Hot Music & Instruments How-Tos

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: Read Guitar Tab

Guitar Essentials My friends and I would secretly scribble tab in the darkly lit practice rooms in our university even though we were educated musicians. So, being able to read tablature, or tab, is essential for beginning guitarists.

How To: String An Electric Guitar

A First Timer's Guide When some new guitarists break their first string they stash it in the closet and forget about it. Me, I put the sweaty axe back in its case and asked my parents to take me to the local music store. After a morning full of senseless racket emanating from my bedroom, my mom welcomed the drive.

How To: Play "(It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus" on the ukulele

Learn how to play "(It Must Have Been Ol') Santa Claus on the uke 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 popular Christmas st...

How To: Play "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" on the ukulele

Want to play "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" 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 m...

How To: Play the guitar chords to "Handle with Care" by the Traveling Wilburys

Today is the anniversary of George Harrison's death nine years ago in 2001, and we thought a commemorative music lesson was in order. And instead of the usual Beatles fare, we thought we'd show you something a little less known, but just as good— "Handle with Care" by the Traveling Wilburys. Many still aren't familiar with the Traveling Wilburys, despite the superstar musicians involved, but that doesn't change the fact that these guys were awesome!

How To: Play "Home for the Holidays" on the ukulele

Learn how to play "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on the uke 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 classic Christmas song on yo...

How To: Play "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" on the ukulele

Learn how to play "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on the uke 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 classic Christmas song on...

How To: Play "Rude Boy" by Rihanna on the ukulele

Want to play "Rude Boy" by Rihanna on soprano, concert or tenor ukulele? Learn how with this video tab, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's component sections, chords and strumming & picking patterns. For all of the details, and to get started playing "Rude Boy" on your own uke, watch this free video ukulele lesson.

How To: Play "Let Me Love You" by Mario on the ukulele

Want to play "Let Me Love You" by Mario on soprano, concert or tenor ukulele? Learn how with this video tab, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's component sections, chords and strumming & picking patterns. For all of the details, and to get started playing "Let Me Love You" on your own uke, watch this free video ukulele lesson.

How To: Play "Love Like Crazy" by Lee Brice on the acoustic guitar

Interested in playing "Love Like Crazy" by Lee Brice on your guitar? Learn how with this video tab, which presents a detailed breakdown of the song's component chords and strumming patterns. While this guitar lesson is suited to those who already have some knowledge of the guitar, beginners should be able to follow along also given a little sticktoitiveness. Watch to get started playing "Love Like Crazy" on your own guitar.

How To: Play "Little Wing" by Jimi Hendrix on the bass

Want to know how to perform the bass part to Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing"? Learn how to lay it down with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's bass line. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Little Wing" on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play "Don't Look Back in Anger" by Oasis on the bass

Want to know how to perform the bass part to Oasis' "Don't Look Back in Anger" from their 1996 album (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Learn how to lay it down with this free video bass lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song's bass line. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, bassists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Oasis song on your own bass guitar, watch this how-to!

How To: Play movable barre chords on the ukulele

In this ukulele lesson, learn how to play movable barre chord shapes 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 incorporating barre chords into your own ukulele playing, watch this video tutorial.

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: Play a C#sus4 chord on an acoustic or electric guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a C#sus4 (or "C sharp sustained 4") chord on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this C chord on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play a C-sharp sustained two (C#sus2) chord on the guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a C#sus2 (or "C sharp sustained or suspended 2") chord on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this C chord on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play a C-sharp major 7 (C#maj7) chord on an acoustic or electric guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a C#ma7 (or "C sharp major 7 or 7th") chord on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this C chord on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play a C-sharp minor 7 (C#m7) chord on an acoustic or electric guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a C#m7(or "C-sharp minor 7th") chord on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this C chord on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.

How To: Play a C-sharp minor (C#m) chord on an acoustic or electric guitar

In this guitar lesson, learn how to play a C#m (or "C sharp minor") chord on a guitar in standard tuning (EADGBE). With the guitar, as with any other instrument, if you want to improve, you'll need to practice. Fortunately, the Internet is awash with free, high-quality guitar lessons like this one. For more information, and to get started playing this C chord on your own guitar, watch this video tutorial.