Hot Winds Posts
How To: Play sharps and flats on pan-flute
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play sharps and flats on the pan-flute by tilting your jaw. This instructional video is good for beginners and will have you playing chromatic scales with sharps and flats on the pan-flute in no time.
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: Make an agave didgeridoo
Watch this music video tutorial to learn how to make a didgeridoo, or didjeridu, out of agave. This instructional video will allow you to use an agave trunk to make your own didgeridoo using a process that is involved and not for beginners.
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...
How To: Care for your recorder properly with Mrs. Hill
In this how-to video, you will learn how to maintain your recorder instrument. First, label your recorder with a permanent marker in case you leave it somewhere. This will allow someone to identify who it belongs to. First, use the cleaning rod and put a piece of cotton cloth on it. Push it through the opening of the recorder to get any spit and dirty out of the recorder. To clean the mouth piece, use an old tooth brush and scrub it. Once in a while, it is a good idea to wash the recorder in ...
How To: Make basic beatbox sounds
Try beat boxing to make percussion sounds using only your mouth. Follow this Howcast guide to learn how to make basic beatbox sounds.
How To: Practice playing the Irish flute
Learn how to play the Irish flute with various tips and techniques including breathing and fingering exercises with expert music training tips in this free online instrument instruction video series.
How To: Align your flute headjoint to the body for comfort
Many flute books suggest center-to-center (blow-hole lines up with center of keys) structure, but this can lead to comfort problems and inefficient use of the arm tendons. So this quick video is for teachers and advanced students to show some of the "rock and roll" problems and their solutions.
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.
News: May the Fart Be With You
Performance by WonderHowTo's beloved hand manualist, Gerry Phillips, in honor of Star Wars Day. (Compare Gerry's song with the original scene, second video in the gallery below). Previously, Happy Star Wars Day! Naked Stormtrooper Life Drawing (NSFW).
How To: Play the recorder with Mrs. Hill
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to play a recorder. The mouthpiece of the recorder goes onto your bottom lip and in front of your bottom teeth. Do not bite on it. You rest your mouth on it. Only the tip of the mouthpiece goes in your mouth. When you blow on the recorder, blow with a steady air stream with a small amount of air. Squeaking is caused when you blow too hard and if you finger are not covering the holes completely. This video will benefit those viewers who are interested ...
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: Build a homemade redneck PVC $2 didgeridoo
This is a tutorial on how to make a $2.00 didgeridoo. Redneck style out of ABS pipe, this homemade musical instrument is a fun project. This is constructed using chemicals that are caustic and possibly harmful. Only practice in a well ventilated area. Build a homemade redneck PVC $2 didgeridoo.
How To: Practice the octave and fourth exercise on the sax
This is a demonstration of Low End exercises on the saxophone. This is one of the tone and ear-training exercises in octaves and perfect fourths. This tutorial video is great for beginners and advanced sax players. Check out this instructional sax video that shows you how to practice these low end exercises. Try out the octave and fourth exercise on the saxophone and improve your saxophone playing skills!
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: Practice active breathing for flute
Check out this flute lesson on breathing techniques by Nina Perlove who teaches at Northern Kentucky University. This unconventional breathing method was taught by Alain Marion in Paris. The end goal is to allow your lungs and chest cavity to expand. You will have more breath control when playing the flute with the technique shown in this video.
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...
How To: Play simple songs on the shakuhachi flute
Want to learn how to play simple songs such as "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the shakuhachi Japanese flute? Learn how to find notes as well as intervals and octaves on the shakuhachi flute in this free music lesson video series.
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 "My Tribute" on pan-flute
Watch this tutorial video to learn how to play "My Tribute" on your pan-flute. This instructional video features a note-by-note transcription; knowledge of the letter note of each pipe is required. Soon you'll be playing "My Tribute" beautifully on your pan-flute.
How To: Play "The Boys of Blue Hill" on tin whistle
Watch this winds tutorial video to learn how to play a common Irish hornpipe, "The Boys of Blue Hill," on the tin whistle. This instructional video is intended for intermediate whistlers who are able to pick up songs just by listening. Intermediate tin whistlers will see their technique improve after watching this helpful how-to video and learning how to play "The Boys of Blue Hill" on tin whistle.
How To: Play the second register on the B Flat flute
Learn how to play the notes in the second register on the B Flat flute.
How To: Hand fart sweet child o' mine
You have simply not enjoyed life until you watch the entire manualist rendition of this Guns n Roses classic.
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: Build rhythm on the didgeridoo
Here we introduce two easy to learn rhythms for the didgeridoo student. There is also some advice on developing your own rhythms too!
How To: Play your first tone or note on the flute
You've just received your first flute! Now how to play it? This video starts by demonstrates the correct way to handle your flute and separate the mouthpiece from the body of the instrument. Then you're shown the proper technique for blowing into the mouth piece to get your first music tone or note. It's just like a whistle!
How To: Play music on a wooden, Native American style flute
Have you ever wanted to play tribal music? If you have a wooden Native American flute (tuned to the key of G), this video demonstrates the right fingering pattern to play a beautiful and easy melody on your musical instrument.
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...
News: Blow That World Cup Vuvuzela!
Happy UK vs US World Cup Day! Says Metafilter:
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.
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: 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: 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: 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.
News: Beer Bottle Christmas Caroling
The Bowen Bottle Beer Band's instrument of choice is (obviously) the classic beer bottle, and this holiday season they're spreading cheer with their rendition of the classic Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
News: World Renown Beatbox-Flute Subway Busker
Beatboxing flutist, Greg Pattillo, burst onto the YouTube scene circa 2007, racking up over 20 million views for his performance videos. Patillo has garnered world recognition for his skills, as well as attention from the New York Times:
News: Hand fart Guns n Roses rock ballads
God bless this country! Immigrants. Rocket scientists. Hand farters. Manualists. He looks like a Sopranos extra. He is not.
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: 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 the basics of harmonica
Check out this instructional harmonica video that shows you the basics to playing a harmonica. There's no trick to playing the harmonica, just blow till you like it. Once you like it, you're playing the harmonica. The harmonica should be an extension of yourself, so express the inner harmonica tune within your soul by watching this tutorial video! Learn the basics of the harmonica and stomp them boots to this tune!