Flexible Teaching Solutions: Ideas for Using FLEX Music in the Classroom

November 1, 2023| Alfred Music Official

FLEX publications for concert band and orchestra solve real problems for directors with non-traditional instrumentation. But there are creative lesson ideas for every ensemble made possible by flex charts!

As a middle school or high school director, you always seek innovative ways to engage and challenge your students. An exciting avenue to explore is one made possible by flexible publications. These unique arrangements are designed to accommodate a wide range of instrument combinations, making them perfect for ensembles with varying levels of instrumentation and experience. In this blog post, we'll explore creative lesson plan ideas to make the most of flexible publications and help your students grow as musicians.

Lesson Plan Ideas for Flexible Band Publications

Melodic Understanding for All

You don't have to teach the arrangement only; teach the composition! One of the great benefits of flexible band publications is that they allow everyone in the ensemble to learn the melody. Start your rehearsal by having each student, regardless of their instrument, focus on the melody line. This helps students understand the structure of the piece better and encourages active listening and a deeper appreciation of different instrumental roles within the ensemble.

Small Chamber Group Performances

Flexible publications allow the possibility of creating small chamber groups within your ensemble. Use this as an opportunity for advanced students to explore leadership roles or give less experienced players the chance to work in a smaller, guided setting. These chamber groups can perform in the lobby before concerts, at school assemblies, or even in the community. It's an excellent way to showcase the versatility of your program.

Audition for the Melody

Consider holding auditions for the melody part to motivate your students and encourage improvement. This can be an excellent incentive for students to practice and refine their skills. The winner of the audition can take on the role of the lead melody instrument during performances. The competition aspect adds excitement to your rehearsals and motivates students to push their boundaries.

Rotating Parts

Another idea to keep things fresh is to rotate part assignments. This way, students get the chance to play different roles within the ensemble. For example, the student playing the melody in one rehearsal can switch to a harmony or supporting part in the next. This ensures a well-rounded musical education and fosters teamwork and adaptability among your students.

Exploring Musical Interpretation

Flexible band publications offer a unique opportunity to explore different musical interpretations. Encourage your students to experiment with dynamics, tempo variations, and articulation choices. Discuss how these elements can affect the overall mood and atmosphere of the piece. This approach will help students develop their musicality and deepen their understanding of music as an art form.

Virtual Performances

They are not just for distance learning! Consider taking advantage of technology by creating virtual ensemble performances. Flexible publications allow a small number of students to record their parts individually, and you can then mix these recordings to create a cohesive video performance. This opens up opportunities for students to collaborate remotely, giving them a valuable skill set for the future.

Flexible publications are a versatile and exciting addition to your instrumental program. They provide countless opportunities for your students to grow as musicians, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and explore the endless possibilities of music. Incorporating these lesson plan ideas will keep your students engaged, motivated, and inspired to reach new heights in their musical journey.

Flexible publications available from Alfred Music and partners:

The following series from Alfred Music, Belwin, MakeMusic Publications, and our partners offer unique solutions for every need.

Scenario : My strongest player is on Tenor Sax, and never plays the melody. Scenario : We want a mixed quintet to play in the lobby before our concert. Solution : Alfred Flex

Alfred FLEX

Alfred Music's FLEX offerings contain original compositions, arrangements, and rescored best-sellers in a variety of grade levels to meet the needs of ensembles with incomplete instrumentation—from large ensembles to as few as 4–5 players.

Scenario : I want to provide some fun motivation in the form of recognizable pop tunes. A balanced group of instruments is not available for a community performance. Solution : Belwin Flex

Belwin FLEX

Belwin’s FLEX offerings contain recognizable pop hits, original compositions, and rescored best-sellers in a variety of grade levels to meet the needs of ensembles with incomplete instrumentation—from large ensembles to as few as 4–5 players.

Scenario : Our chamber group is not a typical instrumentation, but there are enough players to make limited orchestration choices possible. Solution : ColorFlex

MakeMusic Publications ColorFlex

Ensembles with instrumentation challenges still have numerous options to cover all parts, yet orchestration is elevated significantly to be faithful to the composer's original intent. Musicians have more opportunities to rest, and timbre once again becomes a central element of each work.

Scenario : Our string orchestra wants to rotate parts or audition for the melody. We might feature Viola this week and Cello next week. Solution : Strings Only Flex