How to Practice the Violin - Essential Steps for Adult Beginners

Every time you lovingly unpack your violin from its case - tighten up the bow, tune the strings - you are taking one more step towards your goal. Whether you are aiming to be the next Paganini, or just wanting to take it as far as you can, learning to play the violin is a journey filled with joy and despair, pain and pleasure.

Your mental attitude is most important. As an adult you are more aware of your inadequacies and limitations than a child, but try to see the long view, and know that each day you are progressing one tiny little step more.

The first important decision is to find a good teacher - one who is sympathetic to your goals. Ideally your teacher should also be a good musician, who can demonstrate instead of just explaining what you need to do.

Your teacher should be able to give you guidelines on how to practice. I should like to add a few thoughts to help you on your way.

First, you need to practice every day. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, just do it! My teacher, Dr. Suzuki, said "You only need practice on the days that you eat," (I like the 'only'). Find a regular time in your day and schedule it in. Make it as much a routine as cleaning your teeth in the morning.

Second, you need to repeat. Repetition is the name of the game. If you repeat an exercise, a scale, a phrase, a piece a couple of times, you are not going to learn very much. However, if you repeat 10, 20, 100 times, you are really going to know how to do it. But be careful. Make sure you know exactly how you are supposed to do it. If you repeat a mistake 100 times, you are going to know very well how to do it - wrong!

Third, you need to copy. Copy your teacher, how she stands, holds her bow, her violin position, left hand position, where is her head?... Go to concerts, and carefully watch professional violinists, their positions, postures, etc. There are hundreds of videos of violinists on YouTube. Pick your favourite musician, and piece.

Fourth, you need to listen. Listen to your teacher, how she plays, her phrasing, tone quality, vibrato etc... Listen to CDs. Try to decide whether the phrase starts with an up bow or a down bow. Are they playing at the tip or the point, or in the middle of the bow? Can you guess what string they are playing on? Immerse yourself in the world of violin music.

My last recommendation is to have fun. To play a musical instrument is to be able to communicate in a universal language. There are no language barriers. Music is its own language. Try to find a friend who is at the same level as you, or better still, slightly more advanced, and play duets together.

To sum up: practice every day, repeat, copy, listen, enjoy.

The old adage is right. "Practice Makes Perfect"

Elizabeth Arnott is English, and has lived in Mexico for the past ten years. In London she was a Suzuki Violin Teacher for 25 years, and taught a range of students from age 3 to adult. She now lives in Merida, Yucatan, plays violin in the Orquesta Sinfonica de Yucatan, and has a few private students.

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How To Play Piano - Taking the First Steps in Learning the Piano

Learning how to play piano is not an extremely difficult task that has stringent age requirements, contrary to what some people think. Although there are advantages to learning at a young age, the piano is an instrument that can be mastered by anyone with the guts to persevere. The first requirement to learning this instrument is owning or having access to a piano.

Because the piano is a large and expensive piece of equipment, having a smaller and less expensive keyboard is a decent substitute for beginners. The main difference between these two instruments is that the keyboard has 66 keys, while the piano has 88 keys. Another important difference is that the piano keys are larger and heavier, making it more difficult to play for beginners.

This is an instrument that has been around for several hundred years and has been the subject of much study over the years, out of which many different methods for learning and teaching this instrument have emerged. Several people adopt the "learn by ear" method, which is where they simply fiddle and learn by trial and error. This method is rather ineffective and several bad habits can be acquired by attempting such a task without a proper tutor or instructor. In order to learn how to play the piano properly, a tutor of some sort is required. This can take the form of online video tutorials, DVDs, books or an actual teacher.

Those who are quick learners and have a lot of motivation will find that videos and books are very effective instructors and will be able to learn many different chords and even a little musical theory. A private teacher is generally considered more effective, as the teacher can modify the syllabus to suit the pupil's strengths and interest. Attending a music school also affords one the opportunity to learn musical theory (sheet music) properly.

The act of reading sheet music is a complex task, which takes some study, a little instruction and a lot of practice. Learning how to read sheet music enables one to be able to play complex compositions almost instantly, rather than trying to figure them out by ear. That being said, "Ear training", or learning to recognize musical intervals and tonal changes is a very important skill which is also taught by professional teachers. Once a method for learning has been appropriated, the next and most important element is practice. Skill and proficiency at this instrument is not absorbed and can only be achieved by steady and faithful practice. Learning how to play piano is something that can be achieved by a person of any age. The important thing is to choose an appropriate learning method on how to play piano and dedicates enough time to practice regularly.

