Learning to Play

Chords are a musical basic--but what are they, really? Here's a beginner's guide, with written and audio examples.

Learn to recognise chords that you hear by playing along and matching their chord tones.

That is...when you're not playing music. You never want dead air; so it's best to have a practical checklist of things that you should be talking about to keep the show moving along. Here ya go. :)

Guitarists - Learn to read music with this graded tutorial covering the basics of standard music notation for guitar.

Performance anxiety can be problematic especially with those who have the desire and talent to be on stage but can't seem to overcome that fluttery feeling in their stomachs.

You’re never too old to learn to play guitar! Here are 10 reasons why your 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond are the perfect time to pick up the instrument.

These rehearsal tips will help guitar players understand how to run band practice most efficiently and accomplish their goals.

Find out how beginners can learn blues guitar by working on basic scales and music theory. The rest comes down to hard work and practice!

Audio-video lesson and demonstration of harmonic intervals and how to recognise and identify them by ear

Check out this list of the guitar accessories that are most important for beginners and start building your collection of guitar supplies.

A standard 3 chord blues progression, reharmonized to form a jazz version. Stormy Monday Substitutions. Chords, tab, video. High quality, accurate transcriptions. In depth theory and videos

Have you ever wanted to learn guitar but weren't sure where to start? From choosing a guitar to playing your first songs, this guide will walk you through the first steps and more.

Every musician encounters bumps in the road at some point. With saxophonists, the problems might look like a hurting inner lip, register issues, getting certain notes out, or other things one might not even realize. This article will consist of many common issues, with corresponding solutions.

To understand how the vocal cords work, we need a little information on how we produce sound. Watch Steven Tyler's vocal cords and learn about the variation in our body's natural instrument.

Rondo form is a flexible and versatile way to construct a piece of music. Find out how it works and which composers have used it successfully inside this comprehensive guide.

Find out if you really need a teacher to learn to play guitar, and why taking lessons may not be the best choice for every newbie guitarist.

Whether your hands are too big or small or your wrist muscles are too weak, some ukulele chords are just plan hard to shape.

Learn how to sing quietly or softly. Just follow these simple exercises. Everything you want to know about making your voice sing soft.

Sight reading for guitarists in 12 fretboard positions - with standard notation, tab reading exercises and audio demos.

Learn how to make interesting and original solo fingerstyle guitar arrangements of songs. This is a step by step tutorial with audio demo.

Singers and speakers often acquire throat irritation. This interferes with the voice and interrupts the presentation, audition, recording session and show. Learn how to avoid these throat problems.

Singing is your birthright. Your body holds every tool needed to produce a clear, beautiful tone. It's time to reverse the notion that good singers are reserved for a fortunate few.

Fretboard Logic SE by Bill Edwards is a guitar instruction manual where the CAGED system is made easy to understand for any level of guitarist.

Common, everyday items have many functions. Some are even practical for working musicians. Things that may seem useless in the live music performance world can actually come in quite handy. Read on!

How to become a tribute act, written by a guy who makes a living as a Michael Buble tribute. It's not just wearing a wig and singing songs, it's about scrutiny, practice, and spending a lot of money.

Learn the basics of how to write a song on guitar! Even beginners can create a basic song outline and start making their own music today.

Be honest. You want to be doing better. You know you're good, but you know there are some things that you're missing or could be improved upon. You're right. Read on.

Sharps and flats can be confusing... but not if you know what to look for. Find out how to take the mystery out of key signatures for good!

Learn how to build chords belonging to any major key from the notes of its major scale.

This chord construction article explains how notes are combined to produce chords. It also includes a chord formula list of all the basic chord types and more.

The basics of guitar tablature explained - including timing and note durations.

Why you tell yourself you can't sing? Find solutions for correcting your thinking, free your own natural voice, and sing with joy.

Do you want to know how to play those deep soulful chords with a lot of emotion?

Do you, as a music leader, ever ask yourself: What is the best key for congregational singing? What key should hymns be sung in? or, How can I know the best key for unison singing at church? -- Finding the best musical key for group singing can be a challenge, but the challenge can be pleasant and rewarding.

Maple is one of the traditional tonewoods for acoustic instruments. Right there with maple are rosewood, mahogany, spruce, ebony, and all the varieties of species of those trees. Maple as a tonewood for bodies or backs and sides of a guitar can...

