Bite size baby step music learning

May 3, 2023 9:19 PM

Hello! I'm looking for resources for learning music at an extremely beginner level.

My music education was very patchy and involved a lot of choral singing where I just vaguely followed along by going higher when the dots went up, and then lower when the dots went down. Listening to music is such a big and rewarding part of my life and I'd like to understand how it works, with an eye towards one day learning an instrument. I don't even know what I don't know beyond phrases like "names of notes" and "time signatures."

Ideally I'd like to start from the ground up with easy, simple lessons I can casually pick at in my spare time. Something like Duolingo, perhaps, but I'll take whatever you've got!

posted by prewar lemonade to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWnTVipZgT4
posted by Wild_Eep at 10:06 PM on May 3, 2023

I'd suggest getting a ukulele and plunking around, if you're the kind of learner who learns by doing.
posted by freethefeet at 12:17 AM on May 4, 2023 [1 favorite]

Something like Duolingo, perhaps

Here's one duolingo-type app I know about, no idea if it's any good!
posted by trig at 12:49 AM on May 4, 2023

Pop Music Theory is a great introduction. Ableton’s Learning Music is also good, and hands on.

There are a bunch of YouTube channels once you know a little bit that can take you a little further: Rick Beato, 12Tone, Adam Neely, Signals Music Studio, etc.

But honestly, learning theory doesn’t have much to do with playing an instrument. If you want to play guitar, you just learn like seven chord shapes and a pentatonic scale and you’re all set. It’s more of an issue of being physically able to play than knowing what to play. This is the whole thing about the Ed Sheeran lawsuit right now: everybody is playing more or less the same few things anyway.
posted by kevinbelt at 3:46 AM on May 4, 2023 [2 favorites]

Music theory as thought in schools is hard primarily because you are taught a multitude of the same thing over and over. For example, notes can be A, B, C, D, E, F, G, or they can be do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, ti, do or 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8. And they like to start with Bach, and never get to Bacharach.

So, I suggest you find a source that takes a contemporary approach which is basically looking at a song as a melody and a chord progression. That's basically the language Neely and 12Tone speak, though they may be a bit advanced for a beginner. It's also music as experienced by a singer playing a guitar.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:47 AM on May 4, 2023

There may be a university near you or online where you could study music theory. Berklee has a free book. Search simple Music Theory for lots of results that look helpful. Your library may have a piano you could take out, helpful for sounding things out.
posted by theora55 at 7:13 AM on May 4, 2023

Beginner level music education basically means learning all the notes on the treble and bass clef scales, and then learning how long each note is (whole, half, quarter, dotted quarter, etc) based on the time signature. It should be pretty easy to find, and honestly shouldn't take very long. EGBDF - Every Good Boy Does Fine are the notes on the lines, FACE are the ones between the lines. You mean that basic?
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:31 AM on May 4, 2023

You could try this site. It has easy free music flash cards.

Unfortunately it looks like its certificate has expired. Since you won't be entering any personal data that could be stolen I think it would be safe to use.

You could try this site. I don't find it quite as good or beginner friendly but it has a current certificate.
posted by Jane the Brown at 1:30 PM on May 4, 2023

Response by poster: Thanks all who answered so far. I appreciate the suggestions and look forward to digging in!
posted by prewar lemonade at 5:55 AM on May 5, 2023

Yousician is used in my kids middle school for those starting out with instruments.
posted by now i'm piste at 10:43 AM on May 5, 2023