Past Lessons with Little Kids Rock
Guitar
- Power Chords
Learn the basics of how to play power chords, including a variety of songs from pop, rock, punk, and metal.
What You’ll Need: Participants should have a guitar for this lesson.
Level: Grades 3 and up. Participants should know how to play basic open chords on the guitar. - Guitar Improvisations by Phrasing
Now that you have a few notes to take a solo, let’s work on making them stand out with different ways of phrasing: hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and bends!
What You’ll Need: Participants should have a guitar for this lesson.
Level: Grades 6 and up. Participants should know how to improvise with as little as two notes on the guitar. - The Secret Chords of Pop Acoustic Guitar
Know a few open chords? Spencer will show you the secret to playing acoustic pop songs that POP. Participants should have an acoustic guitar for this lesson.
What You’ll Need: A guitar, acoustic preferable.
Level: Grades 5 and up. Participants should have basic knowledge of open chords on guitar. - Right Hand Workout
We will work on a bunch of right hand guitar techniques: basic strumming, alternate picking, lots of exercises and ideas for getting it into shape! Participants should have a guitar for this lesson.
What You’ll Need: A guitar (acoustic or electric).
Level:Grades 3 and up. Participants should know how to basic open chords on the guitar. - Left Hand Workout
Lets do some basic finger exercises to build dexterity!
What You’ll Need: A string instrument, preferably guitar
Level: Grades 3 and up. Participants should know how to play single strings on the guitar. - Caribbean Strumming Patterns
Learn how to play the most iconic guitar strumming patterns from various Caribbean genres including: reggae, ska, cumbia, guajira, and compas.
What You’ll Need: A guitar (acoustic or electric), basic knowledge of open chords and Major/minor barre chords.
Level: Grades 7 and up. Participants should know how to play open and barre chords. - Funky Friday
Grab the guitar as we play through a bunch of funky riffs. Learn some new chord voicings and ways to think about the fretboard
What You’ll Need: A guitar (acoustic or electric) and the ability to play barre chords.
Level: Grades 6 and up. Participants should have a basic knowledge of the guitar as well as the ability to play barre chords - Little Kids Rock: Classical Guitar Technique in Popular Music
Scott shows you how classical guitar technique is used in popular music to add variety to how you can comp chords.
What You’ll Need: A guitar, acoustic or electric.
Level: Grades 6-12; Skill Level: Intermediate
Participants should know how to play common open chords (A, Am, C, D, E, Em, G) - Reading Guitar Tab Pt. 1
In the first of this three part series, teachers and students learn the basics of reading tablature on the guitar and how to use it to learn songs.
What You’ll Need: A guitar along with a computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 3-12; Skill Level:Beginner - Reading Guitar Tab Pt. 2
In the second of this three part series, teachers and students learn the basics of reading tablature on the guitar and how to use it to learn six popular riffs of songs they know and love.
What You’ll Need: A guitar along with a computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 3-12; Skill Level:Beginner - Reading Guitar Tablature Pt. 3
In the final lesson in this three-part series, teachers and students learn some more advanced techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides as well as reading chords in tablature. Check out some great tunes to learn these techniques!
What You’ll Need: A guitar along with a computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 5-12; Skill Level: Intermediate - The Infamous Barre Chord!
This lesson will cover the theory behind barre chords, why they work well, and some tricks to make them easier to play.
What You’ll Need: A guitar, acoustic or electric
Level: Grades 5-12; Skill Level: Intermediate
Bass
- Bass for Latin Music
Learn the basic standard bass patterns for some of Latin music’s most infectious genres including: cumbia, salsa, son, reggaeton and more! Participants should have a bass for this lesson.
What You’ll Need: A bass and the ability to play root/fifth/octave bass lines.
