Swear Words in Sheet Music
Found in: Students, Teen Students, Young Students
Karen D., Canada
Maybe this is a funny question, but what do other teachers do about swear words in sheet music? I just printed the sheet music for Some Nights by Fun for a student to start learning in January, but I’m hesitant to give a 9-year-old sheet music with the “f” word in it. They play this song on the radio; maybe they bleep? Or maybe I’m just behind the times.
Julie M., Ontario
First of all, I think a Kudos goes to you for having looked at the music and contemplating this question. Imagine the shock of the poor parent who may not even know that their child is about to play music with profanity in it?
Can you white-out the swear word and insert another word that is clean? “fun” instead?
Either way, I recommend you speak to the parents about it over the phone sometime before the next class. You might want to see what they’d like you to do. (Perhaps they’d steer their child away from the song completely.)
Liza S., Michigan
Do not give! Kids (and parents) do not realize what they are singing along to. I don’t know if there is a “G” rated site for songs that are suitable for children. That would help our situation.
Terah W., Kansas
Well, it’s your Studio. Without delving into all the copyright mantra, I think it’s your right to say, “Not in my Studio”. Hey, ‘freedom of speech’ should work both ways. They can print it, but I don’t have to sing or say it and I am not obligated to expose my students to it. They get enough of that elsewhere. Like on the radio, for instance. (And I wish they bleeped!)
Really, at some point we are going to have to demote some words to ordinary language and invent some replacements!!
Cheri S., Utah
One problem with just whiting it out is if they get really into the song and then hear the recording later . . . mom and student could both get a shock, and one that might reflect poorly on you, unless you warned them beforehand.
Maureen K., California
I believe there is always a clean version of pop songs for radio play. I’m not familiar with this particular song–maybe search YouTube for “clean version”, and you’ll hear the substitute word that plays on the radio?
Ian C., Australia
Firstly, although this is quite a simple song chord-wise, I personally think it’s waay too intense (lyrically) for a 9-year-old! But teacher’s/parents’ call I guess…
If it helps, in one of the versions I’ve heard (sung by a group of young girls/women), they substitute “who the heck…” for “who the f***…”