You have a love for music and a desire to make your own melodies. But you just don't know where to begin. Maybe you are interested in rocking a guitar like Eric Clapton or striking the ivory keys like Liberace. Does this sound like you?
Using online lessons means you can learn to play an instrument at your own pace and when you have the time. Whatever your musical taste or instrument of choice, this list of sites is the perfect start to creating those sweet sounds.
Learn Music Theory and Sheet Music
Reading notes, learning musical terms, and understanding basic concepts are important to any beginning musician.
1. musictheory.net
For a simple and clean way to learn, musictheory.net will teach you the basics and beyond. Each lesson contains images and text that you move through with a click. This is great because every point has a clear image to display along with the explanation.
musictheory.net also offers exercise and tools to further what you learn.
2. Music Theory for Musicians
Music Theory for Musicians is another terrific site for learning the basic concepts of music. Like musictheory.net, this is a text-based tool and includes extra features. You can walk through the basics or intermediate sections, select a specific topic like scales or chords, and subscribe to a newsletter for updates and tips.
Music Theory for Musicians is a good reference to bookmark.
3. ReadSheetMusic.info
Understanding sheet music can be intimidating, but ReadSheetMusic.info makes it easy. You can learn about time signatures, counting rhythms, accents, and pitches. ReadSheetMusic.info provides reading exercises, a music dictionary, and tips.
All of this makes ReadSheetMusic.info a helpful source as you continue to learn music concepts.
Play the Piano or Keyboard
If you want to play the piano or keyboard, then have a seat, warm up your fingers, and look at these great sites.
1. Piano Lessons by Pianote
For beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons, the Piano Lessons by Pianote can help you learn as you progress. With video lessons for everything from proper posture and ear training to counting notes and playing scales, this is an excellent online source to learn piano.
Piano Lessons by Pianote provides useful articles and links directly to Pianote.com when you are ready to join a community of pianists.
2. Piano Keyboard Guide
To learn piano and the piano or electric keyboard, Piano Keyboard Guide is a great site. Review the lessons that include clear instructions, images, and videos. Then head to the course in music theory, learn how to build chords, and read up on scales.
The site has a section for help with buying an electric keyboard from Yamaha or Casio if you are in the market for one.
3. Hoffman Academy
Another solid source for piano lessons is Hoffman Academy. You can move through each of the 322 video lessons easily as they are broken up into different units. And before beginning a unit, you can see lists of the skills and concepts that you will learn.
The lessons are free, but if you would like to download sheet music, receive personalized practice instructions, or play games, you'll have to upgrade to Premium. The Premium account costs $18 per month.
4. Flowkey
Once you sign up for a free account with Flowkey, you are on your way to mastering the piano. The site offers online lessons broken down into sections, making it simple to keep track of where you leave off. The video tutorials are crisp and easy to understand. You can even check out lessons in reading sheet music and playing scales and chords.
Flowkey provides mobile apps, helpful articles, and a premium upgrade for new songs and support. The paid subscription costs $19.99 per month. It's undoubtedly the best place to learn piano online.
Pick Up a Guitar
Dust off your guitar and grab your pick because these resources offer terrific lessons for any aspiring guitarist.
1. JustinGuitar
JustinGuitar is a super place to start when you are ready to play guitar. You can start with the beginner's course and songs, move up to intermediate offerings like funk and jazz, and then hone your techniques. The video lessons include a written description of what's covered, which is really helpful.
For a wonderful online teaching site with plenty of extras, JustinGuitar is definitely worth a look.JustinGuitar has a mobile app too, which is one of the best apps to learn guitar online.
2. GuitarLessons
GuitarLessons has a variety of free video lessons that include rhythm, blues, and lead guitar. You can also review the guide and free resources. Just click the Menu icon at the top for these options.
3. Fender Play
Who better to learn guitar from than one of the biggest guitar manufacturers? Fender Play is produced by Fender and provides online lessons with a 7-day free trial. You will learn to play songs in a variety of genres including rock, pop, country, and folk. You can also track your progress and take your time with the structured lessons.
After the free trial, a Fender Play membership is $19.99 monthly and includes hundreds of songs, helpful articles, and tips.
Strum a Bass Guitar
Maybe bass guitar is more your style. Check out these awesome sites that will have you playing like Led Zepplin's John Paul Jones before you know it.
