Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom from Coursera

Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom explores approaches to teaching popular music from culturally rich communities in the United States. Students in the course will learn teaching methods that engage youth with the basics of improvisation, technology, songwriting, arranging film score, and writing to the strengths of small bands. The course models how to integrate principles of authentic cultural relevance and positive youth development with contemporary music instruction, while providing tools for assessing and documenting learning and program progress.

Students in the course will refine their own pedagogical skills, applying principles of contemporary music instruction. Content and approaches are intended for secondary music programs, but can be adapted for elementary grade levels. All lessons are based in core standards for music education with recommendations for assessments.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to Teaching Popular Music!

Welcome to the course! Here we will cover all the details about the course and what you'll need to know to get the most out of your experience.

Conversations Through Sound: Improvisation, Listening, and Cultural Contexts

In this lesson we'll begin discussing the first steps towards encouraging improvisation in your classroom. We will look at how to tune your students' ears to promote self-assessment as they play and we will discuss the importance of choosing music that is culturally relevant to your unique group of students.

Songwriting

In this second lesson, we will learn the basic principles and techniques of songwriting. We will look at examples of how to create a safe space for students to share their creativity. Finally, we will discuss creating a lesson to introduce songwriting to your students.

Arranging Music with Interactive Media Tools

In this lesson we will discuss how to utilize technology into your teaching and lesson plans. We will learn how different technologies can be used to assist students with arranging music. We will also learn methods to engage and empower the students in our classrooms.

Making the Band: From Modeling to Informal Learning

In this lesson we will dive into creating an ensemble. We will identify ways to demonstrate how contemporary music can be used to fulfill the core music standards and how to pitch the idea of a contemporary ensemble to school leaders. We will also examine examples of instructional approaches with small ensembles and how to create student-led groups.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines popular music instruction, which is growing in popularity in secondary academic settings

Taught by Krystal Banfield and David Alexis, who are recognized for their work in music education

Develops essential teaching methods for novice music educators

Explores contemporary music instruction, which is a popular area of study for music educators

Covers principles of positive youth development, which is in-demand for today's music educators

Explores technology, which is an in-demand topic for today's music educators

Reviews summary

Practical, engaging popular music classroom teaching

Learners say that Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom is an engaging, practical course that's particularly helpful for educators teaching popular music. The course provides valuable ideas and techniques for teaching improvisation, working with ensembles, and using technology in the classroom. Students especially appreciate the emphasis on assessment and rubrics to evaluate student progress.

Emphasizes the use of technology in the classroom.

"Thank you for an interesting course. I've learned a lot about ensembles."

"Very helpful for me as a music teacher who teach in a large number of studetns's class. An definitely upgrade!"

"This is a great course for any performing musician looking to get into the classroom."

Covers improvisation and working with ensembles.

"Teaching Improvisation, working with and setting up an ensemble, basics of improvisation, technology, songwriting, arranging, using DAW for both recording tracks as well as used for rehearsal backing tracks."

"Excellent course! Great for educators. Enables and with various ideas and concepts guides the teacher on what to focus and what course of action to take in a lesson. The course takes into account one's culture without putting any one idea or style on a pedestal which everyone has to follow."

"I highly recommend this course for music teachers! Many interesting thoughts and great approach to different topics."

Stresses the importance of assessment and using rubrics.

"A well-thought-out course that dwells into the formalization of the music education ecosystem with assessments, technology, and lesson objectives."

"I appreciated how the instructors emphasized the importance of using rubrics to evaluate student progress and provide feedback on their work."

"Overall, I feel much more confident in my ability to teach popular music in the classroom thanks to this course. Highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their teaching skills!"

Focuses on practical applications and techniques for teaching popular music in the classroom.

"Nice course and very good instructors"

"Provides valuable points to take in consideration for teaching."

"Enabled and guided the teacher on what to focus and what course of action to take in a lesson."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom with these activities:

Review 'This Is Your Brain On Music' by Daniel Levitin

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Gain a deeper understanding of the science behind music's impact on our lives.

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Read the book

Review principles of improvisation

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Ensure student's have a strong foundation for course material on improvisation.

