Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos
How To: Play Shostakovich's 2nd Waltz on the accordion
An oldie but a goodie, this tutorial teaches you how to play Shostakovich's classic 2nd Waltz in C Minor. Watch as this video breaks down the song in simple, easy to understand steps.
How To: Play "Linger" by the Cranberries on the guitar
Learn how to play "Linger" by The Cranberries on the guitar. Chords:
How To: Whistle with a Blade of Grass
Next time you're outside, pluck a blade of grass for an easy way to entertain yourself – and annoy your friends.
How To: Talk on a talkbox properly and clearly
You might think that if you can talk, you can talk into a talkbox. Not true. There is a surprising amount of technique to proper, clear talkbox talking, and this video will teach you everything you need to know to get started. It'll even teach you how to soften your tube!
How To: Play "twinkle, twinkle, little star" on the piano
If you want to play 'Twinkle, Twinkle little Star' on the piano you should first start on the note D. You should play the notes going up the scale to find that next work that matches the tone of when you sing it. When you find it, that interval is a fifth. Then, the song goes back down again in steps. Your melody will work in the scale of the notes that you have just played. There are three parts to the whole song that you should learn. You will use all the notes found in the D Major scale. N...
How To: Change a string on your guzheng
This video explains how to change a string of guzheng. The process is well described in the video with each and every steps clearly. The thing that is to be done is loosen the peg in a an anticlockwise direction using a tuning tool to remove the string. Thus remove it. If there is no string to begin with then loosen the tuning first before fitting a new string. Than take a new string and insert the pointed end through the hole from the back of the guzheng. To get it on other side pull it thro...
How To: Play "Wish You Were Here"
"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd is one of the greatest guitar songs of all time and in this four part video series you're going to learn how to play it! First you go over the intro, then the chorus, then the intro solo and lastly puts it all together.
How To: Hold the bodhrán drum tipper
There are two recommended ways to hold the Bodhran Drum tipper for beginners. The first way is called the "curved wrist" technique. You put the stick in between the area of your index and thumb finger. Then you put the end of the stick in between your index and middle finger. You must make sure not to keep your fingers tight, they must be elongated and resting gently on the stick. When you drum, you keep your wrist curved and swing your hand up and down. The next method is the "straight wrist...
How To: Play "Ode To Joy" on the recorder
This video is designed to teach you how to play Ode to Joy (from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.) Remember to play with your left hand on top. You may need to pause and replay parts to get the hang of it. Play "Ode To Joy" on the recorder.
How To: Play 7' records on a turntable
Ever wonder how to play 7" vinyl records on a turntable? Guess what that round piece that came with your turntable is for.
How To: Turn a guitar into a ukulele (with a capo)
This is a short video describing where to place a capo on a standard tuned guitar to make it playable in the same positions and notes as a ukulele.
How To: Fry scream for hard rock vocals
Classically trained singers will tell you that screaming is the worst thing you can ever do to your vocal chords, but if you're into singing/screaming heavy metal or rock then it's necessary to know how to scream with minimal damage.
How To: Coordinate the left and right hand on the accordion
One of the basics of accordion playing and left and right brain splitting, this tutorial demonstrates how to coordinate your left and right hand when playing the accordion.
How To: Play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana) on guitar
In this electric guitar video lesson, brought to you by GuitarJamz, host Marty Schwarz, will teach you how to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, from the Nevermind album. As you follow along with him, he teaches you the progression of the chords used in the song, breaking down each part of the song, teaching you the chords and explaining the strum pattern and picking of the guitar riffs. This is a great video for beginners who are looking to learn power chords and songs to play with t...
How To: Play Pirates of the Caribbean main theme on violin
If you're a violin player who's looking to play the main theme song of Pirates of the Caribbean then look no further. This simple video walks you through the song. You'll likely want or need to pause a few times as you work out the fingering, but hang in there and you'll get it. This song is a catchy little ditty you can whip out at any party or seafaring bash. Memories of Jack Sparrow will soon be floating through your head as you play this song. Now you can play Pirates of the Caribbean the...
How To: Play the intro to "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on baritone ukulele
Want to play the introduction from "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on baritone ukulele? Learn how with this video tab, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's component sections, chords and strumming & picking patterns. For all of the details, and to get started playing "Stairway to Heaven" on your own baritone uke, watch this free video ukulele lesson.
How To: Play an easy acoustic guitar cover of "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
"Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars is a beautiful song, possibly the best R&B song to hit the charts in 2010. In this video you'll learn how to play an easy acoustic guitar cover of the song that will probably get any love interest of yours to love you too if you play it for them.
How To: Shield your pickups cavity on your electric guitar
Single coil pick ups are notorious for being noisy and for having a lot of buzz. One way that you can get rid of the buzz and save yourself from sounding annoying and unprofessional on stage without messing with your volume knob or buying expensive noise gates is putting in copper shielding in your pick up cavities and on the pick guard! In this video you will get a complete walkthrough of how to install the shielding and rewire your guitar back to normal!
How To: Use advanced techniques on a Moog analog synthesizer
The Moog is the original and arguably still the king of the analog synthesizers. It looks like an old phone switchboard, and can create a dizzying variety of unique, warm sounds. This video will show you some advanced features of the Moog, including how to use the sequencer to add filters to your tones.
How To: Adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo
In this video, we learn how to adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo. First, find the strings in the back that are parallel to the body of the guitar. Then, unlock the nut and set the fine tuners so you have maximum range of adjustment. Start to twist the tuners at the bottom of the guitar until the tension on the strings is enough for you to play correctly. Then, go to the back of the guitar and adjust the crimp screws that are along it. When finished with tightening your guitar, test it ou...
