Hot Music & Instruments Posts

How To: Play "The Cuckoo's Nest" on acoustic guitar

"The Cuckoo's Nest" is an old song from the 14th century, according to some sources. There are many variations on "The Cuckoo's Nest". Learn how to play "The Cuckoo's Nest on the guitar with this tutorial. This is a traditional version of "The Cuckoo's Nest" played in folk dance style. This song is normally played in D, but this version is voiced in G and capo'ed on the 2nd to give it a lighter sound, so it is actually played in A. With this how to video you will be able to play the tradition...

How To: Play "Jump" by Van Halen on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Girls Got Rhythm" by Van Halen. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all sk...

How To: Play the dirty, or distorted parts, from "Dream On"

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play the dirty, or distorted, parts from "Dream On" by AC/DC. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate playe...

How To: Play "Dream On" by Aerosmith on electric guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Dream On" by Aerosmith. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill leve...

How To: Tune your guitar down a half step the right way

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. Before you can play a favorite song, however, you'll need to be in tune with it: In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to tune a guitar down a half-step. For m...

How To: Play "All The Small Things" by Blink 182 on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "All the Small Things" by Blink 182. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of al...

How To: Play "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Rock You Like a Hurricane" by the Scorpions. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitari...

How To: Play "Whats My Age Again?" by Blink 182 on guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "What's My Age Again" by Blink 182. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all...

How To: Play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana acoustic

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of a...

How To: Play "Breakdown" by Tom Petty on electric guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Breakdown" by Tom Petty. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill lev...

How To: Play "18 and Life" by Skid Row on electric guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "18 and Life" by Skid Row. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill le...

How To: Play AC/DC 's "Girls Got Rhythm" on electric guitar

There are few projects that are so simple, and so immediately rewarding, as learning to play a favorite song on the guitar. Not only is it a wonderful way to pass the time but, by learning to play your favorite songs and riffs, you'll be better able to articulate (and otherwise translate) your musical ideas into great-sounding songs. In this guitar lesson, you'll learn how to play "Girls Got Rhythm" by AC/DC. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, guitarists of all skill ...

How To: Play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Armageddon It." Watch this how to video and you will be able to play "Armageddon It" by Def Leppard.

How To: Play "Same Old Song And Dance" by Aerosmith on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this two part tutorial you can learn how to play "Same Old Song and Dance" by Aerosmith on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Same Old Song And Dance." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Same Old Song and Dance" by Aerosmith.

How To: Play "Eruption" by Van Halen on the electric guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Eruption" by Van Halen on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Eruption." Watch this how to video and you will be able to play "Eruption" by Van Halen.

How To: Play "Without You Here" by The Goo Goo Dolls on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Without You Here" by the Goo Goo Dolls on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Without You Here." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Without You Here" by The Goo Goo Dolls.

How To: Play "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on guitar

Playing popular songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Stairway to Heaven." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin.

How To: Play "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche on guitar

Playing your favorite songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche on the acoustic guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Silent Lucidity." Watch this how to video and you will be able to play "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche.

How To: Play "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler on guitar

Playing your favorite songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Grow Old With You." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Grow Old With You" by Adam Sandler.

How To: Play "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears on guitar

Playing your favorite songs on the guitar is not as difficult as it seems. With this tutorial you can learn how to play "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears on the electric guitar. This lesson is geared towards intermediate guitarists because it assumes prior knowledge of guitar playing. This lesson covers the finger picking as well as the chord structure for "Head Over Heels." Watch this how to video and you will be able to sing and play "Head Over Heels" by Tears for Fears.

How To: Play "Body On Me" by Ashanti ft. Akon & Nelly on piano

If you want to learn how to play cool songs on the piano then this tutorial is the place to start. This lesson teaches you how to play "Body on Me" by Ashanti featuring Akon and Nelly on the guitar. This lesson is geared towards beginner and intermediate pianists but it does assume prior knowledge of piano playing. Follow along with the host and soon you will be able to play "Body on Me" by Ashanti featuring Akon and Nelly on piano.

How To: Play "Can't Believe It" by T-Pain & Lil Wayne on piano

If you want to learn how to play cool songs on the piano then this tutorial is the place to start. This lesson teaches you how to play "Can't Believe It" by T-Pain and Lil Wayne on the guitar. This lesson is geared towards beginner and intermediate pianists but it does assume prior knowledge of piano playing. Follow along with the host and soon you will be able to play "Can't Believe It" by T-Pain and Lil Wayne on piano.

