John McAllisterComposer, Educator
  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
    • Rhythm Masterclass
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Concert Band - MA
    • Concert Band - A
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Brass Quintet
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
      • Adaptable Quintets - Hymns & Religious
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
      • Clarinet Choir
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
      • Brass Quintet
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Framework Fundamentals
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
      • Haunted
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals >
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation Toolbox
    • Scales and Technique >
      • Crush Your Scales
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center >
      • Jazz Basics
    • Improvisation
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Bonus Content
    • Cinematic Warm-Ups Sets
    • Seasonal Warm-Ups
    • Cinematic Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact

Foundations #2

Correlating Compositions

Amazon Explorers

Correlates to Foundation Warm-Ups #2
This is a piece that utilizes only the first six (typically) notes learned in beginning band. When writing this. I wanted to go for a different "feel" than a lot of typical beginning band music, which usually resides in Bb major. For this piece, I explored some modal harmonies and melodies while incorporating various "wooden" sounds in the percussion section. This also gives the students a chance to use their imagination and really start thinking about the amazing possibilities in programmatic music. It can also be a nice segue into a cross-curricular discussion on geography! Hope you enjoy exploring the Amazon Jungle!! (not the marketplace)
purchase on pepper
($45)
​Print or Digital
purchase on smp
​($30)

Majesty of the Mountains

Majesty of the Mountains is a majestic and triumphant piece for beginning band. It utilizes the first six notes learned (Do-La) in most beginning band methods. It uses full major chord sounds (mostly I, IV, V) to give the optimistic drive to the piece. The band plays tutti throughout allowing players to hear the harmonies and practice matching with the other instruments and timbres. Both the upper voices and lower voices get melodic passages. There is only one dynamic written at the beginning for ensembles that have not reached dynamics at the time of performance. If desired, add some in! This piece is specifically meant to give full ensemble, full length music for younger players.
pepper $40
(digital or print)
smp $30
(digital only)

Stronghold

Stronghold is an exciting medieval excursion for young wind players. It is in C minor with vibrant harmonies and strong rhythms to depict the might and majesty of a large stone castle. The percussion is also a driving force, giving young percussionists an opportunity to practice basic techniques, especially accents and stick height. The music is mostly tutti throughout to give musicians plenty of notes. All wind players get melodic (or harmony to the melody) passages. This piece offers a fun and engaging way to develop the youngest of musicians.
smp $30
pepper $40

30 Progressive Exercises for Band (or individual study)
(Beginner to Very Easy)

This is the first iteration of a series of exercises that follows musicians as they progress through learning an instrument. The series generally follows the progression of what is used in most beginning band books.

These exercises can be used as
- study etudes
- ensemble or individual sight-reading
- pass-offs exercises
- even cut time practice (pull these back out when players are older and working on cut time. Would be a great "read-through" just to practice the concept)
smp $30
pdf perusal score

Rhythm Masterclass - Set #1

Rhythm Masterclass is a series of videos and counting exercises that follows the progression from the very beginning of learning to read and count music. Each video includes a four step process: count and clap with scrolling line, count and clap without line, sizzle/tizzle and do the fingerings with music on screen, PLAY with music on screen. The rhythms/music correlate with my Progressive Exercise Series (listed above). The idea is to progress gradually through rhythms, not adding too much too fast. I'm a huge believer in treating reading new rhythms like playing long tones...do it every day!!
rhythm masterclass landing page
​click here

Follow on Youtube, Instagram, or Facebook

Picture
Picture
Picture
can't find it? search here.
the site
Free Resources
​Instruments
Compositions
Instruments
Privacy
Picture
Tip Jar? Click below. More coffee. More free stuff.
composer
About
Contact
The Blog
  • Start Here
    • Search Site
    • Blog
    • Rhythm Masterclass
  • Music
    • Concert Band - Marches
    • Concert Band - B
    • Concert Band - VE
    • Concert Band - E
    • Concert Band - ME
    • Concert Band - M
    • Concert Band - MA
    • Concert Band - A
    • Adaptable Duets
    • Adaptable Trios >
      • Adaptable Trios SAB
      • Adaptable Trios Mix Match
    • Adaptable Quartets
    • Brass Quintet
    • Adaptable Quintets >
      • Adaptable Quintets - Classical
      • Adaptable Quintets - Pops
      • Adaptable Quintets - Folk & Traditional
      • Adaptable Quintets - Patriotic
      • Adaptable Quintets - Originals
      • Adaptable Quintets - Hymns & Religious
    • Etudes and Exercises
    • Marching Band >
      • Marching Band - Stands Tunes
      • Marching Band - Community
    • Video Games
    • Jazz
    • Christmas/Holiday
    • Strings
  • Instruments
    • Flute >
      • Flute Warm-Ups
      • Flute Scales & Technique
      • Flute Duets
      • Flute Trios
      • Flute Choir
      • Flute Choir Christmas
    • Oboe >
      • Oboe Warm-Ups
      • Oboe Scales & Technique
      • Oboe Duets
      • Oboe Trios
    • Bassoon >
      • Bassoon Warm-Ups
      • Bassoon Scales & Technique
      • Bassoon Duets
      • Bassoon Trios
    • Clarinet >
      • Clarinet Warm-Ups
      • Clarinet Scales & Technique
      • Clarinet Duets
      • Clarinet Trios
      • Clarinet Choir
    • Saxophone >
      • Saxophone Warm-Ups
      • Saxophone Scales & Technique
      • Saxophone Duets
      • Saxophone Trios
    • Trumpet >
      • Trumpet Warm-Ups
      • Trumpet Scales & Technique
      • Trumpet Music
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Horn >
      • Horn Warm Ups
      • Horn Scales & Technique
      • Horn Duets
      • Horn Trios
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Trombone >
      • Trombone Warm Ups
      • Trombone Scales & Technique
      • Trombone Duets
      • Trombone Trios
      • Trombone Ensembles
      • Brass Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Euphonium >
      • Euphonium Warm-Ups
      • Euphonium Scales & Technique
      • Euphonium Duets
      • Euphonium Trios
      • Brass Quintet
    • Tuba >
      • Tuba Warm-Ups
      • Tuba Scales & Technique
      • Tuba Music
      • Brass Quintet
    • Percussion
  • Free Resources
    • Let's Read Music
    • Ensemble Theory
    • Warm-ups >
      • First Fundamentals
      • Foundation Warm-Ups
      • Framework Fundamentals
      • Young Ensemble
      • Symphonic Warm-Ups
      • Comprehensive Warm-Ups
      • Advanced Warm-Ups
      • Build A Warm-Up
      • Chorales
      • Seasonal
      • Haunted
    • Warm-Ups Symphony
    • Fundamentals >
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation Toolbox
    • Scales and Technique >
      • Crush Your Scales
    • Rhythm
    • Arrangements
    • Sight-Reading
    • Breathing
    • Jazz Center >
      • Jazz Basics
    • Improvisation
    • Games
    • Strings!
    • Recruitment Materials
    • Posters
    • Free Christmas
  • Bonus Content
    • Cinematic Warm-Ups Sets
    • Seasonal Warm-Ups
    • Cinematic Long Tones
    • Flexibility
    • Articulation
    • Scales
    • Page of Patterns
    • Counting
    • Play Alongs
    • Arbans
    • Pop Rhythms
    • Classical Improv
    • LoFi
    • Music Humor
  • Contact