Why popular music is so great to learn…

Written by Gabriella Serruya

With students of all ages, it helps to play songs we know! We get a lot of joy from playing a song that we recognize. Often, it’s easier to learn a familiar song because we can hear what it’s going to sound like when it’s finished much quicker!

For many students, it’s an opportunity to use both of our super powers. Using our eyes to read the notes, but also our ears to anticipate the next ones. We usually depend on one more than the other. Playing a song we know allows us to combine these 2 great skills. Most of us are stronger in one than the other and playing familiar songs can give us a chance to use all our skills together in a way that we can’t do when it’s an unfamiliar tune.

 
In my years as a student, I’ve played songs that were much too hard, but loved learning bar by bar until I finally had the whole song. The first song I played like that was Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl. I still love playing that song and get nostalgic whenever I hear it. I also enjoy playing easier songs that I pick up quickly and have a great sense of accomplishment. Sometimes quantity wins out over quality!

 
In my years as a teacher, I’ve taught TV/movie theme songs, video game themes, top 40 hits, nursery rhymes, folk songs, jazz, rock, blues, Christmas, other holidays, classical themes, you name it! My students have introduced me to many artists that I wouldn’t have known otherwise, so it’s a great experience all around. Typically, I use music that’s slightly easier than the usual repertoire for this kind of song. It can be a great boost to self confidence and give new energy to our practicing – maybe a student will say, “while I’m here playing this fun song, I may as well play my other ones too.”