Duolingo's music course will have you practicing a wide array of pieces, from tunes you have known all your life to others you'll be hearing for the first time.
Here are the (musical) ABCs of the songs and styles you'll find on Duolingo!
A is for Air
All music is about vibrations in the air, and musicians make works of art out of thin air! In a much narrower sense, though, when you come across a classical piece of music that has the word "Air" in the title (as the one by Mozart that you’ll find in Unit 2), this usually means that the piece in question was intended as an expressive song—usually in a slow tempo—rather than as an upbeat dance. When it comes to musical compositions, the words Aria in Italian or Aire in Spanish essentially mean the same as the English Air.
B is for Broadway
Broadway, the area in New York that is home to some of the most celebrated theater productions in the world, is the source of several pieces in the Duolingo repertoire. Melodies such as "Tea for Two," "I'm Just Wild about Harry," "I Love a Piano," "Toyland," "You’d be surprised," and of course, "Give My Regards to Broadway," were first performed by legendary artists in that iconic theater district. And now you too can have a taste of what it feels like to bring the house down with a showstopping song!
C is for Christmas
Music is one of the most distinctive parts of the Christmas season, and in the course of your Duolingo music journey you’ll encounter such holiday staples as "Jingle Bells," "Deck the Halls," "It came upon a Midnight Clear," "Up on the Housetop," and "We Three Kings." No matter what the time of year, all seasons will be merry when you're studying music!
D is for Dance
All around the world, there has always been a strong connection between music and dance, and classical music is no exception. Classical composers have not only written music for the ballet, like Tchaikovsky’s "Swan Lake" (which you’ll practice in Unit 1), but they also created works for dance styles that were all the rage in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, such as gavotte, bourrée, minuet, quadrille, tarantella and waltz. So if you feel the urge to dance when you play them, don’t resist it—that's exactly what they were designed to do! 💃
E is for Expression
Music has the power to convey emotions in a way not easily captured by language alone. Imagine someone joyfully singing “Oh, what a beautiful morning”: We would not only understand the message, but we might also partake in that joy, beyond what we would feel by hearing someone just state that it's a beautiful morning.
F is for Folk Song
On Duolingo, you'll also learn famous folk songs from the United States ("Oh, My Darling Clementine" and "My Grandfather’s Clock"), Ireland ("Danny Boy"), Scotland ("The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond"), England ("Greensleeves"), and Australia ("Waltzing Matilda"). These unassuming songs continue to bring people together—no matter how big or small the gathering—to keep the flame of community alive.
G is for Genres
Apart from the ones we’ve already mentioned, you’ll find songs in several other genres that will help you to develop your musical versatility. From well-loved children's songs such as "Down by the Bay," to jazz ("Fascinating Rhythm"), gospel ("This little light of mine"), country ballad ("Are You Lonesome Tonight"), spirituals ("Amazing Grace"), and rock n’ roll ("Rockin' Robin"), you’ll find something for every taste!
These ABCs are just the beginning!
These pieces and styles will guide you on your way to musical growth and enjoyment with Duolingo—and there are many other familiar songs you'll practice in your lessons.