Because of its portability, the acoustic guitar can be wonderful songwriting device. However, having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user Sawlon is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to play beguine and tango rhythms on acoustic guitar. Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, the better y...
Because of its portability, the acoustic guitar can be wonderful songwriting device. However, having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user Sawlon is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to pplay a funk rhythm on the acoustic guitar. Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, the better you'll s...
Because of its portability, the acoustic guitar can be wonderful songwriting device. However, having a pocket symphony in your head–or pocket, as it were–does you little good if your hands aren't on board. Fortunately, YouTube user Sawlon is here to help you train your head and hands with his series of free video guitar lessons. In this installment, you'll learn how to play slash chords, or chords with a non-root note in the bass. Remember, the more you practice and the more theory you know, ...
Learning to play your favorite guitar riffs is not only a wonderful way of passing the time–and impressing those whom you'd like to impress–, it can do wonders for your technique. In this song tutorial from Siggi Mertens' series of beginning guitar lessons, you'll learn how to play a number of Joe Satriani-style arpeggios. While this video tutorial is geared towards beginners, it assumes at least some prior knowledge of guitar playing and its jargon. Take a look to get started arpeggiating li...
What is the deadliest attack? Well, it's from a position from a game played by Duras and Spielmann. If you want to be a chess master, then you're going to have to learn the secrets of the game, the strategies, the chess maneuvers. Learn how to play the deadliest attack known in chess.
In this keyboard tutorial, you'll learn how to the Cure's "Just Like Heaven" on piano. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate and advanced pianists, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this lesson to get started playing "Just Like Heaven"!
In this tutorial, you'll learn to play a well-known gospel run, one heard in many gospel churches. While this tutorial is geared towards intermediate players, even complete beginners will benefit from this tutorial, which presents a note-by-note breakdown of the lick. Can I get a witness?
Are you, as a Linux user, jealous of the gaming possibilities available to your Windows and GNU/Linux-running friends? In this tutorial, Linux Journal Gadget Guy Shawn Powers walks you through how to play Windows games on Linux using Wine, an open source implementation of the Microsoft Windows API built on the X-Window System.
Check out this simple instructional drum video on how to use the Moeller stroke on the drums. This video tutorial explains the Moeller stroke as well as provides a few exercises to practice this technique. Improve your drum playing skills by learning a few tips from this drum playing video by watching this instructor guide you along the way.
If you're interested in learning how to play Bob Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," then this tutorial's for you. This video, which includes close-up views of the songs four chords (G, D, Am, C), will get you playling like Zimmerman in no time.
In this keyboard tutorial, you'll learn how to play the introduction to MGMT's "Kids" on the piano. Given the simplicity of the riff, this how-to is well suited for novice pianists and keyboardists. Watch this tutorial to get started playing "Kids"!
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates how to play the upstroke drum rudiment. Take a look!
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates how to play the "Mr. Freeze" and tap stroke exercises on the snare.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play a two-drum etude.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates how to play the "1-&-a-2" or "1-te-ta" rhythm on the snare drum.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels demonstrates a simple two-drum etude.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you a new note value, the dotted quarter note.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will show you how to play the double paradidle drum rudiment.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will demonstrate how to play half-note rolls on the snare drum.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will walk you through the process of playing a duet while heeding dynamic markings (e.g., the forte and mezzo forte) symbols.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play 8th note rolls in quarter time.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you to play the single stroke roll drum rudiment.
Whether you're a first day beginner or have been playing the drums for several years, learning the fundamentals of technique, rudiments and music reading is very important. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of snare drumming, Mark Wessels will teach you how to play the double stroke roll drum rudiment.
To play music, your hands should be able to do anything your mind asks of them – and rudimental technique is one great way of making sure that can happen. In this installment from his video tutorial series dedicated to rudimental techniques, Mark Wessels will teach you how to play accented 16ths, which are great for the beginner wanting to gain consistency over the sound of the inner beats.
New to jazz drumming or simply looking for a few pointers? In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates a number of simple, easy-to-play fills to any budding percussionist make his or her playing more dynamic.
New to jazz drumming or simply looking for a few pointers? In this installment from his video tutorial series (in which he covers everything from improving timekeeping to creativity and orchestrations in patterns and drum fills), Brian Ferguson demonstrates how to keep basic time while playing jazz.
A band leader, classical percussionist, clinician and author, Steve Houghton is also the associate professor of percussion and jazz at Indiana University-Bloomington, and is on faculty at the Henry Mancini Institute. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of using a drumset, Steve demonstrates how to play the endlessly fun two-beat drum pattern.
Donny Gruendler, a faculty member at Musicians Institute, has become and expert at performing with backing tracks, manually triggering samples, and playing with loops (both live and in the studio). In this installment from his video tutorial series in which he discusses the fundamentals of playing with loops, Donny provides tips for complimenting a drum loop (and thus avoiding "target practice").
World fusion drumming combines the energy and feel of rock, Latin, and world music with the technique and improvisational skills of jazz. In this installment from his video tutorial series on the rudiments of world fusion drumming, Berklee College of Music professor Skip Hadden will demonstrate how to play the the Baião bass drum rhythm, which comes from Northern Brazil. Take a look!
Tom Gauger has played percussion with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras for over 35 years and has also served on the faculty at Boston University and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In this installment from his series of video lessons dedicated to breaking down the basic skills necessary for playing the concert bass drum, Tom will demonstrate where to strike the drum to get a desired pitch or sound.
Tom Gauger has played percussion with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras for over 35 years and has also served on the faculty at Boston University and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In this installment from his series of video lessons dedicated to breaking down the basic skills necessary for playing the concert bass drum, Tom will demonstrate the basic drum stroke.
Tom Gauger has played percussion with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras for over 35 years and has also served on the faculty at Boston University and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In this installment from his series of video lessons dedicated to breaking down the basic skills necessary for playing the concert bass drum, Tom will teach you three basic dampening techniques.
Tom Gauger has played percussion with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras for over 35 years and has also served on the faculty at Boston University and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. In this installment from his series of video lessons dedicated to breaking down the basic skills necessary for playing the concert bass drum, Tom will teach you how to tune your bass drum.
New to the vibes? As a professor at the Berklee College of Music, Victor Mendoza has earned an international reputation as a jazz educator, regularly conducting master classes at major music schools and universities around the world. In this video tutorial, Victor explains how to establish proper playing position and demonstrates the basic 2-mallet stroke.
Take heart, aspiring timbaleros and timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will walk you through the process of tuning your drums.
Take heart, aspiring timbaleros and timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this two-part installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will demonstrate the parts of the timbale drums, grip types and playing positions. Take a look!
The clave is the heartbeat of salsa music. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will teach you basic clave tricks and techniques.
Take heart, aspiring timbaleros and timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will demonstrate how to fit the cáscara with the clave
Having trouble with the claves? Take heart, aspiring timbaleros and timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie suggests techniques for the important, if oft-overlooked, skill of listening and learning from recorded music.
Take heart, aspiring timbaleros y timbaleras. Eguie Castrillo, having played with everyone from Tito Puente to Steve Winwood, is one of the world's most prolific timbale artists. In this installment of his video tutorial series on the fundamentals of timbale playing, Eguie will walk you through some basic techniques for practicing the timbales.