Level:Grades 7 and up. Participants should know how to play root notes across the bass and feel comfortable playing eighth note rhythmic patterns. - Bass for Latin Music Pt. 2
Part 2 of how to play basic standard bass patterns for some of Latin music’s most infectious genres including son, salsa, reggaeton and more!
What You’ll Need: A bass and the ability to play root/fifth/octave bass lines.
Level: Grades 7 and up. Participants should know how to play root notes across the bass and feel comfortable playing eighth note rhythmic patterns. - Getting Funky with Octaves and Note Length
In this lesson, we’ll focus on technique for getting control of note length on the bass, then put it into practice to write some funky bass lines
What You’ll Need: Participants should have a bass, but other instruments could be substituted, such as guitar or keyboard.
Level: Grades 4 and up. First 3 Bass Units on Jam Zone
Drums
- Junk Drumset
Let’s build a drumset and work on some backbeat jams & beginner improvisation.
What You’ll Need: BYO Junk! Boxes, bottles, cans, rubber bands, etc.
Level:Grades 2 and up. - Body Drumming – Let’s Groove
Body drumming for everyone – start with the backbeat and move on to more challenging variations!
What You’ll Need: No materials needed.
Level:Grade 4 and up. - Intermediate Body Drumming – Syncopated Kick Drum
Play along with a variety of drumbeats to work on kick drum syncopation.
What You’ll Need: Get a body or physical drumset ready!
Level: Grade 2 and up. Prerequisites – Beginner Body Drumming (See Past Lessons) - Drumming with Linear Beats
This drum lesson will utilize sixteenth note rhythms to create linear drum patterns. Jay will show how to create different sounds of the drum set to make funk grooves!
What You’ll Need: Drumsticks and a drum pad or drum set. A metronome is helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 7-12
Skill Level: Advanced
Vocals
- Vocals from Home
A mini lesson of vocal warm-ups and at home practice solutions for all singers. We will work on finding comfort practicing out loud in your own home, and try a few warm-ups to keep our voices warm and build strength.
What You’ll Need: A half-full glass of water, and a straw if you have one!
Level: Grades 1 and up. - Vocals from Home Part 2
Let’s put a focus on style specific warm-ups to suit the songs you’re working on and smooth out our range to prevent breaks and cracks.
What You’ll Need: A half-full glass of water, and a straw if you have one!
Level: Grades 1 and up.
Digital Music Production
- Introduction to Soundtrap
Learn the basics of making music with the free software on Soundtrap.com.
What You’ll Need: Participants should have either a computer, tablet or phone for this lesson.
Level: Anyone, beginners on music production! - Next Steps on Soundtrap
Once you have your bearings of the Soundtrap interface, how do you take your projects to the next level? Spencer goes over some basic tools to expand your producing skills! Participants should have either a computer, tablet or phone for this lesson.
What You’ll Need: Just your device (laptop, phone, tablet)! Headphones a plus but not required.
Level:Grades 6 and up. Participants should have a basic knowledge of soundtrap (See “Introduction to Soundtrap”) - Recording and Editing Audio with Soundtrap
Learn to record your own audio in Soundtrap! Got an instrument? Got some lyrics to perform? It’s time to record and edit!
What You’ll Need: Just your device (laptop, phone, tablet)! Headphones a plus, but not required.
Level: Grades 6 and up. Participants should have an intermediate knowledge of Soundtrap. (See “Introduction to Soundtrap” and “Recording and Editing Audio with Soundtrap”) - Soundtrap Storytime!
Learn how to record a story and have fun with charater voices in Soundtrap!
What You’ll Need: Participants should have either a computer, tablet, or phone for this lesson.
Level:Grades 2 and up. Participants should have a basic knowledge of Soundtrap (See previous videos on Soundtrap)
Brass
- Creating and Playing Hornline Riffs
An introduction to playing melodic and harmonic material on your instrument.
What You’ll Need: Just your device (laptop, phone, tablet), Instrument(optional).
