ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an overview of the current state of Popular music education (PME) internationally, focusing largely on Higher Education (HE) provision and discussing a selection of key relevant publications. PME is beginning to flourish in an increasing number of countries, and in recent years developments indicate that a tipping point has been reached, with more rapid expansion occurring and cascading outwards. This situation is highly inconsistent internationally. In a number of cases something specific has afforded PME the opportunity to thrive. An ethnographically inspired approach has allowed educators to explore modes of teaching and learning inspired by popular music culture. The programme uses educational methods that echo how popular musicians learn outside of institutional contexts. Initial exclusion from music departments in the United States, for instance, led to PMS developing a focus on critical, sociological or media studies approaches. The chapter also presents assignments that are project-based, usually involving a mixture of practical music-making, written work and self-directed learning.
