Music Method Books

Sound innovations

At Peterson Middle School, we use Sound Innovations to guide student learning with targeted exercises.

We can provide these books from our library at no cost, but we strongly encourage students and families to consider purchasing a copy of their own for their own use.

These recommended books are used for all 3 years students are at Peterson and in the music program!

Orchestra Specific Methods Books

SI Book 1 - Orchestra (6th)

This method book establishes essential foundational skills for beginning string players through a clear, clean layout and a well-sequenced curriculum. We recommend Book 1 so students can build proper bow technique, posture, and note-reading skills alongside instructional videos and streaming practice tracks. Using this text daily at home reinforces classroom instruction and ensures young string players form correct playing habits from day one.

NOTE: If purchasing for yourself, please make sure you've selected the correct book for your child's assigned instrument.

Orchestra: Alfred Music Store on Amazon

SI Book 2 - Orchestra (7/8)

Designed to build upon the fundamentals of the first year, Book 2 helps intermediate string players advance into new keys, more complex rhythms, and higher playing positions. We suggest students use this book to isolate challenging techniques, refine their tone production, and expand their technical facility. It serves as a bridge to standard string literature, giving students the tools to navigate more demanding ensemble repertoire with confidence.

NOTE: If purchasing for yourself, please make sure you've selected the correct book for your child's assigned instrument.

Orchestra: Alfred Music Store on Amazon

Band Specific Methods Books

SI book 1 - Band (6th)

Book 1 offers beginning wind and percussion students a structured, easy-to-follow guide for producing their first notes and learning basic music notation. We recommend this book to guide home practice with clear exercises, audio accompaniments, and video masterclasses tailored to their specific instrument. Students will use it to master fundamental brass, woodwind, or percussion techniques while building confidence for group rehearsals.

NOTE: If purchasing for yourself, please make sure you've selected the correct book for your child's assigned instrument.

Concert Band: Alfred Music Store on Amazon

SI Book 2 - Band (7/8)

Continuing the musical journey, Book 2 introduces intermediate band concepts like advanced articulation, broader pitch ranges, and full ensemble balance. We advise advancing band students to work through this book to systematically isolate difficult concepts and improve their rhythmic independence. Regular practice with these exercises ensures students continue to grow as both strong solo performers and dependable ensemble players.

NOTE: If purchasing for yourself, please make sure you've selected the correct book for your child's assigned instrument.

Concert Band: Alfred Music Store on Amazon

Foundations for Superior Performance (Wind Ensemble)

Foundations for Superior Performance is our ultimate bridge from learning how to play into playing like a high-level ensemble.

If Sound Innovations (Books 1 & 2) built our foundation, this book takes those exact concepts and turns them into team habits:

From Individual Skills to Ensemble Precision: Sound Innovations taught us our notes, basic rhythms, and core techniques. Foundations takes those same fundamentals and applies them across the whole band at once so every section blends seamlessly.
Mastering More Keys: Sound Innovations 2 introduced us to expanded key signatures. Foundations systematically drills those scales, arpeggios, and technique patterns until playing in complex keys feels like second nature.
Daily Warm-Up Routine: Instead of switching between lesson pages, Foundations gives us a streamlined daily warm-up such as long tones, articulation drills, and chorales, and prepares us for performance music way faster than method book exercises alone.

Wind Ensemble: Foundations for Superior Performance on Amazon

NOTE: If purchasing for yourself, please make sure you've selected the correct book for your child's assigned instrument.

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