Level: Grades 7 and up. Participants should have a good understanding of music theory as well as the ability to play a horn instrument. Notation required as well as transpositional knowledge
Ukulele
- Uke Can Do It!
Let’s play the ukulele. We will review a few beginner chords and some techniques to get you up and playing right away!
What You’ll Need: A ukulele.
Level: Grades 1 and up. - Ukulele Next Steps
This next steps on ukulele video will review some new chords, power chords, tablature, and finger picking on the ukulele
What You’ll Need: Ukulele
Level: Grades 4 and up. Participants should have basic knowledge of open chords on ukulele.
Other
- Relax and Listen to Music
Drawing, form-mapping, and guided explorations.
What You’ll Need: Paper and pencil. (Markers or crayons are a bonus!)
Level: First activity is grade K and up. Second activities are secondary focused. - Creating a Song with a Group Part 1
The Little Kids Rock team is writing and recording a song together – from a distance! See their process over this multi-day project!
What You’ll Need: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Creating a Song with a Group Part 2
In part 2 of the songwriting process, Mary does some reflection on the lyrics of Spencer’s song and adds some drum production.
What You’ll Need: Participants should have either a computer, tablet, or phone for this lesson.
Level: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Creating a Song with a Group Part 3
In part 3 of the songwriting process, Mary does some reflection of Spencer’s lyrics, and the two work together to shape the message of the song
What You’ll Need: Participants should have either a computer, tablet, or phone for this lesson.
Level: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Pt 4 Writing a Song Together: Creating a Synth Production
In part 4 of the songwriting process, Tony adds some synth lines to the Soundtrap project.
What You’ll Need: Participants should start with parts 1-3 first!
Level: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Pt 5 Writing a Song Together: Layer, Expand, & Arrange Synth
In part 5 of the songwriting process, Tony takes a deeper dive into synths. He explores different sound options and arranges them throughout the song.
What You’ll Need: Participants should start with parts 1-4 first!
Level: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Pt 6 Writing a Song Together: Adding Guitar
In part 6 of the songwriting process, Scott adds some guitar parts and takes you through his process matching style.
What You’ll Need: Participants should start with parts 1-5 first!
Level: Grades 6 and up. Prerequisites – Intro to Soundtrap Session. - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 7 – Adding Bass
In part 7 of the songwriting process, Spencer adds bass to the project and goes over their thought process for how to stylistically match the bass part to the existing texture of the song.
What You’ll Need: A computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12, Skill Level: Intermediate.
Participants should have a basic knowledge of Soundtrap. - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 8 – Adding Vocals
In part 8 of the songwriting process, Spencer rerecords the vocals with the new lyrics, add harmonies, and provides some production tips for how to get the most out of your recordings.
What You’ll Need: A computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12, Skill Level: Intermediate.
Participants should have a basic knowledge of Soundtrap. - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 9 – Adding a Solo
In part 9 of the songwriting process, Scott goes over different approaches he takes to adding an instrumental solo to the song.
What You’ll Need: A computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12, Skill Level: Intermediate.
Participants should have a basic knowledge of Soundtrap. - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 10 – Rough Mixing
In part 10 of the songwriting process, Spencer goes over all the work that’s happened so far and begins adjusting levels, panning, and making a few adjustments to finalize the track
What You’ll Need: A computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12, Skill Level: Beginner - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 11 – Updating the Drums
In part 11 of the songwriting process, Mary revisits the drums and makes some rhythmic and timbre changes based on the new material the others have added.
What You’ll Need: A guitar along with a computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12; Skill Level:Beginner - Little Kids Rock: Writing a Song Together Pt. 12 – Mixdown and Reflection
In part 12 of the songwriting process, Spencer discuss their process and tips for mixing a song. They also go over a few last minute add ons. Then the team reflects on the process and listens to the final version!
What You’ll Need: A computer, tablet, or phone. Headphones are helpful, but not required.
