Musical Instruments Videos

With this video, you can learn basic finger style guitar if you have a working knowledge of open chords. Finger picking is fun and easy! Give it a try.

Getting good tone from a bass guitar in the recording studio requires specific techniques that differ from playing a live show. Understand the nuances of the bass sound in the studio with tips...

This lesson will show you how to play a C major scale using a 1-2 pattern going up the scale (Left to Right) and then going down the scale using a 2-1 pattern (Right to Left) You will only be...

This lesson teaches timing between the left hand and the right hand. During this lesson you will learn counting in 4 half notes and then 8th notes. The right hand will play the C chord as the left...

When stringing a violin, you'll start with the E string, which comes separately packaged and has a ball on the end. Find out how to string a violin with guidance from an experienced violinist in...

Use rosin to wax your violin bow by starting near the frog and guiding it to the tip. Discover how to wax your violin bow with tips from an experienced violinist in this free video on violins.

To prepare a violin bow, you'll want to tighten your bow and use violin rosin to wax it. Learn to properly prepare your violin bow with advice from an experienced violinist in this free video on...

Learning the strings on a violin is very simple and shouldn't take long due to there only being four or sometimes five strings altogether. Memorize violin strings with help from an experienced...

When changing violin strings with a fine tuner, remember that you'll almost always use the E-string because there is usually a builtiin fine tuner on it. Keep your violin in tune with guidance...

Putting on a violin shoulder rest is very helpful because you don't have to bend your neck nearly as much. Learn how to attach a shoulder rest with guidance from an experienced violinist in this...

Tightening a violin bow is very easy and usually takes just a turn of a knob located on the frog of the bow. Find out how to tighten the bow on your violin with help from an experienced violinist...

When teaching yourself to play a violin, remember that the bow should be perfectly straight when sliding it across the strings. Discover how to learn the violin on your own with proper technique...

If you are reading music and working on memorizing the music theory of the violin, you'll want to use the treble cleff. Find out the fastest way to memorize violin music with help from an...

To choose a violin for a child, the main thing you'll want to look for is proper size. Make sure you choose a fitting violin for your child with advice from an experienced violinist in this free...

When choosing a violin, one rule of thumb is that the older the violin is, the better it typically sounds. Learn what to look for when choosing a violin with tips from an experienced violinist in...

The bouzouki is a traditional Greek instrument adopted by the Irish in the 1950s and '60s that plays similarly to a mandolin. Understand the nuances of the bouzouki instrument with help from the...

Before changing mandolin strings, release as much pressure as possible so the strings do not spring back and cause injury. Remove and replace old mandolin strings with help from the member of an...

Cleaning a bodhran drum is best done using plain water, as using any other substance risks altering the sound of the drum. Spray down both sides of the skin and wipe clean with help from the...

Some bodhran drums are tunable while others are not, but even the non-tunable bodhrans can be tightened using a damp cloth. Adjust the tuner pegs on the inside of a tunable bodhran drum with help...

It is easiest to play a bodhran while sitting, which allows the less dominant hand to move across the underside of the drum when it is struck. Discover how to play the bodhran drum with help from...

An Irish reel refers to a traditional tune type, similar to a jig, that is in 4/4 time and played in cut time. Recognize an Irish reel with help from the member of an Irish band in this free video...

Violin shoulder rests can be attached to the instrument in different ways, depending on the style of rest. Attach a shoulder rest using screws or rubber bands with advice from an accomplished...

Teaching yourself to play the violin usually involves researching instructional materials, such as books and videos, but learning to properly hold the instrument is the first step. Get ideas for...

To tighten a violin bow, simply hold the bow by the grip with one hand and use the other to turn the button on the end in a clockwise direction. Find out how to properly tighten a bow to the...

Choosing a violin for a child requires first deciding whether to rent or purchase, and then measuring the child's arm to determine the correct size. Consider renting a violin for a young musician...

