Whether you’re a beginning violinist just trying to get the hang of your instrument or a gigging musician expanding your repertoire, picking up some pop sheet music for violin makes for a great summer exercise! At weddings and other social gatherings, playing a song everyone recognizes is a great way to lift the spirits of a room and connect with people. Sometimes, these songs can also contain tricky flourishes that will wow an audience once you get them down!
Below, we’ve picked out a few surefire crowd pleasers, both recent and perennial, that are perfect for beginner and intermediate violinists to learn.
Style
(made famous by Taylor Swift)
The vocal melody of Taylor Swift’s 2015 hit translates wonderfully to violin. Get someone to lay down the song’s driving rhythm lines on piano or cello, and you’ll have an instant hit on your hands!
You Send Me
(made famous by Sam Cooke)
‘You Send Me’ is an indispensable tune for any remotely romantic affair, and it’s guaranteed to warm hearts. Once you get the basic melody down, you can practice approximating some of Sam Cooke’s vocal acrobatics on your violin, or maybe study Aretha Franklin’s version for some alternative options. If you pull it off, you’ll have the crowd in the palm of your hand.
Summertime
(from Porgy and Bess)
One of the most beloved melodies in the modern American canon, George Gershwin’s bittersweet ode to the warmer months and the safety of home translates perfectly to the violin. As with ‘You Send Me’, it sounds lovely both played straight or with some careful embellishment.
Can’t Help Falling in Love
(made famous by Elvis Presley)
This beloved ballad is dramatic without being bombastic, making it a particularly great choice when you’re serving primarily as background music. The simple melody and satisfying bridge also make it a great song for beginners to learn.
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
(from The Lion King)
This Elton John/Tim Rice chestnut is an instantly recognizable tune from a beloved Disney classic. Its straightforward melody is perfectly suited to beginners, and as a song that has been steadily popular for nearly three decades, it’s sure to perk up some ears.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine
(made famous by Marvin Gaye)
This Motown soul classic has been carried down through the generations since its initial 1960s debut. Its ominous minor-key melody will definitely get a nod from the older folks who were kids and teenagers when it was released, but it’s made countless appearances in movies, commercials, and more ever since, making it instantly recognizable to nearly anyone.
Truth Hurts
(Lizzo)
How about something a little more modern? Despite its wedding-themed video, this instant kiss-off classic might be dicey to pull out during a couple’s nuptials! Still, its seesaw melody translates well to violin, and it’s a fairly quick song to pick up. Performing it as an instrumental, of course, also erases any issues that might arise from its NSFW lyrics.
