last November the Arts Council announced the scheme would change at the end of March. From April, it will be restricted to those in at least 16 hours employment per week, aged between 18 and 25. Specifically excluded will be parents buying instruments for their children to learn on. Some people say it's harsh. I think its b****y stupid, and will deprive a lot of would-be players of a decent instrument to learn on.

The Henley Report into Music Education, published last month, specifically recommended that Take it Away should be used to provide instruments for children learning to play. A great pity that they didn't notice that the Arts Council was saying precisely the opposite two months earlier.

Anyway, the point of this rant is to alert you to your last chance to buy a musical instrument with up to £2000 worth of interest free credit provided by the government. Even if you're only mildly interested, give John or Erin a ring on 0800 06 800 49.

Don't leave it too late!

Friday, 28 January 2011

Awesome Power

Every now and again we get a product that is just so incredibly good at its job, you just smile.

The AER Compact 60 Acoustic Amplifier is a mere 10" x 13" x 19" and weighs just 8kg (approximately) yet it produces 60 watts of pure undistorted power through two channels. It is a seriously powerful piece of kit in a tiny box. It's just unbelievable that such a tiny box can produce so much powerful undistorted sound.

It's ideal for acoustic guitarists, in fact any acoustic instrument will work well with it, as will digital drum kits. There are digital effects on board in case you want to play around with the sound, and it comes with a specially designed carrying case. Yes, a sixty watt amplifier combo that you can sling over one shoulder!

It's hand-built in Germany, so don't expect it to be cheap, but the sheer quality -- stunning!