Active Music & Instruments Posts

How To: Sing high notes without struggling

Are you a great singer, or do you want to be an excellent singer? This 2 part video tutorial will walk you through the basics of singing high notes. The best part? You won't be gasping for air at the end of it. This is all about singing the high notes without struggling.

How To: Replace Piano Keytops

Piano keytops can become worn or broken. Replacing them with new keytops isn't as difficult a task as some would think. In the demonstration video you can see how the keytops are replaced and the materials needed in order to complete the job. Having the right supplies and information can make this piano repair job achievable.

How To: Play "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on ukelele

The ukelele is a great little instrument that is easy to learn, sounds good, and is portable. How much better could it be? They work especially well for covering pop songs, since they're very simple and catchy, which is the essence of the ukelele. This video will teach you how to play the hit song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" on ukelele.

How To: Play "Have You Forgotten" by Mark Kozelek on guitar

Want to learn how to play guitar like Mark Kozelek from the Red House Painters? In this how to video you can learn how to play "Have You Forgetten" by Mark Kozelek from the Red House Painters on the guitar. "Have You Forgotten" uses the capo in the 3rd fret in standard tuning with the B string tuned up to a C. This lesson is geared towards intermediate to advanced guitarists because it assumes some prior knowledge of guitar playing. With this how to video you will be able to sing and play "Ha...

How To: Play "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on the ukulele

Want to play the "I'll Be Home for Christmas" Christmas song on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertor...

How To: Get 3 music sources out of the DJM-400 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 you can get three separate audio signals from a two channel mixer, focusing on the Pioneer DJM-400 mixer. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how to get three music sources out of the DJM-400 mixer.

How To: Play the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" on the guitar

Want to know how to play "A Hard Day's Night" by Beatles on your electric guitar? While this free video lesson is best suited for intermediate players, rock guitarists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" on your own guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus on the piano for beginners

Think you can't play any modern songs (i.e. the ones you hear on the radio) just because you're new to the piano? Well, we're here to tell you that mentality is SO five seconds ago. Because now that you've stumbled upon this piano tutorial, you'll learn all the essentials you'll need to play Miley Cyrus' hit single "The Climb" on piano. This tutorial is intended for beginners.

How To: Play "Wake Me Up When September Ends" on guitar

Want to learn how to play Green Day on the guitar? With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day on the acoustic guitar. This version is a simplified version of the song and is not exactly how Green Day play it. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play the guitar along to "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.

How To: Play "My Immortal" by Evanescence on piano

Playing popular songs on the piano is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "My Immortal" by Evanescence on the piano. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "My Immortal" by Evanescence on piano.

How To: Pick the right resonator (steel) guitar and bottleneck slide

Resonator guitars (also known as steel guitars) are a unique type of guitar made with tricones or a single aluminum cone, and are great for slide guitar for both Blues and Country music. Made famous by artists such as Son House (see deathletter blues). If you're not really sure which would be the best, what a resonator (steel) guitar is exactly, or how to pick out the right slide for the sound you're going for, this fantastic video will you guide perfectly! You will learn a little history abo...

How To: Strengthen your 4th & 5th fingers with piano exercises

If you are looking to improve your piano technique then this how to video is the place to start. You will learn how to strengthen your fourth and fifth fingers with this easy piano exercise. The fourth and fifth fingers are often the weakest fingers when playing piano. You must learn to strengthen then so you can play piano better. This exercise also improves the extension between the ring finger and the pinky finger. This is a great exercise for beginner to advanced students. With this tutor...

How To: Play the mambo bell pattern on the timbales (tymbales)

Take heart, aspiring timbaleros y timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this two-part installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will show you not only how but when to play the mambo bell pattern. Take a look!

How To: Play "Do You Hear What I Hear" on the ukulele

Want to play "Do You Hear What I Hear" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike. Whether you play the ukulele or bass kazoo, there is no better way to improve your chops than by learning to play your favorite songs. Not only is it more fun and much easier than running drills or memorizing a chord book by wrote, it's obviously also a wonderful way to build your repertory of songs. For more information, and to get started playing this Christmas classic on ...

How To: Play the Beatles' "Let it Be" on acoustic guitar

The Beatles revolutionized the music industry and brought us songs that can never be forgotten, that could never be overstated. With John Lennon at the front of the "Fab Four" they couldn't be stopped... wouldn't be stopped. But let's not forget it wouldn't be the "Fab Four" without George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. In your head you constantly hear the Beatles' tunes, so why not bring them outside, why not bring that joy to everyone around you? With this video tutorial, you'll...

How To: Understand guitar tabs

Essortment teaches you how to understand guitar tabs. There are six lines that represent a string: E, A, D, G, B and E. Numbers are written on the strings representing fret tabs that tell you where to fret on each string. Also learn how to read a cord which is all the numbers placed at the same time. Numbers on top of each other is a string and lined up means to strum. These are the basics to reading a guitar tab so when you see a tab you are able to play and understand.

How To: Make high-quality home music recordings on a shoestring budget

If you're a musician, but can't cover the cost of an expensive recording studio to get your song onto a playable media, then this video is what you need. It will show you how to make your own high-quality home music recording studio on a shoestring budget! If you're trying to get the attention of big music record labels, you need some hgih-quality sounds, but you don't need the high-quality costs! The setup is pretty simple— a microphone, MP3 player, sound mixer, headphones and a good-quality...

How To: Build a didgeridoo with PVC

These are simple instructions on how to construct a PVC didgeridoo. You must work in a well ventilated area as you are dealing with heat and PVC fumes. You need a heat gun, pipe clamp, screwdriver, pipe cutter, dremel, PVC pipe, buffing bit and bucket of water. This is a detailed process of digeridoo making.