Music

Learn how to play music, music theory, about the various instruments here. We list hundreds of learning resources geared to a variety of grade levels and experience levels, so we're guaranteed to be able to help you either get started with music or take your skills to the next level.

What is Music?

Music is a form of art that uses sound organised in time. People can create music using their voices, bodies, instruments, or computers. Music is a way to communicate, express emotions, and give people pleasure. It can be performed alone or with others.

When people learn music, they often start by learning how to play an instrument. This can be a fun and rewarding experience, as it involves learning a new skill and connecting with other people through music. As people progress, they may learn to read and write music, and develop their skills further by taking lessons and practicing.

Eventually, people may choose to perform music for others to enjoy. This can be done in a variety of settings, from small venues to large stadiums. People may also choose to record their music, either for themselves or for others to listen to.

No matter how people choose to engage with music, it can be a powerful and enriching experience. Through music, people can connect with others, express themselves, and develop their skills and talents.

How to Learn Music

Learning music can be a very rewarding experience. It can help you to appreciate other types of music, understand the structure of music, and give you a way to express yourself creatively.

There are many different ways to learn music. You can take classes, read books, or watch videos. You can also find a music teacher to help you learn.

The most important thing is to practice regularly. You should set aside some time each day to practice your music skills. As you practice, you will improve and eventually be able to play the music you love.

The process of learning music can be divided into a number of stages:

  1. Listening to music and becoming familiar with different pieces and genres.
  2. Starting to understand how music is put together, learning about rhythm, melody and harmony.
  3. Practicing playing or singing, often with the help of a teacher or tutor.
  4. Progressing towards being able to perform music confidently and expressively.
  5. Understanding more about the history and theory of music, and applying this knowledge to performance.

Each person will progress at their own pace through these stages, and may focus on different aspects of music depending on their interests and goals. However, all students of music should aim to develop a well-rounded understanding and skillset.

Music Resources

A History of Western Music (Ninth Edition)

A History of Western Music (Ninth Edition)

Combining current scholarship with cutting-edge pedagogy, the Ninth Edition of A History of Western Music is the text that students and professors have trusted for generations. Because listening is central to music history, the new Total Access progr...

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

With mournful moan and silken tone, itself alone comes ONE TROMBONE… Then a trumpet joins in to become a duet; add a French horn and voila! you have a trio — and on it goes until an entire orchestra is assembled on stage. Lloyd Moss&#...

Can You Hear It?

Can You Hear It?

In association with The Metropolitan Museum of Art Now the best-selling series Can You Find It? in a great new format! Similar to Abrams best-selling series, Can You Find It?, in this book, young readers are introduced to great music through great wo...

M is for Melody: A Music Alphabet

M is for Melody: A Music Alphabet

From the oom pah pah of the brass section to the tickle and tease of the keyboard ivories, “M is for Melody” gives a music lesson in alphabet form. Instruments, composers, terms, and even musical styles are examined from A-Z in easy, read...

The Batsford Book of Music for Children

The Batsford Book of Music for Children

Meet Trudi Treble and Barry Bass: they’re here to take kids on a musical journey! With their help, children aged 5 to 9 will begin to learn the language of music and understand clefs, staves, notes, and rhythm. In addition to great games, such as mak...

CircuitMess Jay-D 2.0 DIY DJ mixer kit

CircuitMess Jay-D 2.0 DIY DJ Mixer Kit

A buildable, fully functional DJ mixtable that teaches digital sound — DACs, amplifiers and speakers — alongside electronics assembly and coding.

CircuitMess Synthia 2.0 DIY synthesizer and drum machine kit

CircuitMess Synthia 2.0 DIY Synthesizer Kit

A solder-free DIY kit that builds a playable synthesizer, drum machine, sequencer and sampler while teaching electronics and the science of sound.

Adult teaching a child at the piano

Hoffman Academy

A self-paced beginner piano curriculum built around hundreds of free video lessons - an affordable way for homeschool families to start music lessons at home.

Child playing with musical instruments

Chrome Music Lab

A free set of hands-on music experiments from Google that let kids explore rhythm, melody, chords, and sound waves right in the browser - no account or instrument needed.

PlayByFingering homepage showing song library with fingering charts for recorder, ocarina, and tin whistle

PlayByFingering: Beginner Song Practice for Recorder, Ocarina, and Tin Whistle

Free browser-based music practice site with letter notes, fingering charts, and playback for recorder, ocarina, and tin whistle beginners.

BrainPOP Arts & Music

BrainPOP Arts & Music

Animated lessons on visual arts, music theory, dance, and creative expression for grades 3-8.

Creating Synthesizer Sounds for Electronic Music (Project-Centered Course)

Creating Synthesizer Sounds for Electronic Music (Project-Centered Course)

What you’ll achieve: In this project-centered course*, you will create sounds and use them in your own musical compositions. Whether you're an aspiring producer, composer, or hobbyist, this course will help you gain skills in music production a...