What now is a harmonica, you may ask? It is the small little metallic instrument you often see blues musicians and Bruce Springsteen play that they blow into with their mouths. The harmonica is a widely played instrument that is perfect for any beginner and advanced musicians love it for it dynamic flexibility in producing sounds and adaptability to any form of music.
The harmonica is great as a starting place for anyone aspiring to be a musician. For one, it is one of the cheapest musical instruments available as you do not need to spend hundreds of dollars on a good piece. The harmonica is also extremely easy to learn and pick up, and you can practically start playing your first tune without minutes of owning one.
Most harmonicas will come with some very standard instruction sheet that teaches you the basics of playing the instrument. And it is practically all you will ever need because the rest are dependent on your willingness to experiment and learn. There are many different styles of music and since it can be used in almost all of them, you might become a very skilled musicians well versed in a wide variety of styles. From the blues and pop, to metal and folk, nothing exemplifies the spirit of these styles more than the harp, which is another name for the instrument.
There are several types of harps that one can buy. There is the standard diatonic harmonica which is in the key of C and comprises the usual ten hole form. The diatonic harp should also be the first that all beginners should purchase and start from. There is also the chromatic harp which is much more difficult to start from, but essentially you will inevitably progress to this once you have mastered enough skills on the diatonic.
How do you play the harmonica? There are many free online lessons that will teach you the many basics. From learning how to hold the instrument to forming the correct mouth and lip shape in order to play and sound the correct notes. There are also lessons on the Internet that will teach you how to perform the more advanced skills, such as bending notes. If online lessons are not enough, consider buying some harmonica DVDs that will teach you how to play the instrument in different musical styles, especially the blues. You should also listen more to your favorite players and learn how they play the instrument.
As with all instruments, you should also practice a lot on the harmonica. The fact that it is very portable and easy to carry around means that you can do so at practically anywhere, anytime. It is also why you often see soldiers in the field playing the lonely tune from a harmonica.
The harp is also one of the few rare instruments that you can play together at the same time with another. You can either have it fixed on a stand or wear the apparatus that will wire it in front of your mouth, that you can often see pop stars like Bruce Springsteen do. While you strum the guitar, you can then play the harp at the same time, becoming a one man band of your own design.
The harmonica is most often heard in blues music as it conveys a very soulful sound. The ability to bend notes at will is also a key reason why it is so often used, although it is a skill that must be practiced for long hours before it becomes natural and part of you. Musicians like John Hammond have made it part of their legend so it should be time for you to do the same.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Clarinet
What is a clarinet? It is part of the woodwind family of musical instruments and has a fine clear tone that resembles that of a flute. It also has a cylindrical bore with a single reed.
For any beginner on the clarinet, the start will seem long and difficult. This is no surprise as it is one of the most difficult instruments to learn and master. It is also a skill that most often than not has to be learned in a music school or from an accomplished clarinetist. There are very few people who play the clarinet after having been self taught.
The first difficult step involves learning how to set up your clarinet together. It is a skill in itself and one must be able to do it properly. If not, it will not be possible to play the instrument and can lead to damage in the long run.
You have to put everything together with some finesse. Do not try to force parts together as this will lead to internal and external damage that might be costly to repair or in the worst case, having to buy a new one. Note that the side lever must be up when the upper and lower parts are joined. Failing to do this will lead to possible bent keys.
Before putting it together and occasionally when you take the clarinet apart, be sure to clean all parts. Care of your clarinet and regular maintenance is crucial to long term use of the instrument. It will also help to keep keys in tune and prevent wear and tear due to build up of dirt and other substances such as oil and grease from our body parts.
A skill that must be mastered to ensure progress in mastery of the instrument in the long term is to learn the embouchure properly. This is often an awkward skill to learn at the beginning since it involves forcing your body to adapt to a previously unknown and strange position, movement or action. The embouchure is the term for using your lips to hold the mouthpiece while trying to create sounds through vibration of the reed. It must be done correctly to ensure that the right sounds are achieved and produced. It is also awkward as you will need to cover your bottom teeth with your lip, while the top teeth are exposed, and both touching the mouthpiece without exerting too much force on it. If you have wondered why there is squeaking sounds when playing the clarinet, it means that you have not mastered the embouchure just yet and must put in more hours of practice.
