The learning library
Every sound
has a story.
Explore musical history through performances, documentaries, and reading from the archive.
Explore the collectionsFind your next step.
7 learning resources, arranged by topic.
- From the archive
Documentary on Latin Music by PBS
Read about the PBS documentary series Latin Music USA.
- From the archive
Music History – Great Composers
Ideas for learning about the composers behind your repertoire.
- From the archive
The Oldest Known Melody c.1400BC!
Read about an early example of preserved musical notation.
Place the music in its setting
When exploring a style or period, listen for the instruments, rhythmic patterns, and ways performers shape a phrase. Compare two examples and describe what they share before focusing on their differences.
Keep the date and source of an article in view. Historical descriptions and older recordings provide context; they are not announcements of current studio programs.