Teacher Workshops

StringsPop: Teaching Pop Music Arranging to Teens and Tweens

Instructor, Carrie Salisbury

Tuesdays 9:00-11:00am PST

  • 10 hours of instruction
  • No required observations
  • Tuition is $250
  • Max Class Size: 20
  • Must have completed Unit 1 Suzuki Training, Every Child Can! and be an SAA Member.
  • Class Dates: February 2, 9, 16, 23 and March 2
  • Open to violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar and orchestra instructors

Learn how to teach pop music arranging to advancing string students in this 10-hour enrichment course.

With basic scale and arpeggio skills, middle-to-high school aged students can learn to arrange any pop song from a lead sheet or piano/vocal score. They learn recording strategies for laying down each part: melody, harmony, bass line and percussion to create multi-track music videos. Students learn to refine their ear training and self-assessing recording skills as well as fun ways to apply functional chord theory to single-line instruments. Video arrangement projects make great group collaborations or supplemental content for individual lessons.  Endless creative options for textures and style emerge! 

This course shows classically-trained teachers a unique pedagogical approach to pop music arranging in their own studios, performance groups, and orchestras, with special adaptations for online learning situations. Course includes exclusive StringsPop support materials including PDF guides and custom video backing tracks, as well as in-class experience with several different recording programs and platforms. 

Teachers learn by doing! No observation class hours, but everyone will make their own multi-track pop music video as part of the course. Your students will think you’re so cool!