Getting the tone of the clarinet right is a balance of several factors all at once. As mentioned before, it depends on the design of the clarinet, the bore and reed, and finally the skill of the clarinetist. It is also the reason why the clarinet is such a large family of instruments, with different types made to produce a wide range of tones and sounds.
Most of the differences in tone are attributed to the clarinet reed. If you prefer a bright and shiny tone, it is advisable to look out for clarinets with thinner reed and small bore. A larger, fatter or mellower tone will have to come from a larger bore in terms of thickness.
As mentioned, if you do not form the embouchure right, it might result in an annoying squeaky sound when playing the clarinet. This is evidence that the tone is also partly affected by how the player is using the instrument. You can vary it by controlling the air flow into the clarinet with different parts of your mouth, tongue and lips. The reed is then manipulated to produce different tones. Many clarinetists will practice the different methods of playing the instrument, such as breathing or blowing, using the diaphragm or without. These result not only in a range of tones, but also provide the ability to play sustained or staccato notes in a controlled manner.
Another skill to master is how to tune your clarinet properly. There are many ways to do this as with any other instrument. You can do it by ear which involves being able to play by pitch, or you can use electronic tuners which are very convenient but might hamper your development as a proper musician. The latter might be useful if you are running short of time for a performance. But all musicians should learn how to do it by ear.
For any beginner on the clarinet, the start will seem long and difficult. This is no surprise as it is one of the most difficult instruments to learn and master. It is also a skill that most often than not has to be learned in a music school or from an accomplished clarinetist. There are very few people who play the clarinet after having been self taught.
The first difficult step involves learning how to set up your clarinet together. It is a skill in itself and one must be able to do it properly. If not, it will not be possible to play the instrument and can lead to damage in the long run.
You have to put everything together with some finesse. Do not try to force parts together as this will lead to internal and external damage that might be costly to repair or in the worst case, having to buy a new one. Note that the side lever must be up when the upper and lower parts are joined. Failing to do this will lead to possible bent keys.
Before putting it together and occasionally when you take the clarinet apart, be sure to clean all parts. Care of your clarinet and regular maintenance is crucial to long term use of the instrument. It will also help to keep keys in tune and prevent wear and tear due to build up of dirt and other substances such as oil and grease from our body parts.
A skill that must be mastered to ensure progress in mastery of the instrument in the long term is to learn the embouchure properly. This is often an awkward skill to learn at the beginning since it involves forcing your body to adapt to a previously unknown and strange position, movement or action. The embouchure is the term for using your lips to hold the mouthpiece while trying to create sounds through vibration of the reed. It must be done correctly to ensure that the right sounds are achieved and produced. It is also awkward as you will need to cover your bottom teeth with your lip, while the top teeth are exposed, and both touching the mouthpiece without exerting too much force on it. If you have wondered why there is squeaking sounds when playing the clarinet, it means that you have not mastered the embouchure just yet and must put in more hours of practice.
Getting the tone of the clarinet right is a balance of several factors all at once. As mentioned before, it depends on the design of the clarinet, the bore and reed, and finally the skill of the clarinetist. It is also the reason why the clarinet is such a large family of instruments, with different types made to produce a wide range of tones and sounds.
Most of the differences in tone are attributed to the clarinet reed. If you prefer a bright and shiny tone, it is advisable to look out for clarinets with thinner reed and small bore. A larger, fatter or mellower tone will have to come from a larger bore in terms of thickness.
As mentioned, if you do not form the embouchure right, it might result in an annoying squeaky sound when playing the clarinet. This is evidence that the tone is also partly affected by how the player is using the instrument. You can vary it by controlling the air flow into the clarinet with different parts of your mouth, tongue and lips. The reed is then manipulated to produce different tones. Many clarinetists will practice the different methods of playing the instrument, such as breathing or blowing, using the diaphragm or without. These result not only in a range of tones, but also provide the ability to play sustained or staccato notes in a controlled manner.
