Hot Music & Instruments Posts

How To: Play "I've Been Working on the Railroad" on ukulele

Want to play "I've Been Working on the Railroad" 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 popular Ame...

How To: Play "Oh, Danny Boy" on the ukulele

Want to play Frederick Weatherly's "Danny Boy" 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 "Oh, Danny Boy" on...

How To: Play "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" on the ukulele

Want to play "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore" 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 traditional Afri...

How To: Play "Oh, Shenandoah" on the ukulele

Want to play "Oh, Shenandoah" (sometimes titled "Across the Wide Missouri") 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 start...

How To: Play "Amazing Grace" on the ukulele

Want to play John Newton's "Amazing Grace" hymnal 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 get started playing "Amazing Grace" on your ...

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: Play "The Charleston" by James P. Johnson on a ukulele

Want to play "The Charleston" by James P. Johnson 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 get started playing "The Charleston" on your...

How To: Play the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" on the ukulele

If you want to learn how to play Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles on the ukulele in key g this might be for you. There are only two chords with some variations throughout this song. The first chord you need to play is B minor. The B minor chord consists of a bar on the second fret on the bottom 3 strings and the fourth fret on the fourth string. The next chord in the progression is B minor7. To play B minor7 use the formation for the B chord; however, in this variation you must put your finger on...

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...

How To: Play "Tell Me Why" by Neil Young on acoustic guitar

If you want to play 'Tell Me Why' by Neil Young on acoustic guitar you should first tune your guitar down a whole step for every string. First, the chords are in a Key of G. The chords you will play with are G, D, C, Am7, Gmaj7 and a Bm. Also on certain parts of the song you should lift up your index finger on the C. The verse will be C, D, Am7 and G. This is a boom-chucka rhythm which means you play the root note and go down up on the chord. You can throw in licks by lifting up your index fi...

How To: Play "This Little Light of Mine" on the ukulele

To play 'This Little Light of Mine' on the ukulele you first will need to start with the chord G progression. Start playing this at the lyric Light and then switch to the chord G7 on the verse shine. On the next line, play the chord C at the verse light and then on the word shine play the chord G. Now, while singing the same lyrics now play the G chord at light and switch to Em at the word shine. Now on the ending verse at, 'Shine, Shine, Shine' play the chords G, D7 and C-G! You can take a G...

How To: Practice without a bodhrán and make your own tipper

In this how to video, you will learn how to practice without a Bodhran and make your own tipper. This is useful if you do not have enough money to buy a Bodhran or you want to practice silently. To make a tipper, buy skewers from any place. Take about 14 and put the together. Tie them together with 2 rubber bands. You can get different sounds depending on the distant of the rubber band from the end of the sticks. Next, you must get a practice board. A clip board can be used for one. You can m...

How To: Play a simplified version of "Hallelujah" on guitar

To play a simplified version of 'Hallelujah' on guitar you first should put a capo on the fifth fret. This song only has three parts. The intro is E minor played two times and a G chord played. You will pick the strings of these chords six times in a progressive order from 1 down to the 4th and up to one again. The first part is switching between these two chords. Then you play a C chord, a B, G and then A minor. And this will be the second part of the song. Next, you play G, C, A minor and C...

How To: Differentiate tunable and non-tunable bodhrán drums

In this how to video, you will learn how to tell the difference between a tunable and non-tunable bodhran. A tunable bodhran has a tuning mechanism to allow you to adjust the skin tension. A non-tunable bodhran is actually tunable, but it just needs more time to do so. A tunable drum has the tuning mechanism in the inside. They are lugs pressing on an inner hoop. When the key is turned clockwise, this will make it tighter. Make sure to go crisscross rather than around the circle when tuning. ...

How To: Play drums using the push pull technique

This how to video will teach you how to perform the push pull technique on drums. If you want to throw a double, you can start with a single and get an accent on the double for an inverted double. Just push and grab really quick. For a double, use a controlled rebound. For the inverted double, start with a single and dig out the second stroke of the double. A french grip is useful for performing this technique. This is good for ghostings and shuffles. For shuffles, you can use a controlled re...

How To: Hold the bodhrán drum tipper

There are two recommended ways to hold the Bodhran Drum tipper for beginners. The first way is called the "curved wrist" technique. You put the stick in between the area of your index and thumb finger. Then you put the end of the stick in between your index and middle finger. You must make sure not to keep your fingers tight, they must be elongated and resting gently on the stick. When you drum, you keep your wrist curved and swing your hand up and down. The next method is the "straight wrist...

How To: Put strings on an electric guitar

In this how-to video, you will learn how to change your guitar strings. This is essential in learning how to maintain your guitar. Make sure you roll up your used guitar strings and throw them away in the trash. Unwrap the new strings. The string bag should have a label of what string it is. Put the correct string through the end of the hole in the back of the guitar. It should come out the other side. Pull it through and make sure the end of the string with the ball stops the string from goi...

