Friday 26 February 2016

How To Teach Yourself To Play an Instrument

Learning to Play An Instrument On Your Own


Have you ever wanted to learn to play an instrument? If so, which instrument would you choose? Would it be guitar, drums, the violin, the piano, the harmonica, or perhaps a classical instrument?

Before learning a new instrument it is important to remember 9 key things:


1. Your choice of music. It is more likely that you are going to want to play the kind of music you enjoy listening to when learning a new instrument. Of course any instrument can add flavor to any sound so don't limit yourself.

2. Time. When acquiring any new skill practice, persistence, and of course sufficient time is necessary. How much time can you devote each day or week to practicing and mastering the mechanics involved in playing the instrument?

3. Cost. Depending on your skill and comfort level, you can spend a whole lot or a whole little and the quality will reflect. There are however many entry-level instruments that are quite reasonably priced for someone with a new ear to music. At any rate you will be required to spend anywhere from $100 for a decent guitar and around $300 for a basic drum kit.

4. Patience. There is no question that patience is required when developing a new skill. It seems many of us while in the presence of another playing an instrument, we wish we could just pick up the instrument and play along as smoothly. In the beginning this may not be our reality. In fact through many painstaking hours of repetition and sore fingers, do we receive the satisfaction of playing automatically.

5. Instruction. There are many self-taught singers and guitar players. Many have learned to sing or play by ear alone. It is argued that natural talent plays a role in the ease and success of mastering. But, at some point even the best of the best have recognized the importance of learning and developing skills by means of various learning materials or home video lessons.

6. Try it out. By all means spend some time at a music store. Try out and ask as many questions as you want to the store staff. Let them know you are musical needs and goals and you will find this very helpful. Choose what feels right.

7. Commit. Taking the time and explore your options before selecting a musical outlet is key. However, once you have decided on an instrument it's time to get down to business. That means setting aside time for practice and or video lessons as well as setting small achievable goals.

8. Play in Public. If there's an open mic or jam in your area, get out play in front of others. The more reasons you have to play, the more effort and commitment you put into getting better.

9. Have Fun. It does take work to learn a new instrument, and tedious practice will play a large part. That being said, make the journey fun. Play along with music or back tracks in order to get your rhthym and timing down.

If you enjoyed this short discussion and would also recommend you read "How To Play Guitar"




$$$ Click on the photo above for cheap guitar lessons $$$

Monday 1 February 2016

Eleven Cool Down Exercises for Singing

Singing Cool Down: 11 Exercises 


Most if not all singers will spend an appropriate amount of time doing warm-up exercises before performance. Whether that means stretching or vocal warm-up exercises, it is time well spent before along singing session

What we sometimes forget to do is a proper cooldown session to allow your vocal cords to relax and remain in good health. If you don't take the time to do cooldown exercises, you may even cause injury to yourself in your vocal cords.

That being the case, make sure to apply the following singing cooldown exercises that may not only protect your voice but also may extend the life of it.

Ready To Cool Down?


  1. You should devote at least 5 to 10 minutes to cool off your voice after you been singing for a while. Keep in mind that your vocal cords tire. This means that if you don't allow for sufficient time, your vocal cords may strain and not fully recover.
  2. Always start seeing the highest note first while making a "zzz" sound as you move down the scale to the lowest note possible. Be gentle but avoid using a breathy type voice. Sing like you always do but just try to be a little more soft.
  3. Try some humming. If you're going to spend a long time singing you need to loosen up those vocal cords and humming is one of the best ways to do that. It doesn't have to be complicated just some simple exercises to lose new up and help you relax.
  4. Perform scale the descending. Do as many scales as you can and while you are performing the notes make an "ooo sound as softly as you can.
  5. Do voice slides. Using bowel sounds work your way up and down within a five note range. Think of it similar to a siren when making the vowel sounds perform this several times moving slightly higher and then slightly lower each time you perform.
  6. Perform stretching exercises. Especially after you have finished singing that you stretch out your entire body. Singing is very physically demanding. You are using a variety of muscles and many times these are working together simultaneously.
  7. Therefore it is vital that we take the amount of time proper to stretch out our bodies as we all know tension is one of the greatest enemies of the singer.
  8. Drink a lot of water. Begin drinking water even before you warm-up. Keeping the body hydrated is the key. So especially after your singing practice do you need to replenish the water system. Room temperature water is said to lubricate your vocal cords and help them relax.
  9. Perform yawning exercises. What these little exercises do is stretch your throat and so that your vocal folds will get back to normal after being stretched. Some singers will even stand up to 15 minutes perform this exercise due to its importance.
  10. Health and rest. Do not overlook the value of getting plenty of rest after you spent a lot of time singing. Believe it or not this is actually a big part of the cooldown process. Some of us are so anxious to get better that we practice constantly.But just as a weightlifter needs proper rest after weight training, likewise a singing performer needs rest to allow those muscles to recover and become stronger.
  11. Speak softer after a performance. Speaking in a quiet voice will begin lessening the tension and strain that was caused while you are singing. The idea is simply to relax. Maybe for an hour or two.

In conclusion


Think of your voice as a magnificent instrument. As in fact it surely is. It is your responsibility to take good care of this instrument otherwise it may crack and break to form the notes that you need and want to perform.

So whatever you do, make sure that you set aside time to cool down each and every time he Sing for any extended period of time.

Regardless of whether you are performing on stage or practicing, make cooling down part of that routine. You will find that your voice will be able to recover much faster and reach those high notes much quicker.

Sure enough you will be ready seeing the next time he hit the stage or the practice room with ease and confidence.

For more free singing tips or singing techniques please follow the links provided.

Happy singing!