Hot Music & Instruments Posts
How To: Make your acoustic guitar electric
This lesson teaches how to convert your acoustic guitar to an acoustic electric. Teaches how to add a pickup and setup your guitar.
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: Make a Simple Didgeridoo from PVC
Traditional Aboriginal didgeridoos are made from trees that have been hollowed out by termites. Finishing work to smooth out surfaces and decorate the didgeridoo would soon follow. Lucky for you, you don't have to spend lots of money or find a hollowed out tree to create a didgeridoo!
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: Make Strange Vocalizations, Guttural and Other Sounds
How to produce strange noises using your mouth and throat. Guttural Noises
How To: Play an easy 4-chord version of "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay
"Viva la Vida" continued the staggering string of hits from Coldplay in 2008, and is a really fun song to play on almost any instrument. In this video you'll learn how to play a cover of it on solo piano, which Chris Martin would certainly appreciate.
How To: Whistle very loud using 4 fingers
First of all you have to wash your hands thoroughly so that they are nice and clean. Now take your middle finger and your index finger of your both hands. Now open your mouth and roll your tongue upwards. Place these fingers on your rolled tongue inside your mouth. Now blow very hard. If you can whistle then you have done it. Otherwise the tutor suggests that you must practice a lot to learn this. You only have to keep following the steps mentioned. It needs a lot of dedication. You will not ...
How To: Do a loud fingerless whistle
How to do a loud fingerless whistle
How To: Play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut on the accordion
This video is a great tutorial on how to play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut's Zach Condon. This song, from the Lon Gisland EP, is a great song for beginner accordion players.
How To: Play Jackson C. Frank's "Blues Run the Game" on guitar
This six-part guitar lesson series blow-by-blow account of how to get a nice sound when playing (the Bert Jansch veresion of) Jackson C Frank's folk classic, "Blues Run the Game." While this tutorial is geared toward intermediate and advanced players, even beginners will find much to take away. To get started playing Frank's "Blues Run the Game" on your own acoustic guitar, take a look! Play Jackson C. Frank's "Blues Run the Game" on guitar - Part 1 of 6.
How To: Play Billy Joel's "Vienna" on piano
Playing along with your favorite songs is an enjoyable, and highly effective, way of developing your playing technique. In this one-two piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Vienna" by Billy Joel. While the lesson is geared toward players of an intermediate skill level, all players can follow along given adequate time and motivation. To get started playing "Vienna" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!
How To: Play piano like Chico Marx
Comedian Wayne Federman presents a short piano lesson demonstrating the three fundamentals of playing in the style of Chico Marx.
How To: Play "Whammer Jammer" by Magic Dick on harmonica
In a five-part how-to series on the classic blues harmonica instrumental by Magic Dick and the J. Geils Band. Your guide, Adam Gussow, has been wood shedding the tune for 33 years and is happy to share what he's learned, so you to can play this legendary piece.
How To: Hum While Beatboxing
Humming while beatboxing is one of the most important techniques to pick up if you're planning to cover popular songs. It's also a key element for singing and beatboxing, but that's for another tutorial. Here, I'll teach you how to hum while beatboxing by explaining exactly how it works.
How To: Play the song "The Real Slim Shady" on piano
Eminem is finally back in the hip-hop game, like we knew he would be, and the words "Slim Shady" are on the lips of music fans everywhere again. In this video you'll learn how to play Marshall's classic song "The Real Slim Shady" on piano.
How To: Play the "Howl's Moving Castle" theme on the accordion
If you want to play the Howl's Moving Castle theme on accordion you first need to play on the right hand D, G, B flat, D or G minor and on the left hand you press the C minor then go D 7 and G minor. Then it goes C minor, F and B flat. Next play D minor, E minor, A7, D minor, then C, B flat and A 7. B flat to A 7 is a pretty large jump so you may need to practice. So again you repeat C minor, D7 and G minor. Then C minor, F and Flat. Next play D minor, E minor, A7, D minor, C, B flat and then...
How To: Hack together a working ocarina from a soda can
This musical instrument, coke can ocarina hack is fun & creative (but doesn't really make a nice sounding instrument). Follow these instructions to learn how to make your own coke can ocarina - who knows maybe you can mod this hack into a better sounding instrument. Good luck! Hack together a working ocarina from a soda can.
How To: Play "Lithium" by Evanescence on guitar
Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Lithium" by Evanescence on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. Marty Schwartz covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Lithium." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Lithium" by Evanescence.
How To: Play "Welcome to the Black Parade" on the piano
Watch this piano tutorial video to learn how to play "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance on the piano. Instructions include the scales and key signatures and chord breakdowns. Beginners and intermediate pianists will be able to learn how to play My Chemical Romance's "Welcome to the Black Parade" by watching this helpful how-to video.
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: Play "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock on harmonica
This is a four part video series that show you how to play "Watermelon Man" by Herbie Hancock on harmonica.
The Gun Guitar: A Fully Functional Three-String Shotgun You Play & Shoot
If you really want to end your next big guitar solo with a bang, consider giving this shotgun guitar a try.
How To: Make a Carrot Recorder
This video tutorial show how to make a recorder out of a carrot. Great fun musical instrument. Step 1:
How To: Make Korg nanoKontrol transport buttons work in FL Studio 8 or above
FL Studio is one of the biggest names in digital music-making software, and Korg the biggest in physical gear. Unfortunately, FL Studio and the Korg nanoKontrol USB controller don't get along out of the box, and the transport buttons on the Korg won't work with FL Studio. That is, until you perform the steps in this video that will lead to a blessed union of software and hardware.
