Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? With 25+ years of experience teaching in secondary schools in the UK and internationally, I am deeply passionate about music and drama education.
Looking for music resources for secondary music classes that have been tried and tested in the classroom? With 25+ years of experience teaching in secondary schools in the UK and internationally, I am deeply passionate about music and drama education.
Worksheet 12 - Rhythm Reading exercises for KS3 & KS4 music classrooms
This is a single worksheet focusing on developing rhythm reading and can be used in any classroom or ensemble setting.
Worksheet 12 - 3/4 time signature. Simple rhythm patterns.
Each worksheet has 12 patterns. Each 1 bar rhythm pattern is written for 3 bars with a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
By playing the same pattern for 3 bars it allows students a chance to master that rhythm pattern before going onto a new pattern. It’s perfect for beginner students to focus on rhythm accuracy, separate from reading pitch. I have used this method for many years as a warm up exercise for my ensembles and general music classes.
The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a complete series of 10 in book 2 that is also available on my store.
There are play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
This worksheet will work perfectly with the the second in a series of lessons exploring SCALES. (powerpoint unit is for sale separately and you can buy all the worksheets as a bundle).
This worksheet is for composing melodies around the C major scale. Students have space to write in rough, write notation and if time can be transferred on to music software.
These resources links with the Year 2 topic 1 (Scales) of the Middle School Music Curriculum that is for sale.
Also, this lesson will work perfectly for High School students or any ensembles learning pieces based around scales.
This worksheet will work perfectly with the the second in a series of lessons exploring SCALES. (powerpoint unit is for sale separately and you can buy all the worksheets as a bundle).
This worksheet is for composing melodies around the A minor scale. Students have space to write in rough, write notation and if time can be transferred on to music software.
These resources links with the Year 2 topic 1 (Scales) of the Middle School Music Curriculum that is for sale.
Also, this lesson will work perfectly for High School students or any ensembles learning pieces based around scales.
Book 4 Student Guide - Rhythm Reading exercises for secondary school music classrooms
This booklet is full of great rhythm exercises to challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestral classrooms.
All 10 exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
Worksheet 31 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 32 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 33 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 34 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 35 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 36 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 37 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 38 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 39 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 40 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Sight-reading for intermediate players: TENOR SAXOPHONE BOOKLET 6
Each booklet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young tenor saxophonists.
This sight-reading booklet will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, concert band and beginner band classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
**Worksheet 6 - 9/8 time signature. **
For each worksheet there are 12 lines of melody. Each of the melodic patterns consist of 3 bars and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of activities and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activity, fundamental training, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-reading assessments.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
BUNDLE - Rhythm Reading #2 for KS3 & KS4 Music classes
Book 3 & 4 Teacher Guide
Book 3 & 4 Student Guide
These booklets are full of great rhythm exercises to challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the choral, general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All 10 exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube music theory made simple.
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic challenge.
Worksheet 21 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 22 - 4/4 time signature. Basic beat values and rests - minims, crotchets and quavers
Worksheet 23 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests
Worksheet 24 - 3/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and crotchet rests
Worksheet 25 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 26 - 4/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms and quaver rests
Worksheet 27 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers
Worksheet 28 - 2/4 time signature. Quavers and semiquavers
Worksheet 29 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Worksheet 30 - 6/8 time signature. Dotted rhythms.
Worksheet 31 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 32 - 9/8 time signature. dotted rhythms and rests
Worksheet 33 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 34 - 5/4 time signature. Dotted rhythms, triplets and rests
Worksheet 35 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 36 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, triplets and semiquavers
Worksheet 37 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 38 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, ties and semiquavers
Worksheet 39 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
Worksheet 40 - 4/4 time signature. Quavers, semiquavers and rests
For each worksheet there are 12 lines. Each of the 12 rhythm patterns consist of a 3 bar pattern and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and how to vary the tasks in the classroom setting. The tasks can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and rhythm reading assessments.
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
CLARINET - Sight-reading for the beginner player No. 5
Each worksheet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young clarinetists.
This sight-reading exercise will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, band and orchestral classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube @musictheorymadesimple.
Worksheet 4 - 6/8 time signature in the key of C major. Simple beat values and uses G - C.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines of melody. Each of the melodic patterns consist of 3 bars and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of uses and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activities, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-reading assessments.
