The 2022 Duocon marked the preview of Duolingo Math and the indication that the East Liberty-based edtech company was branching out from language to other subjects. In 2023, at its fifth-ever Duocon, the company’s leadership made it clear that its commitment to education would not stop at math by unveiling its new music course.
Meet Duolingo Music. Although the new music course isn’t available in the App Store just yet, Duolingo CTO and cofounder Severin Hacker explained that offering new courses was necessary because subjects like math and music transcend people and cultures.
“Math and music, power personal growth, opportunity and connection — and they’re mastered through foundational skills — are perfect to learn the Duolingo way,” Hacker said.
Duolingo Music will offer users an on-screen keyboard where they learn notes on the keyboard and then on a staff. Lesson by lesson, users are taught sight-reading, playing and listening skills that they can test by playing full-length songs.
According to Duolingo Engineering Director Vanessa Jameson, the new course was built by a team of learning scientists, music experts and engineers. Looking back, Jameson, a 2023 RealLIST Engineer, wishes she’d had more access to music education. Through Duolingo Music, she said she hopes that users can have their lives improved as she did when she transferred schools in fourth grade.
“Learning to play the saxophone that year changed everything,” Jameson said at Duocon. “As my musical skills improved, so did my self-confidence. Playing music helped me to let my guard down and feel less anxious. This helps me to make friends. Each of my teammates on music has their own story about how music has shaped them.”
