Suggested preparation: Basic Python and familiarity with musical notation.
Optional preparation: Free Yale Course: Listening to Music.
About this course
Use computational representations to investigate musical structure. The videos introduce music21, hierarchical organization, plotting and algorithmic approaches to music, connecting Python programming with music-theory questions.
Topics and lesson examples
- Video 0: Overview of 21M.383 Computational Music Theory for OCW Learners
- Class 5 Video: Music Representation (II)
- Video 9a: Music Information Retrieval (MIR): Sound to Score and Music Theory
- Video 12d: How to Work with Ties in music21
- Video 32a: Tipping the Iceberg
Course at a glance
| Provider | MIT |
|---|---|
| Platform | YouTube · MIT OpenCourseWare |
| Access | Free Video |
| Level | Intermediate — WikiFree study-level assessment |
| Language | English |
| Available lessons | 47 |
| Video duration | 23h 48m · self-paced |
| Details checked | 10 October 2026 |
Preparation and study approach
Suggested preparation: Basic Python and familiarity with musical notation.
Follow the available videos in sequence, pausing to summarize the main argument or reconstruct a worked example. Keep a short list of assumptions, unfamiliar terms and questions to revisit. Additional reading, problem solving and practice will take time beyond the listed video duration.
Using this video classroom
Select a lesson from the list, or search for a topic. Previous and Next move through the sequence. You can mark lessons complete; progress is stored in this browser without a WikiFree account.
Free access and course scope
The public MIT OpenCourseWare videos in this classroom are free to watch. This listing provides the available playlist recordings, which may include selected lectures, recitations, demonstrations or supporting discussions rather than every component of the original campus course. Textbooks, equipment, software licenses, supervised labs, graded assignments and instructor feedback are not supplied by WikiFree. No purchase is required to watch the videos or use the note-based study approach above.
WikiFree independently organizes these resources for self-paced study. Watching does not award an MIT certificate, academic credit or admission to MIT.
Video provider and credit: MIT OpenCourseWare on YouTube. WikiFree titles, descriptions and cover artwork are independently prepared.
Related courses for your next step
- Complementary learningCS50 Introduction to Programming with Python
Review Python programming before working with computational music.
Focus: Python programming · Debugging
Beginner - Complementary learningFree Yale Course: Listening to Music
Develop musical listening as a complementary foundation.
Focus: Active listening · Musical vocabulary
Beginner
Compare course focus, level and study time
| Course | Level | Focus | Study time |
|---|---|---|---|
| This course — Free MIT Course: Computational Music Theory with Python | Intermediate | Video 0: Overview of 21M.383 Computational Music Theory for OCW Learners · Class 5 Video: Music Representation (II) · Video 9a: Music Information Retrieval (MIR): Sound to Score and Music Theory | 23h 48m of video; practice time is additional |
| CS50 Introduction to Programming with Python | Beginner | Python programming · Debugging · Unit testing | Self paced · 10 weeks of material |
| Free Yale Course: Listening to Music | Beginner | Active listening · Musical vocabulary · Instrument recognition | 19h 6m of video; practice time is additional |
Provider: MIT. Videos play from the MIT OpenCourseWare channel on YouTube.
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