Jamstik Blog

For us, the jamstik+ represents the gift of music, the chance to find confidence in creating it, and a way to participate in new forms of creating. Of course, as Levar said, "you don't have to take MY word for it!" Here is a list of Holiday Gift Guides that we've been included in this holiday season.

Greg Karas, guitarist and vocalist for the Andy Grammer Band, details his experiences using the jamstik+ on the road, in front of thousands, and in performances as big as the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Slowly but surely, I came to the conclusive realization during my fruitless, ADHD fueled perusing of the information superhighway that you just have to make ROCKTOBER!!!!!!!!! into exactly what you want it to be.

The Jamstik MIDI guitar unit has since become a favorite at my school (and has even garnered the attention of the Pioneer Press!). Kids can't wait to get their hands on the instruments and learn new skills created by real musicians and educators. Best of all, I get to support students when they need me and truly create a constructivist classroom environment where kids' experiences meet new ideas and create valuable, lasting learning.

The jamstik’s bluetooth brother the, “puc+” recently had it’s biggest debut with Andy Grammer's band on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Zivix's product allowed the band to play wireless keytars making it possible for an amazingly choreographed performance on the popular late night show. Read on to hear about the experience and check out some more pictures!

I get lots of “how’d you do that” questions regarding the “Get Lucky” video we launched on YouTube in June of 2013. At some point in time I’ll cook up a video that covers this a little more in depth, but for now I’ll try to point you to some resources and explanations behind what’s happening in the video.

If you've read the previous entry, I used the analogy of MIDI keyboard controllers being similar to QWERTY keyboards. This is the most rudimentary idea of conceptualizing MIDI control. It leaves out a lot of details but helps frame the basic concept. In this entry I'm going to break down what really happens when you play a "C" on the jamstik or a keyboard controller, and hopefully bring some clarity to the whole concept.

 Why not just play an actual guitar? There's a time and a place for everything...

If you've seen or heard the statement "the jamstik is a MIDI controller" and thought "I have no clue what MIDI is," you're not alone. From it's introduction in the 1980's through to today, MIDI has left a lot of people scratching their heads. I'm going to do my best here to help bring some clarity to what MIDI is and how it functions, especially in connection to the jamstik and puc. 

From a parent's and home educator's point of view, time is short and it is incredibly difficult to fit everything in for every member of the family. jamstik provides families with guitar lessons on the go, no matter where you are. My youngest even practices with the JamTutor app at the Karate Dojo while her older sister does her Karate lessons.

I’m not a rock musician. I’m not part of the Gen X or Y or Millennials.  I’m an over 50 music educator, lifelong folk musician/guitar player, and classically trained singer/choral conductor who loves the Jamstik! The Jamstik is the guitar instruction tool I have been dreaming about and searching for.

"Apps We Got To Have” is a series dedicated to sharing info about the apps that we love to use with the jamstik. We’re not concerned with doing “deep dive” style reviews where we go over every detail of an app in exhaustive fashion, we’ll leave that to Dischord and Synthtopia. What we want to do is demonstrate the one or two things we love about an app, what makes it valuable for use with the jamstik.