The Figurenotes team will host online drop-in sessions throughout 2026. These will take place every few months over the course of the year, and will usually take place in the first week of the month.

Each 30min sessions will provide a space to ask questions and gain guidance on all things Figurenotes. Some will be more general and open sessions, whilst others may have a particular focus, such as using Notate or working with a specific group.

Come along and ask questions, gain insight or just bounce ideas off the Figurenotes team and the wider community.

The first is a general drop-in session and takes place on Wed 4th February at 4pm.

Join using the Zoom link below.

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/84654315489?pwd=glhbNIwEU9Gdjowr6alNnoM6tGCnJq.1

Did you miss out on our online course in November? 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, you can now book your place on our May 2026 course. Our early bird rate of £99.99 will be available until 20th Feb. Places are limited, so book quickly to avoid disappointment.

Book now

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.

As festive concerts come to an end, we wish all of our Figurenotes community a restful and happy holiday season. Figurenotes HQ is shutting up shop, but we will still be around to answer queries.

Simply drop us an email at figurenotes@drakemusicscotland.org

You can also check out our Linktree for all things Figurenotes.

Physical orders will be posted out again from the 6th January.

The Figurenotes Team

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.