Duke Ellington was an extremely talented composer, performer, and band leader who influenced the style of jazz. Learn about him and his music with this free online lesson about Duke Ellington from Enrichment Studies. There are links, biographies, videos, printables, coloring pages, etc.
Sound Bites: Jazz Music Appreciation online course
If you’ve ever wished you could naturally weave music appreciation into your homeschool without stress, Sound Bites: Jazz Music Appreciation is the answer you’ve been waiting for. This self-paced, done-for-you online course gives your family 30 weeks of engaging music lessons that explore the vibrant world of American jazz in a way that feels joyful and easy.
What is Jazz?
Jazz isn’t just music—it’s a story of innovation, expression, and cultural history. From the early sounds of New Orleans to the bebop revolution and beyond, this course takes students on a chronological journey through the 1900s, introducing them to influential composers and performers who shaped an entire genre. You’ll study names your family will love, like Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, and Ray Charles, plus remarkable artists you might not know yet.
How the Course Works
Each week’s lesson is designed to be relatable and approachable, with embedded listening activities, historical context, and short video highlights that make jazz come alive. It’s perfect for multi-age learning: elementary students can simply enjoy the music and fundamental ideas, while older students can dive deeper into how each artist influenced the sounds of their era.
And that’s not all. When you enroll, you also get bonus resources—including a music appreciation notebook with vocabulary and creative prompts, instrument coloring pages, and a study-a-composer printable pack—to extend learning beyond listening into writing, drawing, and discovery.
“This is such a rich, thoughtful, and creative use of technology!
~Diana
Learn Jazz Music Appreciation in Your Homeschool
Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool music teacher or someone who’s always felt unsure where to start, this course makes jazz accessible, meaningful, and fun. Bring the rhythms of history into your home and watch your kids fall in love with music in a whole new way.
“We are so appreciative of the daily Sound Bites! We miss them some days, but it's been a fantastic way for me to introduce regular doses of such intoxicating music to our days. And it calms (or enthralls) my 4 kids during those crazy (or dull) moments in life :). You are truly enriching our lives with all of your resources….”
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Enrichment Study on Duke Ellington not found. Please send us the new link?
Thanks for letting me know! I’ve fixed it up above. Here it is: https://learn.musicinourhomeschool.com/courses/sound-bites-jazz-music/lectures/59140917