Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos
How To: Build dexterity and strength in your hands on the guitar to solo faster
A key element to making any guitar player, whether lead or rhythm, a great player is having good muscle memory and plenty of dexterity and strength in both your left hand and right hand. For those just getting started, or for those who have been playing for a while but are still having a hard time pulling off bends or holding down chords and barre chords, it's crucial to exercise your hands and build that dexterity and strength. In this fantastic video you will learn various exercises to help...
How To: Play the Jason Derulo song "Ridin' Solo" on piano
"Ridin' Solo" by Jason Derulo is a great R&B anthem for anyone who's every broken up with someone to live their life the way they had to. This video will teach you how to play the song on piano, and the creator was even nice enough to make the sheet music available for free here.
How To: Play the Justin Bieber song "U Smile" on piano
Justin Bieber appears to be here to stay, at least until his voice gets deeper, and his parade of hit songs continues unabated. This video will show you how to play one of his many huge singles, "U Smile" on the piano. You can even check out the sheet music to the song here.
How To: Play various three chord songs by ear on the piano based off of melody
Ear training is incredibly important to any musician. Knowing to hear and identify root and chord movement and being able to analyze a chord progression quickly is so important to your career. In this video you will get a great ear training lesson on how to analyze the chord progression of a song simply by using the movement of the melody to identify the tonic and chord progression.
How To: Improvise over II, V, I chord progressions in Jazz on the guitar
If you're just getting started with Jazz, the most basic chord progression, and most popular, is the II V I progression (the two chord, the five chord, and the one chord of the progression). Improvising over it can be as easy as merely using the major scale of the key you're in, all the way to adding altered and chromatic notes to really give it that Jazzy sound. In this video you will get a basic idea of the different licks and runs you can perform over a II V I progression with just using t...
How To: Play the 12 bar blues on the piano in both major and minor tonalities
The 12 bar Blues is something that EVERY musician should know how to play. It may be "simple music" but as they say, "simple music is the hardest kind of music to play". Understanding the theory behind the 12 bar Blues is crucial to feeling measures and also gives you a chance to really make a very simple three chord phrase your own. In this video you will learn how to understand, play and feel the 12 bar Blues in it's various forms including the major, minor and dominant Blues.
How To: Clean the body and fretboard of an acoustic guitar
Perhaps you have received your guitar as a gift, or picked it out for yourself; and whether it is your first guitar or if you are a grizzled veteran of the frets, there may come a time when your guitar may lose its like new looks. Oil from a performer's hands, combined with dirt and dust, collects to build an unsavory grime on both the fret board and the body of the guitar reducing the overall aesthetically pleasing look of the instrument. Watch this video and you'll be properly cleaning your...
How To: Play "Walk This Way" by Aerosmith on the electric guitar
Want to play Aerosmith's "Walk This Way" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Aerosmith song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix on the electric guitar
Want to play Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Hendrix song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Your Body Is a Wonderland" by John Mayer on acoustic guitar
Want to play an unplugged version of John Mayer's "Your Body Is a Wonderland"? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this John Mayer song on your own guitar, watch this vid...
How To: Play "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on electric guitar
Want to play Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Led Zeppelin song on your own guitar, watch this video t...
How To: Play "Heartbreaker" by Led Zeppelin on the electric guitar
Want to play Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Led Zeppelin song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin on the electric guitar
Want to play Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Led Zeppelin song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath on an electric guitar
Want to play Black Sabbath's "Iron Man" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Black Sabbath song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Enter Sandman" by Metallica on an electric guitar
Want to play Metallica's "Enter Sandman" on guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. 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 this Metallica song on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Play "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple on an electric guitar
Want to play Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" on the electric guitar? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords in tab notation. 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 this Deep Purple song on your own guitar, watch this video tut...
How To: Manipulate the jogg wheel, tables and the pitch to Beatmix DJ on two CDJs
If you're running two CDJs and are looking for a way to fix some small tempo problems, or other major problems, this is the man to talk to! In this video you will learn how to use the jogg wheel, pitch and other pieces of the CDJ kit to fix major tempo problems as well as syncing issues.
