Musical Instruments

Tuning drums can seem sometimes a daunting task by the beginning drummer, but with a little practice, it's quite simple.

Before the trumpet, piano, harpsichord, and drumb, there was whistling. Whistling is the oldest form of instrument, and with a little effort, anyone can learn to whistle. Below you will find...

Part of being successful in the world of building custom acoustic guitars means that people recognize your name. One way to obtain that recognition is by designing a well thought-out soundhole...

Electric guitar troubleshooting begins with a basic understanding of connection components. The weakest link in the chain, and a common source of problems, is the guitar cord or the guitar's input...

Electronic pianos are keyboard instruments designed to be somewhat similar to their acoustic counterparts. Electronic pianos create tones in the same way that synthesizers do, through oscillators...

A woodwind quintet is a musical ensemble made up of any combination of five woodwind instruments. The traditional combination is flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet and French horn. While many types of...

The two main types of pianos are grand and vertical, also known as upright. Baby grand pianos and upright pianos differ in construction, size, shape, sound and price. Choosing one depends on your...

Building a do-it-yourself effects box for guitar using Germanium Transistors will always result in a more organic and naturally over driven tone compared to the transistors commonly used today....

For many years, Carvin has been the place to go for high quality, custom guitars and basses. For the DIY minded guitarist, they even offer kits for you to assemble at home. Of course, each part...

The solo performers in most rock bands are the lead guitar players. Typically, bass players are content to stay in the background and provide a solid foundation for the band. Some bass players,...

Many clarinetists start playing a beginner's instrument made of durable plastic. But as a student becomes more advanced, he or she will outgrow that instrument, and it will be time to consider...

Deciding to build you own boutique style guitar pedal can be a fun and educational experience. It can also be a way to build a unique and quality effect pedal that you might not be able to get...

The African Oboe, or algaita, is a wind instrument from Africa, specifically from the country of Niger, where it is often played by the Hausa people.

Danelectro guitars have been around for decades and have been played by some of the biggest names in music. The company was started in 1947 by Nathan Daniel. By 1954, the first Danelectro guitars...

If you've been interested in building boutique guitar effects pedals but you don't know quite where to start, you'll likely find that starting with a basic volume pedal will be an easy way to...

Guitar pedals have long been one of the driving forces behind new generations of guitar players. A new pedal added to the arsenal of a guitar player can inspire a new song or even a new genre of...

Acoustic guitar straps are easy to attach, although it may seem a bit confusing at first. Some acoustic guitars have only one strap button at the body heel, and require the top section to be tied...

A beginners trumpet is a smart choice when you are looking to purchase one for a child that has no playing experience. Three top brands of beginner trumpets are Bach, Yamaha, and Blessing, and a...

Ukulele music is written as either standard musical notation or in a specialized form known as tablature. If you have already learned to read music, then standard written notation will be easier...

Mandolins had been in the making years before Orville Gibson made his entry in the 1900s. He created a distinct style for his mandolins. These were labeled A and F, depending on their design. The...

If your guitar is equipped with a fulcrum-style tremolo you most likely have a tremolo arm that is equipped with a plastic tip that is designed to keep your hand from slipping off the end of the...

By purchasing a trumpet on the Internet, you can often receive a considerable discount that might not be available in a "brick and mortar" instrument store. While it's certainly not difficult to...

What sounds like a combination of conga drums, bongo drums and marching snare drums? The answer is a Cajon (pronounced ka-hone), a percussion instrument made from a wooden box. Music stores sell...

Learning how to change the strings on a guitar is one of the first steps new guitarists will take when they buy a Dean guitar. Basic maintenance not only helps you appreciate what it takes to keep...

Buying a flute is a decision that will matter for awhile, but not forever. Nickel- and silver-plated flutes function basically the same, but there are some minor differences to consider.

Drums, as part of the percussion section, provide the backbone of both bands and orchestras. Drums are an essential part of almost every kind of music, including military, jazz and rock.

The autoharp has a strange and captivating sound, producing a full, yet lilting quality. The harp consists of a hollow body with many strings, similar to those on a regular harp, only smaller....

Electric drums and acoustic drums are very closely related---if you can play one, you can play the other. However, there are significant differences between them in terms of feel and sound.

The cajon (pronounced ka-HONE) is a box-shaped percussion instrument that originates from Peru, South America, and used in many different styles of Latin and world music. Its simple design belies...

Drums are one of the most primitive instruments and one of the most fun to make. Students who participate in this project can learn about concepts such as the scientific aspects of sound,...

The mountain dulcimer is an eclectic and worldly instrument that sounds unique and is great fun to play. However, new players may be intimidated by simply tuning the instrument, as there are many...

If you're used to playing an old-fashioned, classic piano, it can be a bit unnerving to think of choosing a new, more technologically advanced digital model. However, there are many digital pianos...

Installing Dunlop strap locks is a quick and easy task and helps prevent guitar damage from the common problem of strap slippage. Jim Dunlop Original, Traditional, Dual-Design, and Flush-Mount...

Learning to play the keyboard or the piano can be a fun and rewarding experience. Technology can now make the learning process a lot easier with the introduction of lighted-key keyboards. The...

For years, bass players have known the true value of the fretless bass guitar. Only recently, however, have guitarists started to become familiar with and accept the concept of using a fretless...

An often overlooked maintenance task for guitar players is cleaning of the guitar's case. The best way to clean a guitar case depends on the material and construction and can be approached as you...

Turning a guitar into a "relic" or making it look older then it is has become a popular modification on guitars due to the extremely high prices that true vintage instruments get on the open...

You can tell the year that a Fender bass guitar was made by looking at the serial number. There is a lettering system in the serial number that corresponds with each decade that these bass guitars...

Consider a complete overhaul when refinishing a Signet alto saxophone. True, having a technician do the work for you would cost an additional $600 to $900 depending on the springs and pads you...

Music is a widely adapted part of culture in which any age group can connect. Kids can appreciate music, but may not be old enough to understand the care necessary for their instruments. Proper...

Grounding a guitar pickup is a vital part of being able to obtain a static free sound when channeling the guitar's signal to the amp. This is especially important if you plan on using a large...

Have you always wanted to play music, but simply couldn't afford to buy an instrument? Worry no more, "in-your-face" salvation to expressing your musical talent is closer than you think.

One of the first tasks any beginning guitar student must master is learning the names of the notes of the guitar strings. This not only makes you more familiar with your instrument, but is the...

A "double flat" doesn't mean having two flat tires on your car. Instead, in piano music, a double flat lowers a note's pitch. Read on to learn more about double flats, which are a type of musical...

Mobility is a key benefit from using guitar straps. Most guitar players use straps, so it is important to understand how to use one no matter what skill level you're at. They are easy to install...

Installing strap locks takes very little time and effort, but these inexpensive devices can help prevent damage to your guitar due to strap failure. As guitar strap's age, the strap buttonholes...