How To: Set up a talkbox without a synth keyboard
Do you want to bust out your talkbox vocals really gorilla style? Hauling a synth keyboard and a talkbox around is a lot of baggage. Did you know, however, that you can set up a talkbox WITHOUT a synth keyboard? Watch this video to learn how to do it.
How To: Practice head voice octave slides (sirens) to strengthen your singing voice
In this two-part singing lesson, Kevin Richards will teach you about octave slides, sometimes called octave sirens, which are vocal drills that well help increase the range of your head voice and strengthen the transition between chest and head registers. This vocal exercise can be done anytime, anywhere. There's no need for a piano or audio scale.
How To: Play open and closed chords on the piano
Open chords are pretty simple to understand. They're basically notes in a chord that you don't play or finger.
How To: Tune the three strings of any treble note on a piano
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to tune a piano. Begin by placing a rubber tuning wedge in between to mute the two outer strings. Then tune the middle sting with a piano tuning hammer. Tune it to a strobe tuner or using intervals from already tuned strings. Now mute the right string and tune the left string. Use the middle string as reference. Then mute the left string and tune the right string. This video will benefit those viewers who have a piano, and would like to learn how to t...
How To: Whistle loudly using only 2 fingers
Carla Simian demonstrates how to whistle loudly using only two fingers. Whistling with two fingers is an easy way to get the attention of people who are far away from you. Whistling with two fingers is easy with a few simple steps and some practice. First, fold your tongue backwards so it presses against the bottom teeth. Make two fingers in the shape of a V and place them on your tongue. Next, put your lips tight around your fingers and blow. Adjusting the angle and the depth of your fingers...
How To: Connect your laptop to your DJ mixer
This video shows you how to connect your laptop to your mixer. First you will need two different sound sources from your laptop to your mixer. This is so that you can use all of your mixer functions on two different channels. The way to do this is to run a 1/8" RCA cable channel 7 from your normal earphone jack to the mixer. Also use a behringer uca202 audio interface to connect to the laptop via USB cord. This provides another earphone jack. Then use a master out cable to connect it to an am...
How To: Play Fur Elise on the piano, step by step
Fur Elise by Beethoven is one of piano's most recognizable tunes. In this two part series, listen and learn how to play this beloved classical piece on your own. With a little practice, you should be impressing your listeners in no time.
How To: Play "A Sunday Smile" by Beirut on the accordion
This video shows you how to play "A Sunday Smile" by Beirut's Zach Condon. This simple song is a great song to add to your accordion repertoire.
How To: Play "Nantes" by Beirut on the accordion
This fantastic tutorial demonstrates how to play the brooding "Nantes" by Beirut's Zach Condon. As this user mentions, Beethoven would be proud!
How To: Play "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC on electric guitar
This is a great instructional video on how to play thunderstruck by AC/DC on electric guitar. Thunderstruck is played mainly on B string. It is the second string as you may be aware of. First you should start with 12th fret and hit that note. Then move to 10th fret and 9th fret. Then go back to 10fret and back to 9th fret. Then you have to go 7 and then again 9 and then 5. Now go to 7th fret and then to 4 and 5. Then to 4 and 5 and again 4 and 5 and finally to 4. You can write down on these n...
How To: Create a techno beat in GarageBand 08
If you like techno music and want to create your own music, this video takes us through the steps of how to do that. Using GarageBand '08, you can create your own techno beat. All you need to do is create a new file in GarageBand at 140 beats per minute. The piano tool will need to be changed to techno kit and can be altered to different octaves moving higher or lower along the scale. You can then record your beats and perfect it for your own custom techno beat, and the best part is you don't...
How To: Play "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry on Guitar
James from Handsome Alvin, the Australian, acoustic duo band who perform in pubs and clubs around Brisbane, wants to teach you an acoustic guitar lesson.
How To: Play a basic melody technique on the autoharp
This how to video installment explains a basic autoharp melody playing technique called "pinching". Playing melody on the autoharp is not as difficult as it may first appear. There are an awful lot of strings, but finding a melody note and playing it clearly isn't as hard as it seems. Pay attention to these harp playing tips.
How To: Tune an ocarina
An ocarina is an ancient instrument similar to a flute. It has an oval-shaped body with four to twelve finger holes and a mouth tube projecting out from the body. This tutorial teaches you how to tune an ocarina. You will need a needle tool, a cutting tool or small sharp knife and a drill bit. With this how to video you will be able to tune your ocarina.
How To: Play "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie on guitar
Want to impress your friends by whipping out your guitar and strumming some of their favorite tunes the next time you are at a party? This two part acoustic guitar lesson teaches you how to play the David Bowie song "Life on Mars?" Once you get a hang of these popular guitar chords and tunes, you can start incorporating them into your own songs. With this how to video and a bit of practice you will be able to play "Life on Mars?" by David Bowie on the guitar. And who knows, maybe soon you can...
How To: Travis pick using G, C, and D chords on guitar
Because of its portability, the acoustic guitar can be wonderful songwriting device. However, having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user Sawlon is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to play a G-C-D Travis picking progression on acoustic guitar. Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, the...