Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos
How To: Play "Grenade" by Bruno Mars on guitar
The Bruno Mars single "Grenade" is taking him to a whole 'nother level of stardom, especially in light of his amazing performance at the Grammy's. This video will show you how to play a cover of the song on acoustic guitar and woo yourself some people.
How To: Play "Grenade" by Bruno Mars on piano
Bruno Mars is shooting up through the pop hierarchy, and for good reason. His latest single "Grenade" shows his darker side beautifully, and this video will teach you how to play an awesome cover of the song on piano and show that ex how you really feel.
How To: Play "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons on guitar
"The Cave" by Mumford and Sons (not to be confused with "Cave" by Muse) is a great tune from this new force in the music world. Watch this video for an easy-to-follow tutorial on playing the song on acoustic guitar.
How To: Play the song "Cave" by Muse on piano
"Cave" by Muse is, like most of their songs, a beautiful track to bang out on solo piano like Matt Bellamy probably does sitting in his boxers drinking Bass. This video will show you how to cover "Cave" on your piano.
How To: Play "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons on piano
Mumford and Sons and their hit song "Little Lion Man" have officially arrived since the Grammies, and if you don't know how to cover this song you're going to be underequipped to impress fellow cocktail-party guests. Watch this video for a silent but comprehensible guide to playing "Little Lion Man" on piano.
How To: Play the bodhrán drums with dynamics
The biggest complaint of most people listening to the bodhran is, "is that ALL the sound it makes?" Well, this video will help you put all those drum doubters in their place, by teaching you how to play the bodhran with dynamics.
How To: Improve Your Guitar Skills by Retraining Your Fingers
A common problem for many guitarists is what I call the intermediate plateau. As a beginner, you improved rapidly. You got faster and more fluid almost on a daily basis. Then it stopped. However hard you practice, you don’t seem to get any better.
How To: Beatbox the Classic Snare Sound
If you've seen my basic sounds tutorial (and if you haven't, you should!) you'd know a rimshot sound instead of a snare. The classic snare, while considerably more tricky, is far more versatile.
How To: Play the two-five-one jazz progression
If you can play bar chords, there's no reason you can't play a two-five-one jazz progression! This clear and helpful video shows you how to build on skills you already have, adds in some theory and has you ready to get jazzy!
How To: Get jazzy with your ukulele in this intro jazz lesson
In this clear how-to video, ukulele master Glen Rose introduces the viewer to a series a jazz chords and then shows how to put them altogether to play a jazzy little number. Get strumming people, your uke awaits new music.
How To: Celebrate Elvis Presley's 76th Birthday with Food & Music
If he were still alive, today would be Elvis Presley's 76th birthday. And if you're not planning a huge celebration for the King of Rock and Roll, then try out a smaller one. Learn some of his songs and eat some of Elvis's favorite food today, to commemorate the King.
How To: Play "Ring of Fire" by the Meat Puppets on acoustic guitar
Want to know how to play "Ring of Fire" by the Meat Puppets on your guitar? Learn how with this free video guitar lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, guitarists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing this song famously covered by Kurt Cobain in Nirvana's Unplugged concert for MTV, watch this video tab!
How To: Play "Beautiful Day" by U2 on the electric guitar
Want to play a beautiful version of "Beautiful Day" 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 "Beautiful Day" on your own guitar, watch this video guit...
How To: Play "Until the End of the World" by U2 on electric guitar
Want to play "Until the End of the World" 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 "Until the End of the World" on your own guitar, watch this video g...
How To: Play "With or Without You" by U2 on guitar
Want to master "With or Without You" 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 "With or Without You" on your own guitar, watch this video guitar tab!
How To: Play "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" by U2
Want to master "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" 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 "IGCIIDGCT" on your own guitar, watch this video g...
How To: Play "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2 on guitar
Want to master "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" 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 "ISHFWILF" on your own guitar, watch this video g...
How To: Play "Magnificent" by U2 on electric guitar
Want to do a magnificent job of playing "Magnificent" 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 "Magnificent" on your own guitar, just take a look!
How To: Play "New Year's Day" by U2 on electric guitar
Want to play "New Year's Day" 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 "New Year's Day" on your own guitar, just take a look!
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 "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2 on electric guitar
Want to master "Where the Streets Have No Name" 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 "Where the Streets Have No Name" on your own guitar, just tak...
How To: Play "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson on electric guitar
Want to master "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its constituent riffs. 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 MJ's "Smooth Criminal" on your own guitar, just take a look!
How To: Play "Tighten Up" by the Black Keys on electric guitar
Want to master "Tighten Up" by the Black Keys? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its constituent riffs. 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 "Tighten Up" on your own guitar, just take a look!
How To: Play "Instant Karma!" by John Lennon on the acoustic guitar
Want to perform an unplugged-but-nevertheless-rocking version of "Instant Karma!" by John Lennon of the Beatles? See how it's done with this free video guitar lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and it 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 "Instant Karma!" on your own acoustic ...
