Learning an Instrument
Choose an instrument and learn how to practise effectively with our guides for beginners and improvers. Discover where to find lessons, how to progress steadily, and which instrument suits your interests.
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
How to check an instrument's condition and playability before deciding what to buy.
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 the basics down for playing brass instruments, from lip technique to valve and slide mechanics.
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 on electric bass by learning the basics of tuning, the fretboard, and playing 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 the basics of harmonica down with tips on choosing your first instrument and mastering single notes.
How to Play The Keyboard
Start playing keyboard with basic finger techniques and understand how the keys work.
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 improving at an instrument when progress feels invisible.
Practising Your Instrument
Daily practise on your instrument matters more than you might think, and here's how to make it work.
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.