When choosing a violin, consider the purchase or rental price, the sound quality of the instrument and the musician's skill level. Determine which violin matches budget and preference with advice...

Tuning a guitar using harmonics is one of the most accurate ways to make sure the guitar is in tune, and not just to the human ear. Use harmonics and a tuner with advice from an expert guitar...

Guitar lattice bracing makes the guitar a little lighter and causes the bridge to be a bit tighter and more stable. Discover the function of lattice bracing with advice from an expert guitar...

There are a variety of bow techniques for the violin and fiddle, including a low bow to create a sweet, smooth sound, the ponticello used as a rhythmic device, and an assortment of percussive...

The easiest way to learn guitar chords is to gain an understanding of fretboard diagrams, which are essentially drawings of a guitar neck. Learn how to build on easy guitar chords with help from a...

An electric guitar is played the same way that an acoustic guitar is played, although the sound of an electric guitar is produced with pickups. Find out how the sound on an electric guitar can be...

In order to convert an acoustic guitar to an electric guitar, simply use an acoustic-electric guitar that has controls for a number of tonal possibilities. Make an acoustic guitar sound like an...

When kids are learning to play electric guitar, it's important that they take the time to become comfortable with the instrument. Learn how to get a kid's fingers to match up with his mental...

Tuning a guitar to drop C requires tuning the sixth string down two whole steps to C, while all of the other strings should be tuned down one whole step. Discover reference points when tuning a...

When choosing guitar picks, remember that thin picks are good for strumming, medium picks are good for playing leads and heavy picks are good for jazz. Find out how to control heavy or...

In order to imitate sound effects on an electric guitar, try using distortion effects, chorus effects and wah-wah effects. Discover ways to use effects pedals in guitar playing with help from a...

Different types of electric guitar sounds can be achieved by manipulating the tone controls and pickups on the guitar. Toggle between a mellow, full sound and a bright, twangier sound with help...

In order to tune a guitar to C-sharp, tune each string down to the next lower tone in the chord. Find out how to tune each string to achieve an open C-sharp major chord on a guitar with help from...

Four melodic embellishments that can help in the improvement of guitar phrasing include hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides and bends. Learn about leaving space in guitar playing with help from a...

A few of the pieces of a French horn include the mouthpiece, the lead pipe, the body of the horn, the valve section, the bell stem and the bell flick. Understand the anatomy of a French horn with...

Hitting low notes on the French horn requires manipulation of the lips in the mouthpiece and changing the way the lips vibrate to produce a different sound. Find out how to make a lower sound on...

The French horn works by magnifying the sound and vibrations of buzzing the lips into the mouth piece, and valves are used to achieve different notes. See how a French horn produces music with...

Tuning a French horn can be complicated, because there are essentially 14 different horns within a single instrument. Understand the art of keeping a French horn in tune with help from an...

The flutter tongue technique is used on the French horn to create special effects noises or animal noises during a symphony. Understand the logistics of the flutter tongue technique with help from...

The French horn is a brass instrument that is often heard in movies, symphony orchestras, radio and television, and it has evolved over the centuries into its modern form. Understand the basics of...

When buying a French horn, consider the experience of the musician, as beginners should look for a simple single F or single B-flat horn that only has one rank of tubing. Pick out the right French...

Slap bass on the electric bass can be overwhelming, but a beginner can start by using her thumb in a hammer-on and pull-off motion. Compliment the drums by playing slap bass with help from a...

A rumba rhythm bass line may involve playing an F, G minor7 to C pattern. Learn about the percussive qualities of rumba music with help from a professional upright and electric bass player in this...

Heavy metal style bass combines rhythmic and melodic elements, and it's important to compliment the other guitars when playing in this style. Find out how to play eighth notes and 16th notes as a...

When playing salsa on the bass, it's important to capture the rhythmic feel of this danceable form of music. Attach a dotted quarter note to another with help from a professional upright and...