Websites for Kids
Today's music teachers are faced with new challenges: Students live in a fast-paced “wow-me” world; they are not necessarily motivated by intrinsic values, but rather seek to be entertained by something or someone. Oftentimes, computers fulfill this role, playing a large part in the lives of students. Computers can entertain, can provide a vehicle for learning and are filled with all the bells and whistles technology has to offer. In no way will computers ever replace music teachers, but teachers can supplement lessons to include websites designed to help students gain skills while using the computer and the wonders of technology. It would virtually be impossible to offer a comprehensive list of music websites; however, MTNA offers this overview of selected websites that teachers might find helpful for augmenting lesson materials—particularly to enhance those six practice days between lessons!
While the myriad links and searches produce hundreds and hundreds of results, the following sites represent a researched sampling of the musical, youth-oriented websites on the Internet today. Many sites offer areas for teachers and parents. In addition, we have listed some good search sites. We encourage all teachers to search and seek out websites. Please share your results with us so we may continue to update this list.
Performer-Based Websites
http://www.fromthetop.com/
The From The Top website is designed for young classical musicians. This clever website has: The Green Room, Hall of Fame, Answer Zone, Student Lounge, a Reference Room and an area for parents and teachers. Partnered with the highly successful From The Top radio program, this site offers the more “serious” young musicians an opportunity to hear from others like them and benefit from socialization of sorts with others like themselves.
http://www.jazzkids.com/
JazzKids was created for children of all ages. The website offers teachers, parents and even the youngest students the opportunity to be introduced to jazz. The interactive audio, video and curriculum are not intended to replace a teacher!
Symphony-Based Websites
http://www.sfskids.org/
This very animated and fun website introduces kids to the orchestra but also has sections on theory basics and composers.
http://www.nyphilkids.org/
Great graphics and fun games—like the clarinet scavenger hunt—make this New York Philharmonic website great, especially for instrumental students.
Music Game/Theory/History/Listening Websites
http://www.kidsdomain.com/
Two dozen different musical activities are offered on this site. There are games for pianists, violinists, Beethoven enthusiasts, composers and much more!
http://www.kids-space.org/
This site offers performances and compositions by and for kids from all over the world. It requires Quicktime 3.0, which you can install free from the website if needed.
www.pbskids.org/kcet/charliehorse/
For the younger set, this site, based on a popular PBS show, offers games on theory and instruments.
http://www.funbrain.com/
Funbrain offers games on composers, instruments, reading and vocabulary.
www.datadragon.com
Learning about and listening to different instruments, reading music, musical genres and links to additional sites are the features of this site.
http://www.teoria.com/
This is a great site for music theory.
http://www.kidsgames.org/
This site is just what it says—for first- through twelfth-graders. You also can use this site to search for more related sites.
www.sprocketworks.com
What more could you want? An on-line “Harvard” and “Grout” rolled into one—plus games and more!
http://www.atozkidsstuff.com/
"Name That Tune," a link to the American Symphony Orchestra League, Instruments, lesson plans and games all can be found on this website.
www.boowakwala.com
This site offers ninety-nine additional sites for music and learning.
www.yahooligans.com
Yahooligans is a Web search engine for kids. When conducting a search on this site for "music," more than 600 matches were returned. Yahooligans is not all games; it has research, songs, books and more.
www.homeworkspot.com/theme/classicalmusic.htm
This site offers many links to quality classical music sites.
library.thinkquest.org/15413
An award winning site, created by high school students, that has lots of information on music theory, history, styles, jobs and a few games.
http://www.tritonemusic.com/
Features online, interactive piano lessons that can be used in conjunction with traditional piano lessons.
http://www.musictheory.net/
Includes quality theory tutorials, and interactive identification and ear training drills in note reading, key signatures, intervals and triads.
musictheory.halifax.ns.ca/lessons.html
This site contains 26 free music theory lessons (which include some audio examples) and printable quizzes.
www.quia.com/web
Students can test their music knowledge with quizzes, matches, concentration card games and other activities.
www.creatingmusic.com
Elementary-age students can enjoy exploring, creating and manipulating music.
www.pbs.org/jazz/kids
Elementary students can enjoy playing with an interactive Improvisation Station.
www.bbc.co.uk/radio3
Upper elementary and middle school students can enjoy manipulating and creating musical sequences.
www.anvilstudio.com
Enable students to compose from a MIDI keyboard and add voice-overs or other audio recorded through a microphone.
http://www.smartmusic.com/
Access online accompaniments that function as virtual accompanists.
http://www.easymusictheory.com/
This site is devoted to ear training and theory skills.
http://www.good-ear.com/
This site offers ear training and theory skills.
http://www.MakingMusicFun.net
Teacher Resources
www.teoria.com
Contains an online music theory guide, articles about music theory and a Java enhanced script for interactive play.
www.ptg.org
A fabulous general resource page for anyone involved in any way with keyboard instruments.
www.serve.com/marbeth/music_links.html
This site is of general interest with lots of areas to explore.
www.music.indiana.edu/muslib.html
An extremely comprehensive resource with great references to composer's pages and information.
www.musicalonline.com/pedagogy.htm
This site is great and has links to information on how to practice.
www.areditions.com/books/rs002.html
References literature on how to memorize better, and can be used as a starting point to stimulate your thinking process on how to find similar publications.
Other Resources
www.listentoyourbuds.org
To raise awareness about hearing health, MTNA has partnered with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), which has developed the award-winning "Listen To Your Buds" campaign. The campaign educates the very young about practicing safe listening habits such as turning down the volume and taking listening breaks when they use personal audio technology so they can avoid the devasting, lifelong effects that can accompany hearing loss.