Hot Winds Posts
How To: Play flute scales in G Major
In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute in the key of G Major from our expert. Each combination of keys makes a certain note. The concert flutes all vary in octave, range and pitch.
How To: Do a vibrato for flute
Nina Perlove teaches vibrato for the flute in this instructional flute video. This technique can be applied to other wind instruments, too. This tutorial is great for a beginner attempting the vibrato for the first time, or for someone looking for ways to improve their vibrato. These exercises have a long history and have been tried and proven. Practice your vibrato on the flute and improve your flute playing skills!
How To: Play flute scales in D flat (Db)
A member of the woodwind family, the flute is a reedless instrument that plays music when air is blown over the opening or an edge. Early flutes were made of bone and date back 30,000 to 50,000 years in certain parts of the world. In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute in the key of Db from our expert.
How To: Make your own willow whistle
The video guide shows us how to make our very own willow whistle. -Find a willow branch with green bark, cut a small wedge into the bark and in the wood.
How To: Produce a resonant sound with the flute
Many young players have a too tight, smile embouchure with the flute high on their lip and the hole almost entirely covered. Some were initially taught the coke-bottle method of blowing straight across the hole. This video addresses these common problems that many flutists have. This flute playing method is based on the techings of Bradley Garner, who teaches the lower roll out into the flute technique. The angling the air toward the crown idea was taught by Alain Marion. It may feel very str...
How To: Know different types of Native American flutes
In this series, learn about the different types of Native American flutes. You will be amazed by the various sounds and pitches that these instruments can produce. Let Werner John show you some different styles of Native American flutes. He also plays these flutes so that you can hear their distinctive sounds and pitches. So, start learning about wondrous world of Native American flutes today!
News: Make Zelda's ocarina out of a carrot
From Japan hails this magical man and his homemade ocarina. First, this loveable vegetable musician plays "Song of Time", from the video game Zelda: Ocarina in Time, with perfect pitch and clarity. The catch, of course, is rather than a gourd pan flute or even a Nintendo, Mr. Heita uses a carrot. From Japan hails this magical man and his homemade ocarina. First, this loveable vegetable musician plays "Song of Time", from the video game Zelda: Ocarina in Time, with perfect pitch and clarity. T...
How To: Play the flute
This simple video, from what seems to be an ordinary housewife, goes over the basics to playing a flute, all while reading the instructions out of her flute book. Watch this 2-part video to be a master.
How To: Clean wind instruments
For top performance, clean your musical wind instruments regularly. Learn how to clean wind instruments, from woodwinds to brass, in this free video.
How To: Play blues on a flute in F major
An experienced player, Kiely Griffin first teaches you about blues music and how you can encorporate that in playing your flute. Play blues on a flute in F major - Part 1 of 16.
How To: Practice circular breathing while playing didgeridoo
Circular breathing will enable you to play your didgeridoo continuously. In this movie we'll show you how easy it is by breaking the process down in to small simple steps.
How To: Play the flute for beginners
In this tutorial, we learn how to play the flute for beginners. To make a sound, you will put the hole directly onto your lips and make the shape of the hole with your lips. Then blow into the hole, trying different positions with your lips. You will place your fingers on the different key holes, and remove your fingers depending on what notes you want to play. You will press down keys on the sides to change the air sound as well. You will start out learning the different keys and notes, then...
HowTo: Make an Egg Ocarina
Our very favorite ocarina craftsman is back, but this time he uses an egg, instead of a carrot. Mr. Heita demonstrates how to make the instrument in Japanese (with English subtitles).
How To: Play the Native American flute
Looking for a fascinating new instrument to play? Discover the Native American flute with instruction from a professional musician in this free music video series.
How To: Play blues on a flute in Eb (E flat)
Tuning your flute is often necessary to get the right sound. Other common problems with flutes are addressed in this series as well. Play blues on a flute in Eb (E flat) - Part 1 of 16.
How To: Play bagpipes
Doubling, grips, birls, and other bagpipe techniques are fully explained. Learn how to play bagpipes with free video lessons from a bagpipe teacher.
How To: Play flute scales in E Major
In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute in the key of E Major from our expert. Part 1 of 17 - How to Play flute scales in E Major.
How To: Make a Simple Didgeridoo from PVC
Traditional Aboriginal didgeridoos are made from trees that have been hollowed out by termites. Finishing work to smooth out surfaces and decorate the didgeridoo would soon follow. Lucky for you, you don't have to spend lots of money or find a hollowed out tree to create a didgeridoo!
News: Girl Plays Super Mario Bros. Theme on Ancient Chinese Instrument—& It Sounds Exactly the Same
Super Mario Bros. is one of the most renowned games in history. It helped resurrect a dying video game industry in the mid-'80s and still remains one of the best-selling video games of all time—one reason why the new NES Classic Edition is so popular and impossible to get these days. Its simple story of a plumber trying to rescue a princess resulted in a video game empire for Nintendo.
How To: Play a cut on a tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn a basic but crucial ornament, the cut, on the tin whistle. The cut is very similar to the hit and is a good technique for beginners to learn, but it takes a lot of practice. Tin whistlers of every level will find this instructional video helpful in learning how to play the cut on a tin whistle.