**Scales and arpeggio worksheets for your woodwind players
Key of Concert E major**
This booklet was designed to help woodwind players improve playing scales and arpeggio patterns in specific keys.
This booklet is in the key of concert E major and includes 1 octave scale and arpeggio patterns for the developing woodwind player.
Included in the booklet is a part for:
Flute, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone and bassoon.
Order of the exercises:
1 octave scale ascending quarter notes 1 octave arpeggio ascending
1 octave scale descending first
1 octave arpeggio scale descending first Pattern in 3rds
Scale in 8th notes Tongued up, slurred down Legato both directions Staccato both directions Tongue 2, slur 2
Slur 2, tongue 2
Slur 3, tongue 1
16th notes
There is a play-along recordings of each worksheet on my Youtube channel - Music Theory Made Simple that can be used in the classroom.
Bundle of 10 ALTO SAXOPHONE Sight Reading Exercises
Each booklet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young alto saxophonists.
This sight-reading booklets will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, concert band and beginner band classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube at Music Theory Made Simple.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines of melody. Each of the melodic patterns consist of 3 bars and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklets also come with suggestions of activities and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activity, fundamental training, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-reading assessments.
Sight-reading THE BLUES for intermediate players: ALTO SAXOPHONE BOOKLET 10
Each booklet comes with a new rhythmic and melodic challenge for our young clarinetists.
This sight-reading booklet will challenge your young musicians and can be applied in the general music, concert band and beginner band classrooms. All exercises have play-along videos that can be found for free on YouTube at music theory made simple.
Worksheet 10 - 4/4 time signature. Using the Blues Scale.
For each worksheet there are 12 lines of melody. Each of the melodic patterns consist of 3 bars and then a bar for resting and breathing. This gives students a chance to look ahead at the next line.
The booklet also comes with suggestions of activities and useful diagrams for the beginner musician. The task can be used as warm up activity, fundamental training, a starting point for composing, homework exercises and sight-reading assessments.
This is one worksheet that comes from a series of 10. The bundle can be purchased separately on the shop page.
Each worksheet explores a different genre and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task or could even be expanded into a longer class project.
Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music.
There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical and context already learned by the students.
Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project.
This is one worksheet that comes from a series of 10. The bundle can be purchased separately on the shop page.
Each worksheet explores a different genre and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task, cover work or could even be expanded into a longer class project.
Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music.
There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical and musical context already learnt by the students.
Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project.
A fun starter activity for all ages. Students are challenged to identify the different traditional and non-traditional instruments.
This game can be played individually, in pairs or small groups.
A lot of fun for all ages!
Here are 12 activities that students can do from home and can share with you as a homework or project from the comfort of their homes.
Set a task as a weekly challenge to keep students engaged and talking about music with their families.
This is the first lesson of the Blues topic where students explore the Blues Scale.
The powerpoint has been redesigned for remote learning and can be shared with students on google classroom or other learning platforms.
This is the second lesson in a series that will allow students to learn the chord sequence for the 12 bar blues.
It has been created for google classroom but can be adapted for other online platforms.
This is the third lesson in a series for learning the Blues.
This lesson focuses on the walking bass line.
The powerpoint has been designed for google classroom but can be adapted for other platforms.
This is a music composing challenge where students have to create an original rhythmic composition using objects that can be found around their house, school or garden. This is a fun task for students who do not have access to instruments at home and to experiment with different timbres and rhythms.
It can be set as a practical homework.
It is a great way to engage and encourage students to use different recording technology and their completed composition task can include family members both in their house or around the world.
This is a good opportunity for you to link to Stomp the Musical.
Powerpoint has been updated and includes the composing challenge, advice for students and some video links.
This is one worksheet that comes from a series of 10. The bundle can be purchased separately on the shop page.
Each worksheet explores a different genre and styles of music and will make a great one-off lesson, homework task or could even be expanded into a longer class project.
Each worksheet has an opportunity for students to complete initial individual research of the specific genre of music.
There is a listening exercise that expands upon the historical / context already learnt by the students.
Each worksheet finishes with the opportunity for independent project work where students can pick a task from the list and use it as a final assessment piece that can be assessed by the teacher. Students will have the flexibility in how they present the work for assessment making this a great student-led project.
