Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos

How To: Play "Autumn Leaves (Les feuilles mortes)" on the ukulele

Want to play "Autumn Leaves" on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. 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...

How To: Play "twinkle, twinkle, little star" on the piano

If you want to play 'Twinkle, Twinkle little Star' on the piano you should first start on the note D. You should play the notes going up the scale to find that next work that matches the tone of when you sing it. When you find it, that interval is a fifth. Then, the song goes back down again in steps. Your melody will work in the scale of the notes that you have just played. There are three parts to the whole song that you should learn. You will use all the notes found in the D Major scale. N...

How To: Play Billy Joel's "Vienna" on piano

Playing along with your favorite songs is an enjoyable, and highly effective, way of developing your playing technique. In this one-two piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Vienna" by Billy Joel. While the lesson is geared toward players of an intermediate skill level, all players can follow along given adequate time and motivation. To get started playing "Vienna" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!

How To: Play "Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues on the ukulele

Want to play "Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues 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 "Nights i...

How To: Play the dizi, a Chinese bamboo flute

In this video, we learn how to play the dizi, a Chinese bamboo flute. First, fine the mouth hole where you place your mouth. After this, look to see the different finger holes that are on the side of the flute. At the end, you will see air vents that are not to be confused with the finger holes. To prepare the flute, you can twist it so the pitch is changed when you play it. Now, place your fingers along the finger holes and start to blow into the mouth opening. After you do this, you will be...

How To: Play "What a Day for a Daydream" on the ukulele

Want to play the Lovin' Spoonful's "What a Day for a Day Dream" on your ukulele? Learn how with this free video ukulele lesson from Ukulele Mike, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. 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 "Baby" by Justin Bieber on piano

Interested in playing Justin Bieber's "Baby" on your piano or keyboard? See how it's done with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing "Baby" on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Play "Love Story" by Taylor Swift on ukulele

If you want to play 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift on ukulele you should first start with making sure you have your ukulele standard tuned to G, C, E and A top to bottom. You will use the chords C, G, Am and F. These are the chords that are use basically through the entire song. Only at the end is a Bm chord thrown into the song. The strumming patter is Down Down Up, Up Down Up. Play this for each of the chords. You can also pick within the chords if you like this. This is the intro. For the ve...

How To: Loudly whistle with four fingers

This is a clear, easy to follow instructional video on how to whistle loudly with your fingers! This is the two-finger method, which is easiest for beginners. First put your tongue to the back of your mouth, and slightly curl your lips inwards. Using both hands with two fingers, place the tips in your mouth on, resting slightly on your tongue. Make sure your fingers just have a tiny bit of space between them; and then blow! This should make an extremely loud whistle. To practice, you should e...

How To: Change the actives pickups battery on a guitar

The guy in the video starts out explaining that, over time, his guitar has started to sound a little funny. He thought maybe it was a cord or wire shorting out, but it turned out to be the battery. He shows us how to change that battery. You are going to need a Philips head screwdriver and a new nine volt battery. Take off the tremolo plate on the back of the guitar. You'll be able to see the old battery in the body. Gently remove the old battery and replace it with the new. Slide the new bat...

How To: Cut breaks with turntables

Wonder how to become a great DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how you can cut music known as breaks with turntabless. This video demonstrates how to use the cross fade in a way in which you can go from one tune to the other in a motion known as cutting. This is a bit like mixing. Watch this DJ tutorial and you can learn how to cut from on...

How To: Play "Save it for Later" on guitar in standard tuning

Want to play lead guitar in a rock band? Well first you have to learn techniques from the masters. This guitar lesson teaches you how to play "Save it for Later" by the English Beat. The original song uses a highly unusual guitar tuning (D-A-D-A-A-D). Here's how to play the song using standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). Once you get a hang of these popular guitar chords and tunes, you can start incorporating them into your own songs. With this lesson and a bit of practice you will be able t...

