Solfa Guide
Online Resources & Digital Tools
Websites
| ABRSM Classical 100 | Access to recordings of a range of classical music pieces for listening, with information about the composers and the story behind each piece of music. It is free to create an account. |
| BBC Teach: Music (7-11) | Access a range of classroom resources, videos, teacher guides and initiatives for music teaching in Primary school. |
| BBC Teach: Ten Pieces | Selected pieces of orchestral music recorded alongside short animated films and orchestral performances to introduce children to classical music. Lesson plans and other resources are available to go with each piece. |
| Chrome Music Lab | A collection of fun, hands-on experiments that allow children to explore sound using music technology, reinforce music concepts and stimulate creativity. |
| Glasgow CREATE YMI Blog | Created by the Glasgow CREATE Youth Music Initiative team -access a range of musical activities to support music making in the Primary classroom and at home, including resources for school music groups including Choir, Ukulele and Samba. |
| Into Film | Provides resources, including lesson plans and presentations, for using film to engage children in learning across the curriculum. Many of the resources are linked to music through discussion and activities focused on film sound tracks. |
| NYCOS Youtube Channel | The National Youth Choir of Scotland playlists ‘NYCoSDaily’ features a series of songs, musical games and activities to develop musicianship skills and have fun. |
| Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra
https://brittenpears.org/explore/benjamin-britten/music/young-persons-guide/ |
Based around Benjamin Britten’s composition The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, this website features a recorded and filmed performance of the piece, an interactive score, listening and composition games and information about all the instruments of the orchestra. |
| YouTube | Access videos for demonstrating examples of people playing instruments, groups of musicians (e.g. the orchestra) and music of different genres and cultures. |
Apps
A Jazzy World*
The Melody Book
This animated and interactive world map provides an introduction to world culture/music, featuring USA, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, Egypt, Kenya, India, Russia, Japan and Australia. Includes quizzes for each country.
Suitable for: All Levels
Cost: £4.99 (lite version available free)
GarageBand
Apple
GarageBand can be used to record, create, edit and share music. Virtual or real instruments can be explored, recorded, edited and layered together to create an audio track.
Suitable for: All Levels
Cost: free
Meet the Orchestra*
Vide Infra
An introduction to the families of the orchestra and the musical instruments in each section. Includes a ‘Quiz’ section to develop skills in recognising instruments by appearance and sound.
Suitable for: First and Second Level
Cost: £2.99
Musical Advent Calendar*
Naxos
Open a door each day in December and listen to a different piece of seasonal classical music, including Christmas carols and instrumental music.
Suitable for: All Levels
Cost: free
My First Classical Music App*
Naxos
An introduction to classical music, composers and the orchestra. Over 40 recordings of different pieces of music with demonstrations for every instrument of the orchestra. Interactive resource with animations, sound effects and narrated text.
Suitable for: First and Second Level
Cost: £3.99
My First Orchestra*
Naxos
A sequel to ‘My First Classical Music App’, this interactive introduction to the orchestra features over 40 recordings of classical music and animated performers demonstrating each instrument. Includes narration of the text and a quiz about the instruments.
Suitable for: First and Second Level
Cost: £3.99
*These apps may not be approved for use on Glasgow City Council’s ‘Connected Learning’ iPads
