Hot Music & Instruments Posts
How To: Play "Breakdown" by Jack Johnson on ukulele
Want to play Jack Johnson's "Breakdown" 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 Jack Johnson's "Breakdown...
How To: Play "Odd" by Julia Nunes on a ukulele
Want to play "Odd" by YouTube ukulele senstation Julia Nunes 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 Juli...
How To: Play "The Penalty" by Beirut on the ukulele
Want to play Beirut's "The Penalty" on the ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulala. 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 indie folk song on your own u...
How To: Play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut on the ukulele
Want to play Beirut's "Elephant Gun" 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 indie folk song on your...
How To: Play "Lua" by Bright Eyes on the ukulele
Want to play Bright Eyes' "Lua" 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 indie folk song on your own ...
How To: Play "She's Out of My League" on the ukulele
Want to play Stephen Speaks' "She's Out of My League" 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 "She's Out of My League" on y...
How To: Play "Take Me Home, Country Roads" on ukulele
Want to play John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" 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 John Denver's signature so...
How To: Play Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" on ukulele
Want to play Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" 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 this song (famously covered by...
How To: Play B.O.B's "Nothin' on You" on ukulele
Want to play B.O.B.'s "Nothing on You" 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 "Nothin' on You" on your own uke, watch this...
How To: Easily tune a 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 Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, string-by-string overview of how to get a ukulele into standard (GCEA/My Dog Has Fleas) tuning. For more information, and to get tuning your own ukelele playing, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Tune a ukulele using a digital tuner
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 Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to put a ukulele into standard (GCEA) tuning with a digital tuner. For more information, and to get started tuning up your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Strum on your 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 Ukulele Underground. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to get started using basic ukulele strumming patterns. For more information, and to get started playing these strum patterns on your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Play major chords on a soprano or concert 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. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to form and play C, D, E, F, G, A and B major chords on a soprano or concert ukulele using standard GCEA tuning.
How To: Hold and strum a 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 YouTube's ukeladies. This particular tutorial provides a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to hold and strum a ukulele as a total beginner.
How To: Use Merle Travis-style picking on 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 use Merle Travis picking on the ukulele. For more information, and to get started Travis pickin' your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Play common 4/4-time strumming patterns on 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 4/4 time strumming patterns. For more information, and to get started playing quarter time strumming patterns on your own uke, w...
How To: Play the most commonly-used ukulele chords
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 some of the most commonly-used ukulele chords. For more information, and to get started playing these useful chords on your own uke, watch this hel...
How To: Tune your ukulele to itself with Ukulele Mike
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 tune the strings of your ukulele relative to one another. For more information, and to get started tuning your uke to itself, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Tune up quickly 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 tune up. For more information, and to get started tuning up your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Play a G7 shuffle strum pattern on 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 G7 shuffle strum pattern. For more information, and to get started playing this shuffle strum pattern on your own ukelele, watch this helpful how...
How To: Play a 12-bar blues pattern on 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 twelve-bar blues pattern improvisation. For more information, and to get started playing this standard blues bloes chord progression on your own ...
How To: Play movable barre chords on 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 barre chords. For more information, and to get started playing movable chords on your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Play a blues scale improvisation on 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 blue scales improvisation. For more information, and to get started playing the blues on your own uke, watch this helpful how-to.
How To: Play Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" on the ukulele
Want to play the main riff from Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" 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 playin...
How To: Wire a three way toggle switch and use as killswitch
Having a three way switch can be useful for those interested in controlling one set of lights or a light in two different locations. But there are other ways to use a three way switch and that's by using it as a killswitch. It's fairly easy to do, but to those who don't know what to do, can result in serious injury. So make sure before you try to do anything with wiring, know exactly what you're doing. Good luck and enjoy!
How To: Substitute diminished chords for 7b9ths in jazz guitar
Ready to make your brain hurt? In this free video jazz guitar lesson from Justin Sandercoe, you'll learn about dimished/7b9 chord substitution. In short, if you have a functioning 5 chord, you can substitute a diminished chord (with one of the root notes a semitone above the root). For more information, and to get started using this substitution in your own jazz playing, watch this helpful tutorial.
How To: Use tritone chord substitutions in jazz guitar
This free video guitar lesson discusses tritone chord substitution. In short, when a dominant 7th chord is functioning, it can be substituted by a dominant chord that is a tritone or augmented fourth away from its root. For more information, and to get started playing tritone chord substitutions on your own guitar, watch helpful jazz tutorial.
How To: Read tabs for electric guitar
So you want to be a rock star? You can either go The Ramones route and pick up a guitar and make some noise... Or, you can do what (in most cases) might be best and learn how to read tablature. In this free lesson, learn how to read and understand tablature.
How To: Play the bassline for "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave
"Soul Man" was one of the biggest hits of 1967, and still holds its ground in success. Sam & Dave's hit single, written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, will forever live on in the music world, and through you… if you play bass. This video is a beginner's lesson to bass guitar, which teaches you how to play the baseline for "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave, with the baseline perfected by Duck Dunn. This is a good bass line for beginners who've played for a bit to get their fingers around.
How To: Play The Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (bass)
Should you stay or should you go? Well, that depends on if you want to learn how to play the baseline for "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by the Clash. If you're staying, pick up your bass guitar and get ready to rock! Watch this video lesson to see the baseline broken down and spelled out, note-by-note, along with fretboard positions and strings to play. Plus, you can hear the notes of the line played against a metronome click to ensure that you can hear the rhythm.
How To: Play "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train on the ukulele
Want to play Train's "Hey, Soul Sister" 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 modern pop song on y...
How To: Play simple chords on the piano
Want to get started playing piano? Learning basic chords would be a great place to start. In this free piano tutorial created by David Yzhaki, learn how to play simple chords on your set of keys. To read this tutorial, go here.
How To: Jazz up minor chords with an electric guitar
Ready to jazz up your playing? Look no further! Check out this video and see how to sprinkle some hot sauce on those dull blues chords and play like a rocker! This tutorial will show you some fun tricks that the pros use to make their electric guitar sound like its on fire!
How To: Play "Hotel California" by the Eagles on the ukulele
Want to play the Eagles' "Hotel California" on your 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 "Hotel California" on your own uke, wa...
How To: Play "Let it Be" by the Beatles on ukulele
Want to play the Beatles' "Let It Be" on your 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 "Let It Be" written by the Beatles' Paul McC...
How To: Play "You and I" by Ingrid Michaelson on ukulele
Want to play the Ingrid Michaelson's "You and I" by Ingrid Michaelson on your 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 "You and I" ...
How To: Play "I Think I Need a New Heart" on ukulele
Want to play the Magnetic Fields' "I Think I Need a New Heart" on your 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 this popular indie ...
How To: Play the "Over the Rainbow" strum on the ukulele
Want to play the "(Somewhere) Over the Rainbow" ukulele strum? 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 strumming "Over the Rainbo...
News: May the Fart Be With You
Performance by WonderHowTo's beloved hand manualist, Gerry Phillips, in honor of Star Wars Day. (Compare Gerry's song with the original scene, second video in the gallery below). Previously, Happy Star Wars Day! Naked Stormtrooper Life Drawing (NSFW).
How To: Make toy maracas
What are you doing this Cinco de Mayo? If you are celebrating this tequila filled holiday, you will no doubt have tons of fun with these maracas.