Practice Tips
Everything published on Viyolens under Practice Tips — reviews, buying advice and how-tos written for players and producers in the UK.
Digital Metronome for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A digital metronome transforms how you practise. This beginner's guide shows you why one matters, how to choose one, and how to use it from day one.
Hang Music Instrument for Beginners: A Complete Guide
No wrong notes, no exam to pass — just a calm, unhurried way to begin your first handpan, touch before rhythm, one small step at a time.
The Complete Guide to Cleaning Guitar Strings
Cleaning guitar strings regularly extends their lifespan by 30–50 per cent whilst restoring the tonal brightness and sustain that makes your guitar sing. This simple maintenance skill requires only ba...
Dj Decks for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Everyone's first go on DJ decks is a bit wobbly. Here's the simplest way in, a real first-session walkthrough, and the nerves you don't need to worry about.
Percussion Instruments for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A grounded, no-pressure guide to starting out in percussion — where to begin, what to buy, and the basic skills everything else builds on.
Handpan for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A calm, encouraging first-sessions guide to playing a handpan, for anyone who has just brought one home.
Cowbell for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A calm, step-by-step start on the cowbell: grip, a steady first pulse, finding the sweet spot, and adding simple accents.
Common Erhu Mistakes to Avoid
Most erhu trouble isn't a lack of talent, it's a handful of small habits working against the instrument. Here are the ones that come up most often.
Piccolo Instrument for Beginners: A Complete Guide
An honest account of what starting this small, unforgiving instrument actually feels like, and how to stick with it.
Harp Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nervous about starting harp guitar? This beginner guide reveals why harp guitars suit newcomers perfectly and walks you through your first rewarding weeks.
Akai Digital Piano for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A beginner's guide to getting started with an Akai digital piano, from initial setup through your first month of practice, with practical tips for building sustainable habits.
Large Recorder for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Electric Fiddle for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nothing about your playing needs to change. Here's a gentle, unhurried way into amplification for a nervous first-timer.
Console Digital Piano for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a console digital piano doesn't require experience or complex knowledge. This beginner's guide takes you from unboxing through first practise sessions, avoiding common pitfalls and build...
Boss Amplifier for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A Boss amplifier looks intimidating at first with all its controls and features. This beginner's guide breaks down the essentials, shows you how to get a great tone quickly, and reveals common mistake...
British Drum Co Drum Kit for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Getting started with drums is exciting and daunting at once. A British Drum Co drum kit gives you a quality foundation. This guide covers setup, first steps, and everything a nervous beginner needs to...
Ibanez Nylon String Guitar for Beginners: A Complete Guide
New to nylon string guitar? This beginner's guide covers choosing your first Ibanez, building confidence, and developing a sustainable practice routine without overwhelming yourself.
Common Baritone Mistakes to Avoid
The errors that trip up most baritone players, and how to fix each one before it becomes a hard-to-break habit.
How to Set Up and Use Piano with Labels
Doing this properly the first time saves a great deal of frustration later. Here's the calm, methodical way to set up and eventually remove piano labels.
Fender Jazz Bass for Beginners: A Complete Guide
No frills: what to buy, what gear you actually need, and what to practise first if this is your very first bass.
Common Percussion Instruments Mistakes to Avoid
Small, easily-missed habits cause most of the problems I see with percussion instruments. Here's what to watch for and how to fix it.
Common Pedal Steel Guitar Mistakes to Avoid
The mistakes I've watched enthusiastic new players make over and over, and the simple fix for each one.
Celesta for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Take a breath: this is a genuinely forgiving instrument to start on. Here's your first practice session, step by step.
Common Congas Drums Mistakes to Avoid
Most early problems with congas drums trace back to a small number of repeating errors. Identify and fix them early and the technique develops far more quickly.
Practice Tips is filed under
All topics
Baritone
Browse baritone instruments with a warm brass-band sound, ideal for concert, ensemble and solo playing.
Fender Jazz Bass
Fender jazz bass models deliver comfort, clarity and versatile low-end tone for rehearsals, recording and live gigs.
1 topic
Musical Instruments
Browse musical instruments for home practice, studio production and live performance across a wide range of gear.
Percussion Instruments
Percussion instruments add rhythm, texture and colour across live, studio and educational settings for UK musicians.
Roland Fp10
The Roland FP10 is a compact, entry-level digital piano with weighted keys for practice, learning and home use.
Woodwind Instruments
Woodwind instruments span flutes, clarinets, saxophones and more, serving players from beginner to professional.
Yamaha Bass Guitar
A Yamaha bass guitar delivers clear low-end, comfortable playability and dependable performance across many styles.
Yamaha Fg800
The Yamaha FG800 is a versatile acoustic guitar with strong projection, balanced tone and dependable quality.
