If you are planning to attend a music college or study at a conservatory or university, knowledge of basic music theory is a must.
Anyone can learn music theory, and it can be done online, on your own, with a teacher, or even in a classroom. This article explains how to do it, where to find the necessary resources, and where to start.
For centuries, the study of music has remained almost unchanged. Musicians start by studying an instrument privately, preferably with a recognized master. They would learn to read music and study music theory.
More advanced students would receive formal training at a conservatory with lessons in composition, conducting, and learning a second instrument. Mastering an instrument required years of study, so students often started at a very young age.
In addition to studying with a teacher and practicing daily, students gained performance skills by playing regular concerts, either alone or in a group. Attending concerts was also part of a solid musical education.
Today, anyone can study music and music theory online. Aspiring musicians now learn by watching YouTube videos, taking online courses, or even studying remotely with a teacher using Zoom or other video chat services.
The possibilities for learning online can seem endless. Here are some of the tools we’ll look at that you can use to learn music theory online:
- Training videos;
- Mobile apps and streaming websites;
- Streaming and downloading;
- MOOCS;
- Teacher websites;
- Private lessons in Zoom or video chat;
- Webinars and podcasts;
- Time-shifted videos.
For digital natives who are used to spending long hours staring at screens, playing video games, or using social media, it’s a natural progression to study and learn online.
You can even get a music degree online. Whether you study privately with a teacher, learn from instructional videos, attend a webinar, use tutoring software, download interactive programs, or take lessons remotely, there is something available online for all levels and types of learners. Music education has become more accessible to everyone with the rise of web-based learning, and that’s a good thing.
Not all web-based learning resources are equally effective and worthwhile. As more becomes available, finding the best learning becomes challenging. Since time is limited, how do you choose the best online learning options?
People learn differently, so what works well for one may not work for another. Some online learning programs are free, while others are paid. For a beginner, it’s hard to know where to start, and a Google search doesn’t always instantly provide the best options.
For an advanced learner, it can be even more difficult to avoid repeating what they’ve already learned or to focus very narrowly on a specific aspect of learning. Bottom line: If you want to study online, you’ll need some strategies to find the best ways to do so.