I’ve been thinking a lot about how lucky I am to be a musician and how I got to where I am today (which is not a professional musician, but I still play drums and guitar and believe this experience has made me a better person). This happened because my schools offered music education and my parents supported my musical ambitions and could afford my first instrument.

Sadly, we live in a different time. Music ed funding and family budgets have been cut drastically. Many kids today don’t have the same opportunities I did (and this was just in the ‘90s!). And we can’t rely on the government to turn this around.

So, I want to do my part. A while back I printed up some picks with the GearPipe logo. I have them for sale on the site, but mostly I give them away to people on Facebook. But then I thought….what if, for each pick I sell, I give one to someone who needs one for their lessons. And we can do this with strings, drum sticks, even guitars, drums, and other instruments. I know it’s the TOMS shoes model, but it works!  I’m all for non-profits, but they end up going back to the same people every year, asking for more money. I think this is a more sustainable program.

I’m going to start this program soon, which I call ‘Pick Education.’ And I’ve just applied for a grant from GOOD Magazine to help fund the launch. There are over 120 entries, and the idea with the most public votes wins. Right now we’re ranked #2, right on the heels of #1.

I would love Tumblr’s help. All you have to do it vote once, any time from now through March 29th. With your help, we can create a sustainable musical instrument donation that everyone is contributing to. I really appreciate your support.

You can vote here: http://makemusic.maker.good.is/projects/PickEducation

The following people need to enter this giveaway: You live in an apartment. You live in a dorm room. You live in a duplex. You live with a sister who plays the flute. You live with parents who work hard and don’t want to listen to your G D drums when they get home from a hard day at work.

I’m sure there are others who could use this Yamaha DTX-530K digital drum set, but those come to mind first.

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This is a great drum giveaway from Modern Drummer and Yamaha, with three prizes totaling $5,700 in drums.

First prize is a Yamaha Rock Tour 4-pc drum set in Textured Red Sunburst. The second prize winner will score a DTX530K digital drum set. Last but not least, the third place winner will take home a DTX-MULTI 12 Electronic Percussion Pad.

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File this one under “huh…pretty smart idea.” From Tom Tom Magazine, enter to win a pre-pack of Cymbags (20˝, 16˝ and 14˝ bags)

Cymbags are made from an advanced microfiber material and designed to protect cymbals from fingerprints, scratches and dirt during set-up, pack-up, storage and travel. Smart, right?

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Our friends at Worship Drummer presented us with some excellent gear in their “The Most Awesomest Christmas Giveaway,” but I think the final prize is the best. Drummers, enter to win a pair of Sabian cymbals, a 16″ AAX X-PLOSION Crash, and an 11″ AAX X-PLOSION splash (total retail value of $531).

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About a month ago I launched a new podcast series on GearPipe called 4OnTheFloor. The deal is that I line up an interview with a gear manufacturer or retailer, than ask people on Facebook what they would like to ask. Then I ask!

This week we featured Josh Childers of Atlas Stands. This guy is a true craftsman who makes some incredible hardwood amp stands. Other guest include Rich and Chris Rice of Rice Custom Guitars and Michael Outlaw of Outlaw Drums.

Hopefully you’ll check out the entire series or subscribe for free on iTunes.

Drummers! Here’s another giveaway from WorshipDrummer, from their aptly named “The Most Awesomest Christmas Giveaways for WorshipDrummers.” Enter to win a brick of Pro-Mark Sticks (6 pairs) of your choice, valued at $93!

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If my last post offended you, you’re either a drummer or you understand that you would sound like crap without us timekeepers! So, here’s one to show some love to the men and women who hold it all together.

Enter to win one of five Evans Drumheads gift cards valued at $50 each. This is a worldwide giveaway!

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For anyone who has NOT already entered to win a snare drum from Outlaw Drums, go enter now! You have until Nov 30th to get in on this amazing opportunity!

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Our friends at Tom Tom Magazine have just launched a drumstick bag giveaway with an Etsy artist named Flea Puckett (no relation to the RHCP bassist). Flea makes Roll-It-Ups drum stick bags, which look to function like a standard stick bag, but roll up kind of like a yoga mat. These look really cool, so show Flea and Tom Tom some love!

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