Level: Grades 6-12; Skill Level:Beginner - Composition with Candy
This video will explore the use of visual notation when learning and performing basic rhythms with candy! You’ll be encouraged to use different topics to help guide your compositions.
What You’ll Need: A cereal box, tinfoil, and kitchen utensils. If these are not available, using your body or other materials will work!
Level: Grades K-6; Skill Level: Beginner - Get in the Groove
This lesson will give teachers and students a starting point for adding movement to their playing. If you’re an individual or part of a group who’s looking to upgrade your performance skills either as a vocalist, musician, or dancer, this video is for you!
What You’ll Need: Pen, paper, and space to move. Instruments optional. Using Bluetooth headphones to listen while moving is recommended!
Level: Grades 4-8; Skill Level: Beginner - Hip Hop Starter Kit
This lesson will go over some basic hip hop skills including number freestyling, rap talking, and a start to songwriting.
What You’ll Need: Pencil and paper.
Level: Grades K-6; Skill Level: Beginner - Making Music in the Style of Drake
This lesson will show you how to reproduce some of the characteristic sounds and musical elements of multi-platinum artist Drake using Garageband.
What You’ll Need: A computer with the Garageband software installed.
Level: Grades 7-12
Skill Level: Advanced
Virtual Instruments
- Mimimoog Model D Synth
Somewhat complicated, but an interesting way to experience the famous Moog Synthesizer as an app on an iPad!
Level: High School
Cost: Free - Korg iKaossilator
Oscillator app that enables students to have fun in a friendly interface. Rhythm and pitch are represented visually in a unique and user-friendly way. You can also export loops as audio and use them in other programs! Fun and intuitive for any student interested in music regardless of their training or experience.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free - io808
A web-based version of the famous 808 drum machine heard on so many classic hip-hop songs. A fairly advanced tool, may be best suited to older students.
Level: High School
Cost: Free
Printable Worksheets
Share these sites with your students to enable them to complete assignments virtually either with a printer or using a website to mark them up.
- Teachers Pay Teachers
64 pages of printable worksheets focused on music composition and vocals that can be shared digitally with your students.
Cost: Free - Making Music Fun
Music theory in form of printable worksheets and flash cards to use with students in distance learning.
Cost: Free - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s vast resources of printable lesson plan ideas and assignments for students to use virtually.
Cost: Free - 123 Homeschool for Me
Printable resources for at home learning with music.
Cost: Free - Boom Cards
Interactive activity/flash cards that you can integrate with Google Classroom or use with assignments. Email them for free access!
Cost: Free but you must email help@boomlearning.com for access.
Instrument Creations
Have your students make some fun homemade instruments while they learn at home!
- Nancy Stewart
Try these 8 ideas that turn supplies from around the house into basic instruments.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free - Patrick Tseng
Try creating various pitches with different levels of water in bottles.
Level: Elementary/Middle School
Cost: Free - Felt Magnet Crafts
52 Homemade instrument ideas for kids.
Level: Elementary/Middle School
Cost: Free
Helpful YouTube Channels
We recommend these educational channels with a variety of options for music learners.
- Dr. Jean
Energetic music and movement activities for younger students.
Level: Elementary - Ollie Tunmer
Video series for students at home without formal instruments by Ollie Tunmer utilizing body and junk percussion. - Warren Music
Lesson series featuring ways of learning music using non-traditional methods.
Level: Middle and High School - Dr. Jill Reese
Ukulele play-alongs organized with easy-to-understand visual and aural representations. - Spencer Hale
Play-alongs for guitar, ukulele, bass, vocals, and more. Features easy-to-follow diagrams of chords with tons of popular music resources and songs. This series was created by a Little Kids Rock team member! - Musication
Early introduction to one-note play-alongs for introductory learners.
