With almost everything in life being so digital these days, it’s no wonder music rides the cyberwaves as much as it does. But there’s a huge (and I mean HUGE) gulf of difference between buying music online and creating it for others to enjoy. The online world of music creation and promotion is a broad horizon indeed…so broad, sometimes, that it’s hard to know where to begin!
Whether you prefer toying around with music in your Web browser or seriously crafting and promoting it, there are plenty of websites out there which can help you along. Here, in the following sorted lists, are the best I’ve found:
Musical Games
Carol Maker
Music Mixer
VirtualMusicalInstruments.com (try out different instruments’ sounds)
Sound Factory
A Break in the Road (this one lets you put in your own recorded sounds!)
Isle of Tune (build a city that makes music as the cars drive around…you’ll just have to see it for yourself!)
Learn How to Make Better Music
AudioTuts
SonicAcademy
MusicTheory.net
Serious-Sounds.net (especially for people who make electronic music)
Production Advice (for learning how to master your recordings so they sound their best)
What Makes “Good” Music? (thoughtful essay on making good music)
How to Write a Song @ WikiHow
Online Tools/Sites for Musicians
Scalerator (along with the Chorderator, Chord Designer, and Guitarator Toolbox :D)
BandCamp (host your music)
SoundCloud (share your music)
TheSixtyOne (share your music AND network with other artists!)
8notes.com (online metronome, blank sheet music, MIDI converters, and more!)
Create Music
UJam
JamStudio (newbie-friendly)
Soundation.com
Also, I have a roundup of free downloadable music-creation software in this blog post.
Make an Official Website for Yourself/Your Band
HostBaby
FourFour
BandZoogle
SoundFolder
Performing and Selling Your Music
GigMasters (find places to perform and get paid!)
SonicBids (connecting bands and promoters)
CDBaby (CD-making service)
For Further Reading
Check out Mashable’s list of online music sites for even more musical websites!