Hot Other Instruments How-Tos

How To: Play the songo drum beat pattern

The songo drum beat pattern is an intricate and dynamic interaction of various rhythms. Learn a few variations for playing the songo drum beat pattern from a professional drum teacher in this free video series.

How To: Play the tambura

How to play the tambura; get professional tips and instruction from an expert on playing stringed instruments and lyres in this free music lesson video series.

How To: Know the cues in conducting an orchestra

A cue shows an entrance for a player or whole section. Learn about ways in which conductors cue orchestra members in this free conducting lesson from an experienced conductor. Know the cues in conducting an orchestra - Part 1 of 30.

How To: Play the melodica

Learn how to play the Melodica in this free music lesson video from a professional multi-instrument musician.

How To: Play string instruments

String instruments make up a large part of many orchestras and include the violins, violas, cellos and double bass. Learn all about the characteristics and history of string instruments with tips from a composer in this free music video series.

How To: Play basic sitar

The roots of the sitar extend back 2000 years, with the modern sitar originating in the Middle Ages. Learn to play the sitar from an authentically trained player in this free sitar video lesson.

How To: Make a homemade theremin using three radios

Learn how you can make a homemade theramin using three radios with this tutorial. Before buying a professional theramin instrument, you can practice playing this 3 radio arrangement. Find out if you are a gifted theremin player before investing in an expensive theramin.

How To: Read music notation

Watch this music how-to video to learn how to read musical notation or sight read. This instructional video is very detailed and includes types of notes, tempo, and the staff. Reading music will be easy once you've watched this helpful music notation tutorial video.

How To: Make a Cuíca Brazilian percussive instument

A Cuíca (pronounced KWEE-kah) is a Brazilian friction drum often used in samba music. This 3 part how to video will teach you to make a Cuíca with household objects. You will need a plastic or paper cup, string or twine, a paper clip and cloth. This is a perfect project for children. Make a Cuíca Brazilian percussive instument - Part 1 of 3.

How To: Construct a membranophone from a water bottle

A membranophone is any musical instrument which produces sound primarily by way of a vibrating stretched membrane. This 3 part how to video teaches you how you can make an inexpensive mebranophone made from household items. All you need is a water bottle, a latex glove or vinyl glove or a balloon, and a straw. Learn how to make this fun musical instrument with this tutorial. This project is perfect for children. Construct a membranophone from a water bottle - Part 1 of 3.

How To: Play the Shabbat hymn "Shalom Aleichem" on the lyre

In this lesson, we learn how to play the beautiful Shabbat Evening melody to "Shalom Aleichem"(Peace be Upon You) on the

How To: Play Israel's national anthem on the lyre

Learn how to play the most famous of ALL ancient Jewish melodies on King David's Lyre; "Hatikvah" - "The Hope" This ancient melody was later to be made the official National Anthem of Israel.

How To: Play "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem" on the lyre

In this lesson,you will learn how to play one of the most famous of ALL Jewish songs; "Hevenu Shalom Aleichem". The transliteration from Hebrew, and the translation into English of the words of this song is as follows:

How To: Play "Ma Tovu" on the lyre

In this lesson, I'm going to show all you lovely "Levite Wannabes" out there, how to play the beautiful Shabbat melody, "Ma Tovu". The translation into English from the timeless Hebrew text of this haunting song is as follows:

How To: Play "Avinu Malkeinu" on the lyre

Learn how to play one of the most beautiful songs, traditionally sang at Yom Kippur/Rosh Hashana, called "Avinu Malkeinu" (Our Father, Our King):

How To: Play the shabbat hymn "Adon Olam" on the lyre

In this lesson, I will demonstrate how to play on the lyre, the traditional melody usually sang to "Adon Olam"(Lord of the World); one of the beautiful closing hymns sang at the end of a traditional Shabbat Service.

How To: Play basic intervals on the lyre

This lesson teaches some basics on how to set up the bridge, and a few technical exercises on how to play basic intervals on the lyre. I have tuned the lyre to the melodic minor mode, as the intervals here are much more simple and therefore easier to understand, than the much more exotic Eastern-sounding modes which the lyre can also be tuned to (eg the "Ahava Raba" mode, as discussed in previous lessons).

How To: Play Jewish Klezmer music on the lyre

In this lesson, I am going to demonstrate, for the 1st time in 3000 years, how to play traditional Jewish Klezmer music on a replica of King David's Lyre!

How To: Be a good band manager with the Naked Brothers Band

The Naked Brothers Band's manager offers some tips on how to be a great band manager. Rock out with the Naked Brothers Band!

How To: Have good stage presence with the Naked Brothers Band

The Naked Brothers Band teaches you how to rock with good stage presence. Rock out with the Naked Brothers Band!

How To: Make a cheap talkbox

Make a cheap talkbox out of common parts for a very small amount of money and time. This will NOT give you a sound like a pro talkbox, but it's cheap, easy, and fun.

How To: Build a talkbox out of a toilet plunger

Watch to learn how to build a ghetto talkbox with some simple household tools (plumbing supplies, pc speaker, and a toilet plunger).

How To: Play different Greek rhythms on the buzuki

Learn the names and patterns of some typical Greek buzuki (bouzouki) rhythms like the tamiko, kalamatiano, zembekiko, and ipirotika.

How To: Emulate the theremin with I-CubeX sensor technology

Emulate the theremin musical instrument using I-CubeX sensor technology. In this video, a Touch sensor and ReachClose sensor are used, together with an I-CubeX digitizer - all avaliable in one I-CubeX StarterPack.

How To: Make a theremin

In this Make Magazine podcast Bre Pettis makes a theremin from a kit by Harrison Instruments. A theremin is a super cool musical instrument invented in Russia in 1918.

How To: Control the intonation and tuning of the theremin

A short introductory theremin lesson in mechanical stability, breath control, and pitch preview, also known as "pitch fishing," all of which help control the intonation of the theremin.

How To: Set up your theremin

A short introductory theremin lesson in the basics of setting up a theremin and how to let it warm up.

How To: Play the nonlinear theremin

A close look at an alternative adaptive method for playing nonlinear theremins (theremins whose notes are not evenly spaced) such as the Moog Etherwave Standard theremin.

How To: Play theremin with dynamics, vibrato, and articulation

An exploration of expressive dynamics, vibrato, and articulation on the theremin. Two ways of achieving the same violin like sounding vibrato are also covered.

How To: Play the theremin for beginners

A short introductory theremin lesson to playing notes, executing dynamic vibrato, and dynamic volume with the theremin. Playing errors included to demonstrate how difficult it is to play the theremin well.

How To: Play the theremin

In this series of kitsch avante garde instructional music and space sounds videos, our theremin expert explains the basic principles of this bizarre instrument. He also tells you how to operate the controls and even demonstrates how to coax a song out of it. Join Brain Wilson, John Spencer and any number of science fiction soundtrack composers on the evergrowing bandwagon of theremin disciples.

How To: Build and play a theremin

In this series of expert video clips, learn more about the theremin. Our expert goes into detail about what makes up the complicated workings of the theremin including the coils and other components. Get a full history on the musical instrument and learn about the many uses of a theremin. What makes a theremin sound so special? Get answers to this question and many more in our expert instructional videos.