Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos
How To: Tongue block and lip purse the harmonica
How to tongue block and lip purse the harmonica. A skewed and blatantly biased over view of the wonderful, mythical and often dogmatic world of tongue blocking from a Lip Purser's thin toned point of view.
How To: Use the Akai MPC 4000
In this tutorial video, learn how to get started using the Akai MPC 4000 drum machine. Our expert music producer will give you a tour of the basic interface for the MPC, and then show you how to load, chop, and slice samples, layer a beat, use the sequencer, and create a basic hip-hop beat of your own.
How To: Play "Life for Rent" by Dido on acoustic guitar
Want to know how to play some good music on the acoustic guitar? Well, this video tutorial will show you how to up your guitarist skills by learning to play "Life for Rent" by Dido. When you play this song from the lesson, play the capo on the 3rd fret.
How To: Whistle very loud using 4 fingers
First of all you have to wash your hands thoroughly so that they are nice and clean. Now take your middle finger and your index finger of your both hands. Now open your mouth and roll your tongue upwards. Place these fingers on your rolled tongue inside your mouth. Now blow very hard. If you can whistle then you have done it. Otherwise the tutor suggests that you must practice a lot to learn this. You only have to keep following the steps mentioned. It needs a lot of dedication. You will not ...
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 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 piano like Chico Marx
Comedian Wayne Federman presents a short piano lesson demonstrating the three fundamentals of playing in the style of Chico Marx.
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: Play an easy 4-chord version of "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay
"Viva la Vida" continued the staggering string of hits from Coldplay in 2008, and is a really fun song to play on almost any instrument. In this video you'll learn how to play a cover of it on solo piano, which Chris Martin would certainly appreciate.
How To: Play the 'spang a lang' or 'ride cymbal' jazz drum pattern
The drum beat pattern for jazz drumming is sometimes called 'spang a lang' or 'ride cymbal pattern.' This is a very common, groovy drum pattern. In this video, the pattern is broken down into individual beats using both the ride cymbal and hi hat drums.
How To: Loudly whistle with one hand
How to loudly whistle with one hand
How To: Fry scream for hard rock vocals
Classically trained singers will tell you that screaming is the worst thing you can ever do to your vocal chords, but if you're into singing/screaming heavy metal or rock then it's necessary to know how to scream with minimal damage.
How To: Set up a turntable for scratching
Before scratching on a given turntable, you'll need to set it up properly to ensure that you will not damage either your records or your hardware. This basic DJ tutorial demonstrates one method (among many) for adjusting up a turntable for scratching.
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: Make Korg nanoKontrol transport buttons work in FL Studio 8 or above
FL Studio is one of the biggest names in digital music-making software, and Korg the biggest in physical gear. Unfortunately, FL Studio and the Korg nanoKontrol USB controller don't get along out of the box, and the transport buttons on the Korg won't work with FL Studio. That is, until you perform the steps in this video that will lead to a blessed union of software and hardware.
How To: Practice head voice octave slides (sirens) to strengthen your singing voice
In this two-part singing lesson, Kevin Richards will teach you about octave slides, sometimes called octave sirens, which are vocal drills that well help increase the range of your head voice and strengthen the transition between chest and head registers. This vocal exercise can be done anytime, anywhere. There's no need for a piano or audio scale.
How To: Play "The Entertainer" by Scott Joplin on piano
Want to know how to perform Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" on the piano? Learn how with this free video piano lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the popular ragtime song and its chords. 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 Entertainer" on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!
How To: Hold the bodhrán drum tipper
There are two recommended ways to hold the Bodhran Drum tipper for beginners. The first way is called the "curved wrist" technique. You put the stick in between the area of your index and thumb finger. Then you put the end of the stick in between your index and middle finger. You must make sure not to keep your fingers tight, they must be elongated and resting gently on the stick. When you drum, you keep your wrist curved and swing your hand up and down. The next method is the "straight wrist...
How To: Play the notes B, A, and G on a recorder with Mrs.Hill
How to play the notes b, a, and g on a recorderHillary Hill demonstrates to us how to play a mouth piece. Note b is played by completely covering the thumb hole in the back and the thumb hole in the front. Remember to cover the hole completely to avoid squicky sounds. Note a is played by covering the thumb hole in the back, the first hole at the top and the second hole. To play g, its the thumb hole and the top three holes on the piece. Its important to use the left hand because when we learn...
How To: Coordinate the left and right hand on the accordion
One of the basics of accordion playing and left and right brain splitting, this tutorial demonstrates how to coordinate your left and right hand when playing the accordion.
How To: Play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Nirvana) on guitar
In this electric guitar video lesson, brought to you by GuitarJamz, host Marty Schwarz, will teach you how to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, from the Nevermind album. 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 is a great video for beginners who are looking to learn power chords and songs to play with t...