How To: Improvise over altered chords using melodic minor on the guitar
Altered chords are a great spice to add to any song, especially in Jazz and Fusion. But trying to improvise over them in a solo can be disastrous if you aren't playing on the key tones of the chord, you will just create a large amount of a-tonal and diminished notes that you might not want in your lines. In this great video you will learn one great technique to keep in mind when improvising a solo over an altered chord using melodic minor of the note a half step up from the root of the altere...
How To: Read treble and bass clef lines and spaces
Now that you know what a staff is, how many lines and spaces are in a staff, and what the different clef's are, it's time to learn where the notes go in each one. It's crucial to understanding note placement and everything else that involves using the staff to learn the sayings for each space and line. For the Treble Clef spaces, it's "FACE", for Treble Clef lines it's "Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge", for Bass clef spaces it's "All Cows Eat Grass" and for the lines he uses "Green Birds Don't ...
How To: Draw and use the staff, bar lines, treble and bas clef, and the grand staff
Being a musician, whether experienced or just starting out, if you don't know your basic music theory, then you're selling yourself short on a wealth of knowledge! If you're just getting started and have never learned theory, this is where you begin. In this video you will get a basic over view of the staff, bar lines and double bar lines, treble clef, bass clef and the grand staff.
How To: Use the blues scale, twelve tone row technique, polychords, and tone clusters
Music theory, for any musician, is EXTREMELY important to know if you expect playing in any form of professional capacity. But if you can't afford to go to Berklee College of Music or Musician's Institute, then you can get almost the same education in this great video! In this video you will learn the basics of the minor Blues scale, 12 tone technique, polychords, chordal chords, and tone clusters. Truly amazing work and make sure you have a pen and piece of paper to take notes!
How To: Play power chords with a 5th string root note
Justin Sandercoe teaches us how to play power chords with a 5th string root note in this tutorial. Start out by placing your first finger on the root note and your third and fourth finger underneath. The tip of your fourth finger should be touching the sixth string. Push the tip of it up until you've trained it to always touch the sixth string, without this the song will sound terrible. Once you have the chord shape down, you will need to start to play some riffs. Move the fifth string root a...
How To: Quantize audio in Ableton Live 8
In this video, we learn how to use Ableton Live 8: Quantizing audio. To find the bars you want to use, find the up and down arrow keys. These will jump the loops back and forth based on the width of the loop race itself. Press play to search around for the best four bar section in your music. Now, set your first attack in your loop by zooming in on the hit. Hover over the audio and create a warp marker to drag from each of the bars. Label it as the beginning of your clip to the end, then save...
How To: Play piano using piano legato and staccato techniques
In this video, we learn how to play piano using piano legato and staccato techniques. These techniques are when you do not have any break in how you are playing, it all flows smoothly. You want to create a feeling of symmetry with the music so it all flows together seamlessly. To practice this, you will use one hand on the piano keys and play from A going to C. One you have done this, pay attention to your finger placement and then practice with the other hand. As you memorize this, you will ...
How To: Do rolling vibrato on the erhu
In this video, we learn how to do rolling vibrato on the erhu. Vibrato is a series of deliberate and controlled finger and hand movements. It is not convulsing or vibrating your hand to create the desired effect. First, you will need to learn finger movement. You will want to roll down and roll up as one nod once you are comfortable. Start with 1 nod per beat, then progress to doing 3 nods per beat as you become more familiar with the instrument. Next, you will need to learn bowing by setting...
How to Play Jazz guitar: II-V-I Chord Sequences
In this video, we learn how to play Jazz guitar: II-V-I Chord Sequences. You will play this in C, D minor, G7, and C major. You will be using different frets, so you have to pay attention to where your finger placement is and how you are placing your entire hand. When you start to play, you will notice how many different combinations there are on the guitar and see how the flow of the jazz sequence goes. Once you learn this, you can incorporate it into jazz music that you are playing, then yo...
How To: Play "Julia" by The Beatles on acoustic guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Julia" by The Beatles on acoustic guitar. This song is not too difficult, but it is for more intermediate finger pickers. You will want to start out with the intro of the song, making sure you have your fingers on the right frets and know the chords that are played in this part of the song. Continue on to play the different verses and the chorus, as well as the ending verses of the song. As you are playing, make sure you pay attention to where the song ...
