If you have been playing for years you will have been next to many different players in the band room. Unless of course you are ‘Billy no mates’ on timp’s. It’s similar to sharing a hotel with a ‘roomie’ but for much longer. I have sat with some right weirdos in my time and have […]
If you would like a detailed cartoon caricature prices start at £125 + £5 postage and packing for a standard full-colour cartoon which is supplied in a 12″ x 10″ mount with backing board + electronic version + a square jpeg version (for a Facebook profile picture if required). ‘Standard’ would be the person in […]
Goodbye-eee! Goodbye-ee! Wipe the tear baby dear from your eye-ee What players say when they leave their band is not what they are actually thinking. It’s that really awkward conversation that we dread. Leaving is usually the result of being poached by another band or sometimes because you have had enough of the banding […]
The pens, ink and brushes have been busy this week as I have been in creative mood, producing more brass band cartoons for the Nezzy on Brass Shop. To keep things on an even keel I have created some marching lady banders in a variety of different brass band jacket colours. I have had a […]
There’s nothing quite like the sound of jingling bells in a brass band! It absolutely sets the mood of any piece. It’s that magical ‘Christmassy’ feel that jingling bells instantly transport you to. That mystical Santa’s sleighs and reindeer, Rudolf and all that jingling jazz! History of Jingling Bells – when did jingle bells first […]
Xylophones may not seem like the best introduction to percussion buy they are really appealing to kids. Xylophones can be colourful and can also be designed to fun to play and play with. I review 5 top rated xylophones that will really appeal to a young musician to be. A combination of colour, playful appeal […]
Adequate illumination is essential so you can concentrate on playing – not trying to see! The best music stand light is simply one that clearly lights up the dots and clips easily to the stand. If like me you are over the optical hill seeing the dots on the music sheet can be a real challenge. It […]
In an effort to get more original cartoons created I have set out a target to complete at least two new ones every week to put of the Nezzyonbrass Shop. I am also going to do some smaller original cartoons for a little bit more variety. I am currently working on four cartoons depicting various […]
Back in the day a Mark 1 Ford Escort could get from Cardiff to Edinburgh in 5 hours. Now, the trip to the Spring Festival takes longer than a flight from Heathrow to Las Vegas. Friday rehearsal is at the band room, before setting off, as you never know what unearthly hour you will arrive. […]
Richard Evans has always been someone who puts a smile on my face and it was a delight to be asked by ‘Dick the Stick’ to illustrate his latest book ‘Richard Evans – Still beating’. The book charts his personal and banding life in Richards inimitable way with an immense dose of humour. My first direct […]