CBBC - Ten Pieces - Figurenotes arrangements

Figurenotes is a simple, progressive way to learn to read and play music. This notation was initially designed to enable people with additional support needs, but has proven useful for all beginners on a huge range of instruments.

Each musical note has a colour (e.g. all the Cs are red) and each octave has a shape (e.g. middle C is a red circle). Rhythm is literal and needs little explanation. You can progress through 3 simple stages to reach standard notation, never letting the challenges of note-reading interrupt your progression on your instrument.

There are no 'dots and squiggles' to be learned, just two simple concepts:

MATCHING: Find the matching shape on your instrument and play it.

PLAYING IN PULSE: Try and play the same note with a steady beat.

Download and print this comprehensive guide to Figurenotes for a detailed explanation of how the system works. You can find out more on the Figurenotes website.

Drake Music Scotland have arranged the following works from Ten Pieces III into their Figurenotes system - you can also find Figurenotes arrangements from earlier years of the project below.

Ten Pieces III

These resources can be played on a range of instruments. Check the key and pitch before printing. Visit the Figurenotes website for editable versions of these resources.

Copland: Rodeo – Hoe-Down

Elgar: 'Enigma' Variations – Theme

Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World’ – Largo

For 2 parts | For 3 parts

Orff: 'O fortuna' by Carl Orff

A Figurenotes worksheet for 'O fortuna' is available on request

Purcell: Abdelazer – Rondeau

Sibelius: Finlandia

Hymn melody line | Hymn melody line for SATB

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Russian Dance

Melody - simpler version | Melody - progressing

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker – Waltz of the Flowers

Worksheet - use Figurenotes to colour in your flower

Ten Pieces I and II

Explore Figurenotes arrangements from the first two years of the project. Arrangements for Beethoven, Grieg, Holst, Mozart and Mussorgsky are based on transcriptions of the beginner orchestral parts for these pieces.

Bizet: 'Habanera' and 'Toreador' from 'Carmen Suite No. 2'