When you think of taking online courses, music and art might not be the first subjects that come to mind. Yet, there are many online art courses and music courses available to you.
In some cases, you can study music creation and performance. Music composition, music appreciation, and music history are other options.
On the art side, you can study art history, painting, and drawing. There are many more topics as well.
If you take free online music courses or free online art courses, you can learn new skills and expand your knowledge without spending a dime. You can even opt to take online art courses with certificates and earn recognition of your achievements.
Featured Programs
- University of Edinburgh Fundamentals of Music Theory
- MOMA Seeing Through Photographs
- Berklee Intro to the Music Business
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
Of course, taking online art or music courses from a college or university is also an option. Doing so gives you the chance to earn college credit towards a music or art degree. Even if you aren’t majoring in music or art, the credits you earn can count towards fulfilling general education requirements.
Before we dive into our list of the 12 best online art courses and music courses, let’s go over the methodology we used to rank each course.
Methodology to Determine the Best Online Music and Art Courses
One of the most important factors students use when selecting online courses to take is the cost. College is expensive enough. Adding even more costs with expensive online courses is something many students wish to avoid.
Besides, as noted above, there are many different free online music courses and free online art courses that you can take to ease your financial burden.
But finances aren’t the only thing you need to consider. When it comes to studying music and art, you should also think about the learning level of the course.
If you want to learn guitar, you don’t start with an advanced course. Instead, you need to look for a beginner course that teaches you the basics. By the same token, if you’re an art history major, you can probably skip the introduction to art history course. Instead, you would need to explore more advanced online art courses to take.
Our rankings also include an evaluation of a course’s ratings.
Ratings come from students that have already taken the course. Though these ratings are subjective, they can inform you as to the student experience in a class. Ratings are especially effective when there are a lot of them.
Our methodology for the best online courses in music and art is explained further in the next three sections.
Affordability
The primary factor we used in our rankings is the affordability of each course. The less expensive a course is, the more points it earns, as shown below:
- Free: 6 points
- Up to $50: 5 points
- $51-$100: 4 points
- $101-$150: 3 points
- $151-$200: 2 points
- $201 and above: 1 point
Now, the important thing to remember is that this factor examines only money. In other words, this factor does not attempt to gauge the quality of the learning experience based on how much a course costs.
Though it might be tempting to equate more expensive courses with a better academic experience, this is not always the case. There are some excellent free courses in our rankings!
Learning Level
As briefly discussed earlier, the learning level of a music or art course is critical. You need to “stay in your lane” and seek out courses that meet you at your current level. This is true whether you’re a beginner learner or an advanced one.
When scoring points for this factor, we assign greater points to courses with a higher learning level, as follows:
- Advanced learning level: 3 points
- Intermediate learning level: 2 points
- Beginner learning level: 1 point
While you need to take courses that are appropriate for your current abilities, the fact remains that more advanced courses are more difficult. They are much more in-depth and cover specific topics, rather than a bunch of different topics as is the case in beginner classes.
This isn’t to say that beginner courses don’t have value. Far from it. But from a preparation standpoint and an academic challenge standpoint, higher-level courses offer a bit more for students than lower-level courses.
Course Ratings
As noted earlier, course ratings have to be taken with a grain of salt. For example, if a course only has a handful of ratings from students, the ratings could be skewed one way or the other due to some really good ratings or really poor ratings.
But if a course has a lot of ratings, you can trust that the average of those ratings gives you a pretty clear picture of the student experience in the class. That’s why ratings can be so valuable. A course might look great on paper, but the course description won’t give you an idea of what the learning experience is like. That’s where course ratings come in.
Naturally, the higher the course ratings, the more points the class gets:
- 5 stars: 5 points
- 4.5+ stars: 4 points
- 4+ stars: 3 points
- 3.5+ stars: 2 points
- 3.4 stars and below: 1 point
- No ratings: 0 points
By using these three factors, we’ve developed a solid method for ranking the best online art courses and online music courses. Our top 12 courses are listed below.
Ranking the Best Online Music and Art Courses
#12: How to Play Guitar Specialization
You can learn to play the guitar by taking this specialization from Coursera and the Berklee College of Music.
This top online music course includes four separate courses. It takes about 16 weeks to complete.
Your studies begin with learning the basics. This includes major and minor chords and scales. You’ll also learn pentatonic scales and triads.
