Hot Music & Instruments Posts
How To: Tune your ukulele for beginners
Here is a lady tuning her ukulele with a Korg tuner that she has picked up at her local music shop. Turn on the tuner and you will notice that the lights come on. The green light is going to let you know when the note is in tune and each one of the red colors will let you know which way you are out of tune. The notes on the ukulele are from lowest to highest are, ‘A, E, C, G.’ When the red light shows on the left side of the green then it is flat so you should tune up. If the red light shows ...
How To: Play the Beatles' "Because" on piano
This video teaches a piano novice how to play the introduction to “Because” by the Beatles, which was written by John Lennon. A close up on the instructor’s hands from above demonstrates the fingering for the piece. The view of the fingering is very important, since this video does not teach you how to read sheet music. Instead, it takes you through the rudimentary fingering. You will not need to know what a quarter rest, an eighth note, or a key signature mean. The instructor plays the intro...
How To: Play "November Rain" by Guns N' Roses on the guitar
This guitar lesson shows how to play Guns and Roses' "November Rain" from the album "Use Your Illusion" . In this three part lesson you'll learn how to play the chords in the verses, bridge and chorus. Soon enough you'll be playing just like Slash himself on the electric guitar.
How To: Use a multimeter to check connectivity on a guitar
The first thing you need to get is a multimeter this will help you test it. There might be a function on the meter that will give you the amount of voltage in that particular area. Then you have to put foil tape on all of the inside of the guitar to test it. You need to get two wires from the meter and then put them both on the foil tape on the guitar. If you don't hear a beep then you add more tape in that area where there is no activity. You can also test this on the ground.
How To: Play "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys Like Girls
Big fan of Boys Like Girls? Learn how to play those songs that get your foot tapping in the car! In this two-part acoustic guitar tutorial, learn how to play the song "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys Like Girls on guitar. To go along with the video, you can find the full tabs to assist you here.
How To: Make a guitar pick from credit or gift cards
Reuse an expired credit or empty gift card to make a guitar pick instead of buying a brand new pick. You will need a pick, nail file (or sandpaper), card, and sharp scissors. Each card will probably yield about four or five picks. With a pen or Sharpie, outline your pick onto the card, centering it around whatever design or logo you want on the pick. Then, cut out this shape with your scissors. With the file, go back and file down the edges so that they are smooth, making sure that all sides ...
How To: Play the "Star Spangled Banner" on electric guitar
In this video we are about to see how to play the "Star Spangled Banner" on electric guitar. This is a basic lesson to all the beginners in guitar. It starts with the E string. It travels from tabs 10-7-3 to start off with the anthem and returns back. Now to the next string below E. Go through 9-7-5 tabs and return back via 7-9-10 of the E string. Even though there are various ways of play the star spangled banner this method is easy to learn for the new users. Then play it once more with a 4...
How To: Play the major chords on your piano
This video shows the method to play the major chords on your piano. A chord is made when we play at least three notes at the same time. The video shows the playing of major chords. It starts with playing of C major chord. We play it by pressing C with your thumb, E with your middle finger and G with your last finger. F major cord is played by pressing F-A-C with alternate starting with the thumb. In the similar way G major chord is played . The keys pressed are G-B-D.
How To: Transpose triad chord progressions
"I was wondering if you could take the triad Harmonic Analysis lesson you had done a step further and cover the concept of Transposing chord progressions into other keys?" Before you begin you do have to know some background information about your key signatures, knowing major, minor and diminished steps in triad analysis, and seventh chord harmony. The idea of transposing is that your take a set of notes and change they key it is originally played in. Andrew will walk you through all the ste...
How To: Tune your guitar, for beginners
This video shows you how to tune your guitar, for beginners. A step by step video tutorial for beginner guitar players that will teach you everything you need to know to tune your guitar properly. Andrew Wasson responds to viewers request to make a video for beginners that will properly teach them the steps to guitar tuning. Andrew addresses the fact that many similar videos about tuning completely skip the topic of "intervals". He explains with simple instructions how to tune your guitar to ...
