This week we’re going to talk about something that is somewhat controversial–a topic that some shy away from entirely: using pop and/or rock music in the music classroom.
For many music schools, there’s seems to be a sentiment that kids hear pop and rock music everywhere they go, so why should they have to hear it in their lessons too? Many feel that they should be teaching the music of the masters and perhaps the occasional folk piece that is both accessible and a part of the students’ heritage.
And while it is true that the work of the masters is important, every once in a while it’s a good idea to throw something a little more contemporary into the mix. Here’s why:
Make a Connection
Possibly the best reason to use pop and rock in the music room is to connect music of the past to that of the present. Think about it this way: most people get into music to play what they enjoy, and for most people, that’s some sort of contemporary genre. But if all they are being taught is the classics, it’s much harder to connect the musical concepts being learned with the music they’re listening to. Modern music in the classroom can help make that connection.
A lot of music programs stress using the very best music to learn with–and while that sentiment is a great one, it often makes the assumption that all modern music is bad. Sure, there’s a lot of pop and rock music out there that isn’t worth the time it would take to learn, but there are just as many modern classics. They just need to be found!
Relevance
Let’s face it, classical music isn’t exactly relevant to most music students’ lives. Which means that it can be hard to get excited about it. On the other hand, rock music is something most people care about, especially people who are interesting in becoming musicians. In fact, the average American teenager listens to music for about 4.5 hours of music every day. That’s almost a fifth of their lives. What’s more, classical music makes up only 1.4% of music sales across the globe. But most music programs are rooted in conservatory models of music with Western European art music. Encouraging students to choose to learn a song or two that they actually like and listen to makes it much easier to get excited about practicing, which in turn allows for much faster progression.
Music Theory
Learning the latest Adele song isn’t really going to help many students on their next written music theory exam. But if that student is really looking for functional and practical music theory, both pop and rock offer a lot of opportunities for learning. Most pop music relies on relatively basic chord progression, which opens the door for a wide range of conversations about chord progression and how these chord structures can be expanded with the addition of passing chords.
With students who have a little more experience under their belt, this subject can be expanded into topics like:
- Improvisation
- Extended chord tones
- Chord substitutions and re-harmonization
- Music analysis
- Transposition
- All kinds of accompaniment patterns, and more!
Many monder songs offers all sorts of teaching opportunities if approached correctly.
Rhythm
One of the biggest musical benefits of rock music is the rhythmic element – especially syncopation. These kind of rhythms are found throughout rock music, and are something students and teachers sometimes shy away from, thinking they’re too complicated for those just starting out. But in reality, because rock is so familiar to most students, the rhythms are much easier to teach since the students already know what they should sound like. This helps open the door for the all-important eye-ear connection between what the rhythm looks like on the page, and what is sounds like. What’s more, students who are happy and excited about the music they are trying to learn are often more willing to push through their current skill levels to achieve their goal of playing a piece they love.
Ear Training
One of the quirks of both pop and rock music is that most of it didn’t start written down on a piece of paper. Which means that it doesn’t make a lot of sense by the time it finally does end up on the staff. The rhythms can be complicated and fly over students’ heads, and the melody (the part usually sung) is often just the same couple of notes over and over again. None of this means it shouldn’t be used to teach–just that it might be better to leave the sheet music out of it sometimes.
Which makes pop and rock perfect for ear training. Students can listen along, clap to the rhythms, sing it, and even piece together their own version. This is a much more fun and creative way to develop a musical ear than the traditional approach.
Jammin’
With all the countless hours practicing, learning to play music can sometimes be a bit lonely–especially for students who are taking private lessons. But if some friends can be thrown into the practicing mix, everyone is much more likely to keep practicing and playing.
Right about now you’re probably asking yourself, “What does this have to do with contemporary music? Students can get their social music ‘fix’ playing duets and trios, right?”
Of course they can, but with a few rock songs under their belt, they’ll be able to play with more of their musical friends. If enough students know enough rock chord progressions then they can play together in a more exciting and engaging way–they might even form a band! At the very least they’ll have more opportunities to jam when they’re with their friends.
A lot of music programs shun pop and rock music, thinking it’s too boring or mass produced. But the truth of the matter is not only is there a lot that can be learned from modern music, it also helps promote strong practicing routines and encourages students to progress quickly.
—
Looking for a program where your child can learn their favourite rock pieces?
Welcome to The Music Studio’s exciting Kidzrock program, where young rock stars are born! Designed specifically for children ages 4-7, Kidzrock is a unique and innovative band music program that introduces kids to the joy of playing instruments in a real-life rock band setting. Imagine your child, as young as four years old, picking up a drumstick, strumming a guitar, or tapping away on a keyboard, learning the fundamentals of music while having the time of their lives. Kidzrock makes it all possible!
Learn more here, and sign up today!