Learning to Play

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

Learn how to write great lyrics and take your songwriting to the next level in one short article.

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.

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. :)

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.

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.

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.

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!

This article will show you the best method ever of how to efficiently learn and memorize the notes on a guitar neck in the shortest amount of time.

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

Music is complicated and difficult to listen to at times.This Listening Guide for Music is designed for those who have favorite pieces of music, styles or composers, but don't understand why.

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.

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.

Do you have big dreams of playing Eponine in Les Mis or to be able to sing like Taylor Swift, if only you could better your singing voice? Follow these tips to take your singing to the next level. With a little practice, you'll go from amateur to accomplished in no time!

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!

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

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.

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!

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

Get started playing your new ukulele today by learning a few basic techniques. It is easy to get started playing simple songs, even if you have no musical experience.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

I have a fairly long set list, which is nice. But equally important is the order of the songs on the list. Allow me to explain as to why that is.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Explore the technical works of Wohlfahrt, Kayser, Mazas, Kreutzer, and Rode. Understand how violin etudes and studies benefit the students.

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

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.

So, you’ve decided that you want to learn how to play the drums. Drums are probably one of the most complex and difficult instruments out there. However, if you are motivated, you can succeed. Here are a few tips for beginner drummers that will help you get started.

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

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

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

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!

A brief summary to "The Twelve Lesson Course" in "A New Approach to Violin Playing" by renowned Hungarian violinist and pedagogue, Kato Havas.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Learn about the violin works suitable for pre-advanced students. Explore the concertos by Viotti, Rode, de Bériot, and Kabalevsky.

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

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.

A beginner's guide to reading the notes on the grand staff. Great for kids, adults, and anyone interested in learning how to read music!

If you have a child who shows an affinity to the piano but is not old enough for formal lessons, the following article will give parents ideas for teaching early piano skills.

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

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.

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

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

Learn how to deal with the criticism and negativity that comes with playing guitar in public. Don’t let the haters bring you down!

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.

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

A guitar player could really pull off a huge sound by going multitimbral.

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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

Triads are easy 3-note guitar chords that are useful in both rhythm and lead playing. This article explores how to play them and what the best practices are when using them.

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

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.

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

There is a specific system that has proven effective in working as a musician or playing covers in any band. Master these fundamentals and you'll be able to succeed in every gigging situation.

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!

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.

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

Learn to recognise and identify chords and chord progressions in key-based music by ear.

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

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

This article offers advice for parents of beginning band students to find a great clarinet at the right price. What distinguishes a quality instrument from a beginner piece? Read on to find out.

Learn the meaning behind some of the most used musical terms. A helpful resource for music students and teachers. Become a better musician by applying musical symbols to your music.

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...

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.

Learn everything you need to know about getting started on guitar in this comprehensive guide. Get help choosing your first guitar, advice on lessons and more!

Learn the difference between guitar and piano so you can choose the best instrument for you. Discover the pros and cons of each, including which is harder and whether you can learn both at the same time.

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

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.

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.

How can some pianists play so fast and flawless? Strong and flexible fingers, just like a strong and flexible body, provide the strength necessary for speed. Here's how you can build stronger fingers

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.