Being inspired by and playing along existing videos (e.g., YouTube/Tutorials)
An activity (either group or individual) where students are asked to find a song or piece online (e.g., on YouTube) that they want to learn. The students use videos to observe how the song/piece can be played and may even play along with the video. These videos provide options to adjust playback speed, allowing students to get a feel for tempo and other musical details. The chosen piece is then incorporated into regular lessons with the student.
Navigate the different aspects of the activity here
The purpose of the activity
- To support the student’s exploration of new music
- To enhance the student’s motivation to learn music/learn new pieces
- To encourage and motivate the student’s practice outside of lessons
Target audience
Music students
Technology/setup
- Mobile, tablet, or computer to access and search for videos and music
Requirements
Teacher
- Willingness and openness to incorporate music chosen by the student into lessons
Student
- Familiarity with searching for music online and finding videos
- Knowledge of how to slow down video playback speed
Before, during and after the activity
BEFORE
The teacher
- Plans for:
- Based on the lesson plan, when will the student select music to work on
- How much is allocated to focus on the piece
- Whether to work on multiple pieces chosen by the student in the lesson plan
DURING
The teacher
- Adjusts the lesson to focus on the student’s chosen music
- May support the student in searching for music
- May help the student select videos useful for the learning process
- May adapt the chosen piece to the student’s level, progression, and technique
The students
- Search for a song or piece they want to learn
- Find videos showing the chosen instrument being played, which can reveal techniques, fingering, and/or sheet music
- Use the videos to practice and learn by slowing down playback and studying fingering and tempo
- Use videos to remember the music and recall key points from the lesson
AFTER
- Evaluates the program with the student and considers repeating it with a new piece
Experiences with the activity
Music school students at Aalborg School of the Arts took part in a group activity where they were asked to find songs online that they wanted to learn. The students reported using YouTube and other streaming services to find music that inspired them. One student mentioned they “use it when they forget the music and need to recall it”. Another student shared that they “use parts of the music”, while another added that they “listen through the [music/video] and control the video’s speed”.
The teacher was surprised that students were not using online searches more to find and listen to music and that they did not “use online videos to learn to play on their own”. The teacher aims to encourage students to seek out music independently and learn outside of lessons. This group activity was inspired by sports clubs where the social aspect is significant, and people meet around the sport. The teacher hopes to bring this aspect into music lessons so that “… it isn’t just a weekly music lesson. The ‘extras’ [practice, inspiration, searching for new music, finding new learning] are what matter most, not so much the specific piece they’re playing”.
As a teacher of guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, and ensemble playing, Christian Houmann has completed a group activity where students were taught pieces, they found themselves.