Modern music is key to keeping your students engaged, loving their lessons, and practicing.

Back in the day when we were learning the piano, we were happy with scales, sonatinas, and- wait.

That’s a complete lie.

I actually gave up piano when I was a teenager because the music wasn’t pulling me in.

I know firsthand that repertoire can make or break your student’s interest.

But it can feel overwhelming if you’re not prepared or comfortable teaching modern styles.

This is why I’m sharing with you resources to help you confidently teach modern music (pop, jazz, and contemporary).

Table of Contents:

1. Teaching Pop, Jazz, and Contemporary Can Be Tricky
2. Imagine How Much Your Students Would Love…
3. Help To Understand Modern Music
4. Start Small
5. TopMusicMag: Modern Music

Teaching Pop, Jazz, and Contemporary Can Be Tricky

If you’re a piano teacher who didn’t grow up learning these styles, you can feel apprehensive about starting.

That can lead to

• Lack of confidence. You don’t think you know enough about things like chords or lead sheets.
• Fear of the unknown. What if a student asks to learn something you’ve never heard of?
• Over-reliance on sheet music. If you don’t know how to play by ear or improvise, how can you teach it to your students?
• Feeling pressured by time. You’d love to teach more pop, but you don’t have time to prepare.
• Worrying you’re doing your students a disservice. Can pop songs help them progress?

Imagine how much your students would love it if you could

• Pick up any pop song and teach it on the spot (no fear, no extra prep)
• Help them understand chords and progressions so well that they can jam along to YouTube or TikTok trends
• Make them feel excited to practice, because they’re learning music that they can impress their friends with
• Confidently incorporate creative activities into their lessons
• Develop the reputation of “the cool teacher who can teach anything“

To Help You Teach Modern Music

I’ve curated a list of resources to help you get started (and keep you inspired!)

Teaching Pop Piano

• How To Teach Pop Songs in 6 Simple Steps.
  This blog will give you an insight into how to teach pop songs, ready to help your students write their own songs.
• All About Popmatics.
  This podcast introduces you to the PopMATICS approach to teaching pop songs, focusing on creating, listening, improv, and playing by ear.
• The Pop Song Method Mini Course.
  This course from Tara Boykin teaches you how to pick up anything by ear. (Learn more about it in the TopMusicMag)
• Taking The Lead Course.
  This course from Forrest Kinney helps you connect the dots between traditional classical music and lead sheet playing (and shows you how creating your own arrangements of pop songs is easier than you think!)

Teaching Jazz Piano

• How To Include Jazz Modes in Beginning Piano Lessons.
  This blog shows you how jazz isn’t reserved for advanced pianists – it’s actually easier to get your beginner piano students learning about jazz than you might think!
• A Classical Pianist Learns About Jazz.
  This podcast sees classical musician Rachel Ehring stepping out of her comfort zone to talk jazz improvisation with Quentin Walston.
• How To Teach Jazz Improvisation.
  Speaking of Quentin Walston, he’s written a fantastic book to help you step into the world of jazz improv! (Read more about it in the TopMusicMag)
• Preparing Students for Jazz Band course.
  Learn how to interpret and voice chord symbols, accompany improvisers, and understand stock jazz band styles with this course from Bradley Sowash.

Contemporary Music

• Using Piano Improv to Create a Musician for Life
  This podcast reveals how contemporary composer Christopher Norton teaches improvisation to beginners
• TopMusicSheets
  Every month, TopMusicPro members receive a collection of sheet music from a contemporary composer. A perfect way to introduce your students to new music.

Start Small

You don’t have to completely reinvent your way of teaching.

That sounds stressful.

Just make a few small tweaks:

• Start with one pop piece (at the time of writing this, Taylor Swift and Coldplay are a massive hit with students)
• Incorporate ear training by having students figure out the melody of their favourite pop song
• Be okay with imperfection – not everything will look perfect or go to plan. And that’s okay!
• Make it a collaboration. Ask your students what they’re interested in and work together.

TopMusicMag: Modern Music

If you’d love to dive deeper into teaching pop, jazz, and contemporary styles, download your free copy of the TopMusicMag.

This issue will teach you:

• How to teach theory through pop songs
• The imporatance of contemporary music
• That jazz music isn’t as hard to teach as you think
• Which pop songs are the most loved by students
• Why you should allow students to explore different genres