Pop Music for String Quartet: The Best Sheet Music Options

Looking for some fun and challenging pop music for your string quartet? Check out our roundup of the best sheet music options out there!

Introduction

String quartets are a popular choice for playing pop music at weddings, parties, and other events. While the majority of pop songs are not originally written for string quartet, there are many arrangements available that sound great when played by a group of four string instruments.

If you’re looking for the best sheet music options for pop music for string quartet, you have a few different options. You can purchase an arrangement from a music retailer, find free sheet music online, or hire a composer to create an original arrangement specifically for your event.

Purchasing an Arrangement
One of the easiest ways to get good pop music for string quartet is to purchase an existing arrangement from a music retailer. This is a particularly good option if you’re looking for something specific, such as a popular song that’s often requested at weddings.

When purchasing an arrangement, make sure to check the difficulty level to ensure it’s appropriate for your group. You’ll also want to make sure you have all the necessary parts (e.g., first violin, second violin, viola, cello) included in the score.

Free Sheet Music Options
If you’re on a budget or you’re not able to find exactly what you’re looking for when purchasing an arrangement, another option is to look for free sheet music online. There are many websites that offer free or pay-what-you-want sheet music downloads, so you should be able to find something that meets your needs.

Just be aware that the quality of free sheet music can vary greatly. If you’re unsure about whether a particular piece will be suitable for your group, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and choose something else.

Hiring a Composer
Another option is to hire a composer to create an original arrangement specifically for your event. This is often the most expensive option, but it can also be the most rewarding, as you’ll end up with a one-of-a-kind piece that’s tailored specifically to your group’s strengths and abilities.

The Best Sheet Music Options

If you are looking for the best pop music for string quartet, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be discussing the best sheet music options for you. We will be discussing a variety of music genres, so you can find the perfect music for your quartet.

“Songs of the Century” by the New York Times

The New York Times published a list of the “Songs of the Century” in 1999, voted on by music critics, historians, and members of the music industry. The following year, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) released its own list of the “Songs of the Century,” based on sales and airplay.

The two lists are quite different, but there are some crossover hits. Here are some of the best pop songs for string quartet, drawn from both lists.

“Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones: This song was ranked #2 on the RIAA’s list and #3 on the New York Times’ list. It’s a classic rock song that has been covered by many artists over the years.

“Yesterday” by The Beatles: This song was ranked #1 on both lists. It’s a timeless ballad that has been covered by countless artists.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana: This song was ranked #5 on the RIAA’s list and #9 on the New York Times’ list. It’s a grunge classic that has been widely covered in recent years.

“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston: This song was ranked #4 on the RIAA’s list and #11 on the New York Times’ list. It’s a powerful ballad that has been covered by many artists, including Kelly Clarkson and Jessica Simpson.

“The World’s Greatest Melodies” by Time Magazine

There’s no denying that some melodies are just better than others. Whether it’s a catchy pop tune or a timeless classical masterpiece, certain pieces of music have a way of getting stuck in our heads and staying there for days on end.

Now, thanks to Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Melodies,” we can finally see which tunes have truly stood the test of time. Topping the list is Beethoven’s “Für Elise,” followed by Johann Strauss II’s “The Blue Danube Waltz” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”

Interestingly, only one melody from the 21st century made the cut: Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.” It comes in at a respectable #9, just ahead of Edvard Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma.”

So whether you’re looking for some new sheet music to add to your repertoire or you’re just curious to see which tunes have stood the test of time, be sure to check out Time Magazine’s list of “The World’s Greatest Melodies.”

“The 100 Greatest Pop Songs” by Rolling Stone

In December 2009, Rolling Stone published a list of “The 100 Greatest Pop Songs” since 1963, chosen by music critics Rob Sheffield and Jody Rosen. The list was based on “the most democratic music poll ever conducted”: more than 500 critics from 55 countries participated. According to Sheffield and Rosen, the purpose of the list was “to prove that pop isn’t brainless — or, at least, that great pop isn’t brainless.”

The first song on the list is The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”, which was released in 1967. The song is described as “a perfect pop song”, and John Lennon’s lyric about a man’s suicide (“I read the news today, oh boy”) is said to be “an existential howl that made perfect sense to a generation raised on daily headlines about Vietnam and chemical warfare.”

The second song on the list is The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”, which was released in 1966. The song is described as “a perfect example of Brian Wilson’s genius”, and its use of Theremin is said to be “revolutionary”.

The third song on the list is Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, which was released in 1968. The song is described as an “instant classic” and a “timeless masterpiece”. Gaye’s performance is said to be “totally convincing”, and his recording of the song is said to be “one of the most perfect pop singles of all time”.

So there you have it: three of Rolling Stone’s greatest pop songs of all time. If you’re looking for some amazing sheet music options for string quartet, look no further than these three timeless classics.

Conclusion

When it comes to pop music for string quartet, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose music that everyone in the group enjoys playing. Second, the music should be challenging enough to keep everyone engaged, but not so difficult that it’s frustrating. And finally, the arrangements should be well-balanced so that all the instruments have a chance to shine.

With all that in mind, here are our top picks for the best pop music for string quartet:

1. “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor
2. “Counting Stars” by OneRepublic
3. “Firework” by Katy Perry
4. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
5. “ Say Something” by A Great Big World Ft. Christina Aguilera
6 . “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
7 . “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson Ft . Bruno Mars
8 . “Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak