Find Part 1 of this series, featuring listening examples and repertoire using non-traditional scales, HERE.
Find Part 2 of this series, featuring listening examples and repertoire using contemporary harmony, HERE.
I recently came across an interesting discussion in a piano teachers’ forum about teaching modern music. How can we inspire students who are more comfortable with pop music to listen to (and to play) pieces that use contemporary sounds?
It’s true that the majority of our students are most familiar with the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language of Western European classical music and pop music. However, you might be surprised by how many non-traditional sounds appear in the music of popular genres and even in current teaching pieces!
With that in mind, I’m launching a new blog series that highlights popular music incorporating contemporary elements, alongside my own works for students that introduce modern sounds in an approachable and engaging way.
By sharing these listening examples with our students and having them study accessible pieces that use contemporary elements, we can create a frame of reference that makes it possible for us to introduce students at any level to the vibrant colors and interesting sounds found in modern music.
In Part 3 of this series, we will be exploring pieces that use contemporary rhythm!
Keep reading to learn more...
Find Part 2 of this series, featuring listening examples and repertoire using contemporary harmony, HERE.
I recently came across an interesting discussion in a piano teachers’ forum about teaching modern music. How can we inspire students who are more comfortable with pop music to listen to (and to play) pieces that use contemporary sounds?
It’s true that the majority of our students are most familiar with the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic language of Western European classical music and pop music. However, you might be surprised by how many non-traditional sounds appear in the music of popular genres and even in current teaching pieces!
With that in mind, I’m launching a new blog series that highlights popular music incorporating contemporary elements, alongside my own works for students that introduce modern sounds in an approachable and engaging way.
By sharing these listening examples with our students and having them study accessible pieces that use contemporary elements, we can create a frame of reference that makes it possible for us to introduce students at any level to the vibrant colors and interesting sounds found in modern music.
In Part 3 of this series, we will be exploring pieces that use contemporary rhythm!
Keep reading to learn more...
Introducing contemporary rhythmic patterns can be especially tricky--especially for students who play mainly classical pieces. Listening to familiar pieces that use more complex rhythmic patterns can be a great way to help students develop their sense of rhythm and to prepare them to play modern works.
In this post, we will be exploring 4 types of contemporary rhythm:
Let's look at some examples of accessible pop, video game, and film pieces that make use of these 4 types of contemporary rhythms:
In this post, we will be exploring 4 types of contemporary rhythm:
- Syncopation: pieces that use dotted rhythms, ties, and/or rests to create an off-beat feel.
- Irregular meter: pieces in odd meters such as 5/4, 7/4, and 7/8.
- Shifting meter and hemiola: pieces that involve frequent changes of time signature or pulse.
- Polyrhythms: pieces that use two different overlapping rhythmic patterns (such as 2 against 3 or 3 against 4).
Let's look at some examples of accessible pop, video game, and film pieces that make use of these 4 types of contemporary rhythms:
| Viva la Vida (Coldplay) The catchy ostinato rhythm used throughout this popular Coldplay song is a great introduction to syncopation! Have students clap the 2 measure ostinato rhythm and identify which notes are on and off the beat. | Super Mario Bros. Theme Most students will be familiar with this famous video game theme. The syncopated rhythms used throughout this piece give it a whimsical feel. |
| Mission: Impossible Theme This movie theme in 5/4 time is a famous example of irregular meter. Here it creates an exciting, dramatic feel that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats. | Halloween Main Theme Another example of 5/4 time, the theme from "Halloween" uses irregular meter to create a feeling of unease in the listener. |
| Haggstrom (Minecraft) This meditative video game theme is in 7/4 time--another great example of irregular meter. | The Murder (Psycho) This famous film theme uses a series of shifting meters that prevents the listener from hearing a predictable rhythmic pulse--heightening the drama of this tense scene. |
| Genshin Impact: Main Theme This lovely video game theme opens with a 2 against 3 polyrhythm to create a flowing feel. | Chariots of Fire (Vangelis) The melody of this famous film theme creates a 3 against 4 polyrhythm when played with the repeated bass line, creating a sense of conflict that heightens the dramatic feel to this piece. |
Now that your students have become familiar with a few examples of contemporary rhythms, let's look at some repertoire at a variety of levels that incorporate these sounds!
