Resource: Switched on Pop
I’m out here at the APME Conference on the campus of USC in Los Angeles this week. It’s been a great few days and I will be writing up a recap tomorrow, but I felt compelled to highlight one of the many excellent sessions and keynotes at this conference. Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of attending a keynote address by Nate Sloan - a cohost of one of the best podcasts on pop music there is - Switched On Pop. This podcast has been around for over 10 years and has well over 350 episodes. The keynote address was amazing - a very rare combination of academia, analysis, music and humor. Nate is a gifted educator and speaker and I enjoyed every second of his talk. If you’ve never heard of Switched On Pop - the following is a review of what it is, why it is SO good, and why you might consider integrating it into your music instruction - especially if you’re looking for high quality resources that focus on popular music.
Switched on Pop is a podcast that began in 2014 and is hosted by musicologist Nate Sloan and songwriter Charlie Harding, exploring the making and meaning of popular music. Each episode dissects and analyzes contemporary hits and classic tracks, revealing the musical techniques and cultural contexts that make them resonate. The hosts do a REALLY great job of blending analysis, interviews with artists, and accessible discussions, making complex music theory relatable and engaging.
Music teachers can leverage Switched on Pop in the classroom to enhance their curriculum. The podcast can serve as a jumping off point to illustrate music theory concepts, songwriting techniques, and the historical evolution of genres. When students listen to how the hosts analyze various songs in their podcast episodes, students can develop critical listening skills and a deeper appreciation for diverse musical styles. The length of each episode is IDEAL - right around 40-45 minutes - perfect for being able to play the entire episode in class and then create tasks and assessments for the next few class sessions based on the episode. Additionally, the podcast's focus on current hits can make learning more relevant and engaging for students, fostering a connection between academic study and the music they enjoy daily.
The most compelling project idea that I can think of in relation to Switched On Pop, is to have students create their own podcast episodes that do the same thing with songs and artists that they choose. A project like this is ideal because the creation of the script is the hardest part. The students will need to carefully dissect and analyze the song of their choice just like they do on Switched On Pop - and they will soon realize just how big of a project that is - especially to do it well. I would suggest something like this serve as a capstone or final project, with LOTS of time available for the students to complete it. For best results, I would suggest doing this project in stages - first having them select a song, then having them break down the form, and then relate the elements of the songs that make it compelling to them (and to others). Emulating the style of Nate and Charlie’s podcast should serve as a great guide for students and I personally think they’ll love putting a project like this together.