Another skill to master is how to tune your clarinet properly. There are many ways to do this as with any other instrument. You can do it by ear which involves being able to play by pitch, or you can use electronic tuners which are very convenient but might hamper your development as a proper musician. The latter might be useful if you are running short of time for a performance. But all musicians should learn how to do it by ear.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Violin
The violin is a strange musical instrument. It has almost an air of exclusivity surrounding it as a choice of many individuals yet the numbers are hardly perceived to be high. There could be some reasons to that which will be considered later on. But make no mistake about it - the violin is a popular musical instrument of choice, and produces music of such beauty, clarity and variety that its presence in our world cannot be discounted.
There are basically two types of violins that one can choose to learn to play. There is the ever present acoustic violin, which is what most violins one sees. The electric violin is a distant cousin of the electric guitar, with pickups inserted to allow the acoustic version's sound waves to be picked up and amplified for larger sound systems. For the budget conscious, there is some bad news. Both forms of violins will set you back a sum of money. They do not come cheap, and that is also why many consider violins to be a mark of a highly skilled, professional or a musician with high standards and demands.
It is also quite difficult to learn how to play the violin. The most popular choice is to sign up for lessons with a professional violin teacher. This is not always the best option though. Many beginners have given up after doing so, as the teachers and lessons are often strict and boring. Professional violin teachers also teach with the aim to get students passing official music exams, without encouraging exploration, experimentation and diversification of their musical education.
How hard is it to play the violin? For one, knowing how to hold the instrument itself can be complex and takes time to master. There are several key areas that has to be taught and practiced for many hours to perfect them. Placing your chin on the shoulder rest is one main sticking point. Holding the neck in a proper manner is also critical and difficult to learn at first. Even techniques such as vibrato must be practiced, although this particular skill is often a matter of personal style and preference.
There are other areas that has to be studied with great dedication. When it comes to playing the violin, music scales are the first and foremost that is taught and learned. Violins are usually viewed as lead instruments, although they are a main and fundamental part of any backing section of an orchestra. Scales have to be practiced for endless hours before one becomes comfortable with them.
If learning from a professional teacher can be restrictive, how else can a beginner learn how to play the violin? There are some who recommend being self taught, but that solution is most suited for the most disciplined and passionate aspiring violinists. There are actually many violin DVD titles available that can show you the ropes, or strings. But some might feel there is a lack of a human presence and guide.
Trying to master violin via lessons on DVD has its advantages and disadvantages. For one, you can do so in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. This is highly suitable for busy people or need some flexibility in their schedules, which music schools cannot provide. Also, it is one price for a lifetime of violin learning, and the ability to revise and rewatch the DVDs at will which saves one a lot of money and problems of forgetting something they might have learned previously with regards to various violin playing techniques.
Another method of picking up this highly cultured musical instrument is through the increasingly popular online violin lessons. With the advancement of Internet technology, violin lessons can be taught online in every form possible, from video to audio, to a mixture of both. This is very much better than in the past when only static graphics and theory could only be taught via the computer, or through some violin music software. Using violin online lessons has also been used to complement both beginner and professional violinists in their neverending desire to improve their skills and techniques.
With the improvement in online technology, there are also available reviews of both online resources and violin DVDs. These are provided by violin players who have either used or bought these resources, and are sharing their opinions through online reviews, for the benefit of other aspiring violinists who might be considering spending their hard earned money on these. It is a great way to share, grow and improve with the introduction of highly advanced technology through the Internet for the benefit of musical progression.
There are basically two types of violins that one can choose to learn to play. There is the ever present acoustic violin, which is what most violins one sees. The electric violin is a distant cousin of the electric guitar, with pickups inserted to allow the acoustic version's sound waves to be picked up and amplified for larger sound systems. For the budget conscious, there is some bad news. Both forms of violins will set you back a sum of money. They do not come cheap, and that is also why many consider violins to be a mark of a highly skilled, professional or a musician with high standards and demands.
It is also quite difficult to learn how to play the violin. The most popular choice is to sign up for lessons with a professional violin teacher. This is not always the best option though. Many beginners have given up after doing so, as the teachers and lessons are often strict and boring. Professional violin teachers also teach with the aim to get students passing official music exams, without encouraging exploration, experimentation and diversification of their musical education.
