Ultimate List of the Best Homeschool Music Curriculum

Finding the best homeschool music curriculum can be challenging, especially when you’re looking for one that truly stands out.

As a homeschool mom with no musical background, finding the best homeschool program to support my child’s learning was essential.

While we had already added piano lessons to our weekly routine, we wanted to expand with comprehensive homeschool music lessons.

Keep reading to discover the best music curriculum we’ve found for students of all ages.

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What are the key components of a good music curriculum?

In our homeschool, focusing on music theory and playing multiple instruments has really helped my child become more confident in their musical skills.

When thinking about adding music into your homeschool, there are a number of key components you should look for:

1. Music Theory: Understanding the building blocks of music.
2. Key Composers: Exploring the works of notable musicians throughout history.
3. Playing Multiple Instruments: Encouraging versatility in musical expression.
4. Reading Music: Developing the skill to interpret musical notation.
5. History of Music: Tracing the captivating journey of music through time.
6. Music Appreciation: Cultivating a deep love for diverse musical genres.
7. Ability to Identify Instruments by Ear: Sharpening ear training by recognizing instruments by their sound.
8. Creating and Composing: Empowering students to craft their own musical masterpieces.

Music curriculum for homeschooling

Finding the right music curriculum for homeschooling can be tough, but I’ve come across some solid options that have made music both enjoyable and educational for my child.

These resources have worked well for us, and I’m confident they can help your kids explore music at their own pace, regardless of age or skill level.

Here are the specific resources we’ve used that have made a significant impact on our homeschool music lessons.

Music in our Homeschool

Music In Our Homeschool has been a great resource for us. With 48 online courses, it offers a variety of lessons that make it easy to fit music into our schedule. I appreciate that the courses are self-paced, so my child can learn without feeling rushed, which is a big plus for homeschooling families like ours.

Mr. D Math music appreciation curriculum

We were looking for a solid music appreciation program, and Mr. D Math Music Theory and Appreciation really delivered.

It’s designed for 6th to 12th graders and goes beyond just basic music theory, it covers a wide range of genres and looks at the origins and development of different musical styles.

My child has enjoyed learning at their own speed through 33 lessons that dig into the history and structure of music. It’s been both educational and engaging, offering a deeper understanding of how music has evolved.

If you’re still looking for a well-rounded educational plan, discover the best secular homeschool curriculum for all subjects to complement your child’s learning across the board.

SchoolhouseTeachers

One of the resources we’ve really liked is SchoolhouseTeachers, which offers everything from beginner drum lessons to advanced music theory.

It’s been helpful to have so many options in one place, and the courses work for all ages, whether your child is just starting out or already playing an instrument.

Their family subscription is really practical, giving us access to a huge range of lessons at a single price.

Maestro Classics

We’ve been using Maestro Classics to combine music and storytelling in a fun way. Each story is paired with classical music, and it’s been an easy way to introduce my child to different composers and styles.

What I like most is that they offer free homeschool curriculum guides, so it’s easy to turn the listening experience into a lesson without much extra work.

Composers unit study

To introduce my child to famous composers, we’ve used our Composers Unit Study.

It includes coloring pages for 36 composers like Bach and Beethoven, as well as more modern figures like John Williams. It’s been a simple but effective way to explore music history.

Famous composers research projectFamous music composers coloring pages

 

Plus, starting with the free composers coloring pages has made it easy to get started.

Sound Scholars

For younger kids, Sound Scholars has been a great resource. They offer free live online lessons for ages 2-5, and it’s been a nice introduction to music for my little one.

They also have affordable options for older kids, which makes it easier to keep going as your child grows and their interests expand.

Prodigies Music

We’ve also had a good experience with Prodigies Music, which offers more than 600 video lessons aimed at kids aged 2-12.

What I appreciate most is their 30-day free trial, which gave us a chance to see if it was a good fit for our family before committing. It’s been a great way to bring structured music lessons into our home without a lot of pressure.

Free homeschool music program

When it comes to music education, you don’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of excellent free music curriculum resources. Here’s a diverse selection of options:

• All in One High School: Explore music appreciation and the enchanting melodies of the Middle Ages with their free resources for high schoolers.
• Easy peasy all-in-one homeschool: Explore music appreciation resources and the enchanting melodies of the Middle Ages with their free resources for elementary and middle school students.
• Kids Guitar Zone: If you have aspiring guitarists, they offer free lessons with various difficulty levels, from beginner to advanced.
• Hoffman Academy: They provide an extensive collection of 300 free step-by-step online videos for budding pianists.
• Fiddlerman: Perfect for young violinists, this resource offers free violin lessons to help them embrace the beauty of the violin.
• 8 Notes: Access a rich collection of free sheet music to hone your musical skills.
• Classics for Kids: Delve into free podcasts and lesson plans, designed for children in grades K-6, to make music education both entertaining and informative.
• Guitar Lessons: While not exclusively for children, there are many beginner-friendly classes available for young children.

