Exciting plans are in development.

To make way for more accessible resources, we are winding down the Figurenotes Accessible Music Hub (FAM Hub). If you are an account holder, please check your email (and junk folder) for more information. The Hub will be removed entirely on October 28th, 2025.

Our mission is to make music more accessible for all. With this in mind, we will be launching more free-to-access resources in the near future. Sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when they launch. You receive a free bundle of resources just for signing up, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

We can’t wait to tell you more. Watch this space!

Psst… Did you hear about our training? Find out more about the Developing Your Practice course in the training section of this website.

Fancy some free resources?

We have updated our free bundle of resources for 2025. Anyone who receives our email newsletter can get the new ‘Starter Pack’, so if you haven’t signed up already, you can do so here.

The pack contains:

• Five well-known tunes using the notes from middle C to the G above.

• Backing tracks at different speeds to help with practice and performance.

• Songs and activities to help build musical skills, such as listening, turn-taking, rhythm, and pulse.

• An explanation of how Figurenotes works

• Puppet cards to add even more fun!

The tunes are designed for ‘5 finger piano’, but are not instrument specific. They would work well on digital instruments too, such as Thumbjam and Clarion. These tunes are written in Stage 1 Figurenotes notation. You can read more about progression here.

The songs and activities can be used in group and 1:1 settings, with options to adapt and extend for more creativity.

We’re thrilled to be launching this set of resources, available free to anyone with an email address. It is especially lovely to feature musicians from Drake Music Scotland’s Singing Group in the recordings. To learn more about the charity behind Figurenotes, take a peek at Drake Music Scotland’s website.

How do I get my bundle?

Pop your details into the signup form. You will be redirected to download your Starter Pack.

For those lucky people who are already signed up – your resources are in your inbox now. Go and take a look. Happy Figurenoting!

Did you miss it? Don’t worry, we recorded it just for you.

At the start of June, we delivered a webinar with the BBC Ten Pieces team, exploring the accessible resources created over the last decade of partnership. The recording is now up on the Ten Pieces CPD page.

BBC Ten Pieces celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2024 and we’re delighted to also be celebrating 10 years of partnership with Drake Music Scotland, who have been creating exciting Figurenotes resources since the initiative was launched. The Figurenotes resources on the Ten Pieces website have been valuable in helping to make fantastic classical music accessible to as broad an audience as possible, both to play and explore.

Jennifer Redmond, BBC Ten Pieces

If you haven’t taken a peek at this year’s list yet, head over to the Ten Pieces website.

As long-standing partners of this brilliant project, we are so pleased to see new accessible avenues to engagement. This year’s list includes some fantastic pieces, including adaptable arrangements for flexible ensembles. There are parts for digital and traditional instruments, including Clarion, Thumbjam, and CMPSR.

Figurenotes resources include parts for these flexible ensembles in all 3 stages of Figurenotes notation, as well as pick-and-mix lesson plans exploring Laura Shigihara’s Grasswalk.

Did you miss out on our online course in May? Secure your spot for the next one and enjoy a discounted price with the early bird rate.

After lots of enquiries about when the next Figurenotes: Developing Your Practice course will take place, we’re launching it early! You can now book your place on the November course. Our early bird rate of £99.99 will be available until 25th July. Places are limited, so book quickly to avoid disappointment.

How does it work?

You’ll learn how to use Figurenotes as a tool, working through the fundamentals of music. We’ll focus on rhythm, composition and creative play, as well as working with mixed-ability groups and ensembles. Each interactive session will be delivered in a small group.

Between sessions you’ll create resources that work for you, getting feedback and ideas from the rest of the group and course leaders. A follow-up 1-to-1 gives you the opportunity to go deeper, with course leaders focused entirely on you and your work.

Join us for a webinar exploring Figurenotes and BBC Ten Pieces resources. 3rd June 2025, 4-5pm

We’re delighted to be partnering with Early Years Music Scotland again this year to deliver a free online workshop.

We’ll be discussing how to develop creativity and musical confidence in an accessible way within Early Years music-making. You’ll learn how to harness the power of imagination and enable it to grow using Figurenotes as a tool. Discover how to help young musicians take their first steps in choosing sounds, creating music, and feeling ownership.

