Hot Music & Instruments Posts

How To: Transpose a song from one major key to another

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 do simple major-to-major transposition. For more information, including a very thorough overview, watch this helpful musician's guide.

How To: Write a simple tonal melody with 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 generate a simple melody line using music theory. For more information, including a very thorough overview, watch this helpful musician's guide.

How To: Build major and minor triads with 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 generate major and minor triad chords. For more information, including a very thorough overview, watch this helpful musician's guide.

How To: Figure out the key signature of a piece of music

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 determine the root or "home" key of a song. For more information, including a very thorough overview, watch this helpful musician's guide.

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: Read dotted notes and triplets 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 read and use dotted notes and triplets on a musical score. For more information, including a very thorough overview of the process, watch this helpful musician's guide.

How To: Play 30 Seconds to Mars' "Kings and Queens" on guitar

Want to play 30 Seconds to Mars's "Kings and Queens"? See how it's done with this free video guitar 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 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 "Kings and Queens" on your own guitar, take a look!

How To: Play the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" on guitar

Want to play the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows"? See how it's done with this free video guitar 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 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 classic Brian Wilson song on your own guitar, take a look!

How To: Improve audio in Adobe Soundbooth and Audition

In this video tutorial from Adobe Beginner Classes, dive into the world of Audio with Dennis Radeke as he shows you how to make your audio sound better using Adobe Soundbooth and Adobe Audition. Also learn about Photoshop's time-saving Actions features. See how to improve audio in Adobe Soundbooth and Audition.

How To: Use a "chuck" strumming pattern when playing 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 uke lessons, like this one from Ukulele Live, which make the task not only easy but fun. This clip, in particular, demonstrates how to chuck when playing the ukulele.

How To: Tune an eight-string ukulele

Need some help figuring out how to tune an eight-string ukulele? It's easier than you might think! So easy, in fact, that this ukuleleist's guide can present a detailed, step-by-step overview of the tuning process in just over a minute. For detailed instructions, and to get started tuning up your own eight-string uke, take a look.

How To: Play "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay on the ukulele

Interested in playing Coldplay's "Viva la Vida" on the 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 "Viva la Vida" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play Herman Hermits' "No Milk Today" on the ukulele

Want to play Herman Hermits' "No Milk Today" on the ukelele? 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 "No Milk Today" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play the Super Mario Bros "Starman" theme on ukelele

Want to play the "Starman" theme from Nintendo's Super Mario Bros? 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 this classic video game instrumental on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" on the ukulele

Want to play Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Bad Moon Rising"? 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 "Bad Moon Rising" on your own ukulele, take a look!

How To: Play Coldplay's "Clocks" on the guitar

Learn how to play Coldplay's "Clocks" on guitar with this free guitar lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song including chords and picking patterns. For more information, and to get started playing this popular Coldplay song on your own electric guitar, watch this tutorial.

How To: Play Paramore's "Only Exception" on acoustic guitar

Learn how to play Paramore's "Only Exception" on acoustic guitar with this free guitar lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song including chords and picking patterns. For more information, and to get started playing this popular Paramore song on your own acoustic guitar, watch this tutorial.

How To: Play "Once Upon a Dream" from Sleeping Beauty on piano

Learn how to play "Once Upon a Dream" from Walt Disney's Snow White wwith this free video piano lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song and its chords. For more information, and to get started playing this popular Disney tune on your own piano (which is itself an adaptation of a famous Tchaikovsky number), watch this tutorial.

How To: Play Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" on acoustic guitar

Learn how to play Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" on acoustic guitar with this free guitar lesson. This video guide presents a complete, step-by-step breakdown of the song including chords and picking patterns. For more information, and to get started playing this popular early Rod Stewart song on your own acoustic guitar, watch this tutorial.

How To: Play "The Titanic (Husbands and Wives)" on the ukulele

Want to play "The Titanic (Husbands and Wives)" 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 started playing this classic cam...

