In the digital age, finding free online music lessons for kids has never been easier! Free online music lessons provide an enriching, accessible way to introduce kids to the world of music, all from the comfort of your home. Various platforms cater specifically to young learners, providing engaging lessons in music theory, composition, and expression. Websites like YouTube host a plethora of kid-friendly music tutorials where educators break down concepts into digestible, entertaining segments. Specialized education websites and apps tailored for children provide interactive music games and engaging videos to help them learn from an early age. Continue reading to find out more about the best online music lessons.
What is the best age to start music lessons?
For young children, the optimal window for beginning piano lessons often falls between the ages of 6 and 9. Any child younger than 6 may struggle to learn piano because they haven’t yet developed the motor skills or attention span needed to play. Young students should also know their alphabet, numbers, and have rudimentary reading skills. Students who haven’t yet developed these skills can certainly still learn and play the piano! However, as they move beyond playing simple tunes they’ve memorized, they may find it difficult to understand basic music theory concepts and notation.
For a student to be successful in piano lessons, they need a certain amount of discipline and motivation to be able to practice and pay attention in each lesson. Starting piano lessons at 6 at the earliest will set the student up for success. Check out our requirements for readiness to help determine if your child is ready to start lessons.
How can I teach my child music at home?
Teaching your child music at home can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to get started:
- Invest in a good piano. If you’re not sure what piano is the right fit for you, check out our article on how to choose the best keyboard for a beginner.
- Create a routine. Pick a consistent time to practice everyday. Having specific exercises such as warm-ups or improvisation time can also help facilitate a routine. Perhaps every time your child sits down to practice, let them start with a few minutes of improvisation! This can help encourage creativity, exploration, and ownership by creating something of their own.
- Incentivize practicing. Do this sparingly as a tool to start new habits. It’s important that students discover the joys and benefits of practicing without needing to be rewarded. However, many students respond well to incentives and it can be a good way to recognize their consistent practice! One of my 6-year-old students has a practice candle. When he plays piano, his mom lights the candle and when he’s finished practicing, they blow it out! When they get to the bottom of their practice candle, the student is rewarded with an outdoor outing of his choice.
A great place to start learning piano at home is with our free online music lessons for kids.
Are online music courses worth it?
Whether online music courses are worth it depends on your individual goals, preferences, and circumstances. Consider what you or your child wants out of learning the instrument. Does your child want a foundational understanding of music? Are they looking for a new hobby? Have they already studied piano and are looking to come back to it? Online music courses cater to varying levels and goals. What makes online music courses so valuable is their low cost and flexibility. You can learn at your own pace and choose when and where to study. This can be especially useful for people with busy schedules! Online courses are far more cost-effective compared to traditional in-person lessons. However, the quality and depth of course material can vary, so it’s important to research and read reviews on music courses to make sure you’re getting what you need.
Access to music resources are another valuable component of online education. Many online courses provide sheet music, video tutorials, and practice tracks. Take our Hoffman Academy store for example. We not only have free resources such as a 21 Day Piano Habit Tracker but we also have hundreds of pages of both free and pay-to-download sheet music in our store.
Examples of free online music lessons for kids
One of the best platforms to find free online music lessons is YouTube. All of Hoffman Academy’s videos are available for free on our YouTube account. Our YouTube channel covers all songs and theory concepts in our Unit books 1-16. Students who learn with us can start out learning basic theory and over time, advance to playing Beethoven sonatinas! Other great music piano channels are PianoTV, HDpiano, and Simplified Piano.
Musictheory.net offers free music theory lessons online. Although they don’t teach through videos, they break down musical concepts with visuals and detailed explanations. This website is great for clarifying specific theory concepts and practicing these concepts through identification exercises.
Coursera is another great option for free online music lessons. While some courses on Coursera may have a cost associated with certification, many offer free access to course materials, including video lectures and practice exercises.
Khan Academy offers free online courses in various subjects, including music. The music courses cover topics such as reading sheet music, understanding rhythm, and more!
We hope you enjoy our resources of free online music lessons for kids. Happy playing!