Learn | The Philly Pops
 

Learn

View instructional videos and download activities that introduce students to early stages learning to play music. 

Welcome from POPS Teaching Artist and Retired School District of Philadelphia educator Diane Dannenfelser 

Grades K-5 (Elementary School)

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-Along "Roll On Columbia"

Sing along with Mr. Mark on this Woody Guthrie folk tune, "Roll On Columbia!"

What Made Louis Armstrong a Great Trumpet Player? with John Meko


Philly POPS Executive for Special Projects and Temple University graduate student John Meko talks about what made Louis Armstrong a unique and influential trumpet player — from his technique and his mindset while playing.

John Meko — Learning about Brass Instruments

Philly POPS Executive for Special Projects John Meko introduces students to the trumpet, and how musicians use the trumpet to make a sound. This lesson is for K–5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "The Foolish Frog"

Mr. Mark has brought a fun singing story book for this lesson! Hear about the foolish frog, and sing along with the story! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "BINGO"

Mr. Mark got us singing along with a classic! Sing along with "BINGO" and don't forget to keep counting! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "Boa Constrictor"

Mr. Mark is back with a silly new song about a snake! Sing along with Mr. Mark! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "Pinecones and Holly Berries"

Get into the Christmas spirit with Mr. Mark! Here's a song called "Pinecones and Holly Berries," which is really two songs in one! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "Move Over for Marty!"




Get moving for our friend Marty! Sing along with Mr. Mark on "Move Over for Marty!" The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly"



Sing along with Mr. Mark on this silly song! See if you can get all the way through this tongue twister! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing Along — "Oh My Darling Clementine"


Sing along with a classic American folk song "Oh My Darling, Clementine!" The lesson is for Grades K-5.

POPS in Schools @ Home celebrates Kids Music Day!


Learn how about Latin percussion, how to make your own percussion instrument, and folk music around the world with POPS teaching artists! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

DIY Percussion


Learn how to make percussion instruments from materials you can find in your kitchen! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let’s Learn Genres: Pop Music Lesson 


Learn about the key elements of various styles of popular music with POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University. The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Genres: Classic Rock Lesson


Learn about the key elements and history of classic rock with POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University. The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - Michael Finnegan


Practice singing the old Irish song "Michael Finnegan" with Mr. Mark. The lesson is for Grades K-5.
 

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - The Vowel Song


Sing along with Mr. Mark to learn all about vowels. The lesson is for Grades K-5.


Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - Mule Song


Learn a colonial-era tongue twister song with Mr. Mark. The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Genres: Musical Theatre

Learn about musical theatre with POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University. This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Folk Music Around the World - David Cullen


Philly POPS guitarist David Cullen plays folk songs from Puerto Rico, Uganda, Mexico, Peru, Japan, and the United States. This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Musical Theatre Craft - Making Puppets


Learn how to make musical theatre-style puppets at home! This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Genres! - Our Favorite Musicals


POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University talk about their favorite musicals. This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Tap! Part 1


Part 1: Learn the basics of tap dancing with POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University. This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Tap! Part 2

Part 2: Learn the basics of tap dancing with POPS in Schools Teaching Artists from Temple University. This lesson is for Grades K-5.

Let's Learn Patriotic Music! Part 1

Part 1: Learn about America's unique patriotic music and how it helps us celebrate our nation and traditions! This lesson is for grades K-5.

Let's Learn Patriotic Music! Part 2



Part 2: Learn about America's unique patriotic music and how it helps us celebrate our nation and traditions! This lesson is for grades K-5.

Let's Learn Genres: A Capella Music



Learn about the history of A Capella music — where it started and how it's still important today — and some basics of how to sing a capella! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - Old Dan Tucker


Sing along with a famous American folk tune! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - One Bottle Pop


One bottle pop, two bottle pop, three bottle pop! Sing along with another fun tune from Mr. Mark! The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - Glorious Mud!



Get ready to sing along with another fun tune from Mr. Mark! Cool off with "Glorious Mud!" The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Mr. Mark's Marvelous Sing-a-long - Dirty Bill



Mr. Mark has another fun song to share! Here's a song about "Dirty Bill!" The lesson is for Grades K-5.

Grades 6-8

Tim Brey on ii V I Progressions

Rhythms of Latin America with Arturo Stable

Grammy Award-winner Arturo Stable, a POPS musician, discusses the history of music in Latin American and plays percussion instruments. This lesson is in English and Spanish and is meant for for Grades 6-8.

"Time Keeping is Everything!" with Steve Fidyk

Steve Fidyk, a member of the Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, demonstrates the importance of timekeeping as a drummer. This lesson is for grades 6-8.

Flute Fundamentals with Frances Tate


Philly POPS flutist Frances Tate talks about the different types of flutes, and some tips to improve your playing! This lesson is for Grades 6-8.

Piano Practice with Tim Brey

Philly POPS pianist Tim Brey teaches warm up and practice techniques to make your practice more effective. This lesson is for Grades 6-8.

Learning Chords on Piano with Tim Brey


Learn how to build chords on the piano in any key with POPS pianist Tim Brey! This lesson is for Grades 6-8.