I have linked my own teaching pieces in the following list, however I encourage you to leave a comment below if you have a suggestion for a favorite teaching piece that uses a contemporary rhythmic pattern.
Elementary Pieces
Incorporating pieces that use simple syncopated rhythms is the most accessible way to introduce elementary students to contemporary rhythmic patterns. Each of the books below have multiple pieces with examples of simple syncopation that are great for beginners. Click on the covers for more information about either of these books:
I have linked my own teaching pieces in the following list, however I encourage you to leave a comment below if you have a suggestion for a favorite teaching piece that uses a contemporary rhythmic pattern.
Elementary Pieces
Incorporating pieces that use simple syncopated rhythms is the most accessible way to introduce elementary students to contemporary rhythmic patterns. Each of the books below have multiple pieces with examples of simple syncopation that are great for beginners. Click on the covers for more information about either of these books:
 This mini-book has 4 pieces and accompanying work pages that introduce the concepts of eighth notes, eighth rests, and dotted quarter notes along with simple syncopated rhythms. |  This collection of pop-style pieces includes teacher duets that help to reinforce the sound of syncopated rhythms. |
Late Elementary Pieces
Click on the cover images to see and hear the music.
Click on the cover images to see and hear the music.
 This easy, Latin-style solo is a great example of syncopation for late elementary students. |  This Vince Guaraldi-inspired, jazzy solo is another excellent example of syncopated rhythms. |
"The Fifth Dimension" is a driving, late elementary solo that introduces the concept of playing in 5/4 time.
Available as part of the "Creature Features, Volume 2" collection found HERE.
Available as part of the "Creature Features, Volume 2" collection found HERE.
"Stroll with a Troll" uses clusters, dissonant harmonies, and shifting meter to depict a clumsy troll slowly lumbering along.
Available as part of the "Mission: X, Volume 2" collection found HERE.
Available as part of the "Mission: X, Volume 2" collection found HERE.
Early Intermediate Pieces
Click on the cover images to see and hear the music.
Click on the cover images to see and hear the music.
 "Summer Stars" is a flowing, lyrical piece that starts in 6/8 time but shifts to 3/4 time in the middle section to create a change in mood. |  "Street Cat Strut" introduces early intermediates to the sound of a syncopated, funk-style rhythm. |
"Dragon Fire" uses hemiola (alternating a 3+3 pulse with a 2+2+2 pulse) throughout to create an exciting, driving sound.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 2" collection found HERE.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 2" collection found HERE.
"Rafting the Rockies" uses shifting meter to depict the sound of navigating the ups and downs of the whitewater rapids of the Rocky Mountains.
Available as part of the "Destination: Adventure, Book 2" collection HERE.
Available as part of the "Destination: Adventure, Book 2" collection HERE.
Intermediate Pieces
"Gone in 5" is a driving, video game-inspired solo in 5/4 time.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 3" collection HERE.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 3" collection HERE.
"Between Worlds" shifts between 3/4 and 4/4 time and the major and minor modes throughout to create a feeling of being "in between."
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 3" collection HERE.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 3" collection HERE.
"Lucky 7" is a mellow, smooth jazz solo written in 7/4 time.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.
"The Longest Night" is in the style of a nocturne, with 2 against 3 polyrhythms and a middle section in 5/4 time that give it a contemporary feel.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.
Available as part of the "Let's Quest! Volume 4" collection HERE.
What do you think? Do you have any favorite teaching pieces that use contemporary rhythms that you enjoy sharing with your students? Let us know in the comments!
Stay tuned for Part 4 of my "Teaching Modern Music" series, where I share tips for how to teach students to listen to contemporary art music, along with some of my favorite listening pieces by modern composers that can be enjoyed by students of all ages!
Stay tuned for Part 4 of my "Teaching Modern Music" series, where I share tips for how to teach students to listen to contemporary art music, along with some of my favorite listening pieces by modern composers that can be enjoyed by students of all ages!
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