Figurenotes Resources

Figurenotes is a simple, progressive way to learn to read and play music. Drake Music Scotland have arranged the following pieces, especially for Ten Pieces. This notation was initially designed to enable people with additional 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 three 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.

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.

Ten Pieces Figurenotes Arrangements

For the latest batch of Ten Pieces, Drake Music Scotland have created Figurenotes arrangements for Laura Shigihara’s Grasswalk. For Figurenotes guidance and lesson plans for Grasswalk, see Drake Music Scotland’s Ten Pieces Resources Guide.

Use these creative resources from Drake Music Scotland to get creative with Laura Shigihara's Grasswalk. With the help of these guides and accompanying resources you will be able to explore rhythm, articulation, chromatics and .

Laura Shigihara’s Grasswalk

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