How hard is it to play the violin? For one, knowing how to hold the instrument itself can be complex and takes time to master. There are several key areas that has to be taught and practiced for many hours to perfect them. Placing your chin on the shoulder rest is one main sticking point. Holding the neck in a proper manner is also critical and difficult to learn at first. Even techniques such as vibrato must be practiced, although this particular skill is often a matter of personal style and preference.
There are other areas that has to be studied with great dedication. When it comes to playing the violin, music scales are the first and foremost that is taught and learned. Violins are usually viewed as lead instruments, although they are a main and fundamental part of any backing section of an orchestra. Scales have to be practiced for endless hours before one becomes comfortable with them.
If learning from a professional teacher can be restrictive, how else can a beginner learn how to play the violin? There are some who recommend being self taught, but that solution is most suited for the most disciplined and passionate aspiring violinists. There are actually many violin DVD titles available that can show you the ropes, or strings. But some might feel there is a lack of a human presence and guide.
Trying to master violin via lessons on DVD has its advantages and disadvantages. For one, you can do so in the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. This is highly suitable for busy people or need some flexibility in their schedules, which music schools cannot provide. Also, it is one price for a lifetime of violin learning, and the ability to revise and rewatch the DVDs at will which saves one a lot of money and problems of forgetting something they might have learned previously with regards to various violin playing techniques.
Another method of picking up this highly cultured musical instrument is through the increasingly popular online violin lessons. With the advancement of Internet technology, violin lessons can be taught online in every form possible, from video to audio, to a mixture of both. This is very much better than in the past when only static graphics and theory could only be taught via the computer, or through some violin music software. Using violin online lessons has also been used to complement both beginner and professional violinists in their neverending desire to improve their skills and techniques.
With the improvement in online technology, there are also available reviews of both online resources and violin DVDs. These are provided by violin players who have either used or bought these resources, and are sharing their opinions through online reviews, for the benefit of other aspiring violinists who might be considering spending their hard earned money on these. It is a great way to share, grow and improve with the introduction of highly advanced technology through the Internet for the benefit of musical progression.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Electric Guitar
When it comes to music, the guitar is synonymous with much of it. From classical to pop, rock to metal, it has been used in all forms and manners of music and culture. But the one form of guitar that has continued to hold the world entranced since its creation has been the electric guitar.
Talk about the electric guitar and the many famous players in history will be mentioned. Jimi Hendrix, Les Paul, Joe Satriani, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and many many more, are all well known not only for their timeless music, but also their electrifying fretwork on the guitar.
The electric guitar is used in many forms of music. Even some of the older and more traditional forms such as classical and folk have embraced it as part of their musical arsenal. As music evolves, old and new must come together and create new strains of sonic imagery that will continue to introduce freshness into our consciousness.
For beginners, the electric guitar is actually a really good place to start. Many will be advised to go instead with an acoustic guitar at least, as many purists claim that the electric guitar is easier to handle technically and produces a ton of soft guitarists. But that is far from the truth and it is better to play what you fell in love first, and if that is the electric sound, then go with the axe that excites both men and women alike.
The electric guitar is slightly more expensive than an acoustic though. However, this is not always true. There are many cheap electric guitars available in a wide range of brands, from ones made in the US to Korean or even Japanese brands. The ones from Asia could be enough for beginner guitarists as they try to stick to a tight budget. They are playable and will last long enough before one saves enough for a higher end Fender Stratocaster, Les Paul, PMS or more.
How do you play the guitar? First of all, you need one. That should be easy to get out of the way. Next, purchase sets of the essential accessories. These include guitar picks, strings, a decent amplifier, and you are more or less set. Extras like effects pedals should remain that until skill levels can be raised.
Familiarise yourself with the guitar neck and its fretboard. Learn the keys the six strings (or seven for the more ambitious) on the guitar and start gathering guitar chord books, tablature and theoretical stuff. Practise all the major chords till they become familiar, and then progress to more chords. Try to learn as many songs as you can, starting from the rhythm parts. Easy to strum along tunes are the best starts for any beginner on electric guitar. Once 10 or more songs are under the belt, perhaps the next step would be more complex rhythmic structures.
