Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos
How To: Whistle like a bird
This 3 part how to video walks you through imitating birds by whistling. First you will learn to whistle through your teeth and then how to practice the technique to whistle bird calls. Watch this tutorial and you'll be attracting birds in no time.
How To: Improvise in D minor blues on the piano
This how to video shows some jazz licks to improvise on in D minor blues on the piano or keyboard. This blues piano lesson is for the intermediate student.
How To: Play the 2Pac song "California Love" on keyboard and talkbox
"California Love" by 2Pac, Dr. Dre, and Roger Troutman is one of the best rap songs ever and brought Roger Troutman's incredible use of the talkbox to mainstream audiences. If you have a talkbox and a keyboard, check out this video to learn how to play this hip-hop classic on the best instruments to do so.
How To: Make DIY broadband acoustic panels (or bass traps) with rockwool insulation
This short video tutorial will outline the process of making acoustic wall panels using a simple wooden frame and rockwool insulation. These DIY broadband acoustic panels, or bass traps for treating music studio rooms, performance rooms or home theater rooms, will save you tons of money.
How To: Play a D major scale on the violin and exercises
In this two part how to video you will learn the notes on the A string, the D major scale, and begin to learn how to use the violin bow. This lesson gives you some helpful exercises to improve your technique. With this the tips from this tutorial you can learn how to play the violin.
How To: Play the "Subway Shuffle" on the guitar
This video is a quick lesson on a blues shuffle picking pattern I learned on a Philadelphia subway platform many years ago.
How To: Play a piano song using three major chords for beginners
The first couple of months of learning a new instrument are often the most challenging - and boring. That's because rather than focusing on pounding out songs, you're instead practicing chord progressions, major and minor scales, and finger work.
How To: Play Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat Blues" on Guitar
Get ready for a delta blues good time. If you want to learn the delta blues, a good place to start is with this video lesson where you'll learn how to play Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat Blues" on your guitar.
How To: Play the intro to "Roundabout" by Yes on the guitar
Learn how to play the introduction to the song "Roundabout" by Yes on the acoustic guitar.
How To: Make a Carrot Recorder
This video tutorial show how to make a recorder out of a carrot. Great fun musical instrument. Step 1:
How To: Mix soul, R&B and hip-hop into your sets when DJing
Learn how to mix soul, R&B and hip-hop into your set. While DJing might appear simple to the untrained eye, truly mastering the turntables requires as much time and dedication as mastering any other instrument. Fortunately, the internet is awash in free video DJing lessons like this one, which make the learning process easier than it's ever been. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look
How To: Play "She's Not There" by Santana on a bass guitar
"She's Not There" is a great song from The Zombies in the 1960s, a top-ten hit in the U.S., and it spawned a number of covers, including hit version from his 1977 album Moonflower. Not quite as famous as the original, peaking at #27, but good nonetheless. And that's the version you'll be learning in this bass how-to.
How To: Play "Wish You Were Here" (Pink Floyd) on guitar
In this acoustic guitar video lesson, brought to you by GuitarJamz, host Marty Schwarz, will teach you how to play "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd. As you follow along with him, he teaches you the progression of the chords used in the song, breaking down each part of the song, teaching you the chords and explaining the strum pattern and picking of the guitar riffs. This tutorial focuses mostly on just the beginning of the song, and does not cover the entire song.
How To: Solo over Carlos Santana's "Samba Pa Ti" on ukulele
Ever wanted to solo over the chord progression from Carlos Santana's "Samba Pa Ti" on your ukulele? Who hasn't, right? This ukulele lesson presents a quick overview of a highly adaptable G scale pattern that works over the progression in Carlos' Santana's "Samba Pa Ti." For more information, or to get started soloing over Santana's "Samba Pa Ti" on your own ukulele, take a look.
How To: Play the organ
Playing the organ, like driving, involves using your legs and feet as well as your arms and hands and so calls for good co-ordination, and this is something you'll need to work on as an organist.
How To: Warm up for an audition on the cello
This tutorial teaches you how to warm up your cello playing for an audition. By working the "pulling" muscles of your left hand you will create stronger more precise fingers, like "core training" for your hand. When you add these variations you will wake up and warm up your brain, open up new connections by challenging the coordination between your left and right hands. Watch this how to video and you will improve your cello playing with these warm up exercises.
How To: Learn independent vs block fingering on the violin
Violin Lesson #8/37 and 38 -- Playing in Tune. Todd Ehle discusses how to play in tune, and also talks about the differences in independent fingering and block fingering. This is a 2-part lesson.
How To: Play two finger chords on the banjo
For intermediate banjo players, this video will teach you how to play two fingered chords. While two fingered chords are more difficult than four fingered chords, learning this skill will bring great improvement to your banjo skills as shown by the sample song "Banks of the Ohio." Play two finger chords on the banjo.