Early Years Music Scotland is delivering a year-long programme of free, high-quality, creative and inspiring continuous professional learning and development for musicians working with children in the early years across Scotland, supported by Creative Scotland’s Youth Music Initiative. We are thrilled to be a part of their programme once again.

This engaging workshop is free-of-charge to musicians living in Scotland and working with children in the early years (0-5yrs). Non-Scottish residents and non-musicians may purchase a ticket. The workshop will be recorded and available to view for one month following the event. If you are unable to attend live, you can select a ‘session recording’ ticket.

Book your place via the event listing. We look forward to seeing you there.

Sound the trumpets! Booking is now open for ‘Figurenotes: Developing Your Practice’. Our flagship course, delivered online in small groups, will enable you to create accessible music sessions using Figurenotes as a tool. Secure your place before the end of February to access the early bird rate.

How does it work?

Figurenotes: Developing Your Practice takes place over 3 interactive group sessions via Zoom, building your skills in Figurenotes and accessible music practices. Consolidate your work with homework activities between sessions. Follow up with a 1:1 with course leaders to answer any further questions you have, get advice on specific aspects of your work, or for more general queries.

You’ll be guided through Figurenotes, from how it works, to its many applications. We will focus each session on one of the fundamentals of music-making:

Rhythm

All musicians need to develop a solid sense of pulse. Explore how to make learning rhythm fun and engaging. Figurenotes notation shows rhythm very logically, which then transitions easily to standard notation.

Creative Composition

We’ll discuss a range of composition tools you can use in different settings. You’ll learn how to build and adapt an idea in an accessible way, enabling success across a range of abilities and additional support needs.

Groups and Differentiation

Through interactive activities, we explore differentiation, support, and group work.

1:1 Follow-up Session

This is an opportunity for you to work 1:1 with course leaders after the main sessions have been completed. The content of these sessions is entirely up to you. We can work with you on resources, help develop ideas, troubleshoot, or help with specific questions you may have.

Here’s what some of our recent trainees had to say.

Funding and Financial Assistance

To improve access to our courses, we are offering an early bird rate until the end of February. Student discount is also available (not applicable to early bird rate)

For people based in Scotland, you can apply for funding via the YMI CPD Fund. Please read the guidelines carefully to make sure you are eligible.

As part of your training package you will receive 10% off Figurenotes resources and free access to Notate for the duration.

To find out more, see the training section of our website

Please email Figurenotes@DrakeMusicScotland.org with any questions you have. We look forward to having you with us.

A very apt Gingerbready tale rounded off our Developing Your Practice course at the end of November, leaving us within touching distance of the Christmas holidays.

Our popular 3-week course came to a close with an engaging sound story, bringing together all the elements the group had studied over the duration of the training. This wonderful wee group worked on rhythm, creating activities and games for the people they work with. We then moved on to pitch and composition to bring even more creative ideas to life. Our final session focused on mixed-ability groups and ensembles.

“It’s an amazing amount of inspiration in such a short time”

Trainee, Nov 24

“One of the most valuable aspects for me was the sharing of ideas within the group. Seeing things someone else has shared and it sparking an idea, or sharing something and seeing someone go ‘I hadn’t thought of it that way’. It was really inspiring.”

Trainee, Nov 2024

We are always so impressed with the creativity and imagination of our trainees. The range of roles and settings in each group brings out so many different ideas and discussion points, leaving everyone brimming with inspiration and enthusiasm. From Beatles’ bass lines to percussion workshops, piano coordination skills to PMLD music sessions, there was a full range of fun covered within their creations.

For anyone who missed out on this iteration of the training, look out for the next cohort starting in the first half of 2025. Dates will be updated on our training page, as well as via the blog. Keep an eye on the email newsletter for early bird bargains.

We know that the Christmas build-up requires careful planning, especially for musicians. With this in mind, we want to let you know the last posting dates, office closures, and other festive news from Figurenotes HQ.

Last Order Date

Please order by noon on Tuesday 17th of December to receive UK orders before Christmas. This only applies to physical products, such as Figurenotes stickers and magnets. All digital products, such as subscriptions to Notate and the Hub, go through automatically for instant access.

Office Closures

Our offices are closing over the Christmas period. Our last office day will be Friday 20th December, returning Tuesday 7th January.

We hope all your festive concerts go well and you manage to follow it up with a lovely Christmas break.