Music theory books for kids

Learning music theory can be fun, especially when you have the right resources.

Below are some of our favorite books for kids, perfect for homeschoolers, music teachers, or any young music enthusiast wanting to dive deeper into the language of music.

Teaching Music to Children. A curriculum guide for teachers without music training. This was written for elementary teachers, but this would work well in a homeschool environment too. It even comes with a 60 minute music CD.

Music The Definitive Visual Guide. A comprehensive reference book with spectacular timelines of key events. Plus profiles of musicians from Amadeus Mozart to David Bowie.

Help Your Kids with Music is a comprehensive visual guide and audio app. That assists children aged 10 to 16 in learning and understanding music.

Basic Music Theory 50 ready-to-use activities for grades 3-9. With downloadable worksheets to learn the basic elements. In music theory, pitch, intervals, dynamics duration, keys, scales, and music terminology.

Music and How it Works is a very colorful music book for kids. The book looks at music throughout history. Beginning with the first known melody from the Fertile Crescent and covering modern music phenomena, from K-Pop to hip-hop.

Music Appreciation Book for Elementary Grades will introduce children to seven different composers. Dating from 1685 to 1828 (Bach, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Paganini, and Schubert). Each composer’s childhood and adult life are described in individual composer biographies. 

Top picks for online music lessons

These are the best online music lessons for kids. With these options, my child was able to dive into music lessons that felt personalized and engaging.

Hoffman Academy

Hoffman Academy offers both free and premium online piano lessons for kids. The lessons are well-structured, with music theory worksheets, interactive song papers, and more.

They provide a great balance of theory and practical learning, making it easy for kids to follow along.

They also offer 300 step-by-step videos to guide budding pianists. Use the promo code “LEARN” for 10% off premium services, or try out their free lessons to see if it’s the right fit.

Outschool

Outschool provides a wide range of live online music classes, including ukulele, guitar, piano, singing, music history, and even niche instruments like mandolin and banjo.

The variety is perfect if your child wants to explore different instruments. Their platform makes it easy to find the right class for your child, and you can find more detailed information in our review of Outschool.

Tremolo Guitar School

For those focused on guitar, Tremolo Guitar School offers live online guitar lessons for kids taught by experienced tutors. These lessons are interactive and personalized, which keeps kids engaged as they learn the guitar at their own pace.

Moosiko

Moosiko stands out for its personalized approach to guitar and ukulele lessons. Using adaptive learning technology, Moosiko tailors lessons to each child’s individual needs, helping them progress in a way that suits their learning style.

Homeschool Piano

Homeschool Piano is a fantastic resource that caters to all skill levels. Their 30-day full access trial gives you a chance to explore their platform before committing. Many homeschool parents praise the short, fun videos that help children quickly gain confidence and skill at the piano.

Vocal Coach

For young singers, Vocal Coach offers comprehensive vocal training that focuses on building healthy vocal habits. It’s a great option if your child is interested in developing their singing skills, as it covers everything from breathing techniques to vocal range improvement.

Yousician

Yousician provides lessons for guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, and singing. Their 7-day free trial allows your child to explore different instruments and see which one they connect with before you make a commitment.

Be sure to check out our free musical instrument matching game for a fun and interactive way to reinforce what your child is learning!

Where to find sheet music online?

In our homeschool, I found that using free sheet music helped keep costs low while still providing my child with the practice materials needed to improve their skills. Virtual Sheet Music has been our go-to for everything from beginner to more advanced pieces.

You can easily search by genre or instrument, and they even offer free selections, making it an affordable option for homeschool families.

If you’re looking for more variety, here are a few other great places to find sheet music online:

• IMSLP (International Music Score Library Project): A vast collection of free, public domain sheet music. Perfect for exploring classical pieces.
• 8notes: Offers free sheet music across various genres, including classical, pop, and jazz, along with some useful tutorials.

Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive paid curriculum or just starting with free resources, there’s something here for every homeschooling family. Explore these options, and start with a free trial or resource to see which fits your child’s learning style best.

Last Updated on 4 November 2024 by Clare Brown