Other course topics include:
- Basic music theory
- Performance techniques
- Scales and progressions
- Chord voicings
The course wraps up with a unit on guitar performance. You will learn essential daily warmup techniques. You’ll also get advice on solo performances and working in ensembles.
This is a longer course, but is well worth it if you want to develop the skills needed to learn and play guitar for yourself or for others.
Points: 6
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course with an approximate price of $195-$395.
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars (based on 2,391 ratings)
#11: Introduction to Traditional Drawing
This beginner art course is from Drawspace. It’s taught by award-winning artist and author Brenda Hoddinott.
If you’ve never tried drawing before, this is the class for you. Or if you’ve tried but aren’t satisfied with the results, you will learn something about what it takes to be a better drawer.
Topics of study for this online art class include:
- Choosing the right supplies
- Developing a studio space
- How to hold drawing mediums correctly
You will also learn how to be more productive with your time. This is done by using appropriate drawing techniques to improve efficiency.
Though this course doesn’t have any reviews, Drawspace has a 4.3 out of 5 star rating on Facebook. And with a professional artist teaching you, the chances are you’ll find this course highly beneficial.
Points: 6
Affordability: $10 per month
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: None
#10: Watercolor Workout – Basics And Beyond
This is a mixed-level course from Skillshare. The class begins with a study of some basics of watercolor painting. From there, you’ll move into intermediate and advanced work.
Over the course of this 30-day class, you’ll learn about:
- Watercolor characteristics
- Needed Materials
- How to set up your workspace
The course instructor will also go over hues. You’ll learn about the method used to mix hues to generate new colors for your paintings. Additionally, you’ll learn how stroke speed influences how the paint looks on the canvas.
This is a project-based course. This means that you’ll do a painting project with virtually every lesson. There are 12 lessons in all.
This is an instructor-led class. New lessons are released on a weekly basis. There are also opportunities to learn live online and from videos on YouTube.
Points: 7
Affordability: Free to enroll. $19 per month after the free period. Scored as a paid course.
Learning Level: Intermediate
Course Ratings: None
#9: Become a Great Singer: Your Complete Vocal Training System
This beginner course from Udemy is a complete training course for people interested in becoming a better singer. Whether you’re a brand-new singer or you’ve been doing it a while, this course has something for you.
You’ll learn how to extend your vocal range. This includes instruction on how to hit high notes that have eluded you in the past.
Additionally, you’ll learn about:
- Vocal distortion
- Rasping techniques
- Developing your head voice
This is an extensive course. There are over 23 hours of on-demand video that guide you through 185 lectures. You can even customize your own vocal workouts to address the specific problems that you’re having.
When you enroll in this class, you get lifetime access. This enables you to study at your own pace. It also means you can come back to these exercises over and over again as you need.
Points: 8
Affordability: $89.99
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.3 out of 5 stars (based on 4,736 ratings)
#8: Fundamentals of Music Theory
Fundamentals of music theory is a beginner course on Coursera. It was developed by the faculty at the University of Edinburgh.
This top online music course introduces you to the theory of music. You will learn the basics, like reading Western musical notations. You’ll also learn how to write music.
In addition, you can expect to gain skills related to:
- Analyzing music
- Understanding pitches, scales, and intervals
- Using rhythm and meter
There are other units on harmony, form, and clefs as well.
Though this is a beginner course, there are a few more advanced topics toward the end of the course. That makes this an ideal option for absolute beginners as well as students with some experience who need a quick refresher.
If you’re short on time, this is a great class to take. You will only need about seven hours to finish the class.
Points: 10
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.6 out of 5 stars (based on 1,285 ratings)
#7: Art History Prehistory to Renaissance
This intermediate course from Udemy looks at the history of art from the dawn of history to the 14th Century. If you’re looking for a clear, concise overview of the development of art, this course is for you.
The top online art class begins with an examination of art from native cultures from around the world. This includes the Anasazi and Navajo. You’ll also study art from the Fertile Crescent, Neolithic China, and ancient Egypt.
Additionally, you’ll explore:
- Aegean Art
- Greek Art
- Roman Art
There is also a study of Mesoamerican art as well as art from the Byzantine era.
This class is a good refresher for art history buffs. It is also a great introduction to art history for students that need help passing a college-level art history course.
Points: 10
Affordability: $24.99
Learning Level: Intermediate
Course Ratings: 4.4 out of 5 stars (based on 505 ratings)
#6: Seeing Through Photographs
This beginner art course is from the Museum of Modern Art and Coursera. It is a study of specific photos in the Museum’s collection.
