Hot Piano & Keyboard How-Tos


How To: Play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" in C# minor
Listening to Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," with its moody minors and grab bag of sharps, is like turning through page after suspenseful page of a forlorn Romantic era novel.

How To: Play Heaven by Depeche Mode on Piano - Piano Tutorial
Video: . You don't have to know how to read piano chords or piano sheet music in order to use this piano tutorial. Connect a piano keyboard or start playing on your computer keyboard right away! Practice one hand at a time, change playback speed, transpose to a different key, create loops to repeat, track your progress and much more.. How to Play Heaven by Depeche Mode - Interactive Piano Tutorial.

How To: Play a vocal warm-up on the piano
Learn how to play a classic vocal warm-up rising through the keys playing a major scale up to note 5 and returning to the root before rising by a semitone

How To: Play the 2Pac song "California Love" on keyboard and talkbox
"California Love" by 2Pac, Dr. Dre, and Roger Troutman is one of the best rap songs ever and brought Roger Troutman's incredible use of the talkbox to mainstream audiences. If you have a talkbox and a keyboard, check out this video to learn how to play this hip-hop classic on the best instruments to do so.

How To: Play the song "The Real Slim Shady" on piano
Eminem is finally back in the hip-hop game, like we knew he would be, and the words "Slim Shady" are on the lips of music fans everywhere again. In this video you'll learn how to play Marshall's classic song "The Real Slim Shady" on piano.

How To: Play the Beatles' "Because" on piano
This video teaches a piano novice how to play the introduction to “Because” by the Beatles, which was written by John Lennon. A close up on the instructor’s hands from above demonstrates the fingering for the piece. The view of the fingering is very important, since this video does not teach you how to read sheet music. Instead, it takes you through the rudimentary fingering. You will not need to know what a quarter rest, an eighth note, or a key signature mean. The instructor plays the intro...

How To: Finger thirds when playing Pachelbel's "Canon in D"
In this clip, you'll learn how to play double notes (thirds) when performing Pachelbel's "Canon in D" on a piano or other keyboard instrument. Regardless of your preferred style of music, if you want to be great, you'll need your head and hands on the same page. And there's no better way to get your head and hands on the same page than to practice. Happily, the Internet is awash in video tutorials like this one.

How To: Play "Better Off Alone" by Alice Deejay on the piano
Want to know how to perform Alice Deejay's "Better Off Alone" on the piano? Learn how with this free video piano lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing "Better Off Alone" on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Play the introduction to "Kids" by MGMT
In this keyboard tutorial, you'll learn how to play the introduction to MGMT's "Kids" on the piano. Given the simplicity of the riff, this how-to is well suited for novice pianists and keyboardists. Watch this tutorial to get started playing "Kids"!

How To: Use the Korg MicroKorg analog synthesizer / vocoder
This video will go over running a radio through the MicroKorg's effects and initializing a track (hold shift then press 3, then press 3 again while 3 light is blinking). Go to oscillator 1 on edit select 1 and select audio (aud) with the first effects knob.

How To: Use an electric guitar and a MicroKorg vocoder to hear your voice on guitar
Many MicroKorg enthusiasts focus on it's synthesizer functions, but it's also a vocoder, and nowhere is that more apparent than in this video. It will teach you how to connect an electric guitar and a mic to your MicroKorg and use them together so that you can hear your voice on your guitar. It's very worth it.

How To: Play the easy song "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts on piano
Rascal Flatts are one of the biggest groups in country music, and their song "Bless the Broken Road" is a great uplifting ballad. Watch this video to learn how to play this relatively easy song on piano, then go out and play it. It'll probably bring some love you way.

How To: Play Cat Steven's "Morning Has Broken" on the piano
Want to know how to perform Cat Steven's version of the "Morning Has Broken" hymn on your piano or keyboard? Learn how with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing this great song on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Properly place your hands when playing the piano
1. First of all you have to place your hands on the piano in such a manner that they are level with the piano.