How To: Change a string on your guzheng
This video explains how to change a string of guzheng. The process is well described in the video with each and every steps clearly. The thing that is to be done is loosen the peg in a an anticlockwise direction using a tuning tool to remove the string. Thus remove it. If there is no string to begin with then loosen the tuning first before fitting a new string. Than take a new string and insert the pointed end through the hole from the back of the guzheng. To get it on other side pull it thro...
How To: Create a techno beat in GarageBand 08
If you like techno music and want to create your own music, this video takes us through the steps of how to do that. Using GarageBand '08, you can create your own techno beat. All you need to do is create a new file in GarageBand at 140 beats per minute. The piano tool will need to be changed to techno kit and can be altered to different octaves moving higher or lower along the scale. You can then record your beats and perfect it for your own custom techno beat, and the best part is you don't...
How To: Play "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman on Acoustic Guitar
James from Handsome Alvin, the Australian, acoustic duo band who perform in pubs and clubs around Brisbane, wants to teach you an acoustic guitar lesson.
How To: Tune a Djembe African hand drum properly
Understand the concept of tuning a rope djembe. The proper sound is achieved with minimum effort for maximum effect. The key is to either focus or disperse the hand's energy, and position the hand in the correct place. The bass and tone notes require focused energy (a beginner will have the most success by holding their fingers firmly together), while the slap requires dispersed energy (fingers are relaxed).
How To: Play a basic melody technique on the autoharp
This how to video installment explains a basic autoharp melody playing technique called "pinching". Playing melody on the autoharp is not as difficult as it may first appear. There are an awful lot of strings, but finding a melody note and playing it clearly isn't as hard as it seems. Pay attention to these harp playing tips.
How To: Use Elliott Smith-style Milonga flamenco picking
Elliott Smith was more than a great songwriter; he was a great guitar player. This video tutorial demonstrates a small chord progression highlighting the Milonga style of picking. It was a strong influence on the development of Elliott Smith's fingerpicking style and a lot of modern rhythmic guitar styles. While this tutorial is geared toward intermediate and advanced players, even beginners will find much to take away. For more information, and to get started using a Milonga flamenco picking...
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: Tune an ocarina
An ocarina is an ancient instrument similar to a flute. It has an oval-shaped body with four to twelve finger holes and a mouth tube projecting out from the body. This tutorial teaches you how to tune an ocarina. You will need a needle tool, a cutting tool or small sharp knife and a drill bit. With this how to video you will be able to tune your ocarina.
How To: Play "Feelin' Groovy" and "Run to You" on guitar
In this acoustic guitar tutorial, you'll learn how to play the introductions to two popular songs, "Feelin' Groovy" by Paul Simon of Simon & Garfunkel and "Run to You" by Bryan Adams. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate and advanced guitarists, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this lesson to get started playing "Feelin' Groovy" and "Run to You" on your guitar!
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 "Sweet Child Of Mine" by Guns n' Roses on Ukulele
This how to video shows an easy way to play "Sweet Child of Mine" by Guns N' Roses on the ukulele. This lesson is great for intermediate ukulele players.
How To: Do the beatbox vocal tap technique
Learn how to do the beatbox technique called the vocal tap.
How To: Play the violin solo in "Our Song" by Taylor Swift
Learn how to play the violin solo from "Our Song" by Taylor Swift.
How To: Play "Twinkle Little Star" on the piano
Learn how to play "Twinkle Little Star" on the piano with this play-by-numbers video.
How To: Play "Ode To Joy" on the recorder
This video is designed to teach you how to play Ode to Joy (from Beethoven's 9th Symphony.) Remember to play with your left hand on top. You may need to pause and replay parts to get the hang of it. Play "Ode To Joy" on the recorder.
How To: Plug two DJ mixers in together
How you plug one DJ mixer in to another so you can battle or just have a good old mix with your mates with just using one PA / speaker set up.
How To: Build a Foot Switch with a Keyboard
If you need to control a software like Ableton Live while you play guitar then you need a foot switch. In that video I will show you how it is easy to build a foot switch with an old keyboard. Then you will need to configure your software to map the keys to specifics functions like Play, Next, Pause, etc. Enjoy !
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: Play Pirates of the Caribbean main theme on violin
If you're a violin player who's looking to play the main theme song of Pirates of the Caribbean then look no further. This simple video walks you through the song. You'll likely want or need to pause a few times as you work out the fingering, but hang in there and you'll get it. This song is a catchy little ditty you can whip out at any party or seafaring bash. Memories of Jack Sparrow will soon be floating through your head as you play this song. Now you can play Pirates of the Caribbean the...