New gear revealed. Plus on-the-spot report of how Yamaha in Japan treat the musicianly public.

You know where the post box is, don't you?

Gossip calypso - giving out the musicians' gossip that no-one else would touch with an ear'ole.

Uncle Tom gives studio advice, from a Portastudio to a great big 24-track.

The instrumental low-down on a choice new group: this month, Venom from Newcastle.

What's in it for rock musicians? A spokesperson answers your questions.

Historic pix of Jimmy Page and Marc Bolan, plus an interesting guitar or three.

Martyn Ware talks about money and the musician. Make £50,000 without playing a note.

How to look after instruments and gear on the move.

We share with you the simple guitar chord trick upon which most pop music is based.

The third of our build-your-own-MIDI-interface-for-BBC-and-DX21.

The guitars behind five Roxy Music classics, plus a Skill Centre special as Phil shows you the chords to 'Love Is The Drug'.

Two new Making Music hook-ups for the DX7, and another new racket for your lovely Casio CZ101 too. Sheer generosity.

It's angry time with violent John Morrish. This month's target: 'disc jockeys'. Brace yourself.

Just who are these people who get their names on record sleeves and their sounds in your speakers?

It's the microphone's turn to have all its technical terms translated into understandable language.

The six best keyboard ideas of Rick The First, in condensed, easy-to-follow Making Music style.

Geoff Nicholls calms down the fight between the drum machine and the real drummer.

A pile of useful stuff on the gaps between the notes that make chords sound (mostly) nice.

Find out how to get those missing musicians for your group, or get into a new group yourself.

This is the tape demo column that matters: have you posted off your band's effort yet?

Who do these music press writers think they are? A big joke, that's what we make of it.

A DX21 - but can you work out how it was done? Important dates; nice enough to stick on the wall.

Peter Gabriel, The Ramones, Philip Glass, That Petrol Emotion, and old-time Velvet Underground.

The Top 40 Chart of Britain's favourite instruments and gear, now with Bubbling Under newcomers.