Ableton Learning Music

Ableton Learning Music is an interactive course that teaches how music works by having you make it. From the first page you are making sounds, and the lessons cover beats, melody and harmony using playable examples built into the page. Instead of reading about rhythm, you click a grid and hear it. Instead of memorizing a scale, you try one. The course is made by Ableton, the company behind the Live music software, and it is aimed at complete beginners, though more experienced people may pick up a trick or two. It is one of the best introductions to music-making available online, and it is free to use in your browser. Work through it in order, since each lesson builds on the last, and do not skip the examples; they are the point. It pairs well with Ableton's companion site on synthesizers, which is also on our list. Set aside an hour, wear headphones, and finish with a small piece of music you made.