Khan Academy Music

Supporting music theory or appreciation at home can feel intimidating if you don’t read music yourself. Khan Academy Music is one of the most approachable, well-organized free resources we’ve used for teens and tweens curious about how music works. Created by Khan Academy in partnership with musicians and educators, the series breaks topics like rhythm, harmony, form, and music history into short videos and practice questions that students can tackle at their own pace. We love that explanations are clear and visual, with plenty of listening examples that connect abstract ideas to what kids hear every day. It’s a great fit for independent learners who are already playing an instrument, preparing for exams, or just hungry to understand the “why” behind their favorite songs. The interface is less gamified than some newer music apps, and there’s no built-in practice tracker for instruments, but as a free theory and appreciation course it’s outstanding value. Pro tip: pair each video with a short listening assignment where your child finds the concept in music they already love.