How To: Play "Sea of Love" by Phil Phillips on the ukulele

This is a video tutorial showing its audience how to play the song "Sea of Love" on the ukulele. The first step is to hold your ukulele properly. Then you can begin to play the notes. The notes in this song are in the following order: G, C, E, A. Then play the chords, B flat, D7, E flat, C7. Next to play the song you will play a loop of eight beats when you strum. Each beat is a down or an up strum. If you sing along to this song then you will be able to easily keep in tempo. Next you should ...

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: Get your guitar pick if it falls inside your guitar

Guitar Player shows the easiest way to get your pick if it falls inside your guitar. Since this has happened to everyone, he shows his technique for getting it out. Don't shake your guitar trying to get it out. Do shake until you can see the pick. Shake until the pick is on the label of the guitar. Some people like to put a piece of gum on the pencil. Flip the guitar over and pull the pencil up all at once. The pick will then be on the strings. Once this happens just reach in and pull out you...

How To: Play "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on the ukulele

If you want to play the song 'When Irish Eyes are Smiling' on Ukulele you should play the song at 3/4 time with a waltz feel. The strumming pattern you want to use is Down Down Up Down Up. First you start by playing a C chord, then switch to G7 and back to c. Now, start the next line of the song with G7 and then go to C and A7, D7 and end in G7. Play C over, to G7, C, C7 and F. Then go to D7, then G, then to D7 and end it G-G7. When you start the chorus you then play C, G7 and C-C7. Now play ...

How To: Play "That's just the way it is" on the piano

If you would like to play "That's Just the Way it is" on the piano you first should realize this song is in the key of G! The phrase that starts this song first starts with A minor then goes to E minor. Next, go to D and down to a C and to a G then back to A minor. That is the first phrase of the song. Continue to practice this phrase. Now to start the chorus, you should play a G on the left hand and then A , B, G and go to the F on the left hand with G, A, F. When you go to the C it's just D...

How To: Find your pitch and sing while you play guitar

Stephenmdt2 wants to teach us how to find our note while playing guitar. First he goes over how you use a capo, which you need in order to find your note. Place it on any fret that you want it to go on. Next you want to place your fingers anywhere pressing the strings on the guitar. You know that you're doing it correctly because your fingers are spread out. Start strumming and then sing with your strumming until you find your pitch. Sometimes you need to sing high in falsetto. If you still c...

How To: Play the "Nostalgia" theme on the accordion

Watch this video by Youtube user moshezuchter as he takes you through the different steps in playing the Nostalgia Theme by Alexander Winfield from the puppet play entitled, "All Hail Ye Mighty Lords of Nowhere," using an accordion. The tune of Nostalgia is very slow and haunting, and it can be used to create a mood when you're making a play or a movie. The piece is very easy. It's basically just a collection of different chords. First, you start with D minor, then, you play a G9. Alternate w...

How To: Play "By the Light of Silvery Moon" on the ukulele

In this how to video, you will learn how to play "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" with a ukulele. You will need to have a tuned ukulele and knowledge of basic chords. The first part consists of Bb, C7, F7, Bb, and F7. Next, play Bb, Eb, G7, C7. Next, play Bb, D7, G7, C7, and Bb. The next part is Bb, C7, F7, Bb, and F7. Then, play Bb, Eb, G7, C7. Bb, D7, G7, C7, and Bb. Practice this until you can perform the song consistently and at the right tempo. Now you know how to play "By the Light of...

How To: Bend notes when playing a minor pentatonic scale

In this how to video, you will learn to use the pentatonic scale and bend notes. First, you must remember that your bend must reach another note in the scale. When bending, you are bring the fret to your finger rather than sliding up to it. You must use your ear to make sure it is in tuned. The blues note, or half step, only sounds good when it is going to another note. You can bend the half step as long as it resolves to another note in the scale. You can also do the whole step bend. This ca...

How To: Play "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty

If you want to play "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty on acoustic guitar you should first pay the chords, F, C, Am and G. These same four chords will be played over and over again to complete the song. The strumming pattern is as follows: When playing F strum down up. When playing C strum up up down. When playing Am strum Down up and finally when playing G strum up up down. You'll want to repeat this through the song. First, you should start out slow then increase in speed with practice. For the...

How To: Replace a clarinet reed

Clarinets are beautiful wind instruments. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. Once you start playing your clarinet, you will need to know how to maintain it.

How To: Play Tom Petty's "Wildflowers" on the ukulele

In order to play Tom Petty's 'Wildflowers' on the ukulele you first have to only know three chords for the whole song's verse and a couple more for the song's bridge. To start the first verse you play a B flat major chord. To play this chord bar the first two strings of the first fret, your second finger on the third string of the 2nd fret and your third finger on the fourth string of the third fret. Next, play F major which is first finger on 2nd string of first fret and the second finger on...