www.soundjunction.org

Let us kick off with a site that is ideal for budding musicians.

SoundJunction is an extremely comprehensive site dedicated to all things musical. If you want to find out about different styles of music from rock to jazz, or if you are thinking about taking up an instrument, it is all here.

There is a heavy bias towards education, which tends to mean each topic is discussed in exhaustive detail.

For example, navigate through the "How music works" section and you will find articles, photos and the history of specific musical instruments. There are even expert tips on how to play instruments, in some cases there are video clips demonstrating the instruments in use.

But if you really want to get your hands dirty, head back to the main menu and click on the "Composer" section, which contains a simple piece of music-editing software.

It is loaded with a selection of pre-recorded samples. These can be dragged and dropped onto a timeline, eventually building together to make a finished track.

While it might not be up to professional standards, it is free, and this simple application allows the novice to grasp the basics of digital composing.

A great site for anybody thinking about taking up an instrument or if you just want to know the difference between a violin and a viola.

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