Grades 9-12

Introduction to Woodwinds with Sean Bailey — Part 2: Flute

Learn more about the flute and how it came to be, while looking at some other older flutes like the fife!

Introduction to Woodwinds with Sean Bailey — Part 1: Clarinet

Learn more about the clarinet and some of the instruments that came before it! 

Learning the Shuffle with Steve Fidyk

Flute Fundamentals with Frances Tate - Practicing Efficiently (Part 3)

Flute Fundamentals with Frances Tate - Practicing Efficiently (Part 2)

Improve your practicing with POPS flute Frances Tate! Work with Frances through this Presto by Telemann.
Click here to view the music!

Flute Fundamentals with Frances Tate - Practicing Efficiently (Part 1)


Want to improve your practicing? Philly POPS flute Frances Tate has some tips on how to make your practice more effective and efficient. 

Majoring in Music with Sean Bailey Part 3



Thinking about majoring in music in college? In part 3 of this seminar Sean Bailey talks about how to build your career!

Majoring in Music with Sean Bailey Part 2


Thinking about majoring in music in college? In part 2 of this seminar Sean Bailey talks about auditioning!

Majoring in Music with Sean Bailey Part 1


Thinking about majoring in music in college? In this seminar from the All City Jazz Festival, POPS musician Sean Bailey talks about how to major in music, and the dos and don'ts of being a music major.

Timekeeping with brushes with Steve Fidyk


Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia drummer Steve Fidyk talks about how to best use brushes in jazz drumming to achieve new and different textures.

History of the Blues with Josh Lee

Philly saxophonist Josh Lee walks through the history of the blues — a style of music that laid the groundwork for jazz in the early 20th century. Learn about the Blues as a style and a musical form!

History of the Blues with Josh Lee Part 2

Philly saxophonist Josh Lee talks about how the blues evolved alongside swing and bebop, as jazz began to develop from the blues.

Woodwind Doubling - Sean Bailey

Philly POPS BIG Band member Sean Bailey offers tips on practicing as a woodwind "doubler" (someone who plays a number of different instruments). This lesson is grades 9-12.

Four Fundamentals of Trumpet - Dan Wright

POPS Teaching Artist Dan Wright discusses four fundamentals of playing a brass instrument: Flexibility, Articulation, Dexterity, and Musicality. This lesson is grades 9-12.

Josh Lee on Transcribing Jazz Solos


Philadelphia-based saxophonist Josh Lee talks about the importance of transcribing jazz solos and how to do it! Here's how to transcribe the solo from Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines' "Weather Bird." This lesson is grades 9-12.

Josh Lee on Transcribing Jazz Solos — Part 2

Saxophonist Josh Lee talks about one of Charlie Parker's most well-known solos — from the song "Cherokee!" Learn how Josh works to prepare, memorize, and play this solo, then use those tips for your own transcriptions! This lesson is grades 9-12.

Concepts for Improvisation with Daniel Wright

POPS Teaching Artist Dan Wright discusses concepts to help students improve their solos and improvisation with guide tones, specialized scales, and more! This lesson is grades 9-12.

Finding your sound on clarinet with Sean Bailey

Philly POPS BIG Band member Sean Bailey teaches students how to find their own sound on the clarinet — with breathing techniques and practice tips! This lesson is grades 9–12. 

Slideshow  |  17 Photos
POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about the parts of a violin. Aprende las partes del violín. This lesson is for Grades K-3. Esta clase es para los grados K-3.
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Worksheet that teaches students what a staff is and how to read music notes in English.
    Download Worksheet (175.31 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Worksheet that teaches students what a staff is and how to read music notes in Spanish.
    Download Worksheet (140.18 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about the four strings on a violin and the sounds they make. This lesson is for Grades K-3. Aprender la cuatro cuerdas de violín y los tonos. Esta clase es para los grados K-3.
    Download Worksheet (910.22 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about the treble clef and pitches. This lesson is for Grades K-3.
    Download Worksheet (144.57 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Aprender la clave del sol y los tonos. Esta clase es para los grados K-3.
    Download Worksheet (144.28 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about the bass clef and pitches. This lesson is for Grades K-5.
    Download Worksheet (138.85 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Aprende la clave de fa y tonos. Esta clase es para grados K-5.
    Download Worksheet (141.88 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about the grand staff and ledger lines. This lesson is for grades K-5.
    Download Worksheet (183.21 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Aprende el pentagrama de dos sistemas y líneas adicionales. Esta clase es para grados K-5.
    Download Worksheet (182.62 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about ledger lines. This worksheet is in English and Spanish and is for grades K-5. Aprenda más líneas adicionales. Este actividad es en inglés y el español para grados K-5.
    Download Worksheet (620.93 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about note values. This worksheet is in English and Spanish and is for grades K-5.
    Download Worksheet (141.02 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Este actividad es en inglés y el español para grados K-5.
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Learn about Measures and Bars. This worksheet is in English and Spanish and is for grades K-5.
    Download Worksheet (248.25 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Este actividad es en inglés y el español para grados K-5.
    Download Worksheet (248.25 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Download Worksheet (272.32 KB)
  • POPS In Schools@Home Lessons
    Download Worksheet (272.32 KB)