You will explore the concepts of taking, sharing, and viewing photos. You’ll examine them for meaning. You’ll also consider how photography is part of our modern visual culture.
Over the course of this class, you will:
- Explore the artistic components of photography
- Understand photography’s use as a tool for science
- Learn how photography is an instrument of documentation
Additionally, you will consider how photography is a way to tell stories. You’ll learn these and other skills by examining short texts and readings. You will also look at photos, videos, and audio interviews from accomplished photographers.
This is a relatively short online course. You’ll need about 17 hours to complete it.
Points: 10
Affordability: Free to enroll. A fee (usually around $50) might be required. Other costs are involved if you participate in a specialization (usually $39-$79 per month). Learn more about Coursera pricing. This is scored as a paid course.
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.8 out of 5 stars (based on 3,706 ratings)
#5: Read Music Fast!
If you want to gain fundamental music skills, this beginner course on sight-reading music from Udemy is a great place to start.
Sight-reading is a difficult task. Unfortunately, it is often taught incorrectly. But this top online music course addresses this issue with an innovative way to teach you how to read any note on a piano easily and quickly.
By the course’s end, you’ll have the skills to:
- Understand how sight-reading works
- Name any note on a keyboard
- See notes in a score and play it on the piano
This is a short course. It only requires a few hours of work. But it is highly effective at helping you gain this basic musical skill.
The course is available online and on your smartphone. You also get lifetime access to the course’s videos and articles for future reference.
Points: 10
Affordability: $19.99
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.7 out of 5 stars (based on 3,656 ratings)
#4: Introduction to the Music Business
This beginner course from edX and the Berklee College of Music will teach you all about the modern music industry.
The free online music class starts with an examination of the history of music. From there, you’ll consider the features commonly found in recording agreements. Next, you’ll learn about:
- The basics of copyrights
- The roles of managers and attorneys
- Business models for bands
There is also a unit on fan engagement. You’ll learn how to put on a good show. You’ll also discuss the future of live music in the post-COVID era.
This is a good class to take whether you create music, listen to music, or aspire to have a career in the music business. It was developed with the future in mind, so you’ll learn skills that will help you even as the music industry continues to change.
Points: 10
Affordability: Free
Learning Level: Beginner
Course Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars (based on ratings of edX from 1,226 students on TrustPilot)
#3: Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
Expand your understanding of art history with this intermediate course from Udemy.
This best online art class looks specifically at artistic movements and achievements from the Renaissance to the mid-20th Century. It is a complete survey of art as well as culture and architecture.
You will look at examples of art from this period and analyze and discuss each. Additionally, you will:
- Learn about physical and formal properties of art
- Explore types of artistic mediums
- Discuss symbolism in art
This is good preparation to take a college-level art history course. It was designed with AP art history students in mind as well. The lectures and texts are designed to help AP students pass their exam.
There are nearly 50 hours of video lectures included in this course. The course is accessible 24/7 and you get lifetime access.
Points: 11
Affordability: $24.99
Learning Level: Intermediate
Course Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars (based on 1,362 ratings)
#2: Art and Design in the Digital Age
The creation of art has been significantly changed by technology. But technology has also been influenced by art. In this intermediate course from edX and IsraelX, you’ll learn how the two are intertwined.
Specifically, you’ll explore how technology is used to:
- Edit images
- Create virtual environments
- Alter artistic realities
You’ll also discuss the question of how new technologies and art are fueling changes in culture and society.
Because of the broad studies in this free online course, it is a good option for anyone that is interested in art. You do not need to fulfill any prerequisites, so even if you have no experience as an artist, this course is available to you.
You can expect to spend around 12 weeks to finish this class. About 4-5 hours a week are needed to complete the course in the 12-week timeframe.
Points: 11
Affordability: Free
Learning Level: Intermediate
Course Ratings: 4.1 out of 5 stars (based on ratings of edX from 1,226 students on TrustPilot)
#1: Diploma in Audio System Engineering
This best free online music course is offered by Alison. It is an advanced course that covers the essentials of audio engineering.
More specifically, you’ll explore the following:
- Basic principles of audio engineering
- Processes of audio engineering
- Models of acoustic systems
This best online course also includes studies on linear vibrations and oscillation. You’ll take part in some mathematical tutorials as well, which will help you design better audio systems.
You will need around 15 hours to complete this course. Once you’re done, you can opt to get a certificate, though that will cost a fee.