How To: Train your ear by memorizing intervals
In this video a question is asked by a viewer. What is perfect pitch and what is relative pitch? Perfect pitch is something that is developed at a young age and comes easily. When a note or tone is made, the person listening can tell what specific note is being played. Relative pitch is being able to hear the difference from one note to the next note. The next step is how to develop your ear for relative pitch. In a 'G' major scale, listen to the intervals between each note. Certain common so...
How To: Cut songs for sampling in hip hop tracks
If you want to manipulate tracks you’ll want to cut a song into many separate sections so that you can work with each section as needed. This can be done on using a computer musical typing keyboard program and is important part of the process in hip hop music.
News: 597 Crystal Glasses + Insane Skills = Superb Symphony
Forgive me, I am posting an ad. But Czech glass musician Petr Spatina is incredible. He achieves amazing range with just crystal glasses, water, and his extremely deft hands. He is really that good, check out these two vids shot on the street, not the best quality but amazing.
How To: Incorporate fingerstyle into your guitar playing
This video shows how to incorporate fingerstyle into your playing. A step by step video tutorial for guitar players that have little to no experience with the fingerstyle approach. It teaches you the basics of the technique. Andrew Wasson will help you get familiar with your plucking hand at the strings and will give you a couple of exercises to get you started. He goes on to show you the letters associated with the different fingers as written in musical literature. Andrew also shows you var...
How To: Improve your dexterity for guitar playing w/ exercises
If you are just starting guitar or are trying to improve your skills then this is the video for you. In this video Andrew from Creative Guitar Studio will teach and show you, stretch and dexterity exercises to improve you guitar skills. You will also see left and right hand coordination exercises. The video starts with an add 2 chord and then follows up with 8 other exercises to improve you guitar skills. Some of these include timing, finger independence, chromatic string exercises, and finge...
How To: Improvise on guitar
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to improvise on the guitar. This video lesson will cover how you can make a study of the fretboard layout of notes and then move on to applying scale patterns on top of, "octave templates," to gain a better working knowledge of the guitar neck. Soloing skills have a lot to do with having a great connection between left and right hand techniques. This means that phrasing devices are of the utmost importance. Learning to phrase lines can help you achiev...
How To: Build a vocal booth on a budget
To build a quality vocal booth in your home you'll need to first clean out your closet. Take everything out of the closet including the pole. Wash the walls, sweep and mop the floor making sure everything is clean. Then go out and buy some foam. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on studio foam it would probably be better for you to go to Wall-mart and buy some foam that will be much more affordable. Cut the foam according to the measurements. Do not put it up with duct tape but with sm...
How To: Study chords & practice playing harmonized scales
This is a video guitar lesson brought to you by andrewwasson.com, and is Part 1 in the series "Harmonized Moveable Chord Shapes". This video lesson covers how to study chords on the guitar neck, and how to practice playing harmonized scales using both triad and seventh chord qualities. The idea taught here works well, because the harmonized major scale gives you most of the popular chords in today's music. These include: the Major Triad & Major Seventh, the Minor Triad & Minor Seventh, the Di...
How To: Tighten the cable input jack on a Stratocaster
This is a step-by-step video tutorial on how to keep up your guitar maintenance by tightening your cable input jack, a very simple but extremely important maintenance routine for your guitar. If you let the cable input jack loosen, it could end up costing you quite a bit for repair. First, you are going to need a 1/2" socket and a Phillips head screwdriver. You will need to unscrew the cable input jack. Next, use the 1/2" socket to tighten the nut on your input jack. Then screw the cable inpu...
How To: Upgrade the Pioneer MEP-7000 Firmware 2.02
Go to DJTUTOR computer where you can download the latest firmware for free. Once downloaded you need to either burn it to a CD-R or use a USB key. Unzip the file and download it to a fat formatted USB key with nothing else on it. The firmware upgrade consists of two files. Eject any disks from the MEP and remove any USBs and make sure the unit is turned off. Next insert your USB key and push and hold USB 1 and USB 2 and turn on your unit. The MEP will then tell you when the firmware is comple...