Browse courses on Improvisation

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Read a book or article on improvisation
Watch videos of improvisational performances
Listen to music with strong elements of improvisation

Follow a tutorial on using a digital audio workstation

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Develop practical skills in using technology to create and arrange music.

Browse courses on Digital Audio Workstation

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Find a tutorial for a digital audio workstation
Follow the steps in the tutorial
Create a simple song using the digital audio workstation

Five other activities

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Practice creating chord progressions

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Develop proficiency in creating chord progressions for songwriting.

Browse courses on Chord Progressions

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Identify different types of chords
Practice connecting chords in different ways
Compose a short chord progression

Create a lesson plan

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Solidify knowledge of the fundamentals of lesson planning for diverse learners.

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Identify the learning objectives
Determine instructional materials
Write lesson plan based on objectives

Start a songwriting project

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Apply the principles of songwriting learned throughout the course.

Browse courses on Songwriting

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Brainstorm ideas for a song
Write the lyrics and melody
Arrange the song for a band or ensemble
Record and produce the song

Attend a teaching pedagogy workshop

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Reinforce understanding of the teaching methodologies used throughout the course.

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Locate and register for workshop
Attend and engage with content provided

Become a teaching assistant

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Provide a hands-on opportunity to develop and refine instructional skills.

Browse courses on Teaching

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Apply for a teaching assistant position at a local organization
Prepare materials for teaching
Lead or assist with teaching sessions

Career center

Learners who complete Teaching Popular Music in the Classroom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Music Teacher

Music teachers help develop students' musical talents through instruction, usually at elementary and secondary schools. They help students learn how to play instruments, compose music, and sing. This Berklee course can help music teachers who want to teach popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging film score.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Director

Music directors lead and conduct musical groups such as orchestras, choirs, and bands. They are responsible for interpreting music, leading rehearsals, and preparing musicians for performances. This Berklee course can help music directors who want to lead ensembles that perform popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Therapist

Music therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They work with a variety of clients, including children with disabilities, adults with dementia, and people who have experienced trauma. This Berklee course can help music therapists who want to use popular music in their work, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation and songwriting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Producer

Music producers oversee the recording and production of music. They work with artists, engineers, and other musicians to create the final product. This Berklee course can help music producers who want to work with popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers record, mix, and master audio for a variety of purposes, including music, film, and television. They work with musicians, producers, and other engineers to create the final product. This Berklee course can help audio engineers who want to work with popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Musician

Musicians play musical instruments, sing, and compose music. They perform in a variety of settings, including concerts, clubs, and recording studios. This Berklee course can help musicians who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Music Journalist

Music journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They interview musicians, review concerts, and write feature articles about the music industry. This Berklee course can help music journalists who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Music Educator

Music educators teach music at colleges and universities. They conduct research, teach courses, and advise students. This Berklee course can help music educators who want to teach about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Music Librarian

Music librarians catalog and manage music collections in libraries and archives. They help researchers find music and other materials, and they may also organize concerts and other events. This Berklee course may be helpful for music librarians who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Music Publisher

Music publishers acquire, edit, and publish musical compositions. They work with composers and songwriters to protect their copyrights and to promote their music. This Berklee course may be helpful for music publishers who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Music Promoter

Music promoters promote concerts, tours, and other musical events. They work with artists, venues, and other promoters to create and execute marketing campaigns. This Berklee course may be helpful for music promoters who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Record Label Executive

Record label executives oversee the production and marketing of music recordings. They work with artists, producers, and other executives to develop and execute marketing campaigns. This Berklee course may be helpful for record label executives who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Talent Agent

Talent agents represent musicians, actors, and other performers. They negotiate contracts, book gigs, and manage their clients' careers. This Berklee course may be helpful for talent agents who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Music Business Manager

Music business managers handle the financial affairs of musicians and other music industry professionals. They prepare budgets, file taxes, and manage investments. This Berklee course may be helpful for music business managers who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

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Music Attorney

Music attorneys represent musicians, record labels, and other music industry professionals in legal matters. They negotiate contracts, protect intellectual property, and advise clients on legal issues. This Berklee course may be helpful for music attorneys who want to learn more about popular music, as it provides methods for teaching improvisation, songwriting, and arranging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Attorney