Transforming Band and String Technique with Cinematic Flair

Engage your beginning and intermediate bands, orchestras, and individual students with a variety of exercises covering fundamentals, technique, and warm-ups, all paired with exciting movie soundtracks. These innovative exercises are written by Brian Balmages with audio production by Fred Flowerday.

New series are released throughout the year.
Check back often!

Featuring soundtracks from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Godzilla vs Kong, Aquaman, Batman, and Wonka
Featuring music from Meg 2: The Trench

Featuring soundtracks from Polar Express, Elf, Jack Frost, 8-Bit Christmas, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Featuring soundtracks from The Nun II, It, Beetlejuice, Dark Shadows, Doctor Sleep, and Joker

Experience Foundations in Makemusic Cloud

Use these multi-level exercises for at-home practice or in class with free printable PDF’s. Playing with movie soundtrack accompaniments make even the most fundamental exercises fun, no matter the ability level.

Written by Brian Balmages with audio production by Fred Flowerday.

The Foundations series covers all of these skills and more!

Winds:
  • long tones
  • first notes
  • slurs
  • interval slurs
  • accents
  • articulation studies
  • intonation
  • flow studies
  • natural minor intervals and scales
  • finger twisters
  • eighth rests on the beat
  • 6/8 time

Percussion:
  • four on a hand
  • double sticking
  • alternate sticking
  • paradiddles
  • multiple bounce strokes
  • flams
  • flam taps
  • flamacues
  • flam paradiddles
  • eight on a hand
  • rolls
  • double paradiddles

Strings:
  • open strings
  • tuning notes to open strings
  • D, A, and G tetrachords
  • crossing strings
  • bow lifts
  • slurs / slurring across strings
  • bow studies
  • accents
  • harmonics
  • H3 and extensions
  • chromatic fingerings
  • 6/8 time