Hey All,
I'm starting an instrument lesson round with my 4th and 5th graders. Do you have any suggestions on pop or rock, or really any non classical song that I can use as an example of specific instruments? For instance, any Norah Jones song I can use for piano, and the song "No Air" by Jordan Sparks has some strings.

I need all instruments except guitar, piano, and drums.

Thanks!

Some older stuff is okay, but I'd really like to have them hear band and orchestra instruments in music that they might hear on the radio, that way they are more encouraged to activly listen when they are are in the car or bus.

I'm pretty sure "Light and Day" by The Polyphonic Spree has some orchestral instruments, I'm not quite sure which ones. "Being for The Benefit for Mr. Kite" from Across the Universe has clarinet, baritone saxophone, an tuba/euph. "Strawberry fields Forever" and "Black Bird" from Across the Universe both have an accordion solo in the intro. "I write Sins not tragedies" by Panic!At the Disco has plucked violin + Bell solo.

Lots of broadway stuff and muscials/movie music works well.

Fantastic idea for a lesson BTW - going to take a note of it!

"Viva la Vida" by Coldplay for strings, or are you looking for one for a specific instrument? Also, "Peter and the Wolf" by Prokofiev has different instruments with different melody lines for each character in the story. It really helped me learn about different instruments as a kid. Great idea for a lesson!