We have been in contact with some of you recently regarding the Figurenotes plugins for MuseScore 4. There were a few problems arising from changes within the MuseScore programme. We are delighted to announce that these issues have been fixed and an updated version of the plugin is now available. Please download the plugin again for the updates. You can find it in our Hub or in the MuseScore Plugin Library. Download Plugin We have created a wee video with some troubleshooting tips, as there are a few quirks due to the latest MuseScore design. You can use the menu below or scroll down for wr ..read more

Keep an eye out for the postie if you’ve made an order with us recently. Figurenoters receiving stickers, magnets, and tune packs may notice a wee extra in their parcel. We’ve been gradually improving the environmental impact of our packaging, from compostable ‘plastic’ envelopes, to limiting the amount of paper included in each parcel. Our latest endeavour is blooming beautiful! Feast your eyes on these little seeded beauties. Scan the QR code to get support and information on anything Figurenotes related. You can bookmark the Linktree page for the future. Break your card up into small ..read more

Booking is now open for our ever-popular course for music educators and facilitators. Read on for more information, including funding pots and new discount for full-time students. Figurenotes: Developing Your Practice Come and join us for award-winning CPD for music practitioners and educators. Do you want your pupils to learn to play and read music quickly and to their full potential? Develop your teaching practice with Figurenotes, a form of notation that uses colour and shape to aid the first steps of learning music, progressing to standard notation in 3 simple steps. Thursday 1st, 8th ..read more

The festive cheer has well and truly taken over at Figurenotes HQ. We’ve been planning some Christmas Figurenotes activities for Drake Music Scotland musicians and thought we’d share the joy with you all. If you’re planning Christmas parties and events at your school or music setting then read on for some festive Figurenotes fun. Bauble Composition Christmas Cake Composition 3-chord Christmas songs Christmas Rhythm Game Christmas Corners Bauble Composition String up a garland, tree, or just some festive hooks (candy canes repurposed?) Download this template for Figurenotes baubles or make y ..read more

The end of November saw the Figurenotes team heading down to Southampton to present at the Music Mark Conference 2023. After the complimentary tea and caramel wafer on the tiny plane, we were set up nicely for a day of inspiring talks. The day started with a key note on Learning to Thrive in a Generative AI world, which was fascinating and started some lively debate. The conference was themed around ‘Dynamism’ and there was a particular focus on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. This was a fantastically forward-thinking conference and we were thrilled to be a part of it. Photo Credit: Rachel ..read more

Snow is falling, all around me (we are in Scotland, after all). The children have indeed been playing (mostly Jingle Bells) and having fun. As we get the school Christmas concerts done and before the frostbite from carol singing starts to set in, we thought we’d better let you know the last order dates for Figurenotes Christmas delivery. Our last order date will be Friday 15th December. Please get your order in by noon, so we have time to process and post your items before Royal Mail’s last recommended posting dates. If you order after this date then your parcel may not be processed until J ..read more

This month Figurenotes partnered with Early Years Music Scotland to deliver free training to music practitioners working with early years. We created a workshop that was interactive and informative, focusing on how to use simple notation within early years work. “Great webinar. Plenty of great ideas that are simple to apply to my class. Thank you!” Workshop attendee Figurenotes notation can be a great support for music sessions, making them more accessible (as well as more fun!) This is especially important when working with young children, as many additional support needs aren’t yet discove ..read more

If you’re looking for fun, interactive training on accessible music techniques, get your skates on! There are only 3 places left on our online course taking place in November 2023. Book Your Place Figurenotes: Developing Your Practice Come and join us for award-winning CPD for music practitioners and educators. Do you want your pupils to pick up rhythm quickly, feel free to be creative, and work well in groups? Enjoy 3 interactive group sessions, building your skills in Figurenotes and accessible music practices. Consolidate on your work with homework activities between sessions. Follow-up ..read more

Calling all MuseScore users. Are you up-to-date with MuseScore 4? Have you also updated your Figurenotes plugins? There are 2 plugins for Figurenotes. The first creates coloured noteheads in Figurenotes colours with just one click. An example of the Figurenotes Colours plugin The second creates shaped noteheads with Figurenotes colours for a slightly easier transition into reading stage 3. An example of the Figurenotes Colours and Shapes plugin Both plugins have been updated to use with MuseScore 4. You can access them via the FAM Hub or the MuseScore plugin library, where they are helpfull ..read more

Our staff band got a new member last week when MP Tommy Sheppard joined us to workshop some new arrangements for a youth music session we have planned. As the MP representing our local area, we are always keen to connect and share the powerful work that Drake Music Scotland does, as well as the challenges we face. He was enthusiastic, but a little apprehensive that he couldn’t remember his guitar chords stored at the very back of his childhood mind. Fear not! We designed this band session for people who have never picked up an instrument before. A quick guitar lesson from Bas We set him up on ..read more