Essential Music
Education Videos
Two of the clearest music educators on film. Watch these in order. Each one will change how you hear.
I. How Music Works
Four episodes covering the fundamental building blocks of all music. The best single introduction to musical thinking available on film — accessible without being dumbed down.
II. Twentieth Century Greats
Four composer profiles examining what made the most significant popular and theatrical songwriters of the 20th century work. Essential for understanding craft at the highest level.
III. Big Bangs
Five-part series on the pivotal inventions in Western music history. Three episodes assigned — the ones most directly relevant to how we write, tune, and think about music today.
IV. Leonard Bernstein
Six-lecture series delivered at Harvard — the most rigorous music education ever put on television. These three episodes are the foundation. Watch them slowly. Pause and re-listen to every musical example.