Learn about music
Free guides to music history, famous musicians, songwriting, music theory and making your own music, written by the Ricky Box Music team.
Music history
Music historyA Short History of Jazz: From New Orleans to TodayHow jazz grew from New Orleans brass bands into swing, bebop, cool, modal, fusion and today’s jazz scene, with the key albums to hear at every step.3 min readMusic historyWhat Is Lo-Fi Hip Hop? The Story of “Beats to Relax/Study To”Where lo-fi hip hop comes from, from J Dilla and Nujabes to 24/7 YouTube streams, and the sounds that make a beat feel warm, dusty and calm.3 min readMusic historyAmbient Music Explained: From Satie to Brian Eno and BeyondWhat ambient music is, how Erik Satie and Brian Eno shaped it, and how it became the music of meditation, sleep and calm focus.3 min readMusic historyBossa Nova: How Brazil’s “New Wave” Charmed the WorldThe story of bossa nova, from João Gilberto and Tom Jobim in Rio to “The Girl from Ipanema”, and the gentle rhythm behind every café playlist.2 min readMusic historyThe History of Christian Worship Music: Psalms, Hymns, Gospel and PraiseFrom the Psalms and Gregorian chant to great hymn writers, gospel and modern praise songs: a short history of Christian worship music.3 min read
Legends & composers
Legends & composers10 Jazz Legends Everyone Should Know (and Where to Start Listening)Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and more: ten jazz greats, why they matter and one recording to start with.3 min readLegends & composersGreat Piano Composers: From Bach to Debussy and SatieMeet the composers who shaped piano music, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Satie and more, with famous pieces to listen to and learn.3 min read
Songwriting
Music theory
Music theoryMusic Theory Basics: Notes, Scales, Chords and Rhythm Made SimpleLearn the basics of music theory in plain English: notes, octaves, sharps and flats, major and minor scales, keys, intervals, chords, rhythm and tempo.4 min readMusic theoryChord Progressions Explained: 10 Progressions Behind Thousands of SongsThe most common chord progressions in pop, jazz, blues, worship and lo-fi, explained with Roman numerals and examples in easy keys you can play today.3 min read