How To: Play "Welcome to the Black Parade" on the piano

Watch this piano tutorial video to learn how to play "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance on the piano. Instructions include the scales and key signatures and chord breakdowns. Beginners and intermediate pianists will be able to learn how to play My Chemical Romance's "Welcome to the Black Parade" by watching this helpful how-to video.

How To: Play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar

In this tutorial, we learn how to play "What It's Like" by Everlast on acoustic guitar. First, take the D minor chord with the middle finger chord on the second finger. Play this and pick the D, G, and B. Make sure the pinkie is on the third fret of the high E for the first hit of the string. This will lead you through the intro of the song. Once you start the first verse, you will be using the same chords throughout the entire song. Start to sing in the lyrics with the song, then when you re...

How To: Play Billy Preston's solo from the Beatles' "Get Back"

Want to know how to perform Billy Preston's classic solo from the Beatles' "Get Back" on the piano or ogan? Learn how with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing the solo from this classic McCartney song on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Use kill switches on a DJ mixer

Want to mix and scratch like a professional DJ? To be a good DJ you need to understand the concepts of mixing tracks, adding cool effects, and of course you need a good sense of rhythm to line up the beats. This how to video explains how to use the kill switches on a DJ mixer. This demonstration shows you how the kill switches work on a DJ mixer. They are a lot like using the bass, mid and top dials but the difference is that these will get rid of all the bass or mid or top in one go. Watch t...

How To: Play "Wish You Were Here"

"Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd is one of the greatest guitar songs of all time and in this four part video series you're going to learn how to play it! First you go over the intro, then the chorus, then the intro solo and lastly puts it all together.

How To: Play "Martha My Dear" by the Beatles on piano

Playing along with your favorite songs is an enjoyable, and highly effective, way of developing your playing technique. In this piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Martha My Dear" by Paul McCartney of the Beatles. While the lesson is geared toward players of an intermediate skill level, all players can follow along given adequate time and motivation. To get started playing "Martha My Dear" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!

How To: Make a Simple Didgeridoo from PVC

Traditional Aboriginal didgeridoos are made from trees that have been hollowed out by termites. Finishing work to smooth out surfaces and decorate the didgeridoo would soon follow. Lucky for you, you don't have to spend lots of money or find a hollowed out tree to create a didgeridoo!

How To: Play "Bad" by U2 on the electric guitar (with and without delay)

Want to be good—even great—at playing "Bad" by U2? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete (and we mean complete) breakdown of the song and its constituent parts. 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 "Bad" on your own guitar, just take a look!

How To: Play "O Holy Night" on guitar

Spread some warm holiday cheer at parties and gatherings this Christmas season by playing this timeless classic on your acoustic guitar. Learn to play "O Holy Night" by following along with this informative and instructional video from Mahalo/Radius guitarist Thomas Gilbert.

How To: Make a hip hop beat in FL Studio

In this video we learn how to make a hip hop beat in FL Studio. First, load up your drum sounds from the browser to the interface. After this, change the hits on the drums to make the beat sound different. Edit how high the volume is on the snare drum and then change the ghost kick so it's not too loud either. Once you have this figured out, add in the high hat and the shaker patterns. Once you have these added in and you like the volumes that they are at, you will have your very own hip hop ...

How To: Change strings on the erhu

In this video, we learn how to change the strings on the erhu. First, loosen and remove the inner string. After this, take and unwind the new inner string. Then, take the end with the loop and put it through the Qianjing. Then, loop it in the screw at the bottom of the erhu. Then fold the tip of the other end of the string and put it through the hole in the first peg. Then, loop the string one and push the tip into the hole. Now turn the peg clockwise to tighten it. Repeat this for all the st...

How To: Play Guy's "Let's Chill" on piano

In this video, we learn how to play Guy's "Let's Chill" on piano. This is a smooth song written in F minor. The first chord is a D flat major 7, then F, A flat C, A flat, then C. Continue on to play a suspended chord, then an F flat, E flat, F flat, then regular F flat minor. Continue to play through this until you have the introduction finished. Once this is done, continue on through the rest of the song with the same chords throughout the song. In time, the song will come together and the e...

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