We've digitized the new 2011-2012 West Music catalog, and released it for free download! Now you can take a portable, digital version of the catalog wherever you go, or get a free copy anywhere that there's internet access. Every product is linked to a web page where you can place an order. Simply click on the product's Item number (i.e. 800965) to view an even more detailed description, along with options to add it to your shopping cart and place an order.

Most of the time during summer, we normally do outdoor activities such as biking, swimming, and boating. And it’s a lot of FUN! We especially go out because we’ve just been released from necessity of staying indoors from the winter cold! Summer is also a time to have fun with your music as well, since during our lessons sometimes we get a little tired playing classical music or pieces in our lesson books. I have some suggestion to let loose and branch out in your music to have a little fun this summer. Have you ever heard of play-along books?

Ahh, summertime! All you need to beat the heat is some shorts, flip-flops, and the ukulele. But is your little four-string friend ready? Here is a handy accessory checklist to make sure you won’t skip a beat this summer.

At times, it seems as if books of guitar tab are a dying breed in music stores. With the advent of online tablature, we have seen more and more guitarists turning to their computer to find songs to play. So, when Hal Leonard recently issued a book called “Guitar Tab White Pages Play-Along”, we at West Music were skeptical as to anyone even taking the time to look at this book.

West Music has decided to bring you a new and exciting option for learning to play the guitar. Skeptical Guitarist is a great new method series by Bruce Emery from which you can learn to play: even if you know very little about music. This series utilizes tablature instead of the traditional notes on a staff, so anyone can learn to play quickly and easily. Not only is this series fantastic for beginners, but it’s great for seasoned players learning to play in specific styles, like blues or jazz. Even the guitar-heads here at West Music are excited about this one! We are currently stocking 3 titles out of the 11-book series at our stores in Coralville, Moline, Marion, and Ottumwa; you can read a little bit about each of these books below. Happy strumming!

Is your amp broken? Has your speaker stopped “speaking” to you, or is your keyboard out of commission? Well you’ve come to the right place, but before you bring in your broken stuff there’s a few things we should cover.

NTR has expanded its education products by partnering with West Music Company in response to requests from teachers to provide musical instruments and music products for their Classroom Wish Lists. More than 6,000 high-quality, music products from West Music Company have been added to the NTR website and are now available for teacher’s Wish Lists and for purchase by parents and others committed to helping teachers and schools bridge the budget gap.

At West Music we're continually looking for ways to make your life easier and more productive. We approached the new website with you, our customer, in mind and we think you'll like the results: Enhanced Searching Capabilities, Easy Login, Now with Email Address, Upgraded Hi-Res Product Images, Easier 1-Page Checkout, Email Your Shopping Cart for Approval, Payment Options Now Include PayPal, and you can pick your purchase in-store!

There has been a surging interest in garage bands, praise bands, and jam sessions. With these comes a whole new group of people who wish they were on the stage instead of the audience. Most adults sit back with the attitude that it's too late for them to start an instrument and get to the level of playing with a group, but surprisingly you can get there with a little patience and practice.

27% of online shoppers who plan to buy holiday gifts online this year will look for ideas about what friends and family want on sites such as Facebook. And nearly one-half will use social networks to research items, compare prices, & look for special offers like free shipping. (Mashable)

by Walter Seamon, Lead Guitarist for Holiday Road--Need a challenge? Do you feel like you are in a 'rut' learning/playing/performing with your current musical instrument, or are you looking for new musical ideas? Why not try another instrument which is musically 'close' to the one you play now? Like musical cousins!