Hot Music & Instruments Posts
How To: Play a cover of "Everytime" by Britney Spears on piano
It's been a while since most people have really cared about Britney Spears music, but many of her songs really are great pieces of pop. In this video you'll learn how to cover her song "Everytime" on solo piano, making it distinctly classier than it usually is.
How To: Create a Roland TB-303 synth sound with a patch on a MicroKorg
The Roland TB-303 should be a part of every electronic musicians arsenal, but cannot be because of it's scarcity. If you have a MicroKorg, however, you can make a patch that provides a decent approximation of the 303 sound, and this video will teach you how to program it.
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: Play "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses on the guitar
Want to master "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses on the guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Paradise City" on your own guitar, watch this video tab!
How To: Play "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder on the ukulele
Want to play "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson. 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 "Sir Duke" on your own uke, watch this vid...
How To: Make a kazoo out of a clothespin
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a kazoo out of a clothespin. This musical instrument can be made at home with just a few minutes. You will need: 2 rubber bands, a clothes pin, and tape. First, take the clothes pin apart and then take one side and wrap both ends with tape. Throw the metal part away, you won't need this anymore. Next, you will take this side and wrap a rubber band across it. Then, put the two flat sides together on top of the pin. Wrap a rubber band around the entire thi...
How To: Play "When You Wish Upon a Star" on the ukulele
Want to play "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Walt Disney's Pinocchio on your ukulele? See how it's done with this free video ukulele lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and it chords. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the ukulele, players of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "When You Wish Upon a Star" on your own ukulele, take a look!
How To: Play "Do You Believe in Magic" by the Lovin' Spoonful on ukulele
Want to play "Do You Believe in Magic" by John Sebastien of the Loving Spoonful on your 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 ...
How To: Play "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Upside Down" by Jack Johnson on acoustic guitar. Start off with playing the intro to the song. Make sure you are playing the right chords and your fingers are on the right frets. As you continue, you will start to play the middle of the song and all of the verses that are in the song. Make sure you pay attention to the highs and lows of the song, as well as where the stops to the song are. After you do this, you will be able to play this song through wi...
How To: Play "American Honey" by Lady Antebellum on the guitar with Dave Haywood
Lady Antebellum's guitar player Dave Haywood somehow finds time while on the road to show you how to play the guitar part for "American Honey". He will show you how he tunes down the guitar to an open C# tuning (take DADGAB and tune it down another half step) and then breaks down the entire song from intro to the end.
How To: Play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar. First, take the D minor chord with the middle finger chord on the second finger. Play this and pick the D, G, and B. Make sure the pinkie is on the third fret of the high E for the first hit of the string. This will lead you through the intro of the song. Once you start the first verse, you will be using the same chords throughout the entire song. Start to sing in the lyrics with the song, then when you re...
How To: Use music dynamics (Forte, Fortissimo, Pianissimo)
This video presents a piano tutorial which explains music dynamics in playing music, which illustrate a change in the volume or intensity in your playing. The basic dynamics are forte (f), which means to play loudly, and piano (p), which means to play softly. Notations added to the left side of forte and piano signs such as mF and mP signify mezzo forte and mezzo piano, meaning that the part should be played relatively loud and relatively soft, respectively. FF and PP, fortissimo and pianissi...
How To: Play "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John
In this video, we learn how to play "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John. Start out with A, E, C. Next, go to the G and then to the A. After this, go to B, A, A, sharp, and D. After this, you will have started to do the intro to the song. You will be playing with your right hand during this. Next, you will trip again and go to A, A sharp, B, A sharp, G, E, then finally to the G in the new measure. Continue to play until you reach the end of the song. You will go through all the different keys ...
How To: Play triplets & rolls using the bodhrán tipper's top
In this video you will learn some wrist techniques for striking your Bodhran as well as how to play and count triplets. As a percussion you know how important it is to know your rhythmical figures and how to count. Just be sure, if triplets are hard for you, be sure to tap your foot and clap out quarter, eighth and sixteenth notes and count them out loud. Once you've got that down, start doing the same thing, but counting out quarter, eighth and sixteenth note triplets, and count them out LOU...
How To: Play "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson on the ukulele
If you're an advanced ukulele player who's played what seems like every song out there, then get ready for a challenge like none your dexterous fingers have ever faced.
How To: Rosin your erhu bow
You can easily rosin your erhu bow. To do this first take the cake of rosin and rub it back and forth on the one part of the bow until you get rosin powder on the hair of the bow. Now go the next part of the bow and do
How To: Play and record a virtual instrument in Studio One
You can play and record a virtual instrument using studio one. You can also add new part to any song you want.
How To: Play "Creep" by Radiohead on electric guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Creep" by Radiohead on electric guitar. Start on a G chord, then play B, C, and Cm. These are the only chords you will play through the entire song while doing a simple strum through the song. You will need to slide from one chord to the other to create a unique sound, and go faster in some parts than in the others. After you have the sequence down, the entire song will be finished. This is a great song for beginners to learn, add in the lyrics if you pref...
How To: Play "Let My Love Open the Door" by Pete Townshend
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Let My Love Open the Door" by Pete Townshend. The intro will start out with G, D, C, repeated until you start D, G, D. After this, you will start to add in the words to the song with G, D, C for the different words in the first sentence. These are the main chords in the song, making it pretty easy for a beginner to learn how to do. Practice learning how to do these few chords, then you will be able fit the lyrics in and get the right strum pattern in th...
How To: Play "Through the Glass" by Stonesour on guitar
In this video, we learn how to play "Through the Glass" by Stonesour on guitar. You will need to tune your guitar with E flat tuning to play this song correctly. The intro will be the chords: e, B, G, D, A and E, then repeat once more. Once you finish the intro, move onto the verse, which is: e, B, G, D, A, and E. These are the basic chords that you will use throughout the entire song as you play. You will need to change the chords to play higher or lower depending on the part of the song you...