How To: Write a song for film or television
In this video, we learn how to write a song for film or television with Brad Hatfield. When you collaborate with other people, you will be invited into a new network of people. The web of people will keep expanding to help you learn new skills and how to write different songs. Try to understand what works for both you and the artist so you don't get emotionally involved. When you write songs for film or television, you will want to listen to feedback and give each other direction on how you w...
How To: Use effects automation in Garageband
In this video, Nick teaches us how to use effects automation in Garageband. Any effects you use on your track will allow you to change the effects over time if you change how you want it. First, load up your track and loop it up by clicking on the loop button. Once finished, load up effects so you can automate them later. Hit the "i" button, then go to the details tab on the bottom. Now, change the effects you would like for automation. For the first one, go with the "au" filter, then for the...
How To: Play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (NIN cover) on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Hurt" by Johnny Cash (NIN cover) on guitar. Start with an A minor, then go to a C, then D, and back to A minor. These are the main chords of the song. You will play these as the intro to the song, one after the other. You will play this nine times for all the verses and the intro together. The only time this will change is at the end, when it goes from C to G to A minor. You can add in the lyrics to the song as you continue to play, then you will have l...
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 "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve on guitar. This is a great song to learn if you are a beginner. Many of the chords on the guitar repeat during this song, you will just need to change the height and how low the chords are played. Also pay attention to when there are pauses in the song as you play. Start with the intro and go all the way to the last verse of the song in different sections. After this, play the song all together and practice the song mo...
How To: Play sixteenth notes and sixteenth rests
In this video, we learn how to play sixteenth notes and sixteenth rests. Start with the whole note and figure out how many beats it is worth. Treat this as a whole and then find the half note for each whole notes. If you continue to divide, you will end with two quarter notes for the half notes and will end with four beats. Two eighth notes and a quarter note will end the process and you will have eight eighth notes. You can divide all eighth notes to two sixteenth notes. There are many diffe...
How To: Play Bingo on a piano
In this tutorial, we learn how to play Bingo on the piano. You will want to start out with the notes in front of you so you know which keys to play. Play the first part of the song first. You will notice that you play the same keys over and over again while doing this song. Break it down into sections so you have all the correct keys and listen as you are playing. Once you have finished playing all the sections, bring it together to create the entire song. Now add in the lyrics to the song an...
How To: Import a loop and record audio in Studio One
First you need to do is press the t button in your keyboard and add a new mono track. Choose mono in format and click OK.
How To: Use clip playback in Ableton
In Ableton, you can set follow actions to tell clips to do something on a timed basis. The time can be immediate or random, but it is automated. This is more efficient than doing the follow actions manually. Go to clip view, type "L". This launches the settings which gives the space of time in which the follow action happens. You can set more than one follow action. You can determine when and how often the action will take place. You can determine when the clips occur automatically. The clips...
How To: Use sidechain compression in Ableton Live 8
In this video, we learn how to use sidechain compression in Ableton Live 8. First, set up your tracks on the software. Open up the compressor and select the sidechain so you can decide how the impulse will sound on the different tracks. From here, change the filter type and anything else you need to change. After this, go and mute your kick drum from the track so you can better hear with the sidechain that you have activated. Continue to play your tracks and play around with how they sound, t...
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 "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric on guitar
In this tutorial, we learn how to play "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric on guitar. There are only two chords in this song: E and A. This is a great song for beginners, so just make sure you know finger placement before you begin. Learn the lyrics to the song and listen to it so you have an idea of how the melody goes. After this, play the intro to the song then start with the different verses. Add in the lyrics as you are playing the chords, going back and forth between the two. After thi...
How To: Adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo
In this video, we learn how to adjust the spring tension on a Tremolo. First, find the strings in the back that are parallel to the body of the guitar. Then, unlock the nut and set the fine tuners so you have maximum range of adjustment. Start to twist the tuners at the bottom of the guitar until the tension on the strings is enough for you to play correctly. Then, go to the back of the guitar and adjust the crimp screws that are along it. When finished with tightening your guitar, test it ou...