How To: Play Simon & Garfunkel's "El Condor Pasa" on ukulele

Would you rather be a sparrow than a snail? Learn how to play Simon & Garfunkel's version of "El Cóndor Pasa," a popular Andean folk tune, on your ukulele 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 reper...

How To: Play "The Candy Man" from Willy Wonka on the ukulele

Learn how to play "The Candy Man" (also known as "The Candy Man Can") from 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate factory on the ukulele 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 mor...

How To: Play a rock'n'roll instrumental on the ukulele

Learn how to play a rocking instrumental number on the ukulele 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 rock'n'roll number of U...

How To: Mix track beats as a professional DJ

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to mix beats as a DJ. When beat matching, a DJ usually uses headphones. Start by just listening to one song. Figure out where the beat of the song is and find the first beat of the bar (the beat count). To sync the two songs together, adjust the pitch controller. Some pitch controllers have a high pitch range than others. When the beats are properly mixed, it should sound like one complete song, almost like a remix version. This video will benefit tho...

How To: Play a guitar cadence

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play a guitar cadence. A cadence is the tension that is created between 2 chords, typically at the end of a phrase. There are 2 types of cadences, perfect cadence and playable cadence. The perfect cadence goes from the 5 chord, to the 1 chord. It has a tremendous amount of tension between the chords. The playable cadence has a soft strum and less tension between the chords. This video will benefit those viewers who enjoy playing the guitar, and wou...

How To: Scream low through proper breathing

This video will show viewers how to scream through several tips and practice exercises which will train your voice. First, practice by doing lots of exercises which involve inhaling hard while making sounds through your throat. Next, do low screams by flexing your stomach very hard and focus on pushing out the air from your stomach rather than from your throat in order to do this properly. Try to add accents into your screaming. Next, practice how to scream high, once again focusing on pushin...

How To: Play lead guitar like a professional

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play lead guitar. Lead guitar plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, and guitar solos. When learning to play the lead guitar, the first thing that users should do is to start by playing the minor pentatonic scale, which can be used over progressions such as minor progressions. A second technique is to learn how to bend, hammer-on and vibrato. This video provides a demonstration of each technique for the viewers to easily understand and fol...

How To: Choose songs to play as a professional DJ

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how a DJ chooses their songs. A DJ should be creative, unique and try to manipulate music to continue the artistic for of it. Experiment with song selections. Mix all sorts of music together such as: underground music, remixes, samples and the top 40 hits. Select songs that you enjoy. Make sure not to always play the same music or only play the popular songs on the radio because it can get annoying. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested...

How To: Read sheet music while playing the piano

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to read sheet music for playing the piano. The notes of the sheet music are divided into 2 pitches: the treble clef and bass clef. The notes of the treble clef are on the lines. The treble clef notes from ascending order are: E, G, B, D and F, which can be remembered in the acronym "Every good boy does fine". In a beginner's piano book, it will show the note and the corresponding piano key. This video will benefit those viewers who are beginning or pl...

How To: Make a three string guitar out of a cigar box

This video will show viewers how to simply make a 3 string guitar using an empty cigar box, a piece of oak, some string, and a few eyebolts. You start with a 1 by 2 piece of oak which is about 3 feet long. First, you should begin by making some markings along one side of the oak, first at 1/2 an inch and then at 1/4 inch spacing after that. Drawing 3 symmetrical lines where the strings should go, drill holes at the intersections of the lines you have drawn. The holes should be made using a 1/...

How To: Become a singer and rapper

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to become a singer or rapper. Before rapping or singer, you need to make sure that you have a passion for it. It has to come from within you and you need to have the talent to do it. If you don't have the talent, you may choose to learn from a vocal lessons or voice coach. Practice a lot and make sure that you can recognize harmony and melody through your voice. Join a choir to experiment and see if singing is right for you. This video will benefit th...

How To: Play Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr Bojangles" on the ukulele

Want to play Jerry Jeff Walker's "Mr. Bojangles" 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 started playing this great song...

How To: Get started playing slide guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play basic slide guitar. With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing slide guitar yourself, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play basic and advanced-shape power chords

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play basic and advanced power chords on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing power chords on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.