Level: Early Learners - Ukulaliens
Series featuring ukulele lessons and play-alongs. - DrumSmart LLC
Percussion and drum circle activities and lessons by K. Michelle Lewis. This series was created by a Little Kids Rock teacher! - Laura Lorentzen
Various elementary-aged lesson ideas with follow-along videos. These lessons are classically-focused while also including basic music lessons for any genre.
Level: Elementary - Digital Music Teacher
Elementary Orff lessons with visuals and instructional methods. Instruments are needed for this series!
Level: Elementary - Andy Ramos
Great modern band ukulele playalongs. Other resources available as well. Andy has a great look and feel to his videos to make it more pleasing to the eye and user-friendly. - Kris the Uke Chick Gilbert
Play-along series for a full modern band and the ukulele. This series was created by a Little Kids Rock teacher!
Streaming Concerts
Use these sites to show your students music concerts without actually being there.
- WKAR Classical
Live-streamed concerts (with recordings) from WKAR in Lansing, Michigan. Classically-based concerts.
Cost: Free - Alex Ross
Various concerts from different genres streaming live and pre-recorded. Updated Daily.
Cost: Free - Do312
Streaming concerts from various pop artists.
Cost: Free - Berlin Philharmonic
Great “Digital Concert Hall” with lots of previously-recorded concerts from one of the most famous ensembles of the genre.
Cost: Free code (BERLINPHIL) to gain unlimited access to all concerts - Metropolitan Opera
Virtual Concerts from the MET Opera.
Cost: Free
Practice Resources
These sites are all meant to teach and share resources that increase the musical knowledge of your students.
- Yousician
Modern band instrument lessons that combine technology and learning.
Cost: Free for students due to COVID-19 - Solfeg.io
Practice site for students who want to learn popular songs. Follow along with their easy-to-comprehend practice tool which walks students through each song’s form, chord, lyrics, and melody. Great for learning modern band!
Cost: Free (Upgrade options available) - Fender Play
Guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons and interactive tutorials.
Level: Elementary and early middle-school
Cost: Free for 3 months - Moosiko
Guitar-based practice tools for students.
Cost: Free until 4/30 - The Jam Zone
Little Kids Rock’s online learning site. Features modern band instrument lessons, guides, and song charts for various levels of learning all things modern band.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free - The Jam Zone
Little Kids Rock’s online learning site. Features modern band instrument lessons, guides, and song charts for various levels of learning all things modern band.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free - Quaver
Interactive website for creating and learning how to produce music. Various lesson themes and levels for all learners.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free - SmartMusic
A vast library of repertoire and practice tools for students to get assessed virtually on rhythmic and pitch accuracy. Features a sight-reading tool, music notation assignments, and accompaniment features for practicing standard pieces virtually.
Cost: Free until June 30 - Music Play Online
Vast library of student-centered video lessons with features to sort lessons by grade as well as type (rhythm, melody, instrument names). This site is focused on a more traditional approach when it comes to reading and learning music. Game options available as well!
Cost: Free through August 1 - Teoria
Music theory and ear training exercises to help students understand the fundamentals of a traditional music education approach. Quizzes on intervals, melody, harmony, and rhythmic dictation.
Cost: Free - Music Theory Online
Various lessons on all aspects of traditional music theory with applicable quizzes.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free - Breezin’ Thru Theory
Lesson on music theory and composition. Usually a paid site with great ideas and lessons, but currently free until schools reopen.
Cost: Free for students due to COVID-19 - Hook Theory
Visual and aural explanation that breaks down the chord progressions of popular songs and teaches the theory behind the music.
Level: High School
Cost: Free - The Rhythm Trainer
Flash based site that develops aural skills solely with rhythm. Students can choose between rhythmic dictation or rhythm identification. There are many levels and customizations available for various learners.
Cost: Free - Synthesia
A fun way to learn piano online. Works best for students with pianos/keyboards at home.
Level: Middle and High School
Cost: Free Trial - Chordify
Playlongs for Guitar, Ukulele, and Bass where the chords are described and linked up to the videos of the songs. This site makes it easy to hear and see what you should be playing.
