Learning to Play

Knowing the basic anatomy of an acoustic guitar is a crucial first step in learning to play the instrument. This simple guide lays out all the parts of a guitar in a straightforward manner.

Having a good live sound is not something that just happens by chance. It's something you have to work at. Here are some tips.

Every musician longs for a great band situation, but we don't always get into one. There are a lot of impediments that could pop up that will interfere with that. here they are.

What is vibrato, why do you need it, and how do you make it happen? We all have vibrato but it can remain buried within us until we discover how to release it naturally. Stay with me now and learn just what you can do to sing with vibrato.

The French Horn makes a hugely expressive sound and can play over a wide range. It's huge tone has the ability to blend, yet also sound heroic. In this article we will look at how the French Horn works, it's fingerings, and the different types of French Horn.

A well respected vocal coach for Broadway Musicals, Audrey Hunt, shares her easy and exciting method for singing on key by using your breathing system.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for tenor saxophone. I hope you enjoy playing these saxophone solos and keep checking back for more.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for tenor saxophone in Bb. I hope you enjoy playing these sax solos and keep checking back for more.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for trombone. I hope you enjoy playing these trombone solos and keep checking back for more.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for alto saxophone. I hope you enjoy playing these saxophone solos and keep checking back for more.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for flute. I hope you enjoy playing these flute solos and keep checking back for more.

Here you will find a collection of free play-alongs for trumpet. I hope you enjoy playing these trumpet solos and keep checking back for more.

Although the trombone doesn't have any valves like other instruments it can still play a full chromatic scale. The trombone is a fantastic instrument which is at home in many different ensembles. In this article I will show you the slide positions on the trombone and how it works.

Done properly, mouthpiece buzzing can greatly improve your range and sound on the trumpet while helping you discover a more efficient technique. In this article, I will include some buzzing exercises and talk about the potential benefits and also the potential hazards of mouthpiece buzzing.

Just about anything can go technically wrong at a gig. we don't always see them coming but we can learn how to deal with them and prevent them.

A review of the music in the piano solo collection "At The Movies," Book 1, published by Alfred and arranged by Dan Coates.

After a few years of lessons, it can be tough to motivate students who get "stuck" crossing into intermediate level music. Let's Fix That!

A sore throat or hoarseness can be a sign of vocal strain. Here's how you can protect your voice.

Although the trumpet only has three valves, it can still play a fully chromatic scale. It's an incredibly versatile instrument, but it's not always easy to play. This article explores how to place your fingers on the trumpet so that you can make the most out of this instrument.

Just discover '80s metal and want to shred the fretboard like they did? Check out this guide to get your shredding chops in order!

Bending is one of the most expressive techniques on the guitar. Bends can truly make solos soar ... or crash and burn. Hitting the right pitch every time can be a bit tricky, so here's a guide to hit that sweet spot every time.

If you've played electric guitar all your life, acoustic can feel like an entirely different instrument at times. It takes a little nuance to get the acoustic sounding stellar, so here's some tips for playing better acoustic guitar.

Rhythm is the backbone of all music, yet it tends to get overshadowed by soloing on the guitar. Want to break out of power chord prison and start playing exotic rhythms? Here are three tips to spice things up.

Want to have better guitar tone without spending any money on expensive equipment? Try out these three techniques to make your guitar sound clearer, richer, and alive. No equipment required.

Musical improvisation can be both rewarding and intimidating for even the most experienced players. For the beginner, it can seem near impossible to form music out of scales and chords. Here are five tips to keep your ideas fresh.

20 practical ways to improve your keyboard playing skills, if you’re struggling with mastering the electronic music keyboard.

Learn how to cope with fear using these proven strategies. Fear prevents us from moving forward and can rob us of success.

Find out how to implement this four-step plan to achieve effective practicing.

Being in a band can be one of the most rewarding experiences a musician can have. Expressing yourself live or through the sounds of an original recording can be priceless. This article will walk you through how to start a band and what mistakes you should avoid making along the way.

If your child has expressed an interest in playing the guitar, here's exactly what you need to know before they attempt to strum their first chord.

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.

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

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!

Music is complicated and difficult to listen to at times. This listening guide for music is designed to help the music listening enthusiast enjoy and understand their music better. Understanding how music is put together opens many new genres for listening.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Here's how to buy a classical guitar for a child or beginner. This article includes common mistakes, prices, and reviews from years of first-hand experience.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.