Discover the simplest way on playing the piano by looking at How to play piano on-line store. Alternatively, watch the YouTube video by clicking How to play piano

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How to Buy a Violin for Beginners - 3 Easy Steps

Finding out how to buy a violin for beginners does not need to be difficult but it can take time. The violin is a hard instrument to learn and play well and it can lead to many beginners giving up quickly, which is something that you have to think about before you decide to go out and buy your own instrument and opt to spend hundreds of dollars on one.

1. How Much Are You Willing To Spend?

The first thing that you need to consider when looking for how to buy a violin for beginners is your budget. You could spend around 800 dollars for a new, high quality violin but you do not need to spend this amount. It is possible to buy a second-hand violin for less than 200 dollars and this is something that you should consider if you are worried about your or the person that you are buying it for not staying on with playing the instrument.

2. Have You Checked eBay?

There are always people looking to sell their violins and eBay is one of the best places to find some that are high quality but low in price. You want to check the seller reviews before you agree to bid and you will need to stick to your budget because you will also need to consider any fixes that you may need to make.

3. What Size Do You Need?

Violins come in three different sizes, which is perfect for children. However, it could cost you a lot of money to buy the violins as your child grows. You should consider cutting your cost down to only buying a full size violin if you know that you child will continue to play for a long time. If you are unsure, opt for the half or three-quarter size so that you really only need to buy two different violins and your child will get a lot of use out of them.

You will need to ensure that when looking for how to buy a violin for beginners that you budget for any extras that you will need. Not all violins will come with a case and a bow, so you should find out whether you will need to buy these. You will also need to bear in mind the need for rosin and extra strings for your musical instrument and add the cost of these to the amount of money that you are willing to spend.

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Learn to Play Guitar in 6 Simple Steps

The following are 6 simple steps in learning to play the guitar. There are different types of guitar but the focus of this article is on the six string (or seven string) variety that is generally used for rhythm and lead guitar playing. I enjoy playing on my own and with others (in bands or just jamming along with friends). There are few hobbies and activities that can provide you with the relaxation, excitement and sense of achievement of practicing with and learning to play a musical instrument. Just wait until the first time that you get up on stage in front of people and perform a few songs that you have been trying to perfect for ages. Whether it is at an open mic night in front of just twenty or so people or whether it is in your band's first gig in front of two hundred people, the adrenalin that is produced from performing live is immense.

So here goes with my six step guide to learning how to play the guitar:

1) Get the right gear

Find a guitar that you like. Find one that feels right to you. Everyone has different size and shaped hands and fingers and that is why luthiers and guitar building companies make guitar necks that are different shapes and sizes. Also choose a guitar and amp (if you're purchasing an electric guitar) that you like the sound of. Get the best that you can possibly afford with the budget that you've got to spend. Remember to use a cleaning cloth on your strings each time you have finished playing so that your strings don't go rusty. Find a good guitar related website to learn lots of other tips about playing and maintaining your guitar.

2) Get a range of resources to learn from

Purchase guitar learning resources such as text books, guitar technique magazines, cd's, videos and dvds to help you learn how to play. There are also lots of resources available online to help you including guitar music (tablature or tab), tutorial videos and information about music theory. You could also be taught by family or friends who know how to play the guitar or you could pay for a music tutor.

3) Learn the music that you want to learn

Choose some music that you want to learn. There's nothing worse than people who want to learn and are initially very enthusiastic and motivated about learning to play a musical instrument but are then put off by being forced to play music that doesn't inspire them or interest them by their guitar tutor.

4) Stick at it

We all start out very enthusiastic and then the initial excitement begins to die down but if you really want to learn to play the guitar then you need to find ways to stay interested and work through the hard bits like learning very difficult music. If you don't feel like playing then don't play. If you really do genuinely have a desire to be a guitarist then you will surely come back to the instrument after having a break. After playing alone for a while you may need something more, perhaps you need a greater challenge, so why not try joining a band. Try to find band members who are a similar age as you and have a similar level of talent, skill and experience so that you are all on the same wavelength as each other. It is also very important that you can agree on the style of music that you want to play and the songs that you want to do.

