The Foundations Series:
Engaging Music Fundamentals
By Brian Balmages with Audio Production by Fred Flowerday
Revolutionize Fundamental Skill Practice
Using Movie Soundtracks
The Foundations Series transforms fundamental practice for band & string players
with movie soundtracks students love!
2X Practice Time
Students engaging with Foundations have been shown to rack up twice the amount of practice time.
Focus on Fundamentals
With exercises specifically focused on skills students need to know and practice daily, practice is productive and fun.
Support for Multiple Skill Levels
There is something for every level of student in Foundations—from first notes to advanced techniques, range builders, and more.
Essential Skills + Soundtrack Accompaniments
Each exercise has a specific pedagogical focus with an engaging movie soundtrack accompaniment. With hundreds of exercises at your fingertips, you can provide your beginning and intermediate band and string students with a wealth of engaging content that makes skill-building both effective and enjoyable.
Flexible Options = More Practice
Teachers like you love to use these exercises in full class settings and to encourage independent home practice. Print these materials for free (without the print add-on) with your MakeMusic Cloud subscription!
The result? Students embrace their practice and can spend up to twice as much time in the app. These students explore more music from our expansive Music Catalog and ultimately become more dedicated musicians with healthy, daily practice habits.
Try Out Foundations For Free
Download a free sample exercise, courtesy of Brian Balmages, to see if The Foundations Series is right for you and your students.
The Foundations Library
The Foundations Series is designed to progress with your students throughout the entire school year. Each release has a slightly different focus based on the time of year and typical skill progression, ensuring a steady path of growth and mastery.
Hogwarts™ Foundations
Hogwarts™ Foundations dominated MakeMusic in 2024, and Year 1 was just the start. Fall 2025 brings a complete beginner method book 1 and spellbinding soundtracks from Harry’s second year at Hogwarts™.
