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Classical Music Courses Online

Explore classical music history, composers, and compositions. Learn to appreciate and analyze works from the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods.

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Explore the Classical Music Course Catalog

  • Status: Preview
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    Y

    Yale University

    Introduction to Classical Music

    Skills you'll gain: Classical Music, Music History, Music, Music Theory, Instrumental Music, Musical Composition, Art History

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    4.1K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    B

    Berklee

    Developing Your Musicianship

    Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, Music Theory, Music, Peer Review, Music Performance, Instrumental Music, Creativity

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.6K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    D

    Duke University

    Music as Biology: What We Like to Hear and Why

    Skills you'll gain: Music, Music Theory, Aesthetics, World Music, Cultural Diversity, Psychology, Physiology, Biology

    4.3
    Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
    ·
    712 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    Y

    Yale University

    Music and Social Action

    Skills you'll gain: Aesthetics, Art History, Music History, Liberal Arts, Music, Social Sciences, Social Justice, Performing Arts, Pedagogy, Teaching, Public Affairs, Cultural Diversity, Community Development, Advocacy, Case Studies

    4.7
    Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
    ·
    181 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • M

    Michigan State University

    Getting Started With Music Theory

    Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Musical Composition, Classical Music

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    757 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Edinburgh

    Fundamentals of Music Theory

    Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Classical Music, Musical Composition

    4.5
    Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.8K reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

What brings you to Coursera today?

  • Status: Free
    Free
    C

    Curtis Institute of Music

    Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas

    Skills you'll gain: Musical Composition, Music History, Instrumental Music, Classical Music, Music Theory, Music Performance

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    607 reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    B

    Berklee

    Developing Your Musicianship

    Skills you'll gain: Music Theory, Music, Musical Composition, Instrumental Music, Music Performance

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    1.3K reviews

    Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    U

    University of Michigan

    The Piano Sonata: Origins to Mozart

    Skills you'll gain: Music History, Classical Music, Music Theory, Instrumental Music, Musical Composition

    4.9
    Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
    ·
    30 reviews

    Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

  • Status: Preview
    Preview
    T

    The University of Sydney

    The Place of Music in 21st Century Education

    Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, World Music, Music Theory, Classical Music, Education Software and Technology, Instrumental Music, Formal Learning, Creativity, Innovation, Multimedia, Electronic Media

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    71 reviews

    Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    B

    Berklee

    Music Production

    Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, Post-Production, Peer Review, Media Production, Music Theory, Music Performance, Editing, Creativity, Instrumental Music, Storytelling, Timelines, File Management, Content Creation

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3K reviews

    Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

  • Status: Free Trial
    Free Trial
    B

    Berklee

    Music Education for Teachers

    Skills you'll gain: Music, Musical Composition, Music Theory, Peer Review, Education Software and Technology, Instrumental Music, Teaching, World Music, Media Production, Post-Production, Classroom Management, Music Performance, Cultural Responsiveness, Oral Expression, Cultural Diversity, Storytelling, Creativity, Empowerment, Collaboration, Editing

    4.8
    Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
    ·
    3K reviews

    Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular classical music courses

  • Introduction to Classical Music: Yale University
  • Developing Your Musicianship: Berklee
  • Music as Biology: What We Like to Hear and Why: Duke University
  • Music and Social Action: Yale University
  • Getting Started With Music Theory: Michigan State University
  • Fundamentals of Music Theory: The University of Edinburgh
  • Exploring Beethoven’s Piano Sonatas: Curtis Institute of Music
  • Developing Your Musicianship: Berklee
  • The Piano Sonata: Origins to Mozart: University of Michigan
  • The Place of Music in 21st Century Education: The University of Sydney

Frequently Asked Questions about Classical Music

Classical music is an instrumental style of music, played with various wood, brass, and percussion instruments by a large group of musicians. The music is characterized with a regal style, as it is associated with formal national events. Classical music is often hard to define, but most people can pick it out when they hear it.

The most traditional form of classical music is usually referred to as the music made in the late 1700s and early 1800s. This music was made popular by skilled composers like Austrians Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and German composer Ludwig Van Beethoven.

The main instruments used to perform classical music include woodwinds (flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, English horn), brass instruments (trumpet, tuba, French horn), string instruments (violins, cellos), and percussion instruments. Combining these instruments in a group creates a symphonic orchestra. Adding vocals to this ensemble can produce elements of opera to this music.‎

It's important to learn about classical music for the benefits it gives to you as a listener. Regular exposure to classical music can stimulate brain activities and gene activity, studies have shown. Classical music also helps you formulate patterns of music in your head, from the recurring patterns found in classical pieces.

Listening to classical music is like entering into a new world, filled with wondrous highs and deep, sorrowful lows. You also can learn about history and tradition when you learn about classical music and its composers. A certain beauty of melody, drama, and solemnity found in classical music awaits those who pursue it in the modern world.

You may even be gifted to play classical music on an instrument. Doing so can help increase your creativity and help you to think in creative, new ways.‎

Yes, there are careers available in classical music. You can be a musician playing in an orchestra. There are also careers in managing orchestras, running events that hold concerts, and jobs in recording classical music.

When the coronavirus hit in 2020, classical music ceased to be performed in orchestras around the world for a while. However, the listening, study, and understanding of classical music has grown.

In fact, the British Phonographic Institute revealed in 2020 that more younger listeners were streaming classical music on their devices. A joint report showed that young listeners aged 18-25 amounted to more than a third of all classical music streams in the past year. Additionally, those under 35 years old increased their classical music streams by more than 15 percent as well in the past 12 months.‎

Yes, you can learn much about classical music, its history, and its antecedents from online courses. There are varied programs offered online in which you can dive as deep as you'd like into this brave new world.

The field of classical music is enrichening, with options to take an introduction to classical music, or proceed right into an in-depth study of classical music composition.‎

Online Classical Music courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Classical Music skills. Choose from a wide range of Classical Music courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Classical Music, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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