5) Treat yourself

One thing that I have always done is rewarded my hard work with treats. With regards earning to play guitar I have always upgraded my equipment including guitars and amps in line with my improving skill levels. Patience will make you good and practice makes perfect. New equipment and better equipment will also inspire you with new, high quality tones and help to you play better and learn new techniques. Imagine using the same or similar equipment has your favourite musical artists!

6) Enjoy yourself

Learning to play any musical instrument should be fun. It is true that it does take hard work but you should always enjoy learning how to play the guitar. So one day you might want to really go for it and learn scales whilst another day you might just want to take your acoustic out in the sunshine and strum along!

So I hope you enjoyed my learn to play guitar in 6 simple steps guide and hope that you do really well at learning to play.

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Playing Guitar "In the Pocket" - 5 Easy Steps

When playing in a band, group or combo situation there is a term you will often hear known as "in the pocket".

And no..."in the pocket" does not refer to a place to put your hands while on a gig! In simple terms, when a band is playing "in the pocket", they are playing musically "in sync" with each other.

First off, it's important to realize that a band can be playing a song together on stage - the same song at the same time - but not truly be playing "in sync" with each other.

It can be compared to the old analogy of an 8 cylinder car engine. If the engine is only firing on 6 or 7 cylinders, it will still take the car down the road and eventually wind up at its destination. But on the way the car may cough, sputter and hesitate, making for a bumpy ride.

Conversely, when the engine is running on all 8 cylinders the ride will be smooth and easy - almost effortless.

When a band is playing "in the pocket" it is running smoothly on all 8 cylinders.

The "pocket" of a song is its "rhythmic core". The foundation upon which all the other instrumentation, vocals and melodies are layered.

Quite often, the term "in the pocket" is used to describe the ability of the drummer and bass player to "lock in" to that rhythmic core of the song. As a result, many times a drummer or bass player will be favorably described as a "pocket player".

But we, as guitarists, also have the ability to make a contribution to the "pocket" of a song.

Here are some things a guitar player can focus on to play "in the pocket" with the band.

1. "Listen to me" vs. "Listen to us"

It's natural, as guitar players, to be focused on what we are doing individually. We are often engrossed in dazzling the audience with our leads and solos.

But playing "in the pocket" requires a bit of a mind shift from that of an individual player, to one of a "team" player.

2. Pay Closer Attention

Rather than focusing on what we are doing individually - in order to become better "pocket players" - we should spend more time "really listening" to what's going on around us.

Try to focus more on actually "hearing" each individual part that the other players (drummer, bass player, keyboardist, horns, etc.) are contributing to the piece.

3. Make a Contribution

Once you become adept at truly hearing the other parts of the players around you, now try to focus on what your contribution is to the "pocket".

Truly listen to how what you are playing on guitar contributes to the overall sound of the band as a "whole".

4. Simple is better.....Less is more

Quite often, for a guitar player, the best contributions to the pocket are the simplest things such as a "chink chink chink" chord pattern that matches the snare drum - or a simply strummed chord that rings out with the bass.

Always keep in mind that a guitarist's rhythms should complement the bottom end - not be in contrast to it - and that can often be accomplished most successfully by using simple techniques and allowing the song to "breathe" with plenty of spaces.

5. Feel It!

All technical considerations aside, the ability to play "in the pocket" really comes from learning how to play from the perspective of "feeling" the music.

Avoid the natural tendency to "over think" what you are doing and simply lose yourself in the "feel" of the song - and you will be amazed at how quickly you will find yourself "in the pocket".

In Conclusion

Keep in mind that it's not just the responsibility of the drummer and bass player to find the "pocket". We, as guitar players, have an obligation to make our contribution as well.

Always remember that there's a subtle difference between bands that play "in the pocket" and bands that don't. But quite often, it's that fine line that separates good bands from great ones!

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Keith Dean is founder of http://www.adultguitarlessons.com/ and a 30 veteran of stage and studio. He toured extensively as a road musician throughout the US and Europe, was a former lead guitarist for country artist Jason Aldean and blues artist EG Kight, and has shared stages with Little Big Town, Wild Rose, Winger, Confederate Railroad, The Tams, The Drifters and more. He is a published songwriter, owned and operated a successful music store, and has instructed numerous students in guitar.

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