How To: Play "Silent Night" on the violin
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the song, Silent Night on the violin. Silent night is a popular Christmas Song that can be played on the violin very sweetly. The song is slower and this video will show you how to play the correct rhythm and notes. This video provides all the string movements and order that the notes are needed to be played, in order to execute the song. This video contains voice narration and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily understand and follow...
How To: Do country & bluegrass chord strumming
How to do country and bluegrass chord strumming. A step by step video tutorial that will help you to develop your ability to do bluegrass strumming. Andrew Wasson of CreativeGuitarStudio responds to a viewers request to give a beginners lesson on learning a variety of strumming techniques. Andrew guides you through a short 12-bar country rhythm guitar part that keeps the rhythm simple. This style of music is centered on a consistent push on the feel. He focuses on rhythm. He begins by giving ...
How To: Be a DJ using your PC if you are disabled
This is how you would use your PC to be a DJ if you are disabled. First you'll need a second sound card option for the headphones. Cheaper headphones can be used also until you're able to get the proper ones. The software you will be using supports microphone input which is called Virtual DJ. It's a fantastic kit made especially someone with a disability with all the same things that you would find in other decks and a mixers. Then you would want to just experiment with the controls until you...
How To: Play a basic version of "Silent Night" on a guitar
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the classic Christmas carol "Silent Night" on the acoustic guitar. This video provides all the string movements and order that the notes are played in in order to execute the song. This video contains voice narration and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily understand and follow along. This video is at a slow pace and has step-by-step instructions. This video will benefit those viewers who play the acoustic guitar and would like to lea...
How To: Start reading sheet music for the guitar
Follow along as Nate Savage teaches us to read sheet music for the guitar. -The first thing you are going to need to know are the names of lines and spaces on a staff.
How To: Build riffs while playing progressive metal
This step-by-step video tutorial will have you building metal riffs in no time! Andrew Wasson of CreativeGuitarStudio has written a short two-part riff using the harmony from a popular scale out of the style called Phrygian dominant. For the riff, Andrew uses a series of open strings, eighth note triplets, hammer-ons, and pull-offs. Because a lot of progressive metal utilizes different time signatures, Andrew changes the time signature for the last measure of the riff. Don't forget to downloa...
How To: Play the theme song from the Ellen Degeneres show
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the theme song from the Ellen DeGeneres Show on the piano. This video provides the order that the keys are needed to be played, in order to execute the song. This video provides voice narration and a visual demonstration for viewers to easily understand and follow along. It is at a step-by-step slow pace for viewers to easily stay connected with the video and keep up. In the video description, it also contains piano tab for this tutorial if vi...
How To: Construct a DJ set playlist
This video is about how to construct a DJ set together. Ellaskins states in this video that he doesn't feel you should follow his tutorial step by step. Instead, use it to soak up all of the information and to help finalize your own product. In this video he describes what he calls the "Tree Chaos Theory". He states that in your room you can set up any play list and it will work. However, in a club you need to watch the crowd and make sure you know when they want their playlist to go in anoth...
How To: Adjust the neck on an electric guitar
Step by step tutorial video on adjusting the neck of your guitar. First you need to remove the truss rod cover to gain access to the truss rod. Make sure you have the correct Allen key when adjusting your truss rod. If your guitar came with it's own Allen key make sure you use that one. Put a capo on the first fret. To increase the tension on the truss rod turn the Allen key to the right. To decrease the tension turn it to the left. Always check the gap between the frets and the strings.
How To: Practice scales on your guitar
This video starts with a little guitar riff and goes on to show you how to practice scales. Scales are key to learning your fretboard and making it easy to sight read. As a preface the presenter talks about cage chord theory and which scales go with it. The second question is about moveable scales and how to make the best use of scales to improvise. First, make a five day scale practice plan. Then memorize the scale shape. After that, use a metronome to practice with. Then move between the sc...
