Can a violinist play modern pop songs?
Yes, and that's what Extreme Strings is known for: the songs your guests have on their playlists, played live on electric violin.
Yes. Jared plays hundreds of songs, and many are recent pop hits from Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran. He plays electric violin over full-band backing tracks, so each song sounds like the record with the violin singing the melody.
How pop works on violin
A pop song lives in its melody and its beat. Jared plays the melody on electric violin, and a professional backing track supplies the drums, bass and band. Guests hear a few notes, recognize the song, and start mouthing the words. Because there's no singer, songs with explicit lyrics are fine too.
Pop picks by moment
All of these are on the Extreme Strings song list:
| Moment | Songs to try |
|---|---|
| Prelude | Love Story (Taylor Swift), Clocks (Coldplay), Make You Feel My Love, Golden (Harry Styles) |
| Processional | A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Canon in D into Perfect (Pachelbel and Ed Sheeran), Viva La Vida (Coldplay) |
| Recessional | Marry You (Bruno Mars), Pink Pony Club (Chappell Roan), Paper Rings (Taylor Swift) |
| Cocktail hour | Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter), Flowers (Miley Cyrus), Levitating (Dua Lipa), Birds of a Feather (Billie Eilish), Too Sweet (Hozier) |
| Reception with your DJ | Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars), Abracadabra (Lady Gaga), Red Wine Supernova (Chappell Roan), I Gotta Feeling |
Hear one
Jared playing “All of Me” by John Legend at Dunafon Castle in Idledale.
When a quartet fits better
Electric violin with a backing track is built for songs with a beat. If you're picturing the soft, all-strings arrangements of pop songs you hear in period dramas, Jared is honest that “that style does not lend itself well to electric violin,” and a string quartet is likely the better fit. More on that in electric vs. acoustic violin.
Don't see your song?
The list keeps growing. Request any song in your BookLive client portal: 3 custom songs are included, then $25 each. Classical favorites like Canon in D and Ave Maria are there too, so you can mix the two.
Guests know every song
★★★★★“I had them play before and during the ceremony and it was FANTASTIC. I received so many compliments on the music...it set the tone perfect - especially with the violin version of many modern pop songs that were recognizable yet sounded divine.”
★★★★★“What I like most about Extreme Strings is that the performance is so engaging, but being instrumental, you just find yourself singing and dancing along...realizing you know all of the songs even though there isn't a vocalist on stage.”
★★★★★“This was without a doubt everyone's favorite part of our wedding!”
Pop song questions
Do you play new releases?
The list keeps growing, and you can request songs that aren't on it yet. 3 custom songs are included, then $25 each.
Does it sound like the original song?
Jared plays over full-band backing tracks, so you hear the band behind the violin, with the violin playing the vocal melody.
Can we mix pop and classical?
Yes. Many couples pair Pachelbel or Bach with Taylor Swift or Coldplay. Canon in D into Perfect does both in one song.
Can you play pop songs during the ceremony?
Yes. A Thousand Years, Perfect and Viva La Vida are popular processional picks.