Rondo Publishing

The National Federation of Music Services conference ‘Maintaining the Momentum’ on the 18th –22nd May 2007 will be the launch pad of the Notehouse People – A fun and easy way for young children to learn to read music, written by Jacqui Robertson-Wade and Alison Kinder.

The Notehouse People is a new and innovative way of teaching young children of all abilities to learn to read music through the introduction of notes as characters who live on different floors on the stave (the ‘Notehouse’). Through story writing, exercises and games the children quickly learn to recognise where each character lives and develop note-reading skills at an early age.

The Notehouse People can be used in conjunction with instrumental lessons or with whole classes as early as year 3. Children who are embarking on the Widening Opportunities Programme will have a head start if they have already mastered note-reading skills; for those pupils who choose instruments using alto or bass clefs, the Notehouse People is available in these clefs as well.

The Government’s Music Manifesto is about empowering music educators to give young people more access to learning to play music. If a child can learn to read music in the same way as he or she learns to read, then playing an instrument will be that much more accessible.

As soon as children can read a few notes on the stave they can compose with the help of the Notehouse People Book 2, which covers music theory and composition right from the start.

After some unforeseeable delays, we are very pleased to announce that Viol Player Book 1 is now available in French.

Consorts for 5 viols
Consorts for 5 recorders
Bass Delights for 5 violas da gamba
Bass Delights for 5 cellos
Viola Delights for 5 violas

Reviews

My First Tudor Consort Book review
by Colin Touchin (founder of the National Youth Recorder Orchestra)

An excellent publication in every way! Inside the cover of this very smart and attractive production, we read: “Ideal for use in schools; combined with the Viol and Violin family editions it can be used to form larger ensembles. Each book divides into sections, with easier music for beginners and divisions for the more advanced. My First Tudor Consort Book is published in score and comes with stickers to help identify parts. The first part of the book contains harder versions of the pieces, five with written-out divisions (Renaissance ornaments) and two with space for players to add their own. The second and third parts contain easier editions of the same pieces which can be played on their own, or in conjunction with part 1.”

All is just as we read – the clarity of the text and print is admirable, and the feel of paper and layout is immediately going to get players keen to play these pieces. The advanced versions and Part 2 are for D.Tr.T.B. and Part 3 is for D.D.T.T. – really helpful to have this last quartet version for C instruments, as many C players never get beyond trios.

The invitation to work out one’s own divisions is very well made, with helpful notes at the back to introduce the concept and some opening gambits.

The arrangements are idiomatic, effective and well written for the different levels – whatever combination of four or more instruments tackles these pieces, all players will have a full part to play and gain confidence in ensemble discipline, whilst enjoying some fine examples of this enchanting dance repertoire.

Pieces are: Playford – Nonesuch; Phalese – Schiarazula Marazula; Gervaise – Bransle; de Sermisy – Tant que Vivray; Susato – Ronde; Anon. (Fr. 16th cent.) – Passo Media; Arbeau – Mattachins.

This publisher has a catalogue of delightful publications for viols, modern strings, recorders, mixed Baroque chamber works, and notation & theory books, which, given the very high quality of this example, would be well worth exploring.

"My students are immediately engaged by Viol Player's playful presentation of materials. I appreciate the thoughtful manner in which the books train essential skills for young viol players, and recommend it highly."
John-Mark Rozendaal, New York, U.S.A.

“This new series of books, with play-along CDs, should encourage many more young people to play the viol, and keep it alive in the 21st century.”
Alison Crum, London, England.

“This is a good textbook suitable not only for children but also adults who are new to the instrument. The pieces chosen are easy to play with the help of two accompanying CDs. Sufficient attention is given to the right hand as well as to bowing technique. Explanation of musical terms and information on the development of the instrument as well as historical facts may help people to develop their interest in the rich world of the viola da gamba.”
(Part translation of the recommendation to the members of Viola da Gamba Society of Japan).
Masaomi Yanagisawa for the Japanese Viola da Gamba Society.

“Love the pictures! Instrument nomenclature is good.”
“These books are more fun than [other] tutors I've seen.”
“I like the one-finger-tucked-in bow grip.”
“I like the "ping" bowing.”
“I like the cartoons and anecdotes.”
“Nice layout and production values! I'm amazed…”
Teachers from Northern California, U.S.A.

“The great thing about Viol Player is that it presents learning in a child-friendly way, but one which never skims over aspects of viol technique, music reading or musicianship.”
Alison Kinder, Warwickshire, England.

“Viol Player is practical, well graded and clearly written by an experienced instrumental teacher. It is attractive in presentation with contents that are comprehensive and varied enough not to need any supplementary material at this level – a boon for the busy teacher.”
Miriam Morris, Melbourne, Australia.

“...a skilfully constructed and attractively presented package.”
Jonathan Manson, Music Teacher Magazine.

“Welcome to an excellent tutor for beginner viol players. It is well organised for complete beginners with notes for teachers and adult learners. The book and CDs have attractive covers and suitable illustrations for bow hold, especially Mrs. Nag Viol who advises on technique.”
Anna Shuttleworth, News and Views, European String Teachers` Association.

At present I am using the Notehouse People with an eight year old boy who has been diagnosed as suffering from dyslexia. His note-reading skills are very slow, but he is beginning to connect the theory with practice, and has quickly learned the characters' names. He says they are "cool", and particularly likes the eggheads ! The colour coding is especially helpful in identifying notes at different octaves.

Eight year old Georgina now enjoys doing her theory and drawing in each character. She says "It's fun!" The book makes note-learning much more fun and less of a chore for both teacher and pupil. I have found that note rhymes and other theory books take time to work with most beginners.

I am also using your book with three teenage girls who have had reading problems since they started piano with me three years ago. Although rather embarrassed by the introduction of the book ( I made a joke of it!) they are actually finding it helpful.

The pupils seem to identify with the characters which they can remember easily, and become their little friends. I look forward to the bass clef version and book two. Note-reading ability in piano is crucial.

Dorothy Cyster, Piano teacher, Perth, Scotland.

“I like the CD to play along with and my best song is ‘Before the Race‘. The CD makes me want to practise more.”
Calum Chamberlain aged 9.

“I like listening to the CD on my headphones when I go to bed.”
Harriet Hall aged 9.