How To: Use circuit bending
Circuit bending an audio device typically involves removing the rear panel of the device and connecting any two circuit locations with a "jumper" wire, sending current from one part of the circuit into another. Results are monitored through either the device's internal speaker or by connecting an amplifier to the speaker output. If an interesting effect is achieved, this connection would be marked for future reference or kept active by either soldering a new connection or bridging it with cro...

How To: Play Billy Joel's "Vienna" on piano
Playing along with your favorite songs is an enjoyable, and highly effective, way of developing your playing technique. In this one-two piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Vienna" by Billy Joel. While the lesson is geared toward players of an intermediate skill level, all players can follow along given adequate time and motivation. To get started playing "Vienna" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!

How To: Play "Allure" by Jay-Z on piano
In this keyboard tutorial, you'll learn how to play Jay-Z's "Allure," including Pharell's string part, on the piano. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate and advanced piano players, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this tutorial to get started playing "Allure"!

How To: Play Billy Preston's solo from the Beatles' "Get Back"
Want to know how to perform Billy Preston's classic solo from the Beatles' "Get Back" on the piano or ogan? Learn how with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing the solo from this classic McCartney song on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Play rolled chords on the piano
This how to video talks about rolled chords on the piano or keyboard. A rolled chord is a sequence of notes played almost at the same time like strumming a chord on a guitar and very common to provide a harp-like effect on the piano. There are two main uses for rolled chords, one is for the sound effect it makes when played, and the other use is to join big chords that wouldn't be possible for the average person to play solid. This technique is commonly used in 20th century piano music. Watch...

How To: Play "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada on piano
"Everytime We Touch" by Cascada is one of the all-time classic of mainstream house music, and can still be heard at clubs and parties around the world. If you want to class the song up a bit, watch this video to learn how to play a cover of it on solo piano.

How To: Talk on a talkbox properly and clearly
You might think that if you can talk, you can talk into a talkbox. Not true. There is a surprising amount of technique to proper, clear talkbox talking, and this video will teach you everything you need to know to get started. It'll even teach you how to soften your tube!

How To: Play open and closed chords on the piano
Open chords are pretty simple to understand. They're basically notes in a chord that you don't play or finger.

How To: Play "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed on the piano
Want to know how to play Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" on your piano or keyboard? Learn how with this free video piano lesson, which presents a complete breakdown of the song and its chords. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little time and effort. For more information, and to get started playing this Lou Reed classic on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Play the Beatles' "Oh! Darling" on piano
Want to know how to play the Beatles' "Oh! Darling" on your piano or keyboard? Learn how with this free video piano lesson. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate players, pianists of all skill levels can play along given a little sticktoitiveness. For more information, and to get started playing this great Paul McCartney song on your own keyboard instrument, watch this how-to!

How To: Play the same piano chord different ways
Chord inversions are a great way to use the same series of notes in a chord to get different voicings. For the example in this video use a C-major triad, which contain the notes C, E, G. Playing these three notes in this pattern is called the root inversion. The first inversion is to use the root being C and put the note up one octave. Now the chord is played E, G, and C. The second inversion is two take the E and put that note up one octave. Now the pattern goes G, C, and E. These three inve...

How To: Play "That's just the way it is" on the piano
If you would like to play "That's Just the Way it is" on the piano you first should realize this song is in the key of G! The phrase that starts this song first starts with A minor then goes to E minor. Next, go to D and down to a C and to a G then back to A minor. That is the first phrase of the song. Continue to practice this phrase. Now to start the chorus, you should play a G on the left hand and then A , B, G and go to the F on the left hand with G, A, F. When you go to the C it's just D...

How To: Play "Final Countdown" on a piano
Love the all time favorite "Final Countdown?" watch this short tutorial and learn how to play final countdown on the piano. This short instructional video will teach you exactly how to play it and in no time you too will be playing it on your piano. So if you want to learn how to play final countdown on your piano watch this short instructional video and follow along and you will be playing it like a pro.