Cost: Free Trial (We’re working on free premium for LKR teachers) - Brain Pop
A few interesting and enjoyable lesson videos for young learners focused on reading music and music history.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free by requesting access - Rainbow Ukulele
Free resource library for ukulele with lesson plans and activities for younger students.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free with email signup - Prodigies Music
Video lessons and activities for Pre-K and early elementary students. Visually pleasing and lots of fun!
Level: Early Elementary
Cost: Free 21-day trial (comes with an app) - Arts Edge by the Kennedy Center
Video and lessons complete with lesson plans for teachers on a variety of levels and topics for music
Cost: Free - Musopia and Four Chords
Amazing apps that help music students learn popular songs. LKR teachers have a free 1 year subscription, but they are also offering free songs for all until May 30th under the category “Songs of Resilience and Hope”.
Cost: Free - Busy Kids Do Piano
Lots of music lessons and activities for piano as well as other more traditional music subjects.
Cost: Use coupon code: PIANOFROMHOME for one free month of membership. - Ideas Roadshow
Advanced videos, lessons, and ideas for relating research in the field of music to the classroom. Videos and ideas are advanced but offer a niche resource for those with advanced students.
Level: Advanced High School
Cost: Free for 1 month due to COVID-19 - Spider Learning
Classicaly based music lessons geared towards middle school students.
Level: Middle School
Cost: Free for the remainder of the year due to Covid-19 - Interactive Science
Learn about the orchestra through a somewhat interactive format using drag and drop words to fill in the appropriate sentences.
Level: K-5
Cost: Free - Tone Savvy
Musical theory and ear training practice exercises for your students to complete as easy to understand assignments.
Level: 3-12
Cost: Free - All the Musical Instruments of the World
Comprehensive site dedicated to listing and teaching about every instrument found around the world. The site has great videos and classification tools to help learners of all ages and abilities.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free
Games
Let’s have some fun!
- Music Tech Teacher
Huge number of various music quizzes that have a game feel to them. Note: most of the games here require Adobe Flash Player.
Cost: Free - A Game
Over 75 music games for students of varying ages and abilities to have fun while learning.
Level: Elementary and early middle-school
Cost: Free - Piano Pedagogy Plus
Over 75 music games for students of varying ages and abilities to have fun while learning.
Level: Elementary and early middle-school
Cost: Free - Staff Wars
Various quiz-like games that test things like music theory, instrument names, rhythm, and more. Downloads required for both Mac and PC.
Cost: Free - Name that Note
Basic quiz-like games that test note names on traditional staff notation in both treble and bass clef. Includes the option to employ a timer and score element which creates a bit more fun (as if anyone needed more fun when it comes to music theory!)
Cost: Free - Corridor
Interactive, game-based music theory and ear training site and app. Includes a virtual classroom element and keeps grading time down with lots of great assignments.
Cost: Free - New York Philharmonic Kids
Musical games provided by the New York Philharmonic. This site is geared towards younger elementary students providing games that help reinforce instrument names, composers, and various other traditional music ed focused topics.
Cost: Free - Classics for Kids
Beginner music games for young students.
Cost: Free - San Francisco Symphony
Fun games provided by the San Francisco Symphony. They have basic instructional resources as well, mostly geared towards younger students.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free - PBS Kids Music Games
Lots of music games that use familiar PBS characters to teach kids the basics of learning music.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free - Mazaam the Musical Genius
Game based app that teachers early elementary students the basics of music in a fun and exciting environment complete with animals and other fun tasks
Level: Early Elementary
Cost: Free - Music K-8 Kids
15 games for younger students that deal with a variety of musical concepts. The games are simple and interactive and there other things included like a puzzle, memory challenges, and other videos.