How To: Strengthen your 4th & 5th fingers with piano exercises
If you are looking to improve your piano technique then this how to video is the place to start. You will learn how to strengthen your fourth and fifth fingers with this easy piano exercise. The fourth and fifth fingers are often the weakest fingers when playing piano. You must learn to strengthen then so you can play piano better. This exercise also improves the extension between the ring finger and the pinky finger. This is a great exercise for beginner to advanced students. With this tutor...
How To: Play rolled chords on the piano
This how to video talks about rolled chords on the piano or keyboard. A rolled chord is a sequence of notes played almost at the same time like strumming a chord on a guitar and very common to provide a harp-like effect on the piano. There are two main uses for rolled chords, one is for the sound effect it makes when played, and the other use is to join big chords that wouldn't be possible for the average person to play solid. This technique is commonly used in 20th century piano music. Watch...
How To: Play the “Heart and Soul” Melody on the piano
Any dope can play “Heart and Soul.” Now you can be one of them. Use your pointer finger to hit the 2nd F key up from the middle C briskly three times, then hit it once more before moving down to play keys E, then D, then F three times, briskly. Then F once more, before bouncing down and playing keys E then D.
How To: Play 7' records on a turntable
Ever wonder how to play 7" vinyl records on a turntable? Guess what that round piece that came with your turntable is for.
How To: Play "For No One" 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 "For No One" 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 "For No One" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!
How To: Play the Stone Fox Chase on the harmonica
Watch this instructional harmonica video and learn how to play the Stone Fox Chase on the harmonica. It can be played several ways, and this is one way known as "Stone Fox Chase in the tunnel." This tutorial is a great way to practice your harmonica skills.
How To: Play "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne on the guitar
Learn how to play "Complicated" by Avril Lavigne on the guitar. Chords:
How To: Play "The Rainbow Connection" on the ukulele
Want to play "The Rainbow Connection" from the Muppet Movie 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 ...
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...
How To: Plug the vinyl turn table into a mixer
Check out this instructional DJ video that demonstrates how to attach the vinyl turn table into a mixer. In this video for the totally new DJ, learn where to plug the RCA cables (or phono plugs) from a Vinyl turntable into a DJ mixer. Discover the proper way of plugging your equipment in by watching this DJ tutorial video.
How To: Play "Whammer Jammer" by Magic Dick on harmonica
In a five-part how-to series on the classic blues harmonica instrumental by Magic Dick and the J. Geils Band. Your guide, Adam Gussow, has been wood shedding the tune for 33 years and is happy to share what he's learned, so you to can play this legendary piece.
How To: Make Strange Vocalizations, Guttural and Other Sounds
How to produce strange noises using your mouth and throat. Guttural Noises
How To: Play a C major chromatic scale warm-up exercise on the ukulele
In this ukulele lesson, learn how to play a C major chromatic scale warm-up on a soprano, concert or tenor ukulele. With the uke, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality ukulele lessons like this one from Ukulele Mike Lynch. For more information, and to get started warming up with this exercise yourself, watch this video tutorial.
How To: Finger thirds when playing Pachelbel's "Canon in D"
In this clip, you'll learn how to play double notes (thirds) when performing Pachelbel's "Canon in D" on a piano or other keyboard instrument. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.
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: Play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut on the accordion
This video is a great tutorial on how to play "Elephant Gun" by Beirut's Zach Condon. This song, from the Lon Gisland EP, is a great song for beginner accordion players.
How To: Play chords on the guitar in a Delta blues style
Popularized by artists like Son House and Skip James, Delta blues is not only one of the oldest forms of blues music, it is among the most stylistically distinct and technically rewarding to play. In this video guitar lesson from YouTube user deltabluestips, you'll learn the very basics of Delta-style blues. While this lesson is geared more toward intermediate and advanced guitarists, this means beginning players merely have all the more to learn. Get started using Delta Blues-style strumming...
How To: Attach the earth cable to the back of a DJ mixer
Check out this instructional DJ video that demonstrates how to attach the earth cable for most vinyl turntables to the back of the DJ mixer. This video is dedicated to the new DJ who is just starting out and setting up new gear. The earth cable has to be fitted to your mixer. Watch this turntable tutorial video to learn how to attach the earth cable to the back of a DJ mixer to stop any nasty buzzing sounds. Practice and enjoy!
How To: Play the Naruto Shippuuden blue bird song on the piano
In this piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play the Naruto Shippuuden Blue Bird song on the piano. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate or advanced piano players, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this tutorial to get started playing the Naruto Shippuuden Blue Bird song!
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 "Robot Rock" by Daft Punk on piano
Learn how to play "Robot Rock" by Daft Punk on the piano or keyboard. This is a very simple Daft Punk song to play. This lesson breaks up the right and left hand to make it even easier to play. Watch this how to video and you'll be playing "Robot Rock" in no time.
How To: Make a Free Microphone Pop Filter Entirely Out of Paper in 5 Minutes
In this video, I'm going to show you how to make an effective DIY pop filter using nothing but a few sheets of paper and a tissue. This will give you an excellent quality recording with your microphone. In fact, the no-cost pop filter I'm about to show you how to make is the same one I used to record this video, so the results are right here for you to hear.