How To: Play "My Life" by the Game ft. Lil Wayne on piano

If you want to learn how to play cool songs on the piano then this tutorial is the place to start. This lesson teaches you how to play "My Life" by the Game featuring Lil Wayne on the guitar. This lesson is geared towards beginner and intermediate pianists but it does assume prior knowledge of piano playing. Follow along with the host and soon you will be able to play "My Life" by the Game ft. Lil Wayne on piano.

How To: Play the detache bowing technique on the violin

Detache is French for separate bows, not to be confused with the English "detached", with space between the notes. With this tutorial you will learn to play the detache bowing technique on the violin. The detache technique helps build a consistent and confident sound, improves projection and improves control of the entire bow, especially at the very frog and tip. Play as loud as possible. Bow next to the bridge (Control the "Sounding Point"). Keep the bow straight and flat. Use the entire upp...

How To: Play the Collé bowing technique on the violin

Collé is French for glued or sticky. In this tutorial you can play the Collé bowing technique on the violin. Play slow with no metronome and away from the bridge. Play small but powerful "T" consonant at the tip. Start at the very tip and throw the bow up bow with the biceps (about 4 inches). Do the same down bow at the frog. Use triceps to throw the bow down bow (again about 4 inches). Start with open strings until you get the motion right. The colle technique improves projection, articulati...

How To: Play the Martelle bowing technique on the violin

Martelé is French for hammered or with a hammer. You will learn how to play the Martelle bowing technique on the violin with this tutorial. This is played slow with no metronome and away from the bridge. Starting at the tip, using the upper half, throw the bow up bow going exactly to the middle of the bow. The sound should be exactly the same as collé ("T") just louder because you are using the entire upper half. Throw the bow up bow with the biceps. Do the same down bow starting exactly in t...

How To: Play the staccato bow technique on violin

Staccato is Italian for articulated distinctly, with a separation between notes. In this tutorial you will learn how to play the staccato bowing technique on violin. Start slowly with a nice "pop" or collé sound at the beginning of each up bow stroke. Build up your speed faster every day and track your progress daily in the Practice Journal. The stacatto bow technique improves control over the entire bow and prepares you for pieces that use staccato. Pull to the tip on each down bow stroke. U...

How To: Do the Sautillé bowing technique on violin

Sautillé is french for jumping. This how to video teaches you the Sautillé bowing technique on the violin. You should repeat each note 8 times. Find the "sweet spot" where the bow bounces by itself. The stick bounces but the hair never leaves the string. Your hand has to be thrown by the big muscles (biceps and triceps). If it is not working try these three ways to fix it. Hold the bow with the index and ring finger (and the thumb) and throw the bow. Lower your shoulder and raise the elbow sl...

How To: Play the Ricochét bow technique on violin

Ricochét is French for skipping a rock. Not to be confused with the English version of bouncing off things. This how to video teaches the Ricochét bow technique on the violin. This technique helps you feel the vibration of the stick that helps you get a bigger, freer sound. You should drop or throw the bow in the middle from about 4 inches high and let it bounce; lift pinky and ring finger and drop/throw the bow on an open string while going down bow; press with index finger for about 6 bounc...

How To: Play one finger scales with the first finger on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play one finger scale on violin. This violin exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above e...

How To: Play 2 fingered scales on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play 2 fingered scales on the violin. This violin exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in ab...

How To: Play one finger arpeggios on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play one finger arpeggios. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano... start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above each new pos...

How To: Play a violin tuning exercise

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. You will learn how to play an exercise that improve your tuning. This exercise, based on the Sevcik System, is designed to help intonation training. You should start at the speed of 40 then gradually move it up to the goal of 16th notes at the speed of 192. This exercise will improve the overall shape of the left hand; train the hand to be more articulate and accurate (no muscles just a twitch); builds ...

How To: Play a slurred 3 octave G major scale on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play slurred 3 octave G major scale. This exercise, based on the Galamian "Contemporary Violin Technique," is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred ...

How To: Play a G major scale in 3 octaves on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This violin lesson teaches you to play a G major scale in 3 octaves. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred stroke, half the bow on the martelé strokes, and a...

How To: Play a 3 octave G major scale on the violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play 3 octave G major scale. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize fingerings, bowings, and positions; use the whole bow on every slurred stroke, half the bow on the martelé strokes, and at the very tip...

How To: Play an advanced arpeggio exercise on violin

If you want to improve your violin technique then this how to video is the place to start. This video teaches you to play an arpeggio exercise. This exercise is designed to help you increase your comfort and agility in all positions, develop confidence and accuracy in all positions, and improve coordination. When practicing this exercise you should memorize the sequence of arpeggios on the piano, start with the first 3 notes of each arpeggio; mark what position you are in above each new posit...