Musical Instruments

Teach Yourself to Play Jazz When I first got into the Air Force Band, I could read music but not improvise. I had to learn to play jazz, because I was assigned to the big band as well as the...

Seven-string guitars are thought to have been invented in Russia in the 19th century. They weren't very popular in the United States until jazz guitarist George Van Eps had one built for him in...

Nobody has ever learned to play jazz piano without first learning the methods of chord structure and the harmonic movement that defines the genre of jazz. Most aspiring jazz pianists learn these...

Guitar picks come big and small, thick and thin, and in nearly every material imaginable. Every player has preferences and subtle differences in technique, and pick manufacturers have responded in...

The alto saxophone is an extremely popular instrument among musicians, band students and jazz veterans alike. This versatile instrument has an immediately recognizable sound familiar to music...

The jazz guitar can be a reference to acoustic and electric guitars that are used in jazz music. Over the past century, numerous musicians have defined the use of guitars in the genre---both as a...

Learn how to play the Classical scale on the guitar for better solos without reading sheet music.

Learning to play around with the piano isn't too difficult. A few beginning lessons will have you playing simple melodies in a matter of a couple of weeks. Learning to play the piano well can take...

Are you an intermediate Rock or Blues guitarist who has lost interest and enthusiasm in learning, because of instructors who endlessly preach that you must learn modes and scales as the only...

A relatively new musical instrument, the alto saxophone was invented by a Belgian craftsman in the mid-19th century. The saxophone is generally known for its lyrical sound, and the range of the...

There is no "standard" mute for playing jazz on the trumpet. Just as in classical music, any of the trumpet's mutes may be used, depending on the choice of the composer or soloist. However, a few...

It's far easier to rock than to bop. Jazz guitar requires a tremendous amount of skill and is therefore often only pursued by serious music students. Not only must your playing improve...

A foundational instrument in both the rhythmic and harmonic backbone of the jazz ensemble, the piano is often also called upon to play improvised solos. The art of jazz piano improvisation is a...

Leo Fender's now iconic Jazz Bass design defines cool chic: with its sleek body curves and bold yet simple layout, no wonder the best-selling Jazz has been the workhorse of many bassists since its...

Buying drum sticks doesn't have to be a tough endeavor at all. The type of stick you buy depends on what kind of music you play, and how high or low quality you want to go. Buying sticks just for...

Although it seems to be older, the saxophone was invented only a half century after Mozart's death. The saxophone is one of the most versatile instruments in the world. Famous saxophonists have...

One of the most intimidating parts of learning to play jazz understanding the new language of chord notation and jazz symbols. Read below to learn what jazz chord symbols and notation mean and how...

The saxophone is perhaps the most expressive of jazz instruments, offering a near infinite range of flexibility and expression to those who master it. Like learning any other musical skill,...

While some instruments have been around for hundreds and even thousands of years, the alto saxophone is young in comparison. Not only was it invented less than 200 years ago, it didn't become...

The Jazz Bass (or J Bass) was the 2nd electric bass guitar model created by Fender. The J Bass was created to bring brighter and slightly higher tones to the electric bass; that gave the mid range...

Though first sold to churches, the Hammond Organ has become a popular instrument in rock, jazz and other music. This electric organ became popular in the 1960s and 70s in both blues and prog-rock...

The harp is an important factor in jazz and fusion music as musicians have incorporated the electric harp and the electric-acoustic harp. Discover the harp in jazz and fusion music with tips from...

Learn simple jazz improvisation by learning the blues scale as well as practicing different chords and modes. Improvise with tips from a professional musician in this free video on music.

Mandolin arpeggios often use changes common in jazz music. Find out how to play mandolin arpeggios with the expert music training tips in this free video from a mandolin instructor.

Jazz drummers often play snare patterns along with the bass drum. Play snare patterns with sixteenth notes with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced...

Comping exercises are great ways for jazz drummers to develop skill playing with other musicians. Play a third triplet partial snare pattern with the music tips in this free video lesson on...

Syncopation is an important skill for jazz drummers to master. Learn jazz drumming syncopation skills with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz...

Eighth notes are the backbone of jazz drum patterns. Play a cymbal ride pattern with eighth notes with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

Jazz drummers should be able to play at a variety of speeds. Develop the proper speed playing a cymbal ride pattern with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an...

Jazz drummers need to have the ability to play different patterns at the same time. Play a ride pattern on a snare drum with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an...

Jazz drummers don't play the bass drum as loudly as rock drummers. Play a ride pattern on a bass drum with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz...

Comping, or complementing, in jazz refers to accompanying other musicians on drums or other instruments. Develop comping skills on the snare drum with the music tips in this free video lesson on...

The shuffle is an essential beat in jazz. Play a snare shuffle with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

Jazz drummers are required to play a variety of notes on the snare drum, using all parts of the head. Play comping patterns on the snare drum with the music tips in this free video lesson on...

Jazz drummers often play triplets when comping other musicians. Learn snare patterns for entire drum sets with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced...

Mute or feather the bass drum when playing triplets on the snare. Play a snare pattern with triplets with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz...

Jazz drummers play a snare shuffle on other drums in their drum kits. Play a snare shuffle on the bass drum with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced...

The jazz swing pattern is common in jazz syncopation. Develop drum patterns with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

Establishing a jazz beat phrase is an important aspect of playing jazz drums. Play a cymbal ride pattern with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz...

Use a six-count when establishing a jazz pattern on drums. Play a cymbal ride pattern on a high hat with the music tips in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

A drum roll should start at the top of the rim and move toward the center of the head. Learn how to do a drum roll in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

Use a rocking motion to play single strokes on the bass drum. Find out how to play single strokes on the drum in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

Determining the right balance point when holding the drum stick is an important part of developing drumming skills. Find out about the balance point for gripping a drumstick in this free video...

Drummers can get different sounds by playing different parts of the snare drum, including the rim. Find out how to play the snare drum in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an...

When setting up drums and cymbals, look at the way other players have them set up for suggestions. Learn how to set up and adjust drums and cymbals in this free video lesson on playing the drums...

Adjust the angle of drums to feel comfortable playing them. Find out the proper angle for setting up drums in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

When tuning drums, adjust tension using quarter turns. Tune drums using the tips and techniques in this free video lesson on playing the drums from an experienced jazz drummer.

The baritone saxophone is not as popular as its close relatives the alto and tenor sax, which play a major role in both popular and classical music. While the baritone sax may not receive as much...

Learning to play the tenor saxophone can be an enjoyable and educational experience for any musician. While it takes thousands of hours of practice and performance experience to develop into a...

Drum brushes are wire brushes used to play drums in order to create a unique, jazz music sound. Play drums with drum brushes using tips from a professional drummer in this free music lesson video.