Have you ever thought about how songs are structured? What makes a chorus feel like a chorus? What makes a good verse? There is no right or wrong way. But if you pay attention, you will see that a lot of songs have similar structures. Knowing how songs are traditionally structured will help your songwriting…
So, you’ve been gaining some experience as a guitar player. Maybe you’ve played hundreds of shows. Maybe you’ve contributed to dozens of recordings. Perhaps you’ve worked your way through a handful of Musicians Institute guitar books. It’s not necessary to have achieved a level of notoriety or skill level as a guitar player to start…
Learning piano is fun and rewarding, but it also takes a lot of dedication and practice. In my opinion, you need two things to learn piano: good instruction and consistent, quality practice time. You are in charge of practicing consistently and regularly, but you can’t be in charge of delivering quality lessons. This guide is…
This is just one man’s opinion, but I think every guitarist should learn how to fingerpick. Just learning the basics can give you access to new ways of approaching your guitar and your parts, which will also allow you to add more color to your playing. And, if you want to learn covers that involve…
When you’re just starting out on piano, you may be confused by the language. What’s the deal with digital pianos, keyboards, synths, stage pianos and so on? Well, I’m here to explain it to you. In this guide, we’ll cover some common types of acoustic pianos, why digital pianos are different from keyboards, what keyboards…
So you want to record rapper’s vocals…. But what mic do you use? There are so many to choose from. You can use dynamic mics, condenser mics, tube mics, expensive mics, cheap mics, USB mics… And, depending on the rapper, your mileage will vary. Sometimes, a cheaper mic will do the job. Sometimes, you just…
If you’ve read my other guitar related guides, you’ve probably seen me comment on the fact that reading sheet music for guitar can be hard. Many guitarists start out with chord diagrams and tablature, which is easy to read. Sheet music is a pickle by comparison. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible by any means. But…
Today we’re going to look at how hard it is to learn piano. The first instrument many people learn is piano – but this is not necessarily because it’s easy. Playing piano proficiently takes many years of practice, and hours of lessons. It takes a lot to go from playing a few notes at a…
Music is amazing. There are so many fantastic lessons a child can learn from music, whether it’s the importance of practice and consistency, finding their own creative voice and expression, the value of experimentation or otherwise. I have no doubt that you want to start your child off on the right foot. So, what keyboard…
The first question you may have when you’re looking to learn an instrument like guitar is “how hard is it?” The simple answer is that there is no easy answer. Different students learn at different paces. And, they all have different goals. Some don’t have any specific goals at all and end up snaking from…
As a keyboard player, I often have conversations with people who tell me about their aunt or grandma who could pick melodies out of thin air and play it back to them. I have always wanted to do this. When I was a young player, I did not have much of an ear. I wasn’t…
Are you looking for a classical guitar? Maybe you’re a beginner. Classical guitars can be great for beginners because they have nylon strings, which are easier on the fingers than steel strings. Maybe you’re a student of classical music, looking to further develop your skills and hone your craft. Perhaps you’re a professional, even if…
As a professional clarinet player, you should be prepared to spend more on a pro level instrument. After all, you may already have a clarinet or two that has served you well to this point. Taking it to the next level means being willing to invest more in your passion. In this guide, we’ll compare…
The hardest part about playing piano is getting your hands to play completely different parts at the same time. Both hands will often be playing a wildly different part – one part can be challenging enough on its own – and then you must play them at the same time. It’s hard! It can be…
Today we’re going to look at how long it takes to learn guitar. People are generally pressed for time. They have friends, family, significant others, jobs and businesses, communities, churches and social get-togethers. Plus, every single week, they are bombarded with notifications of events happening in their locality. If you’re looking to take something on,…