How To: Replace a clarinet reed
Clarinets are beautiful wind instruments. They can play almost any type of music and they are fun to learn. Once you start playing your clarinet, you will need to know how to maintain it.
How To: Play "The Cat's Meow" by Joanie Madden on tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play Joanie Madden's "The Cat's Meow" on tin whistle. This video is best for intermediate tin whistle players, as beginners may find it too difficult to learn how to play Joanie Madden's "The Cat's Meow" on tin whistle. For note names and music, visit www.thesession.org.
How To: Sing while playing the flute
Singing and playing together helps open and resonate the sound, place the embouchure, and control the air quantity. It can be used as a warm up or extended technique
How To: Embellish the sound of the didgeridoo with your voice
You can embellish the basic drone sound of the didgeridoo by using your voice. If we liken the basic drone to the canvas for our musical expression, then your voice is the paint you use to colour that sound.
How To: Play a Bb minor chord with arpegio on flute
Looking to brush up on your basic flute skills? In this short beginners flute lesson, learn how to play a Bb minor chord on the flute with arpegio with Dan Lefler of Danman's Music School. A demonstration of how it should sound when played correctly is presented.
How To: Play the didgeridoo for beginners
Interested in learning how to play the didgeridoo? If so, this video lesson may prove a good place to begin. This tutorial will walk you through the rudiments of didgeridoo playing, including tonal techniques for varying the pitch, volume and timbre of your didge. For more information, and to get started playing didgeridoo yourself, watch this helpful video tutorial.
How To: Make a carrot ocarina
Check out this instructional ocarina video that shows you how to make a carrot ocarina. This video is in Japanese with English subtitles. This video is great for Zelda enthusiasts and anyone who can appreciate the art of ocarina playing. Follow the simple instructions outlined in this ocarina tutorial and learn how to make a carrot ocarina that will impress your music friends!
How To: Play "Star of the County Down" on the tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play the common Irish song "Star of the County Down" on the tin whistle. This song is great for learning new techniques and ornamentation, particularly tonguing. Beginning tin whistlers will find this instructional video very helpful in learning how to play "Star of the County Down" on the tin whistle.
How To: Play flute scale in C Major
In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute in the key of C Major from our expert, Kiely Griffin.
How To: Play the E note with fingering on a flute
Picking up the flute and look for the most basic of lesson? In this tutorial for beginners, learn how to play the E note on the flute. Correct fingering for the E note is gone over and demonstrated by Dan Lefler of Danman's Music School.
How To: Play a polka on the tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play Peg Ryan's "Polka" on the tin whistle. This tune is faster and more complicated, so make sure you are comfortable with slower tunes first. Beginners will find this instructional video helpful in learning how to play a polka on the tin whistle.
How To: Play a roll on a tin whistle in an Irish reel
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play "The Silver Spear," a common Irish reel, with ornamentation like the roll on your tin whistle. The teacher first plays the reel slowly, then adds ornaments and plays up to tempo. Intermediate tin whistlers will find this instructional video most helpful to learning how to incorporate rolls into Irish wheels on the tin whistle.
How To: Play a hit on a tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial to learn how to play a hit, the easiest and most common type of Irish ornamentation, on a tin whistle. Even first-time tin whistle players will find this video helpful. You'll be able to play hits on your tin whistle in no time after watching this instructional video.
How To: Hold your flute
This is a demonstration video to give you some tips for how to hold your flute. This video is good for people who have never played the flute before.
How To: Hand fart like a true manualist
Gerry (Jerry) Phillips and I have been playing songs on our hands for 38 years! This is a tutorial on how to play songs on your hands! Not everyone will be able to do this but, some of you will!
How To: Play flute scales in E Flat (Eb)
In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute in the key of Eb Major from our expert.
How To: Play the "A" flute note with fingering
In this tutorial, we learn how to play the "a" note with fingering. First put your head joint into the main body of the flute, then grab it so the end is in the palm of the hand. Slowly turn it so it goes into the flute easily. Now, line the hole up so it's equal with the center of the keys and hold the flute correctly. Hold your fingers onto the flute so all your fingers on the right hand are up except for your pinkie finger. Your third finger on the left should be on the 'a' key and the two...
How To: Play a F major chord with arpegio on flute
In this short lesson, learn how to play the F major chord on the flute with arpegio with Dan Lefler of
How To: Make a redneck digeridoo
This is a tutorial on how to make a $2.00 didgeridoo. This musical instrument is made Redneck style out of ABS pipe. The Digeridoo is an Australian wind instrument. This one is a non-traditional plastic version.
How To: Make a membrane pipe from CPVC
This video tutorial demonstrates how to make a membrane pipe out of CPVC. The pipework is all 3/4" and 1/2" CPVC pipe and 3/4" CPVC adaptors (T-joint, coupling, cap). You can use 1/2" O.D. vinyl tubing for the mouthpiece, a piece of a Meijer grocery bag for the membrane, and some masking tape to create the bottom seal and to try to fix the pitch of some of the fingerholes. The pipe creates a very clear, clean sound that reminiscent of a clarinet or Scottish smallpipes. To get started building...