Suppose a student wants to learn a "pop" song for which there is no sheet music and fortunately, I'm sort of adequate with Logic/Sibelius. Should I create something that closely resembles how the piano part was originally played

OR

create an arrangement that more accurately represents the whole recording; with the vocal melody, bass parts and as much of the original piano as can be handled given the students level?

In this particular case, a 14 year old student wants to learn The Zombies "Care of Cell 44"

Thanks,
Stewart

I would have the student do all of that. Let them try and figure it out by ear with your assistance. If that is too challenging, just write down the chord progression for them and have them learn that. Then have them try to "fill" in with the way it sounds on the recording.

That prompts another discussion; the students don't want to be bothered with "sheet music" at all, preferring to learn songs from Youtube videos and/or by me showing them. I'm kinda torn between teaching them what they WANT (in order to keep them interested) and what I (and their parents) think they NEED for a complete education. This is probably a more broad topic that's been covered in some other thread, but it does kind of tie in to the types of sheet music to use.

A different student wants to learn "We Are The Champions" by Queen. I have both a lead sheet from which I can teach them how to form chords based on the chord symbols OR I can give them the full sheet music.

I do it both ways. My student brings in the lead or whatever shortcut they find, we work it out on the piano, then I bring them staff paper and a pencil and we get to work notating it.

I find that most teenagers just want to learn the transcribed piano parts, of which beginners I do all the work and as they get better I do less and they do more. When they get really good at the I start introducing melodies to them and show them how it is based of the chords of the songs that re really easy for them.

I usually go with the end goal of the student. What does that student want to be as a piano player.

Probably all of those approaches involve copyright violation, by the way.

Way to rain on their parade, Tim. They're not making money off those sheets. They're just kids who love songs and want to learn how to play them. Us teachers are using that desire as a means of gaining an extra learning opportunity.

You're shooting the messenger.





Unfortunately you do not have permission to do either legally.

I agree the intent is worthy, and the piano teacher is not getting rich. Nor, in this case, is the original composer of the arrangement you're stealing.

(harsh word used for effect. but it is technicallyaccurate)

What you are supposed to do is ask permission to arrange the piece.

But, anything I've written you are welcome to.

Even in an educational setting, within the lesson? Doesn't that fall under Fair Use? IDK, but it seems worth looking into.

Would you sue all the people on Youtube covering various songs by famous artists then? Music should be shared. There's no reason to tell a student I can't help them with the song they want to learn because it's copyright infringement. They'd do it anyway.

Fair use is tricky and I don't pretend to udnerstand all the nuances.

If I were using common sense, I'd have to say using a piece to teach transcription skills would be included. My common sense doesn't always work with lawyers, of course.

But that's not the intent. See the OP:


Why can't the student purchase it?

I found this:



This is on the MENC website: http://www.menc.org/resources/view/copyright-law-what-music-teachers-need-to-know

So that also means we can't bleep out cuss words? Or change some words in songs that have suggestive lyrics?

That'll eliminate 80% of the songs that students want to learn. Maybe even 90%.

I think Copyright Law needs some serious revising... teachers have the potential to effect an increase in music sales by generating our students' interest in the music -- but our hands are tied with some of the rules, and confusion about much of the law.

Get the student to transcribe the piano part note for note. If he/she cannot do this, some ear training lessons would be in order.