Level: K-5
Cost: Free - Yamaha Advantage Musical Games
6 Interactive games dealing with a variety of musical concepts.
Level: K-6
Cost: Free - Whack a Note
Musical game of Whack-a-Mole but focused on identifying correct vs. incorrect notes on the staff. This is a fun game that can help reinfornce identifying notes.
Level: K-8
Cost: Free
Distance Learning Platforms and Tools
Use these websites to help coordinate your virtual music lessons.
- Flipgrid
Teachers can create assignments and record themselves as examples. Students can record themselves singing, playing, etc. Teachers can either keep the videos hidden, or shared between students, who can comment.
Cost: Free - Loom
Share videos of yourself teaching with an easy-to-use interface enabling users to share their screen and make comments on existing assignments, websites, and presentations.
Cost: Free - PlayPosit
Make YouTube videos more interesting by stopping to add comments, questions, and direction. You can even disable the fast forward button to make sure that students are getting to hear all that you have to say!
Cost: Free - WeVideo
Video editing software for educators. Includes the ability to set up classrooms for free with a watermark.
Cost: Free (watermark edition) for all Educators currently affected - Kahoot
Multiple choice quiz-creation website. Quizzes can be completed in students’ own time. Teachers can include videos and images.
Cost: Free - Quizizz
Similar to Kahoot, but does not need to be done at a specific time. They already have many quizzes that are music focused for students to complete for assignments.
Cost: Free - EdPuzzle
Film yourself giving lessons or assignment direction and easily track student comprehension and video views. This site is geared towards self-paced learning where as an educator you can add your own voice narration and questions.
Cost: Free - Zoom
Zoom online video conferencing has made substantial adjustments to their free account to accommodate for students through July 1st.
Cost: Free - Teach Rock
Distance and problem-based learning music site for collaborating with students and learning various aspects of music, with a focus on many modern band concepts.
Level: K-12
Cost: Free
Digital Audio Workstations (DAW)
These sites allow users to compose music digitally using web-based interfaces without physical instruments.
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- Band Lab
Collaborative music education creation site that focuses on creativity and collaboration from a distance. For free, you can create a virtual classroom, create assignments with deadlines, and let students complete things virtually from your own library of resources and tasks.
Cost: Free
- Band Lab
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- Soundtrap
One of the most well-known digital audio workstations with plenty of free “loops” for students to use in their own creations, as well as synthesizers that enable composition and improvisation. Plenty of tools to invite students into a digital classroom and complete assignments.
Cost: Free
- Soundtrap
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- Google Chrome Music Lab
Highly user-friendly and basic sound-input site that lets students add notes with various instruments and basic percussion sounds. You can save your work without an account and share it via a link. Encourage your students to create something and share it via Google Classroom!
Cost: Free
- Google Chrome Music Lab
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- Launchpad
DJ mixing app and beat maker. Students can easily use a touchpad to mix and create beats in a visually and aurally pleasing environment.
Cost: Free
- Launchpad
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- Audio Tool
Digital Audio Workstation with a somewhat advanced interface that also allows users to “publish” their creations on their website. A totally cloud-based music production studio held in a browser! Import and export features with an app that can be downloaded alongside of the site. You can mix, modulate, and compose all through one site, without downloading any software.
Cost: Free
- Audio Tool
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- Learning Music with Ableton
A progressive set of music lessons and scaffolding DAWs that let students see the magic of sound creation as the intensity and complexity increase, allowing for unlimited creativity. Lessons tie directly into the ability to manipulate sounds and learn both visually and aurally.
Cost: Free
- Learning Music with Ableton
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- Splice
Beginner-level percussion and beat-making website. Simple boxes enable users to generate interesting and complex rhythms. The numbers on the bottom can be used to represent a breakdown of the rhythm for students as an alternative or precursor to traditional rhythmic notation.
Cost: Free
- Splice
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- Jam Studio
Create chord progressions using a simple interface that lets you insert chord names, styles, and other musical concepts.
