Progress through 3 simple stages

The different stages of progression in Figurenotes. The first is a box with a yellow circle, black circle, and blue circle with a tail - all in a horizontal line. Then the same shapes are presenting on a boxed in stave. Lastly there are coloured noteheads in standard western notation (A, G, and minim F)

Learners can start at any stage and progress to standard notation at their own pace

Stage 1

Learners follow the line left to right, matching the note on the page to the note on their instrument.

Figurenotes shapes in a line from left to right. They sit within boxes to represent musical bars.

Stage 2

This shows the same information as stage 1, but on a Figurenotes stave. We start to see the shape of the melody.

Stage 3

Standard rhythmic notation is introduced using coloured noteheads.

Twinkle written in standard notation. The noteheads are Figurenotes colours.

Standard Notation

Remove the colours and you are reading standard notation! 

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in standard notation. The notes are black.

Progress at Your Pace

Transition games are important when progressing through stages. You can find resources for this in our library (coming soon!)

Create stages 1 and 2 using our Notate programme. Stage 3 is created using a plugin for MuseScore. For easier transition, try an additional step between stages 2 and 3 using shaped noteheads. This is made using a MuseScore plugin. 

Studies show that pupils learning with Figurenotes progress faster in rhythmic skills and sense of pulse.

Ready to get going?

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What do our users say?

Figurenotes is the best thing I've come across in over 40 years of teaching music

Nothing translates as easily as Figurenotes.
It's just so obvious that it works!

Simple cartoon person

I am loving Figurenotes and so are my pupils. They completely get the rhythms because they are intuitive

Simple cartoon person

A huge hit with the students! They didn’t need any explanation as to how it worked. They could straight away just start following the music and playing on the keyboards!

Simple cartoon person

Figurenotes has been a game-changer for me

Simple cartoon person

Figurenotes is the best way to go. It's very inclusive. I haven't come across anything else that comes near it.

Simple cartoon person

I am so impressed with Figurenotes. Such a simple concept, yet so effective. Thank you!

Simple cartoon person

Figurenotes is not just a good notation system, it is life-changing.

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