Free Music Downloads

I have been a high school band director since 1979. I am including some of the teaching and exercise material I have developed. Follow the link to a copy of the music that you may print, play, or download to your computer. If you have Sibelius, you may open and edit them as well as adapt them for other instruments (strings, double reeds, ect.). If you don't have Sibelius, you should consider getting it. It is very helpful in preparing for class.

If you would like to contribute free materials to this page, e-mail your Sibelius files to me. Instrument specific materials are especially welcome.

I have also included some of my music arrangements that I have found useful. Download them if you wish. I am making them available as a kind shareware. If you use them, please send me a one time payment of $10. If you have Sibelius, you should be able to print parts. If you need parts printed, send a payment of $15 and I will return a set of parts. Before using them, please read the complete license agreement. It is your responsibility to understand the license agreement.

There are also some free MIDI files. These can easily be made into “digital flash cards” that can be displayed on a monitor or TV in you classroom and run in real time with or without a click track. To download the MIDIs, right click on the MIDI icon and click “save target as”. Then save the file to your computer. You will need Roland’s Visual Music Tutor to complete the system. Follow this link to learn more.

No claim to originality is made to anything on this page. Please note that all of the files accessed through this page can be saved to your computer and edited in Sibelius.

The Star Spangled Banner

Includes string parts but can be played with winds only. Originally written for marching band and includes optional trumpet fanfares in the middle section.

Chorale St. Antoni

The tune from Braham’s “Variations on a Theme by Haydn”. It includes a repeated section that allows the piece to be played for as long as necessary. Easy to learn and great for any kind of ceremonial processional (weddings, graduations, ect.).

Water Music Overture to the Suite in D

Sure you know this one and it gets played a lot, but audiences love it and it’s fun to play.

Here are 2 arrangements; one for Band (you can leave out the sax parts for a more authentic sound), and one for Orchestra that includes optional organ and synthesized string parts.

There's no claim to scholarly editing here or anything new. Just 2 useful arrangements. Their great for weddings, outdoor concerts, any festive occasion, or just for the fun of it.

Rhythm Materials

The Eastman Counting System

Free Rhythm MIDI Files

Click the title to hear the file. Right click then choose “save target as” to save the file to your computer. These MIDI files can be edited by almost any music program you have (Finale, Cakewalk, ect.). Use them to make your own Rhythm Flash Cards.

#1
#2
#3
#4
(triple meters)
#5
(Half note meters)

 

 

 

Progressive Warm Ups for Young Musicians

This warm up provides material that can be played within the first two weeks of instruction but continues so that as the student grows, the warm up becomes more thorough. Just start with the first line and add lines as the student progresses.

Basic Warm Up for High School Musicians

A basic daily ensemble warm up to precede technical studies. It takes about 5 minutes to complete and includes measured rest times as well as playing.

Scale Studies

These studies are simple introductions to many different scales (chromatic, whole tone, blues, pentatonic, octatonic, modes, ect. Most are written with a tonal center of “C” but the Scorch Viewer will allow you to transpose into any key you want.

The Grand Master Scale

These exercises take the students through all twelve keys. No key signatures are used which allows the student to concentrate on playing the correct notes rather than remembering the key signature. A later exercise in this series will introduce key signatures.

The Minor Grand Master Scale

These scales are provided courtesy of Band Director John McClaren of Crossett, Arkansas. The format is like the original Grand Master Scales but in minor keys. I am grateful to John for supplying these studies.

Arpeggio Studies

These arpeggio studies are more extensive than the one in the Basic Warm Up. They make a very good technical study to follow the warm up with. Brass (except horns) work downward through the basic brass finger pattern.

Multiple Tonguing Exercises

For full band or individual work. These exercises introduce double and triple tonguing to students. Contrary to common opinion, even reed players can use multiple tonguing by simply tonguing in the mouth (like the brass and flutes) rather than on the reed.

Brass Range Extensions

This exercise is meant to develop the brass player’s high range. It should be used in conjunction with the Progressive Warm Ups (sections C and D) or another low range exercise

French Horn Open Note Exercise.

This exercise is for the student changing to horn from another instrument. It emphasizes the C, E & G open tones (in the staff) to help the beginner get their bearings on the horn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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