For many classical guitarists, locating the notes on the fingerboard can be difficult, especially in the higher positions. Here is a quick and reliable method for learning all the notes on the fretboard.

Learn to read chords in standard notation fast and accurately. All it needs is the right mental approach and graded practice material.

Even though all technique is mastered, as a singer if you don't learn this one thing, all else doesn't matter. Learn what is absolutely necessary for all singers. Discover the difference now.

Synovitis can ruin a piano-player's career. Here's how I (mostly) recovered and got back to the keys, with gentle repertoire suggestions that I enjoy playing.

Improve your guitar practice routine with these eight tips on playing guitar with small hands. Includes alternative guitar technique ideas and original video examples.

Half stack, full stack or combo? Learn which guitar amp is best in a band situation, and how to choose the right option for you.

Stop! Don't sing any song without first warming up your voice. Here are some of the most effective vocal warm-ups for singers and vocalists.

Hold your tongue! Just make sure this " rudder" for sound is nice and relaxed for better singing and speaking. Learn how to use your tongue for controlling your vocal tone. You'll like the results.

Is there an easy way to remember the order of sharps and flats in music? There is. Read more to find out exactly how to do it.

I Still Got The Blues For You by Gary Moore guitar lesson. Chords, tab, video. High quality, accurate transcriptions, theory explanations, and video lessons.

Discover a few easy shortcuts to help you quickly learn the notes of the guitar fretboard. You can't master the guitar unless you know where to find all the notes!

Find out how to master arpeggio playing on the piano in any key!

What's the best method for learning a new piece of piano music? Find out what you should and shouldn't do to get that new piano piece under your belt as quickly as possible.

If you're thinking of investing in piano lessons for your child (or yourself), you need to hear from a seasoned veteran piano educator on the pros and cons of organized piano study.

Returning and re-learning the piano can be frustrating. These tips will help increase motivation and enjoyment, and prevent burn-out.

The job of playing music in a cover band involves a never ending responsibility to learn new songs. While these songs may not be new to you, they are ones that you need to know if you play regularly.

This article is aimed at self-learning guitarists wondering whether to learn standard music notation or guitar tablature or both, or even neither. A look at the pros and cons of each system.

Learn 5 steps to help you teach yourself to play guitar, no lessons required. It isn’t easy, but with a little hard work you can do it!

Can it be done? Follow these easy steps to find out. Everyone has a singing voice. This tutorial will help you discover yours. It's also a good breathing refresher sequel for those who already sing

Learn about five important concepts that can help you beat songwriter's block. Creative blocks occur for many reasons, but as musicians there are a few things we can do to keep on writing songs when times get tough.

The Suzuki method is enormously popular in the United States and Japan. While the method was originally used to teach violin, many children learn to play piano (and other instruments) with this method. The Suzuki method allows very young children to play music by ear before progressing to sight reading, which allows 3 and 4 year old children to play the piano. Parental involvement is critical to the success of this method!

Learn some easy fingerstyle accompaniment patterns with clear and concise explanation and charts.

Methods to memorize the seven musical modes. Catchy mnemonics included!

The trick is to match the meter of the new lyrics with the meter of a song we already know. Lyrics with similar meters can be sung to the same tune. This works for songs within any genre as well as songs from different genres. Learn how to discover the song meter.

People who are inherently comfortable with being in charge are sometimes very good leaders. However, if they don't follow these basic guidelines, even they can often fall short.

Where do I start? What questions do I ask? What is the cost? How do I know if the vocal teacher is qualified? Help is on the way.

Have you wondered what your authentic voice would sound like if you had perfect singing technique? Using the 'rag doll' exercise will lead you directly to your natural voice. Here's how.

This article looks at how music creates meaning, granting insight into its inherent character and value to human civilization. It focuses on music as a comprehensive symbolic system and contrasts its various elements to the well-known symbolic mechanics of language in the interests of clarifying the unique qualities of music.

Learn how to read and use note durations and timing in modern guitar tablature.

Singing releases endorphins, feel-good chemicals, into your brain. This process works immediately bringing about positive psychological effects. Even if you think you can't carry a tune - sing!

Do you need to learn how to read music if you want to play the guitar? Maybe! Find out whether it is the right choice for you.