How To: Play the “Heart and Soul” Melody on the piano
Any dope can play “Heart and Soul.” Now you can be one of them. Use your pointer finger to hit the 2nd F key up from the middle C briskly three times, then hit it once more before moving down to play keys E, then D, then F three times, briskly. Then F once more, before bouncing down and playing keys E then D.

How To: Play "Martha My Dear" by the Beatles on piano
Playing along with your favorite songs is an enjoyable, and highly effective, way of developing your playing technique. In this piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play "Martha My Dear" by Paul McCartney of the Beatles. While the lesson is geared toward players of an intermediate skill level, all players can follow along given adequate time and motivation. To get started playing "Martha My Dear" on your own piano or keyboard, press play!

How To: Play the Naruto Shippuuden blue bird song on the piano
In this piano tutorial, you'll learn how to play the Naruto Shippuuden Blue Bird song on the piano. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate or advanced piano players, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this tutorial to get started playing the Naruto Shippuuden Blue Bird song!

How To: Play a Latin salsa style montuno on the piano
In this how to video, learn to play a Latin montuno on the piano or keyboard. A montuno it refers to the repeated part of the song, like a chorus/refrain in Salsa music. This salsa piano lesson is designed for the beginning pianist.

How To: Play salsa piano
The first part deals with a latin bass on the left hand along with latin montuno on the right hand. Part 1 of 4 - How to Play salsa piano.

How To: Play "Linus & Lucy" from Charlie Brown for beginners
Coco Chanel once said that fashion fades but style is eternal. So even with Lady Gaga's new single "Born This Way" catching fire and Britney Spears in the midst of her pop comeback, time and time again we still go back to perennial favorites like Miles Davis, Frank Sinatra, and Charlie Brown tunes.

How To: Play the song "Cave" by Muse on piano
"Cave" by Muse is, like most of their songs, a beautiful track to bang out on solo piano like Matt Bellamy probably does sitting in his boxers drinking Bass. This video will show you how to cover "Cave" on your piano.

How To: Play an easy 4-chord version of "Viva la Vida" by Coldplay
"Viva la Vida" continued the staggering string of hits from Coldplay in 2008, and is a really fun song to play on almost any instrument. In this video you'll learn how to play a cover of it on solo piano, which Chris Martin would certainly appreciate.

How To: Play "Clocks" by Coldplay on the piano or keyboard
Interested in playing Coldplay's "Clocks" on a piano or other keyboard instrument? Let this free video music lesson be your guide. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate or advanced piano players, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this tutorial to get started playing "Clocks"!

How To: Play "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John on the piano
Interested in playing Sir Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" on a piano or other keyboard instrument? Let this free video music lesson be your guide. While this tutorial is best suited for intermediate or advanced piano players, players of all skill levels can play along. Watch this tutorial to get started playing "Candle in the Wind"!

How To: Understand crescendo, diminuendo & other tempo changes on the piano
In this video, we learn how to understand crescendo, diminuendo & other tempo changes. When you are playing piano, you are supposed to play the note until a dynamic change is shown on the music. A sforzando means that you must suddenly play very loudly. This occurs most in a surprise symphony. A crescendo is when you change the volume gradually. As the lines grow on the symbol you will increase the volume or decrease it if it's from larger to smaller. When you play dimiuendo you must not slow...

How To: Use the blues scale, twelve tone row technique, polychords, and tone clusters
Music theory, for any musician, is EXTREMELY important to know if you expect playing in any form of professional capacity. But if you can't afford to go to Berklee College of Music or Musician's Institute, then you can get almost the same education in this great video! In this video you will learn the basics of the minor Blues scale, 12 tone technique, polychords, chordal chords, and tone clusters. Truly amazing work and make sure you have a pen and piece of paper to take notes!

How To: Play piano using piano legato and staccato techniques
In this video, we learn how to play piano using piano legato and staccato techniques. These techniques are when you do not have any break in how you are playing, it all flows smoothly. You want to create a feeling of symmetry with the music so it all flows together seamlessly. To practice this, you will use one hand on the piano keys and play from A going to C. One you have done this, pay attention to your finger placement and then practice with the other hand. As you memorize this, you will ...