Rick Beato is, and has been for years, my first go-to person in all things music theory. He has the gift of explaining music to people as if they were children, which is, the best way to excite people about the things you’re excited about.
Rick is excited about music and I love his way of teaching.
On a side note, he’s got a son with perfect pitch hearing which he demonstrates in a few videos. Check it out!
So this isn’t really a find of this week, but a find that is definitely worth sharing with you.
Rick Beato — The Music Nerd Who Made You Care
Rick Beato is a rare breed: equally at home in the studio and in front of a camera. He’s a musician, producer, educator, and YouTuber whose mission seems to be stripping music of mystique — so you feel you can touch it, not fear it.
He grew up in a musical household and started learning cello as a kid before picking up bass and guitar. Through formal studies in music and jazz, he built deep foundations. In the studio, he’s worn many hats: session musician, producer, mixer, even label co-owner. Over decades, he’s worked with artists in rock, pop, country — always pushing for sonic honesty.
In 2015 he launched his YouTube channel Everything Music. His gift is translation: taking complex theory, production tricks, songwriting architecture, and making them feel intuitive. His “What Makes This Song Great?” series is a standout — analyzing famous songs so you hear what your ears missed. He also speaks boldly about the music industry, from streaming to authenticity, raising questions rather than handing answers.
Rick Beato doesn’t just teach music — he argues for music. He invites you to be curious, critical, and a little less passive.
Official site: rickbeato.com
