Musical Instruments & Recording: Video Series

Finding the best drum set depends on the type of music being played, with lots of drums and cymbals for metal or hard rock and a simpler set for folk or rock. Consider Ibanez drums or a Ludwig set depending on the music style with advice from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Cymbals work by creating noise in a song, filling out a piece of music with large, crashing sounds and keeping the time and rhythm. Secure cymbals on the stand to ensure they do no fall off when they are hit with instructions from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Drums in a drum set each work differently, with the snare drum keeping the rhythm and the tom and bass drums creating a fuller sound for a song. Find out the difference between a basic drum set and a more complicated set with information from a musician in this free video on instruments.

To perform a hardcore vocal scream, warm up the vocal chords by gurgling, singing and performing several practice screams. Consider practicing to be a hardcore vocalist screamer alone to prevent embarrassment with tips from a musician in this free video on singing.

Percussion instruments are used in a song to keep the rhythm for the other musicians in a band and enhance the sound and fullness of a track. Play a variety of percussion instruments, such as drums, shakers, tambourines or bongos, with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Become a singer with a unique voice by tightening the throat when singing or changing the way vowel sounds are pronounced. Connect with the audience by developing a memorable tone of voice when singing with advice from a musician in this free video on singing.

Change the strings on an acoustic guitar by removing all of the old strings except the lowest and highest strings, placing the new strings through the bottom holes and then winding them around the tuner at the top. Make sure hands are clean before stringing a guitar to prevent grease buildup on the strings with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Make a home music studio to record music by purchasing or downloading music recording software, getting vocal and instrument microphones and putting together tracks of each instrument. Consider recording drums at a professional studio due to the difficulty of getting good drum tracks with advice from a musician in this free video on recording music.

To make and produce your own music, find the appropriate equipment and music recording software, learn how to equalize the levels and tones of the music and get information on panning. Consider adding several layers of instruments and vocals to a track to make it sound more professional with tips from a musician in this free video on recording music.

To make music, create a song that is structured with the intro then a verse, the chorus, another verse and then the final chorus. Write and play the melody, chords and lyrics of a song, which should be under three and a half minutes, with help from a musician in this free video on music.

Produce music at home by setting up a recording space, gathering a variety of microphones and instruments, and downloading or purchasing music recording software. Consider purchasing a soundboard or recording music directly to the computer with information from a musician in this free video on producing music.

Replace guitar strings frequently to prevent the buildup of oil and residue, which can affect the sound of the guitar. Leave the low and high strings on a guitar when restringing to keep the neck of the guitar from bending with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Sell music by producing a CD to give out at shows or by putting albums up on iTunes, CD Baby or MySpace. Promote music by advertising CDs on the Internet and at concerts with advice from a musician in this free video on selling music.

Set up drum mics for recording by using specific microphones for each drum and placing them directly above or in the drum to get the full effect of the sound. Find out how to set up drum mics in different locations to produce a variety of sounds with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

To understand music, learn about the science of melody and lyric sounds that attract people to specific songs and capture the interest of the audience. Understand that not everyone will like a song, and that music is relative to the audience, with insight from a musician in this free video on music.

Learning how to sing requires figuring out how to stay on key, working on tone and practicing to emulate favorite singers. Consider taking vocal lessons or recording yourself singing to improve your vocals with tips from a musician in this free video on singing.

To learn how to sing at home, first determine if you can sing at all, then practice singing along with a favorite band, preferably in a small room. Find a place to practice singing that will not make you self-conscious with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

Learn how to sing from the diaphragm by laying down, taking deep breaths, noticing what muscles are being used and then recreating those movements when singing. Sing from the diaphragm in order to make notes more powerful and sustained with advice from a musician in this free video on singing.

To sing in tune, practice singing along with a favorite singer or band and consider recording yourself singing to develop a ear for finding the tune. Avoid embarrassing yourself by singing out of tune with tips from a musician in this free video on singing.

Learn to sing harmony by playing a song and practicing singing along with the lead singer or as a backup vocalist. Find out why it is important to learn to sing first before trying to sing harmonies with information from a musician in this free video on singing.

A cymbal stand is put together by placing a cushion on either side of the cymbal and then screwing the instrument into place so that it doesn't fly off the stand. Set up a basic cymbal stand with help from a musician in this free video on instruments.

When buying an electric guitar, consider the price, the brand and how the guitar looks and feels. Determine how serious a guitar player you will be before spending too much money on an electric guitar with tips from a musician in this free video on instruments.

An electric drum machines simulates the sound of real drums, without the inconvenience of making a lot of noise and disturbing people in the household. Find out how a drum machine does not sound exactly like real drums with information from a musician in this free video on instruments.