Level: Later Middle and High School
Cost: Free
- Jam Studio
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- Drumbit
Somewhat more advanced drum and percussion sound creation website. This site allows users to create a longer string of music, as well as the ability to save and export without logging in with a username or account. A bit more fully-featured compared to others in this category, where you can adjust tempo, style, and other various mixing aspects of the music.
Cost: Free
- Drumbit
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- Soundation
Similar to Soundtrap, this site offers a “drag and drop” method for inputting beats and musical samples to create your own compositions. The interface is a bit different as compared to Soundation and has a variety of sounds.
Cost: Free premium for all schools!
- Soundation
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- Incredibox
Visually and aurally enjoyable beat boxer avatars that enable early music learners to experience creating their own compositions and using an entry level digital audio workstation
Level: Early learners
Cost: Free
- Incredibox
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- Groove Pizza
Use shapes and lines to create various grooves using pizza as a visual aid.
Cost: Free
- Groove Pizza
Virtual Rehearsal Software
Use these sites to help you run virtual rehearsals with your students.
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- Virtual Rehearsals through Soundtrap
Use Soundtrap to conduct virtual rehearsals. Teacher Jake Sandakly walks teachers and students through the process with instructional materials.
Cost: Free
- Virtual Rehearsals through Soundtrap
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- Acapella
Virtually create acapella and instrumental videos to show students how their ensembles should sound. A great way to practice along with others virtually on a self-paced schedule.
Cost: Free
- Acapella
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- Video Collage
Similar to Acapella, but you can import videos that are created from various people in different locations. You can find it in Google Play or App Store.
Cost: Free
- Video Collage
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- CBDNA (College Band Directors National Association)
4 Great tips with links on how to conduct virtual/distance learning ensembles rehearsals.
Cost: Free
- CBDNA (College Band Directors National Association)
- PinkZebraMusic
Helpful tutorial on how to create a virtual choir through a free GarageBand Template.
Cost: Free
Music Notation Software
Use these sites to help your students compose and write their won music or transcribe assignments that you give them.
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- Noteflight
Music notation software that lets you create and collaborate with students on multiple devices. Able to integrate with Google classroom and other learning platforms.
Cost: Free for all students until the end of the year.
- Noteflight
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- Musescore
Music notation software that lets you create and collaborate with students on multiple devices. Able to integrate with Google classroom and other learning platforms.
Cost: Free
- Musescore
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- Dorico SE
Online notation software that presents an easy entry point to a powerful tool. Note: downloadable program, not web-based.
Cost: Free
- Dorico SE
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- Flat
Web-based music notation and instructional software. Usually paid subscription, but free until June 29th, 2020.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free until 6/29
- Flat
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- Mario Paint
An easy-to-read and easy-to-use music notation site that gamifies music notation for early music learners. Features lots of fun notehead shapes and sounds to play with.
Level: Elementary
Cost: Free
- Mario Paint
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- Transpose ▲▼ pitch ▹ speed ▹ loop for videos
An amazing on-line tool that will allow you and your kids to easily transpose, slow down, speed up or loop music that you love! Quickly find keys that you can play and sing comfortably in! Learn fast parts, played back slowly.
Here is a video lesson that explains how to use.
Cost: Free
- Transpose ▲▼ pitch ▹ speed ▹ loop for videos
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- Avid
Avid is offering a 90 day free license for Media Composer Ultimate, Pro Tools, Pro Tools Ultimate, or Sibelius Ultimate.
Here is a video lesson that explains how to use.
Level: Middle and High-School
Cost: Free for 90 Days
- Avid
- Ear Sketch
Web-based music notation site that teaches coding through making music.
Level: High-School
Cost: Free
Garageband Lessons
- Smart Instruments in Garageband
iPad or iPhone Required - Recording Electronic Drumbeats in Garageband
iPad Required - Recording Music in Garageband
Mac Required