Musical Instruments

How to Play Guitar Solos

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Playing a solo on an instrument can be an exhilarating and exciting experience if you are prepared and ready for the challenge. The guitar can be difficult to play in a way that is impressive to others because it is so widely played. However, you ... more »

How to Play High Notes on the Trumpet

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The trumpet is one of the more difficult instruments to play and a skill that few can master. One of the hardest parts of playing the trumpet is playing high notes with a fluid and sharp sound. Once you have learned how to play the trumpet, you ... more »

How to Play Open Scales on the Cello

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One of the first things learned when playing the cello is open scales. Open scales are scales that begin with notes played open on one of the strings. Once you memorize these scales and can play them smoothly and quickly, it is time to move onto ... more »

How to Play Piano Like Alicia Keys

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Alicia Keys has risen quickly to platinum level of stardom over the past few years. Her songwriting skills mixed with her incredible piano playing talent make her sound unique and highly creative in a musical world filled with copycat talent. ... more »

How to Play Plectrum Banjo

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The plectrum banjo differs from the tenor or 5-string in that it is a 4-string instrument with 22 frets and a longer neck than the tenor. This allows the musician to use the first string for more notes, and more lax is used when tuning the first ... more »

How to Play the "Back in Black" Riff

By Eric J. Seidman

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"Back in Black" is one of AC/DC's most popular songs. It combines a catchy sequence of power chords with a very fun solo. The song follows the general AC/DC style of three chords repeated, and was the first song I ever learned how to play on ... more »

How to Play the "Crossroads" Riff

By Eric J. Seidman

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"Crossroads," voted the 10th best guitar solo of all time by "Guitar World," is one of the most popular blues songs of all time. Inspired by an old Robert Johnson song, Eric Clapton's band, Cream, spruced it up and turned it into a classic. This ... more »

How to Play the "Sweet Child of Mine" Riff

By Eric J. Seidman

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"Sweet Child of Mine" is arguably the most famous song by the band Guns 'n' Roses. The combination of Slash's melodic guitarwork with Axl Rose's sawtooth voice and a landmark guitar solo paved the way for one of the best rock songs of all time. ... more »

How to Play the B Major Scale On Trumpet

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Practicing and learning scales are two of the most important elements to learning to play the trumpet well. Practice is vital to retaining fingering and tonguing techniques and learning scales allows you to understand everything else that is ... more »

How to Play the Djembe

By Jim Donovan

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Beginner Djembe Lesson. Get the full DVD at Amazon.com A step by step lesson on how to play the West African Djembe drum. Includes bass, tone, slap, flams and more. You can also get the full 2 hour Rhythmic Foundation : Interactive African ... more »

How to Play the French Horn

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Few musical instruments sound as distinctive and beautiful as the French horn. However, think carefully before taking up this instrument because it isn't suitable for entertaining your friends or playing at nightclubs. If you do decide to learn ... more »

How to Play the Gong

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The gong is a musical instrument of Malay-Javanese origin, which has made its way into nearly all Asian cultures and even a number of Western cultures. Its uses are as wide as religion ceremonies, yoga classes and even rock bands, and its ... more »

How to Play the Hand Cymbals

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Hand cymbals are one of the most exciting instruments to play, due to their distinct timbre and power. Present in orchestra, band, pop and ethnic music, they are a staple percussion instrument... more »

How to Play the Harmonium in Hindustani Vocal Music

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The harmonium plays an important part in Hindustani vocal music. The keyboard portion, designed like a piano keyboard, consists of 3 1/2 octaves and in the back portion the bellows function similar to a reed organ. The harmonium player never ... more »

How to Play the Root Position of Bb Major on Guitar

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Guitarists use chords to play more than one note of the same pitch at the same time. Chords are groups of notes played together and are used to optimize the sound of an instrument. A root position is normally the first note of a chord or triad. ... more »

How to Play the Timbales

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The timbales are two drums with metal shells and skin or plastic heads. They are traditionally a Latin American instrument, often with a few added cowbells, but are now featured in concert and jazz ensembles, as well... more »

How to Play the Trongos

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The trongos is a water drum made up of three steel drums. The amount of water, along with movement, determines the trongos sound. If you're looking for an interesting percussion instrument, find out more about trongos with these steps... more »

How to Play the Tsabouna

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For thousands of years on the islands of Greece, musicians have played a wind instrument called the tsabouna. Although it looks similar to bagpipes, a tsabouna lacks the drone pipe. Musicians play this wind instrument made from goatskin at Greek ... more »

How to Play the Tuba

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An instrument that requires great lung capacity, the tuba is a wind instrument in the brass family. Proper breathing techniques and lip movement control are keys to successful tuba playing. Learn to play the tuba, using basic fundamentals and tips... more »

How to Play the Washboard

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The washboard is more often used for laundry than as an instrument. But the washboard is actually quite versatile, especially for folk and country music. Here are a few tips on how to play the washboard as a musical instrument... more »

How to Play Timpani Drums

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Timpani drums are an orchestra's main percussion instrument. You will recognize the drum because it looks like a copper kettle. Because playing timpani drums involves rhythm, tone and pitch, they are considered to be one of the hardest ... more »

How to Polish an Electric Guitar

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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An electric guitar picks up all kinds of fingerprints and dirt on its shiny, colorful finish when you play it. Like any musical instrument, an electric guitar is an investment that requires maintenance to keep it looking good. Keep the paint job ... more »

How to practice a musical instument effectively

By LadyKatyMaty

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You have your instrument, you have some basic technique, and you have the time. You want to practice. What now? It's easy to spend hours and hours practicing and still feel like you've made no progress. This article will give you the ... more »

How to Practice a Violin

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Practicing is something that is necessary to gain skills and learn techniques but is something that almost everyone wants to avoid. Practicing is one of the least exciting parts of playing an instrument. One of the problems every student faces ... more »

How to Read Tablature on Guitar (Tabs)

By Anthony Delgado

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Tablature, or Tabs, is a primitive way of learning to play guitar, however useful. It dates back to before the guitar or contemporary music notation was invented. It was a way to remember how to play a song for which you already knew the tune. So ... more »

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