Pop music, what is it? Some think of it as glazed-over production with saccharine hooks, offensively superficial and not worthy of being considered “serious music”. What I believe pop music to be, is true to its name: anything that serves as “popular” music (basically, a tune that a room full of people would recognize). That can range anywhere from Billie Eilish to the Beatles. There are of course sub-genres to popular music, such as country, electronic, dance, rock, hip-hop, etc, but they all reside under the umbrella term “pop”. Even Mozart would have been considered “pop” music for his day!
Pop music is what I call “the people’s music”, a significant contribution to the cultured, human experience. Pop music is often the soundtrack to our lives! Hearing a pop tune can bring us back to a time and place, or remind us of feelings that we didn’t even know we had. Music (any, not just pop) can give us an avenue of expression that other forms of literature cannot. The relatability of pop lyrics and chord progressions can bring so many of us together; I always find it so powerful to see a concert full of thousands of different people with different backgrounds, privileges, and experiences, singing to the same tune and sharing a similar sentiment.
Basically, pop music is important.
I’ve compiled a list of pop piano tunes that I’ve taught over the years, and other iconic piano licks that I feel every pianist should at least know about. Also sprinkled in a few of my favorite piano bangers. I hope you enjoy, and find some inspiration to take with you to lesson!