Points: 14
Affordability: Free
Learning Level: Advanced
Course Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars (based on 1,200 ratings)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study music and art online?
Yes. There are many different options for taking music and art courses online.
In both cases, you can take single courses. These courses might be free or paid. They might be self-paced or instructor paced. Some can be completed in a matter of hours. Others might take several months to finish. There are also many different music and art subjects you can explore. This includes:
- Music composition
- Music appreciation
- Piano lessons
- Guitar lessons
- Art history
- Art appreciation
- Studio art
- Renaissance art
Likewise, online art courses and online music courses might be offered as part of a degree program.
For example, if you want to become an elementary art teacher, you might take some or all of your art courses online. As another example, if you want to get a degree in art history, you might take some or all of the required courses from the comfort of your own home.
If you want to take an online art course or music course for fun, the variety is virtually endless. There is a lot of variety for online art degrees as well.
It’s important to understand that online art courses and music courses aren’t all created equal when it comes to earning credit. Many free online art courses and music courses aren’t offered for credit. Instead, you’ll want to take art courses and music courses that are offered by accredited schools. This ensures that you get a certain level of education. It also ensures that the school meets certain criteria to get and keep its accreditation.
Taking online art and music courses for credit from an accredited school is also important for transferring credits. If a school is regionally accredited, the chances are very good that any art or music courses you take will transfer to another school.
If the school is nationally accredited, the course credits will likely count as well. But national accreditation is not as prestigious as regional accreditation. This means that the transferability of credits isn’t as strong for nationally accredited schools.
No matter what courses you take online, if you want them to count for credit, consult with your academic advisor before enrolling in any classes.
Are there free online art courses?
Yes. Many websites, colleges, and universities offer free online art courses. These courses are generally not for credit. However, if you are simply wanting to learn more about art or develop new art skills, free online art courses are a great option.
As you can see in our rankings, free online art courses come in all shapes and sizes. There’s watercolor painting classes, drawing classes, and photography classes, just to name a few. You can even take online art courses with certificates if you want. In many cases, these certificates are free. All you have to do is successfully finish the course to get one. But some free courses charge a fee for a certificate, so just be aware of that.
Even if a course is free, it’s important to treat it like a paid course. If you think of it as a paid course, you’ll be more invested in it and dedicate the appropriate amount of time and effort to learn what the instructor has to teach you. As a result, you’ll develop the necessary skills to continue learning the type of artistic expression you enjoy.
Are there free online music courses?
Yes. Just like online art courses, there are many free online music courses. These free courses are offered by many different websites. Some colleges and universities might also offer free online music courses.
If you take a free online music course, it’s easy to let your practice habits slip. After all, you aren’t paying for the course. There isn’t credit to be earned either.
However, if you’re going to master the art of music, you have to dedicate yourself to continual practice. For some students, this means setting time aside each day at the same time of day to practice. For others, this means practicing for longer periods of time every other day.
Whatever way you work it out, practice is crucial, even if you’re taking a free online music course. The more you practice, the better your skills will be. And with improved musical skills, future courses you take will be that much easier.
Not all free online music courses have to do with music performance, though. For example, the Diploma in Audio System Engineering course listed in our rankings is completely free. Nevertheless, keeping up with your studies in classes like this is just as important as it is for music performance courses.
Are online art courses with certificates available?
Yes. The most common type of online art courses with certificate are those with a completion certificate. Usually, this certificate is provided by an educational website. Coursera and edX are good examples of this.
A completion certificate is just as it sounds. You get the certificate once you successfully complete the course. In some cases, these courses are free. In other cases, you might have to pay a fee to take the course.
Additionally, some online art courses come with free certificates. But in other instances, you might have to pay a fee to get the certificate for the course.
There are also educational certificates available for online art. Usually, educational certificates require you to complete several courses. For example, to get the Post-Baccalaureate in Studio Art Certification from Tufts University, you must complete 14 semester credit hours. Obviously, this kind of certificate will take longer than getting a simple completion certificate.
In this case, an educational certificate is more valuable to people that wish to become an art teacher. Educational certificates allow students to extend their studies of art. They also give students an opportunity to further develop their artistic skills.
In contrast, a completion certificate doesn’t do much other than verify that you’ve completed a course. If you’re taking an online art course for fun, a completion certificate is just fine. But if you want to become a licensed art teacher, you’ll need to complete more steps, as outlined in the next question and answer.
