Pop singer Anna Clendening has always felt more connected to the piano than any other instrument. "Growing up, I always played on the family piano," she explains. "Growing up, I just felt more connected to a real piano versus a keyboard or anything electronic."

In this episode of It Goes To 11, meet Clendening's Baldwin Acrosonic, a versatile instrument that has a special connection to memories from the singer's childhood. While she explains that the particular piano she grew up playing was sold amid her parents' divorce in 2019, she fortunately didn't have to go too long without a piano — her dad gave her the Baldwin Acrosonic as a gift for her 27th birthday in 2020. 

"I saw it when he had come into town, and he helped set it up. It was breathtaking," she says, remembering her first experiences with her piano. "I definitely cried when he gave it to me. It has a lot of sentimental value with it, as well as just being an instrument."

Of course, the piano is much more than just a special reminder of her past. Clendening says that her piano is a powerful vessel for songwriting, and making music in general. "While I can write on a keyboard, it's just not the same when you're in a super emotional state and you're writing. It just brings a whole 'nother level to whatever you're writing.

"The piano is an extension of myself," she adds, driving home the full extent of how important the instrument is to her. "And nothing else really matters or exists in that moment."

Press play on the video above to learn more about Clendening's relationship with her Baldwin Acrosonic, and keep checking GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11. 

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Neo-soul singer UMI describes herself as a "multi-dimensional artist" whose ideas often come to her in the spur of the moment — and she "needs to get it out immediately."

Thanks to her favorite musical gear, the Apollo Twin X interface, she can bring her ideas to life on the go.

"Instead of going directly into your computer [to record], you can use something like this," UMI explains in this episode of It Goes to 11. "It helps to enhance the sound of what you're recording and makes the recording process easier."

Before she invested in her Apollo interface, she says she used to buy cheap ones for $50 or $100: "I thought I was getting the best experience, but then, I went to a studio. They had one of these. Ever since then, I've been like, 'This is my baby!'"

As a self-proclaimed "studio gear nerd," UMI exclaims that the Apollo Twin X isn't just a fancy part of her collection — it's changed her process altogether. "I don't have to book studio time anymore," she says. "I can do it all in my house!"

Press play on the video above to learn more about UMI's cherished Apollo Twin X interface, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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When a faulty extension box burst PsychoYP's equipment into flames, the Nigerian rapper was forced to repurchase everything from scratch. In doing some extra research on replacement items to prevent the accident from occurring again, he discovered a new favorite: his shiny Aston Spirit condenser microphone.

As PsychoYP recalls in this episode of It Goes to 11, once he purchased the Aston Spirit, "I knew I was about to start making some crazy music. The producer looked at me, and I looked at him and was like, 'I feel like we might be onto something.'"

The rapper says the Aston Spirit captures his voice perfectly, and even opened up a new side of his artistry: "It made me express myself more — open my mind a bit more while creating."

Despite the initial pain of losing his equipment, PsychoYP asserts that the accident resulted in a forever piece. "I feel like I'm going to have a catalog of microphones, but this will always be there," he says. "At least in my top two."

Press play on the video above to learn more about why PsychoYP loves his Aston Spirit condenser microphone, and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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As a longtime fan of Taylor guitars, it was only a matter of time before South Korean singer J.Fla invested in one of her own. But when she finally purchased it, there was a small bump in the road as she waited for it to join her collection.

"This guitar arrived later than expected," she recounts in the newest episode of It Goes to 11. Feeling "nervous and excited" about the delayed delivery, J.Fla says she was "overjoyed" once it finally landed on her doorstep.

J.Fla now considers the guitar her best friend, "because I spend most of my time using this guitar." She plays it when she produces her music and makes melodies.

Besides the fact that the guitar works perfectly for J.Fla's small hands, the singer also loves its design, color, grip, and sound. "This guitar is the dream guitar I had always wished for," she beams.

Press play on the video above to learn more about J.Fla's bond with her acoustic Taylor guitar, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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Korean artist DPR IAN might have abandoned his drumming days, but that doesn't change the fact that it planted the roots for his artistry — which is why he still names his Ahead 5A drumsticks his favorite piece of musical gear.

"I remember my friend showing me a video on YouTube by Slipknot — Joey Jordison," the singer/songwriter, whose birth name is Christian Yu, recounts in the latest episode of It Goes to 11. "That was the first time I got absolutely shook."

Because of his hours of watching the band's videos, he could quickly recognize the tools they used on stage in any instrument shop. After convincing his mom to buy the same drumsticks as Jordison's, Yu drummed everywhere, including his car dashboard, which still has dents today.

Eventually, it was time to perform on the drums live. Having never been in front of an audience, the nerves were so high that he remembers he "blacked out" on stage as soon as the song started playing. "It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life because I froze."

However, DPR IAN says it taught him a valuable lesson: not to become a drummer. But it also showed him that one negative experience shouldn't ruin his entire perspective on music.

"The greatest success is actually from a failure," he declares. "You have to learn how to be bad [at] things."

Press play on the video above to learn more about DPR IAN's history with the drums, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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