Music Courses and Certifications

Introduction to Classical Music

25 reviews

Using a simple and enjoyable teaching style, this course introduces the novice listener to the wonders of classical music, from Bach fugues to Mozart symphonies to Puccini operas.

• Coursera
• 66 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

• Best of All Time

History of Rock, Part One

18 reviews

Explore rock's evolution from pre-1955 to late 1960s, covering iconic artists, cultural context, and industry developments. Gain insights into the birth and transformation of this influential genre.

• Coursera
• 13 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

The Music of the Beatles

18 reviews

Explore the Beatles' musical evolution, from early Liverpool days to Abbey Road, examining influences, recording techniques, and cultural impact on their iconic repertoire.

• Coursera
• 14 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Developing Your Musicianship

16 reviews

Explore harmony, ear training, scales, intervals, chords, and song forms. Learn to compose and perform contemporary music with guidance from a Berklee professor.

• Coursera
• 16 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

History of Rock, Part Two

7 reviews

Explore rock's evolution from 1970-1990s, covering diverse styles like blues-rock, disco, punk, and grunge. Analyze cultural context, music business, and technological influences on iconic artists and genres.

• Coursera
• 13 hours
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

How to Write Your First Song

168 reviews

Get a practical introduction to the mechanics of songwriting and meet established songwriters with this free online course

• FutureLearn
• 6 weeks, 3 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

• Best of All Time

First Nights - Handel's Messiah and Baroque Oratorio

10 ratings at edX

Discover Handel's Messiah in this installment of First Nights, which will explore five masterpieces of western music.

• edX
• 2 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

First Nights - Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the 19th Century Orchestra

10 ratings at edX

Learn about Beethoven’s monumental 9th Symphony and forms of orchestral music.

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

First Nights - Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th Century

6 ratings at edX

Learn about Hector Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique , an iconic Romantic symphony that ushered in an era of narrative "program music."

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Online Jamming and Concert Technology

4 reviews

Explore high-quality, near-synchronous musical collaboration online using open-source techniques for ultra-low-latency audio transmission, enabling distributed rehearsals and split ensemble concerts.

• Kadenze
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course

First Nights - Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots

6 ratings at edX

Learn the fascinating history of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring , one of the most challenging and rewarding ballets ever written.

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Microcredential

Classical Works

Journey through iconic classical works from 17th-20th century Europe, exploring their cultural context, musical innovations, and lasting impact on Western music history.

• edX
• On-Demand
• $745.00
• 5 courses

Defining the String Quartet: Haydn

2 reviews

Explore Haydn's pivotal role in establishing the string quartet genre, its aesthetic values, and its enduring influence on Western musical culture.

• edX
• 10 weeks, 3-6 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Music and Technology - Fall 2009

2 reviews

This course is an investigation into the history and aesthetics of music and technology as deployed in experimental and popular musics from the 19th century to the present.

• YouTube
• 3 hours 30 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Music and Social Action

172 ratings at Coursera

Explore the role of musicians in society, examining how classical music can effect social change and contribute to democracy, urban renewal, and civil engagement.

• Coursera
• 1 day 1 hour 44 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)