Jazz Vinyl Records

Jazz Music Vinyl Records

With so many varieties and styles, jazz music is a genre accessible to both the young and the old. Whether your go-to jazz artist is Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, or someone else, you can probably find your favourite album recorded on vinyl.

What kind of jazz records can you buy?

There are several types of records that you can buy. Some will vary in size. This tells you whether there's a full album of songs or only one or two songs on the record. For instance, a 45-rpm record will typically contain only one or two songs and is smaller than a record containing a full album. There are also collectible special-edition and coloured-vinyl records that depending on the specific album. You can find jazz albums from artists like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Bill Evans. For example, "A Love Supreme" is one Coltrane album that is available.

What is the difference between an LP and a 45?

You will likely come across the terms "LP" and "45" at some point when buying vinyl, because they are the two most common types of vinyl records. LP stands for 'Long Play,' and these typically hold a full-length album. LPs are large, at 10 or 12 inches in diameter. 45 refers to the rotations per minute on the turntable. 45s are smaller, at only 7 inches in diameter, and they often require an adapter to fit your turntable. Additionally, 45s only hold one or two songs.

How should you take care of your vinyl?

To take care of your collection, make sure you keep them clean and free of dust. You can do this by wiping them with a special cloth or brush made for cleaning them. Make sure you store them in a cool, dry place. Don't put them near heaters or in direct sunlight. Also, ensure that the arm of your turntable is balanced well so the needle does not scratch them. Most turntables will allow you to adjust this, but if not, you can balance the platter, too.

Can you play any record on your turntable?

Any type of record should be usable on your turntable. For some records, such as 45s, you may need an adapter to fit the record to your turntable. Despite having a smaller diameter, 45s have a larger hole in the middle than LPs. The adapter can be fitted either to the record first and then placed on your turntable or put onto the turntable before you put the record on the turntable.