Authenticity of Notation in Popular Music Education and Modern Band

The purpose of this study was to determine which methods of written notation are most commonly used within popular music education and modern band settings in K–12 schools and how students typically learn the music they perform. In many U.S. public schools, emphasis is put on music reading skills that decode and translate notes written on a five-line, four-space staff (5L4S). Through a mixed-methods study utilizing direct interviews and an anonymous online questionnaire, I uncovered findings of authentic methods of notation and learning while students and educators engaged in popular music education. The majority of written notation used by students was iconic and contemporary, inclusive of tablature, but evidence is also provided to warrant students being seen as individuals with varying preferences for learning, including a shareable space for all types of learning, including 5L4S notation. Discussion on authentic practices, implications for the profession, and potential future research are included.