Duolingo, known for its language learning app with over 500 million users, is reportedly working on a music app. The Pittsburgh-based tech company has a small team dedicated to the project and is looking to hire a learning scientist who is an “expert in music education who combines both theoretical knowledge of relevant learning science research and hands-on teaching experience.” A job posting listed on Duolingo’s career page suggests that the music app will teach basic concepts in music theory using popular songs and teachers.
Duolingo has been expanding beyond language learning into several new projects, including the Duolingo English Test, an online certification exam that tests language proficiency, and Duolingo ABC, a free app focused on English literacy for kids ages 3 to 6 that was launched during the pandemic. The company also announced Duolingo Math in October 2022, its first subject expansion beyond language learning and literacy.
According to Duolingo, music sits in the pedagogical middle of language and math, requiring nuance, context, and focus on formulas to provide correct answers, or in this case, sounds. Like language and math, music also requires the user to know the basics, and Duolingo’s approach focuses on building blocks rather than specific mastery as a way to learn a skill.
Duolingo Chief Business Officer Bob Meese is an investor in Trala, a tech company that offers virtual violin lessons, and Duolingo’s music app could potentially offer a similar approach to learning an instrument. Duolingo more than doubled its paid subscriber base last year, according to its last quarterly update, and total revenue nearly doubled at $369.5 million for 2022.
It’s unclear how Duolingo’s music app will materialize or if it’s just a tiny experiment, but the company’s diversification into new subject areas seems to be resonating with users and contributing to its revenue growth.