How To: Re-string a Floyd Rose guitar
In this lesson he shows the way to restring a Floyd Rose tremolo style system. You will need some Allen wrenches. Use an Allen wrench to take off the bolts at the nut area of the guitar which is located at the top. Next, loosen all the strings. You can simply cut the strings with a pair of wire clippers. The next step is to remove in strings from the tremolo. Use the Allen wrench again to loosen the screws holding the strings. There is a screw for every string. Once all of the old strings hav...
How To: Play the harmonica for fun
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play the harmonica. The harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. Holes 1-3 are the chord holes. To play it, move it side to side. Holes 4-7 are the melody holes. The harmonica has keys of A-G. Do not blow too hard or the reeds in the harmonica can be damaged. Blow the bottom reeds by drawing in. Blow the top reeds by blowing out. To create a vibrato, enclose the harmonica in hands while moving one hand simultaneously. This video will benefit those...
How To: Build your own guitar maintenance stand
This video explains how to build your own guitar maintenance jack. This helps when you change a lot of strings and do other maintenance work. It starts with an old roller stand and uses the bracket to apply just a piece of wood. It is adjustable, which makes it very handy to adjust the height of your guitar. On top of the block of wood, attach a vice with corked pads and a layer of glued leather to get a grip on the guitar. This allows you to put your guitar at any angle by bracing either the...
How To: Play "Handlebars" by Flobots on the violin
In this video our musician friend is trying to teach the viewers how to play "Handlebars" by Flo bots on the violin . This proves to be quite a special lesson because it consist in using your finger from your right hand to pinch the chords of the instrument . He is showing us the best technique to use and the correct notes to sing this difficult song . After following the instruction of this step by step video , you will have a whole new vision regarding this rare way of playing the violin . ...
How To: Get started playing slide guitar
A step-by-step video tutorial presented by Andrew Wasson shows the basics of playing the slide guitar for beginners. First, choose what kind of slide you want. Metal slides are known for their high-end treble sound, while glass slides are a little warmer sounding. Andrew goes on to teach you what gauge of strings are best suited for slide playing, as well as how to pick which finger to use your slide on.
How To: Apply pitch axis theory & modal harmony on the guitar
Learn how to apply pitch axis theory and modal harmony on the guitar. A step by step video tutorial that will teach you everything you need to know to play the guitar under one droning pitch with more than one scale type. Andrew Wasson of CreativeGuitarStudio explains the principles of pitch axis. He shows us how to stay under one pitch and use a series of other chords that will influence harmony in one way or another. In this lesson, Andrew will show you how to play a progression using a D p...
How To: Use two-note chords when playing rhythm guitar
This explains how to use two-note chords when playing rhythm guitar. A step by step video tutorial that will show you how to mix two note melodic ideas with double stops and throwing in a single note melody. Andrew Wasson from Creative Guitar Studio put together a melodic phrase and a minus one track that will be available to download from his site. Andrew goes over all the techniques you need to help you learn this phrase and teaches them to you with simple instructions. These double stop an...
How To: Set intonation on a "Gibson Style" fixed bridge
How To Set Intonation on a "Gibson Style" Fixed Bridge. A step by step video tutorial that will teach you how to change the strings on a fixed bridge guitar and also set the intonation. Andrew Wasson walks you through a series of instructions that include cutting the strings off your guitar, tightening the bolts on your tuners, polishing frets and fret board and more. He then goes on to show you how to put strings on your guitar, tune the guitar with a tuner, set the bridge saddle, and settin...
How To: Play a basic harmonica blues scale
Guitar Man demonstrates how to play a basic harmonica blues scale and how to bend a note on a harmonica. Playing a harmonica blues scale is really simple. You can play the blues scale with any G instrument. The blues scale is three blow, three blow, three inhale or suck, four blow, four suck, five suck and six blow. Then repeat the pattern in descending order. Follow the pattern to pick up blues harmonica really quickly. Practice the blues scale pattern and you'll eventually be able to improv...
How To: Hit the high notes
Want to break some glass? If you don’t quite have the vocal range you’re hoping for you can try holding a heavy object while singing. This should get you to tighten your throat and vocal cords which will produce a higher pitch sound.