Eventually, the next progression for any electric guitarists will be to learn lead guitar. This simply means that the guitarist will play lead, or guitar solos and melody lines over rhythm guitar. This is much tougher as there are a variety of skills and music scales that one has to master. There is also more to it than just learning guitar solos note for note. Instead, the key for any aspiring electric guitarist should be to be able to improvise at will and solo from the heart, and not by rote.
Along the way, do not miss out on learning more about the guitar. There are vital aspects such as taking care and maintaining the condition of the guitar and its various parts. The parts like the pickups, neck and even strings must be understood, especially the interlocking relationships between them. If the pickups are not aligned properly, and the guitar neck is warped, everything sounds bad and it could be a major repair job for your axe.
Do not restrict musical progress by sticking to one form of electric guitar music. Learn the blues, metal, rock, and even classical. You will find that any style can be applied to the electric form of the guitar, and not just some loud raucuous music that most conservative would associate it with. It will allow the guitarist to grow as a musician and that can be best done with this instrument for all ages and musical styles.
Talk about the electric guitar and the many famous players in history will be mentioned. Jimi Hendrix, Les Paul, Joe Satriani, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and many many more, are all well known not only for their timeless music, but also their electrifying fretwork on the guitar.
The electric guitar is used in many forms of music. Even some of the older and more traditional forms such as classical and folk have embraced it as part of their musical arsenal. As music evolves, old and new must come together and create new strains of sonic imagery that will continue to introduce freshness into our consciousness.
For beginners, the electric guitar is actually a really good place to start. Many will be advised to go instead with an acoustic guitar at least, as many purists claim that the electric guitar is easier to handle technically and produces a ton of soft guitarists. But that is far from the truth and it is better to play what you fell in love first, and if that is the electric sound, then go with the axe that excites both men and women alike.
The electric guitar is slightly more expensive than an acoustic though. However, this is not always true. There are many cheap electric guitars available in a wide range of brands, from ones made in the US to Korean or even Japanese brands. The ones from Asia could be enough for beginner guitarists as they try to stick to a tight budget. They are playable and will last long enough before one saves enough for a higher end Fender Stratocaster, Les Paul, PMS or more.
How do you play the guitar? First of all, you need one. That should be easy to get out of the way. Next, purchase sets of the essential accessories. These include guitar picks, strings, a decent amplifier, and you are more or less set. Extras like effects pedals should remain that until skill levels can be raised.
Familiarise yourself with the guitar neck and its fretboard. Learn the keys the six strings (or seven for the more ambitious) on the guitar and start gathering guitar chord books, tablature and theoretical stuff. Practise all the major chords till they become familiar, and then progress to more chords. Try to learn as many songs as you can, starting from the rhythm parts. Easy to strum along tunes are the best starts for any beginner on electric guitar. Once 10 or more songs are under the belt, perhaps the next step would be more complex rhythmic structures.
Eventually, the next progression for any electric guitarists will be to learn lead guitar. This simply means that the guitarist will play lead, or guitar solos and melody lines over rhythm guitar. This is much tougher as there are a variety of skills and music scales that one has to master. There is also more to it than just learning guitar solos note for note. Instead, the key for any aspiring electric guitarist should be to be able to improvise at will and solo from the heart, and not by rote.
Along the way, do not miss out on learning more about the guitar. There are vital aspects such as taking care and maintaining the condition of the guitar and its various parts. The parts like the pickups, neck and even strings must be understood, especially the interlocking relationships between them. If the pickups are not aligned properly, and the guitar neck is warped, everything sounds bad and it could be a major repair job for your axe.
Do not restrict musical progress by sticking to one form of electric guitar music. Learn the blues, metal, rock, and even classical. You will find that any style can be applied to the electric form of the guitar, and not just some loud raucuous music that most conservative would associate it with. It will allow the guitarist to grow as a musician and that can be best done with this instrument for all ages and musical styles.
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