Learning to Play

Find out why learning guitar is so hard and get answers to the challenges facing beginning guitar players. Learning guitar can be frustrating, but if you put in the time you can succeed!

These strumming patterns will suffice for most songs and are extremely useful for singer/guitar/ukulele accompaniment arrangements.

Learn how to tune a bass guitar with a tuner using this step by step guide.

A detailed explanation of the differences between acoustic and electric guitars.

Learn all of the important parts of an electric guitar using reference photos and detailed descriptions from a seasoned guitarist.

Learning to play any keyboard requires patience, practice, and a little knowledge of music theory basics. Here you will find free practice sheets with annotations and figured bass to help you learn the inversions in all major black and white keys. Also, alternative spellings for flat and sharp keys.

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. Its huge tone has the ability to blend, yet also sound heroic. In this article, we will look at how the French horn works, its fingerings, and the different types of French horns.

Audrey Hunt, author of "Anyone Can Sing," shares her easy method for singing on key using proper breath support.

Here you will find a collection of nineteen free play-along tracks for French horn. I hope you enjoy playing these horn solos and keep checking back for more.

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-along songs 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!

Keep your voice free from throat problems. 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.

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.

This article will offer a brief summary of "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. Especially if you don’t know what you are listening to. This article is A Listening Guide to Classical Music. When understanding how music is put together it 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 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.

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.