MUSIC EDUCATION RESOURCES

With suggested fingerings and slurred-two quarter notes, these scales are formatted for most festival or honor orchestra auditions, and all major keys are included. 

Examples include D, G & C major, to be extrapolated to other keys. The important elements in practicing scales this way are 1) the right hand remains constant (full half-note bows), 2) students strengthen rhythmic relationships against a steady pulse, and 3) the lowest leading tone is included, often involving a new finger placement.

All major keys are included on one sheet with suggested fingerings for cello & bass. Violin, viola & cello are written for the octave requiring minimal or no shifting.

Use this sheet for reference to over 30 bowing patterns and rhythms that can be applied to any system of scales. This is a great way to practice certain bowing challenges and/or articulations. 

Travel through every scale and key in under four minutes! Performed in one-octave versions with the Major Scale juxtaposed to its Relative Minor, this scale study can have many applications in the classroom or private studio.

This advanced exercise focuses on one key at a time and allows the student to practice a scale while starting on different scale degrees within that key. Another way to envision the exercise is that the student is playing through every mode (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian).

This multi-page exercise includes common rhythms, bow strokes, finger patterns, shifting, string crossing, and chromatic exercises. It provides a great condensed method to introduce many concepts.

This single sheet can be used for the entire orchestra to develop right hand skills related to tone production. Placement refers to bridge proximity; Angle refers to how many hairs touch the string; Weight refers to the distance between the stick & hair; and Speed refers to how fast the bow arm moves. 

This handout includes a bundle of information for students or teachers to use to enter the world of live-looping. You will find introductory exercises, a list of suggested gear, and a long list of popular tunes that loop. Be sure to check out Peter's six-part YouTube series that takes the viewer through this packet of information and beyond.

This single sheet can be used for the entire orchestra to develop better understanding of subdivision and how various rhythms relate while maintaining a steady pulse. This is good for clapping & counting exercise or great for establishing pulse with up vs. down bow. 

This handout breaks down improvisation from the "Giant Steps" into three 15-minute introductory lessons that teachers can offer their students in developing the ability to speak (not just read) their musical language. Remember, there are no wrong notes, just better choices!

Consider that a music director will give at least three music instructions per rehearsal. Take that times ten rehearsals, and our students need to remember 60 things for just one piece on the concert! TAKE THE TIME and use this guide to teach them how to cleanly, clearly, and correctly (the 3C's) mark their music. It is a valuable asset to any music student's toolbox.

This worksheet introduces students to scale creation (with teacher guidance to complete some of the blanks). Once each note is visualized in its "natural" position along the staircase, students quickly gain an understanding of how a sharp of flat affects a note and how scales are created. Don't  be surprised if a hypothetical G# Major is easily figured out by your students!

Until I taught modes to AP Music Theory students, I never really understood them, and for sure I didn't have this info memorized! Now, with a few moments of listening or score analysis, I can actually figure out the mode of a new piece of music, and it really helps to better teach or compose a piece of music. AP Music Theory teachers and students may find this guide super useful. 

This video tutorial and handout are great for any ensemble director or classroom teacher seeking an efficient way to update their seating chart and have a clear chart to show students or set-up crews.