Learn how to build major scales with correct naming of notes.

The Martin D-18 has always been one of the world's most desired acoustic steel string guitars. It is somewhat expensive, so not everyone can afford a D-18, here, here are five alternative guitars.

A clear and concise explanation of the 3 forms of the minor scale (natural, harmonic and melodic) and their uses in music.

Performing in a musical can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, some singers and actors miss this fun and educational opportunity because they fail the audition process. Here is a list of how to prepare for that audition.

A quick and authoritative guide to buying a classical guitar for a child or beginner. This article includes common mistakes, prices, and reviews from years of first-hand experience.

"Practice, practice, practice!"--But what about practicing *smarter*? This article gives ten useful tips to do just that. Get better, faster!

Do you know that feeling when you know you should be practicing, but you feel like you just can't? Or you think all your efforts aren't making a difference? Read on for some helpful tips and advice.

So you want to learn how to play guitar? Well join the club, because people from all over the world want to do exactly what you want to as well. What separates you from the rest? It all comes down to whether you've got motivation and that little...

Harmonization of the Major scale in all keys. Chords, Tab. Accurate, high quality transcriptions, in depth theory analysis.

Want to know how to get better at playing guitar? Here are 5 tips that can help you improve, whether you are a beginner or veteran guitarist.

Why is the bass guitar so underrated? Are rock bassists just failed guitar players, looking for some other way to get into a band without having to really learn an instrument? Learn why the bass is looked down on, and the true importance of the bass guitar.

It may start off as a group of people getting together to make some noise, but if you want fans, you've got to come up with a good name for your band.

Learn to tune your guitar by ear in a few simple steps. It’s easy, and it can even help you become a better guitar player.

Practice is the only way you can get better at playing the guitar, but playing the right notes is only half the battle. Check out these seven ways you can improve your guitar practice routine today!

Get some advice on how to buy the best electric guitar for a beginner and learn what features to look for in your first instrument.

Check out this Gibson Les Paul LPJ Review and learn more about the 2013 and 2014 models of this affordable American-made Les Paul.

Discover the best way to learn to guitar, with a focus on scales, chords and songs, as well as music theory. If you want to learn guitar there is nothing stopping you. Here are some top options to get you started!

Having an extensive catalog of songs that you know how to play is essential for any successful musician and cover band. These are the songs that just about every band plays at some point, with lyrics.

Which guitar is better for beginners to learn on: Acoustic or Electric? Discover the pros and cons of each and decide which is right for you!

Learn about the terminology and definitions used in playing and discussing electric and acoustic guitar in this basic vocabulary guide for beginners.

The key to singing with clarity and good diction is learning how to form vowels. Each word you sing contains at least one vowel. Vowels help to carry the sound and takes the voice to a whole new level

Find out which instruments are the best choices for kids or adults who are total beginners and want to learn music for the first time.

When it comes to difference and difficulty how do you compare bass vs guitar? This article can help you decide which is a better choice for you.

I hate my voice! If you're one of the many people who feel this way, you've come to the right place because you're about to learn why you hate your voice and how to fix it.

This page talks about common hand signals for choir directing and the best ways to use those signals.

Easy step-by-step instruction to learn how to breathe using the diaphragm (diaphragmatic breathing.) Sing and speak better. Bring more oxygen to your brain functioning neurons. Let's start now.

If you want to excel in the cover music scene, it's not always a question of your level of skill, but often just a matter of focusing on the right things that makes a difference. Click in to see them.

Compare the top acoustic guitar starter packs and choose the best starter kit to inspire a beginner who is ready to learn to play guitar.

An easy to play classical guitar piece in standard notation and guitar tablature by the guitar composer Ferdinando Carulli. An audio track and study notes are provided for easy learning.

These easy, but important, vocal tips promise to change a weak, unconfident, sound into a bigger and better voice.

Learning to strum the ukulele can seem intimidating, but if you follow these simple steps it can set you well on your way to playing with ease.

The best music education bloggers, helping students, performers and teachers succeed and reach their dreams.

When buying your first acoustic guitar, you want to be sure you're getting what you want. In this article we look at the main differences between steel and nylon stringed acoustic guitars.

Here are 6 easy tips for improving your present singing voice. Confidence is everything, so you must begin believing in yourself. Until you do this, others will not believe in you either.