The musical elements of blues are distinctly African in origin—the pentatonic scales, polyrhythms, use of microtones and pitch bends, and call and response phrase structure all originate from the African continent. Black History Month is the perfect time to get reacquainted with these architects of the blues guitar.

See Berklee Online songwriting instructors’ Grammy predictions for Song of the Year 2025, with insights on Chappell Roan, Shaboozey, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and more.

Playlists have become the ultimate music discovery tool, helping artists reach new audiences and boost their streams. From algorithmic to editorial, getting your music on a Spotify playlist is a marketing tactic artists need to hack. Learn how to navigate the process and maximize your chances of your music landing on a playlist.

Improving your musical ear doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Berklee Online’s new virtual reality (VR) Ear Trainer makes practicing rhythm, harmony, and scale degrees a fun and immersive experience.

Have a question? Register for the next Berklee Online live Q&A, and meet the folks who advise, teach, and lead at the world’s largest online music college.

Navigating copyright infringement and protecting your choreography in the era of TikTok dances is becoming increasingly important. See how Berklee Online instructors advise you on laying down the law when trying to get your dance to trend.

Berklee Online is a chart-topping college! When it comes to online education, Berklee Online reached the No. 5 spot on Newsweek and Statista’s 2025 list of America’s Top Online Schools.

As a musician, not all of your practice will be on your instrument. Some of it will be in your head, and some of it may even be on objects that just look like your instrument. We call this mental practice, and in this excerpt from Barbara LaFitte’s Practicing Techniques for Musicians course, the former principal oboist in the Boston Ballet Orchestra shares tips on how to practice your instrument when you just aren’t able to actually play your instrument.

Creating the perfect keyboard rig for live performances is all about matching your setup to the gig at hand, whether you’re playing a cozy club, a grand corporate event, or embarking on a nationwide tour. With the help of Adriana Balic (Berklee course author and keyboardist for P!nk), learn how to choose the right keyboard rig to ensure your performance is seamless and stress-free, no matter where you’re playing.