How To: Play a three-chord (I-IV-V) ostinato on the xylophone
In this video xylophone lesson for aspiring mallet percussionists, we learn how to play a two-chord ostinato on the xylophone using three mallets. The chord progression is a simple one, commonly heard in popular music. It moves from the root or tonic (I) to the subdominant (IV) to the dominant (V).
How To: Play a two-chord tonic-dominant ostinato on the xylophone
In this video xylophone lesson, we learn how to play a two-chord ostinato on the xylophone using three mallets. The chord progression is a simple one which moves from the root or tonic (I) to the dominant (V) and back.
How To: Play Blackbird by the Beatles (A Memorial Song for the Dead Birds in Arkansas)
Blackbirds are NOT singing in the dead of night. At least, not in Arkansas.
How To: Play a short, repeating blues lick in the key of E
It's short, it's sweet and baby it's the blues. Robert Renman teaches you how to play a short, repeating blues lick in the key of E, that you can throw down any time the situation calls. When you're playing the blues you can never have enough riffs up your sleeve, so check it out now.
How To: Get a thick distorted guitar sound at low volume with pedals & Marshall amp
In this instructional tutorial hosted by Robert Renman, get a thick, distorted sound on your guitar without cranking it to 11. Robert uses a Maxon SD-9 distortion pedal, a Zonkin Yellow Screamer and a blueSky Reverberator, paired with a Marshall Class 5 amp to make it all come together.
How To: Train your ears to hear the intervals of a minor 6th, 7th & augmented 4th
Yes, there's a whole lot more than 3 chords out there and this lesson of aural training will help teach you the intervals of a minor 6th, minor 7th, and an augmented 4th - thus completing an entire octave in melodic interval ear training. Justin Sandercoe takes the mystery out of music with this clear and comprehensive lesson to make sure you'll be more than a one hit wonder.
How To: Play interesting lead parts with the A Minor blues scale
Alright, let's be honest, blues guitarists can get stuck in a riff rut and then everyone ends up singing the blues. In this video, Robert Renman shows you how to break out of the mold and bring some life into your licks. Using the A Minor blues scale, Robert shows you how to create interesting phrasing and ideas to let you put your own stamp on a long, long tradition.
How To: Play the "Pirates of the Caribbean" theme song on electric guitar
Arrr matey! There's salt in yer veins and rock in your amp! In this easy, step by step video, Bobby Crispy shows you how to rock out and play the theme song to Pirates of the Caribbean on electric guitar, with a helpful visual TAB overlay on the video. Grab your axe and rock the plank!
How To: Play a killer classic blues rock lick
Rip it up with this classic, blues rock lick, taught to you here by Robert Renman. This wicked riff, reminiscent of Gary Moore's playing style, uses lots of hammer-ons and pull-offs, which let's you play over 4 strings REALLY fast. Once you nail this, you'll officially be allowed to light your guitar on fire. Learn and shred now!
How To: Use the Toontrack Superior Drummer plugin with Logic
Utilize the mutli-out function using the Toontrack Superior Drummer plugin with the Logic sound program! This tutorial lets you create very professional sounding drums that you can add into your music projects. Select from a variety of different drum types.
How To: Play the bridge bassline to the disco classic "Disco Inferno" by the Trammps
There may only be one thing hotter than a disco inferno and that's learning how to play the bass line from 'Disco Inferno'. Throw down some heavy tones and watch them shake it on the dance floor. This disco classic will show you how to play the bridge section of this classic disco hit.
How To: Do minor to minor transposition when composing music
D minor may be the saddest chord ever, but where do you go from there? In this comphrensive lesson by Andrew Furmanczyk, you'll learn how to do minor to minor transposition to bump up your musical composition skills to a whole new level. If you can't sing it, or don't want to play it in the key the song is in, you need to watch this. Try it and make your sadness go to 11!
How To: Play a 'Silent Night' ukulele solo as arranged by Michael Lynch
Come on! Ukuleles are NOT just for Hawaiian music! Bust out your uke, put on your Santa cap and get those carols rolling. This tutorial by Michael Lynch shows you how to play a sweet solo for Silent Night on your trusty ukulele. From aloha to aloho ho ho!
How To: Play "Holly Jolly Christmas" on ukelele
Learn to play "Holly Jolly Christmas" on ukelele this holiday season. "Ukelele" Mike Lynch shows you how on this informative video, which includes chords, lyrics, strumming pattern and technical details on the instrument used to play this song.
How To: Play Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" on guitar
Learn to play Elvis Presley's holiday classic (and one of the most popular songs on iTunes) "Blue Christmas" and show your guitar prowess to friends & family this season! This entertaining video shows you the chords and strumming method to play this popular holiday tune.
How To: Play "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" on guitar
Learn to play "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" on guitar and entertain friends & family with your guitar skills this holiday season! Thomas Gilbert shows you how in this informative video, demonstrating the chords and strumming style to properly perform this timeless classic.