Pop With Music!

Music

Awhile back ago I was looking for an excuse to purchase a pop it fidget toy. Now one might ask, why would I need an excuse? Ha, ha! Well, technically I don’t, but I’m trying really hard not to buy things that will end up just collecting dust later. So I needed to find a bunch of ways I could use one of these popular fidget toys with my students so even when the fad dies down, we can still have some fun. Fast forward, I came up with a bunch and shared in the post, Everybody Pop It Now.

Today I want to focus more about the last idea… Pop with Music! I was laying down daydreaming about ways I can make using a Pop It, making it a musical experience, aside from turning it into a game. It was then when the idea popped into my head that I can compose pieces where students can physically pop their toy. I ended up writing 7 pieces (at that time). My students were popping with excitement to learn and play them.

Pop with Music 

  • Popping Corn 24 Pops! Popping Corn is a right hand only piece in the key of C Major and is considered elementary level. Because the pops add an additional challenge, late elementary students enjoy them as well. Try this one with your students for free!
  • Soda Pop Pop 10 Pops! Soda Pop Pop is in the key of C Major and is considered elementary. Because the pops add an additional challenge, late elementary students enjoy them as well.
  • Skip and Step, Pop! 13 Pops! Skip and Step, Pop is in the key of C Major and is considered elementary. You guessed it, this piece is full of skips and steps. Because the pops add an additional challenge, late elementary students enjoy them as well.

  • Poppin’ the Bass 23 Pops! Poppin’ the Bass is a left hand only piece with syncopated rhythm in the key of C Major and is considered late elementary. Because the pops add an additional challenge, early intermediate students enjoy them as well.
  • Pop Waltz- 9 Pops! Pop Waltz is in the key of C Major and is considered late elementary. Because the pops add an additional challenge, early intermediate students enjoy them as well.
  • Pop It Like It’s Hot! 8 Pops! Pop It Like It’s Hot is in the key of G Major and is considered late elementary. The left hand has a repeating bass pattern full of octaves. Because the pops add an additional challenge, early intermediate students enjoy them as well.

  • Everybody Pop It Now- 15 Pops! Everybody Pop it Now is in the key of F Major and is considered late elementary. Because the pops add an additional challenge, early intermediate students enjoy them as well.
Find any of the Pop with Music sheet music by clicking one of the graphics below. 

Funny Story

Students get so excited that they can bring a pop it toy they have from home to piano. One of my students got in a little bit of trouble at school when his pop it peaked out of his piano bag. No pop its allowed in the classroom, she reminded him. But it’s for piano lessons! Ha, ha! Can you imagine? In the end, she believed his story and reminded him that it needed to stay tucked deep in his piano bag. Phew! Crisis averted!

Pop with Music Holidays

With the holidays approaching, I decided I wanted to give pop its for their Christmas gift along with a brand new holiday Pop with Music piece to play. I wrote 6 new holiday themed pieces. 3 in the more elementary level and 3 in the early intermediate level. 2 of them don’t even have to be during the holidays. Keep in mind, the “Pop with Music” pieces are a little more challenging than they look because of the added element of the pop! But that is what makes these pieces all the more fun!

Elementary Level-

  • Jingle Pop 14 Pops! Who can hear the ringing and popping in this new Pop with Music piece, Jingle Pop? You may easily guess the inspiration for this piece from the title, but the melody will take you in a different direction. This piece will be a fun favorite for the elementary level.

  • Pop Up the Chimney– 9 Pops! Ho, ho ho! Can you hear someone popping up the chimney? With staccato’s throughout and even a fun glissando at the end, students will enjoy playing Pop Up the Chimney during the holidays. This piece is an elementary level. With only 9 pops, it’s also perfect to use with smaller pop toys.
  • I Want a Pop Toy for- 9 Pops! Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthday… Fill in the blank for I Want a Pop Toy for________. Whatever the reason, the lyrics says it all! Hold out the fermata as long as you want for dramatic affect! This piece is an elementary level. With only 9 pops, it’s also perfect to use with smaller pop toys.

Early Intermediate Level-

  • Carol of the Pops- 26 Pops! Carol of the Pops is inspired by the ever popular piece Carol of the Bells. It starts in 4/4 time and then switches over to 3/4 and back. While this is leveled for early intermediates, elementary students might be able to enjoy them as a duet or partner pop  Warning, this may turn into an “ear worm” piece that students will want to play over and over again. 

  • Poppin’ Around the Christmas Tree16 Pops! Forget the rockin’, it’s time to start poppin’! Poppin’ Around the Christmas Tree is a fun upbeat piece, with plenty of staccato’s and some swing rhythms (dotted quarters, 8ths). While this is leveled for early intermediates, elementary students might be able to enjoy them as a duet or partner pop.
  • Popping Those Winter Blues Away– 20+ Pops! It’s time to start Popping Those Winter Blues Away. A nice bass pattern and easy going melody with some fun syncopated rhythms. Take your time with this one and just enjoy. If students have any “leftover” pops in their pop it toy, there is an option at the end to pop the rest away. (see video for example) While this is leveled for early intermediates, elementary students might be able to enjoy them as a duet or partner pop.
Find any of the Pop with Music Holiday sheet music by clicking one of the graphics below. 

Unlimited Studio License

All the Pop with Music pieces fall under an unlimited single teacher license. Teachers may use this resource for all your students. This was super important to me because I am a huge fan of unlimited studio licenses. If you have other teachers in your studio, you can purchase additional licenses.

Not enough “bubbles” on your pop toy?

Quickly turn it over!

When to Pop?

You will see the words “Pop” above or below the clef. The rhythm of the pops will be shown as rhythm “slashes”.

What to Pop?

Anything that pops or makes a sound! Pop it toys, bubble wrap, balloons, bells you push at the top, etc. Tip! When using a Pop It toy, make sure you are popping on the side that has more of a ”staccato” pop feel. Versus a “legato” Pop feel.

Where to place the Pop Item? 

Play around with the best place to put the item you will be popping. Ie: Try on the music rack versus on the bench. (on the keys does not work well). Each student should play around and see what works best for them.

Adapt!

These pieces are very adaptable. Matter of fact, I LOVE that they are adaptable. If there is a piece that is more in the early intermediate level, but an elementary level student really wants to learn it, just adapt! Some ways you can adapt are:

  • Rote– If you are giving a piece to a beginner, you can teach the main melody and popping by rote.
  • Create a duet– If piece is two hands and playing with both hands is too much, teacher can play the left hand and student can play the melody and pops!
  • Partner Pop– If popping is too much, the teacher or someone else can pop!

Here is an example with two of my students playing Soda Pop Pop as a duet…

If your students learn any of the Pop with Music pieces, I would love to see them. Please tag me @MusicEducatorResources on Facebook and Instagram. Have a Poppin’ good time!

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2 Comments

  1. Paula C

    These are fabulous Jennifer! I am going to add the Holiday pop music to my studio this week! Paula

    Reply
    • Jennifer Foxx

      Yay, I’m so glad you like them, Paula! Make sure you tag @MusicEducatorResources if you post videos of your students play them. I’d love to see! 🙂

      Reply

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