1. StudyBass
StudyBass provides a ton of information and instruction if you are interested in bass guitar. With videos, images, and text, you will learn the fundamentals, how to understand keys and chords, and play sequences. The lessons are structured in an organized way based on other students who have learned to play.
Be sure to take a look at the tool and gear sections for tips on tuning, maintenance, and buying guides.
2. CyberfretBass.com
For learning scales, styles, techniques, and bass theory, visit CyberfretBass.com. The site offers audio and video to teach you the basics of bass guitar. You can also take advantage of advice and tips through handy articles.
3. Yousician
If you are looking for an interactive online bass course, try Yousician. The site has dozens of lessons and exercises created by expert bass players. Its library of several songs can help you master popular tunes.
However, Yousician requires a subscription, with plans starting from $7.49 per month. But if you aren't willing to pay, there are tons of free articles and how-to guides on the site.
Tap the Drums
If you dream of becoming a drummer, why wait? Hold on to your drum sticks and pop open one of these excellent websites.
1. Drum Ambition
For a large selection of lessons along with notations, Drum Ambition is awesome. It has well-designed courses for beginners and intermediate drummers. You can watch these video instructions at your own pace and use email support to get help.
Drum Ambition membership costs $29 per month and provides you access to all the courses.
2. Online Drummer
Online Drummer has a terrific step-by-step, free learning guide to start you on your drum journey. Begin with tuning and positioning, move on to beats and techniques, and then delve into real-world samples from AC/DC and Coldplay.
When you take a break, check out sheet music, lessons, beats, and ebooks because Online Drummer has it all.
3. FreeDrumLessons by Drumeo
With a huge number of lessons, FreeDrumLessons by Drumeo is an excellent way to go. From setting up and tuning to warming up and working out, you will be pleased with the selection of lessons for beginners. Then, try your hand at rock drum beats and drum fills.
The site is powered by Drumeo, so if you want to continue your drumming adventure, you can head to their site and sign up for a paid membership.
Bow a Violin
Classical music lovers may be leery of the challenge to play the violin. But, these resources will walk you through the steps and make it less intimidating.
1. Violin Lab
Get your bow in hand and head to Violin Lab for a superb collection of lessons. You can learn and practice from the lessons for beginners to those that help you master the violin. The videos are sharp, and the site offers additional resources and assistance with note reading.
When you are ready to learn the violin, Violin Lab is the perfect place to start.
2. ViolinOnline.com
With clean images and clear explanations, ViolinOnline.com is a good reference to keep handy. You can learn the basics of setting up, positioning, and fingering.
You can also click the Violin Class link from the top and step into the self-guided course on the history of string music. To top it all off, you can even grab free sheet music as an image file to keep practicing.
3. Violinspiration
Violinspiration has dozens of resources to help you learn the violin. There are over 200 free video lessons, a free music sheet, and a blog with over a hundred posts.
You can search the library of lessons by level, genre, and other filters, or simply begin with the violin basics. Similarly, it has a free boot camp for beginners. And if you want to get feedback from an instructor, you can join Violin Academy for $65 per month.
Try All-in-One Music Resources
When you are not quite sure which instrument you want to play, take a peek at sites that cover more than just one.
1. Musician's Toolkit
With how-tos for bass, drums, horns and so much more, open the Musician's Toolkit. This full-featured site has plenty to explore and sink your teeth into. In addition to instrument fundamentals, you can learn more about the music business, ensemble, and songwriting. Download the music learning guide and visit the blog while you are there.
To access the entire Musician's Toolkit library and receive extra resources, you can subscribe to an individual or family plan.
2. Music Will
For children to learn guitar, bass, keyboard, and vocals, Music Will is a super site. Just select an instrument and then choose the playing level and specific topic. The lessons are done with video, the site offers skill-building exercises, and your child can play fun music games too.
Don't forget, if your little one has a favorite tune, check the great song selection that includes charts, lyrics, and videos.
What Is Your Musical Instrument of Choice?
It's not always easy to find the time or the right tool for learning to play an instrument. That's why the lessons offered on these sites are so convenient. Plus, if you have played an instrument in the past and just want to pick it up again, these resources can help you practice.
And in case you don't have prior experience playing any instrument, there are several music skills you can learn online for free.