Learning an Instrument

These articles help you get started with various musical instruments and foundational skills. Topics include specific instruments like guitar and drums, plus reading music and DJ techniques.

Beginner's Teething Troubles

Your fingers will hurt and progress feels slow when learning an instrument, but these early struggles pass quickly with patience.

Buying a Secondhand Instrument

Before buying a used instrument, check the neck, body, bridge, and keys to avoid inheriting someone else's problems.

Choosing Your Instrument

Check what really matters when buying an instrument, from condition and repairs to tuning stability and playability.

How to Be a DJ

Get the basics on what DJs actually do, the equipment you need, and how to start building your skills and record collection.

How to Play Brass Instruments

Get started playing brass instruments and learn why your lips matter more than you'd expect.

How to Play Drums and Percussion

Get started with drums and percussion by learning the kit basics, from kick drums and snares to cymbals and how to play them.

How to Play Electric Bass

Get started playing electric bass with the basics of tuning, fretboard layout, and learning your first scales.

How to Play Guitar

Start playing guitar with these basics: tuning, finger positioning, and the first three chords you need to know.

How to Play Strings

Get started playing violin, viola, or cello with step-by-step guidance on positioning, tuning, and using the bow.

How to Play the Harmonica

Get started playing harmonica with tips on choosing the right beginner instrument and mastering basic techniques.

How to Play the Keyboard

Start playing keyboard with these basic techniques for finding notes and moving smoothly across the keys.

How to Play Woodwind

Woodwind instruments like clarinet and saxophone all work the same way: you blow through a reed and use finger positions on pads to make different notes.

How to Read Music

Music notation looks complicated but it's actually straightforward once you learn the basics of clefs, staves, time signatures and note lengths.

Looking After Your Instrument

Proper care keeps your instrument in good shape, from protective cases to regular cleaning and maintenance routines.

Making Progress

How to tell if you're actually getting better at playing an instrument when progress feels invisible.

Practising Your Instrument

Daily practice with focus and consistency is what separates casual players from skilled musicians.

Programming Your Music CD

Most modern CDs use programming to add computer-created beats and sounds, and you can learn how to do it yourself with the right software and approach.

Taking Up a New Instrument

If you already play an instrument, learning a second one is faster, but you're still starting fresh with new techniques and fingerings.

Taking Up a New Instrument as an Adult

If you play one instrument and want to learn another as an adult, here's how to avoid common pitfalls and actually make progress.