How To: Attach guzheng nails onto your fingers
In this video, we learn how to attach guzheng nails onto your fingers. You will need: set of 4 guzhen nails and surgical tape to do this. First, place the nail on the underside of your finger with the tip protruding. Next, take a strip of surgical take and stick it onto the nail at one end, then roll over your finger. The tape should go over your finger 2.5 times. Make sure the tape isn't too loose or tight, and that it's just right around the finger. Repeat this process on all of the nails, ...
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.
Drumssette: A DIY Drum Machine
While digital samplers have their merits, they're predictable in a way that can cause them to sound stiff or sterile. The solution? A return to the analog, tape-based samplers of yesteryear, which, with their inherent mechanical noise and euphonic distortions, offer a more musical take on the sampling process.
How To: Play Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" on ukulele
Want to play Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" 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 classic roc...
How To: Do deep screams and pig squeals in metal singing
In this video, we learn how to do deep screams in metal singing. You will take a high note and add to it by pushing your throat. This is like doing the vocal fry method. After you keep practicing, this will become a guttural scream. Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth and shape your mouth into a fish shape. Let the air flow steadily and the noise will come out really deep and out of your guts. This may take you several days or weeks to do, but don't give up easily! Once you get the scre...
How To: Generate and use the circle of fifths in music theory
Knowing music theory never hurt anyone—not Bach, not Chopin, not Schoenberg. Even if you fancy yourself a musical iconoclast, the better you know the rules of music, the better equipped you'll be to break them down the line. In this free video music theory lesson, you'll learn how to use and understand the circle of fifths, the cornerstone of tonal music. For more information, including a very thorough overview, watch this helpful musician's guide.
How To: Play "The Chicken Dance" on the accordion
Interested in playing "The Chicken Dance" on your accordion? See how it's done with this free video accordion lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song. While this tutorial is geared toward those who already have some knowledge of the accordion, accordionists of all skill level should be able to follow along given adequate time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "The Chicken Dance" on your own squeezebox, take a look!
How To: Play "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin on piano
Want to know how to perform Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" on the piano? Learn how with this free video piano lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the popular ragtime song and its chords. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "The Entertainer" on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!
How To: Play "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey on the piano
Want to know how to perform Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" on your piano or keyboard? Learn how with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing this song on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!
How To: Play "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" on guitar
Want to know how to play "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding on the guitar? Learn how with this free video guitar lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, guitarists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing this soul classic on your own guitar, watch this how-to!
How To: Play "Amazing Grace" on slide guitar in the key of E
Want to know how to play the "Amazing Grace" hymn on slide guitar? Learn how with this free video guitar lesson. While this tutorial 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 "Amazing Grace" on your own guitar, watch this how-to!
How To: Play lead guitar licks like Angus Young from AC/DC
Angus Young of AC/DC is one of the true icons of rock guitar, both for his style on stage and for his amazingly simple but awesome-sounding blues rock licks. This video teaches you how to play six very cool such licks on electric guitar (did you think you were going to play Angus on acoustic? Come on.) quickly and easily. It breaks the licks down at low speed so that you can practice, practice, practice them until, even as a novice guitar player, you end up shredding just like the legend hims...
How To: Play the "Keyboard Cat" song on your keyboard
By now, most people have seen Charlie Schmidt's Keyboard Cat video. This viral YouTube phenomenon has been uploaded and e-mailed and tweeted millions of times.
How To: Use 3/4-time strum patterns when playing the ukulele
There's no getting around it: if you want to get good at playing the ukulele or any other instrument, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash in free, high-quality uke lessons, like this one from YouTube's preeminent tropical tutor, Ukulele Mike. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to play a number of useful three-quarter time strums. For more information, and to get started playing 3/4 strum patterns on your own uke, watch this helpf...
How To: Treat the skin on your bodhrán drum
Michelle Stewart of BodhranExpert.com demonstrates to viewers how to treat the skin on a Bodhran drum. The skin on this particular drum is made of goat skin and, much like your own skin, must be treated with a skin-conditioning treatment in order to maintain proper moisture.
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: Do the legato bass technique on the accordion
Moshezuchter demonstrates how to do a legato bass technique on an accordion which will add drama to your playing. Legato means tying it together. When playing staccato, you touch the keys like they are hot with short strokes to get the punctuated effect. Try playing an alternate base pattern using A, A minor, E to A minor for an oompah sound. Hold your finger on the A while pumping the A minor key. Then, hit the E major key while continuing to hole the A key down. You can also transition to o...
How To: Play "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed on acoustic guitar
If you want to play 'Perfect Day' by Lou Reed on acoustic guitar you first need to play an E chord, then go to Am, and repeat this. Now move to a D and crawl up to a G, then play a C and go to F. Move to Dm and play E. When you play the E chord you should play it with your pinkie. After playing the E, you play the last two strings in order and then continue on with the chord progression. If you continue on with this chord progression you will play the song. Listen to the song to get the strum...
How To: Play "My Old Kentucky Home" on the ukulele
Want to play Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home" (aka "My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night!") 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 also a wonderful way to add to your repertory of songs. For more information, and to...
How To: Do the right hand slide up technique on the accordion
If you want to know how to do the right hand slide up technique on the accordion you should take D as an example of a not you want to slide up to it. You can slide up to this not using 1, or 2 or three notes. You can also do 4, but this is a lot to do. The fingering to use is to have a spare finger before the not you want to hit. You can use your index finger or a middle finger. Choose the semitone before the D and roll over the D. Make sure the emphasis is on the D note. You just want to lig...