How To: Play the dizi, a Chinese bamboo flute
In this video, we learn how to play the dizi, a Chinese bamboo flute. First, fine the mouth hole where you place your mouth. After this, look to see the different finger holes that are on the side of the flute. At the end, you will see air vents that are not to be confused with the finger holes. To prepare the flute, you can twist it so the pitch is changed when you play it. Now, place your fingers along the finger holes and start to blow into the mouth opening. After you do this, you will be...
How To: Fix a wobbly whammy bar with plumber's tape
Wobbly whammy? Don't fret. This brief how-to from YouTube guitar whiz Justin Sandercoe will demonstrate how to use normal PTFE tape (also known as thread seal or plumber's tape) to keep your guitar's whammy bar from rattling around. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video tutorial.
How To: Play the notes B, A, and G on a recorder with Mrs.Hill
How to play the notes b, a, and g on a recorderHillary Hill demonstrates to us how to play a mouth piece. Note b is played by completely covering the thumb hole in the back and the thumb hole in the front. Remember to cover the hole completely to avoid squicky sounds. Note a is played by covering the thumb hole in the back, the first hole at the top and the second hole. To play g, its the thumb hole and the top three holes on the piece. Its important to use the left hand because when we learn...
How To: Make a guitar pick display case
To start off making the guitar pick case, the apparatus you need here is an old CD case, scissors, a pencil, ruler, background design, the guitar picks, blue tack, knife and glue.
How To: Play "Underneath Your Clothes" by Shakira on guitar
Learn how to play "Underneath Your Clothes" by Shakira, an acoustic guitar tutorial. Follow along with this demonstration, tabs and lyrics here:
How To: Use the EQ, bass, mid and treble on a DJ mixer
Want to mix and scratch like a professional DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how to use the EQ, bass, mid, and treble on a DJ mixer. This video gives you a demonstration on how to use the EQ on a DJ mixer while a track is playing. It should be set at twelve o'clock because when that track is made at the studio, it's made as a flat signal....
How To: Play "Empty Pocket Blues" by Clive Palmer on guitar
This guitar tutorial video demonstrates some useful chord fingering and fingerpicking patterns for Clive Palmer's song "Empty Pocket Blues", recorded on the Incredible String Band's first album in 1966. It finishes with a guitar and vocal performance of the song, which is played a little faster than the original recording. This video is great for advanced beginners. Play "Empty Pocket Blues" by Clive Palmer and improve your guitar playing skills.
How To: Play "Mississippi Queen" by Ozzy Osbourne on guitar
Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Mississippi Queen" by Ozzy Osbourne on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Marty Schwartz covers the strumming pattern as well as the chord structure for "Mississippi Queen." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Mississippi Queen" by Ozzy Osbourne.
How To: Play "Freight Train" by Tommy Emmanuel
Learning to play your favorite songs on your guitar is not only a wonderful way of passing the time–and impressing those whom you'd like to impress–, it can do wonders for your technique. In this song tutorial from Siggi Mertens, you'll learn how to play Tommy Emmanuel's version of "Freight Train." While this video tutorial is geared towards intermediate guitarists, guitar players of any skill level should be able to play along, given sufficient commitment. Take a look to get started playing ...
How To: Teach children to use their diaphragms
In this how to video, Kathie talks about using the diaphragm and shows some tools she's used to help kids with vocal exploration. These are great tips to utilize if you are teaching a music class or a children's choir. You'll be able to teach kids to sing in no time at all with this tutorial.
How To: Make a cheap talkbox
Make a cheap talkbox out of common parts for a very small amount of money and time. This will NOT give you a sound like a pro talkbox, but it's cheap, easy, and fun.
How To: Play the left hand bass system on the accordion
This video explains the left-hand fingering of the Stradella bass system on the accordion.
How To: Play high major chords on the ukelele
Check out this video to learn how to play high major chords on the fret board of a ukulele! Part 1 of 2 - How to Play high major chords on the ukelele.
How To: Repair a pitch bend for Korg Synthesizer MS-10
Gary explains the voltages present on the pitch bend pot and how to determine it is working correctly. Use of a volt ohm meter is explained in the process.
How To: Mic your virtual amplifier in Amplitube
Customize every detail of your virtual set up and get your dream guitar tone right at your computer using Amplitube's Amp Simulator.
How To: Play a B-flat major on the violin
In this video series, watch as professional violinist Jason Salmon teaches you how to play scales on a violin in B flat. Improve your music theory and violin playing technique with the help of these instructional videos.
How To: Play "Sweet Home Alabama"
Learn how to play guitar with this classic Lynyrd Skynyrd song from our favorite guitar teacher Justin Sandercoe. This is the first video but make sure you watch the second one so you can play all of "Sweet Home Alabama". This is really for advanced players.
How To: Play "Life for Rent" by Dido on acoustic guitar
Want to know how to play some good music on the acoustic guitar? Well, this video tutorial will show you how to up your guitarist skills by learning to play "Life for Rent" by Dido. When you play this song from the lesson, play the capo on the 3rd fret.
How To: Play "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer on guitar
Learn how to play "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None The Richer on the guitar CHORDS:
How To: Play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" in C# minor
Listening to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," with its moody minors and grab bag of sharps, is like turning through page after suspenseful page of a forlorn Romantic era novel.