Can I take online art and music courses for credit?
Yes. Many colleges and universities offer a wide range of art and music courses online for credit. Whether you’re interested in music theory, drawing, or something in between, you can find a for-credit art or music class that fits your needs.
Usually, online art and music courses are three semester credits. If you are majoring in art or music, these credits can be applied toward your major requirements. If you aren’t majoring in art or music, the credits you earn can be applied towards your general education requirements.
What this means is that all college students have to take certain general courses. This includes math, science, language arts, and humanities. Some schools include art and music in the humanities department. Others separate it out into art or creative arts.
The point is that taking an art or music course online for credit will help you work towards fulfilling your graduation requirements regardless of your major.
Before taking an online art or music course for credit, be sure to consult with your academic advisor. This is necessary to determine if the course you want to take will be accepted by your school. If you take an online course from your school, this isn’t an issue. But if you take an online course from another school, there could be issues with transferring credits. You don’t want to take a course you can’t transfer, so it’s best to do your due diligence before enrolling in an art or music course for credit.
How do I become an art teacher?
Most people go to college and major in art education. This is an undergraduate degree. It usually takes four years of full-time study to complete. Most schools require you to complete around 120 semester credits to graduate. Of those credits, about half are general education courses and the other half are art and education courses.
General education courses include classes like American history, government, English composition, and introduction to biology. These courses are intended to introduce you to many different topics. The goal is to broaden your horizons so you’re a more complete student with a greater understanding of the world around you.
The courses you complete in your major studies are focused on art and education. So, you might take a number of art courses, like sculpture, pottery, 3-D art, and digital art. You’ll also take a number of education courses. These courses explore topics in education like classroom management, assessment, and teaching strategies.
You’ll also have to take courses in art education. These courses focus specifically on educational issues in the art classroom. Furthermore, these courses are often specialized to a certain age group. If you want to be a high school art teacher, you’ll take courses related to teaching art to kids in 9-12 grades. But if you want to be an elementary art teacher, your courses will be geared towards teaching kids in kindergarten through the 5th grade.
In addition to needing an undergraduate degree from an accredited teacher education program, you will also need to be licensed by the state in which you teach. Licensure requirements vary from one state to the next. However, you can expect to take a teaching certification exam. You will also have to pass a criminal background check.
The next step is to apply for jobs. In many cases, new teachers must apply for many jobs in many different areas before they find the right fit. This is perfectly fine! Finding a school that feels right to you is just as important for your success as your formal training as a teacher.
Sometimes, new teachers are hired before they graduate. In other cases, new teachers are hired after graduation but before they have completed their licensure. In these cases, you are usually given a time period to finish these requirements, like three months. Most often, new teachers are fully licensed before they start their careers.
But sometimes situations arise in which people might get emergency licensure. For example, an art teacher might fall ill and be out for several months. Rather than having a substitute teacher for that period of time, a school district might seek out someone that has art experience and help them get an emergency teaching certificate.
However, most of the time, becoming a teacher requires four years of college, licensure exams, and licensure from the state in which you want to teach.
What courses are related to music?
When you think of the term “online music courses” you might think of music performance classes. And while there are some performance courses available online, there are many other music-related classes you might consider taking. Below is a quick list of some of your options:
Psychology of Art – This course seeks to define what creativity is. Furthermore, how can it be measured? You’ll explore how psychology and art are related. In particular, you’ll learn how art can be used as a healing practice for the mentally ill.
Photography Basics – A basic photography course introduces you to essential topics in creating photos. You’ll learn about cameras and other equipment. You’ll learn the basics of exposure as well. Composition, lighting, and a study of the history of photography are further topics you might discuss.
Mixed Media Animation – Courses in mixed media animation teach you how to combine stop-motion graphics with 2D animation. You’ll learn how to create a mood board, how to develop a storyboard, and how to set up and shoot a stop-motion animation.
Videography – There are many different types of videography courses. Introductory classes focus on the fundamentals like gear, shot types, and post-processing. More advanced courses might focus on storytelling, building a YouTube channel, or using video for business purposes.
Introduction to Graphic Design – This course explores the basic elements of graphic design. You will learn how to scale your designs correctly. You’ll also learn the difference between symmetry and asymmetry. Framing and using grids are further topics to learn about.
Disclaimer: Some courses may include an affiliate link. Courses were chosen first based on the methodology with affiliate links only added after the ranking was complete.
OCR Staff
February 2021
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