At PlaytheGroove, we transform ensemble music into a dynamic, student-centered journey designed to inspire creativity, collaboration, and meaningful connections.
HOW?
Our flexible, unit-based system empowers 'jazzy' musicians to take charge of their skills development, performance, and cultural discovery starting with Everyone playing the melody and rhythM of the song.
This process creates an enriching and deeply personal musical adventure.
Easy. Intuitive. Dynamic. Fun. Creativity Maximized
Energize Your Jazzy/Pep/Horn/Pop Ensemble
PlayTheGroove brings a fresh approach to music education inspiring musicians to explore, create, and grow. Our method empowers student ownership while aligning seamlessly with 21st-century learning goals.
We energize your ensemble by:
• Providing inclusive, high-quality sheet music and adaptable resources for all instruments and skill levels.
• Reducing prep time with ready-to-use materials and intuitive methodologies.
• Infusing creativity and cultural competence into lessons with globally inspired grooves and engaging pedagogy.
• Promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and social-emotional learning (SEL) in every session and performance.
Join a proven program that makes every student an active, confident participant while giving educators the tools to inspire and succeed. Let’s redefine music education together!
Platinum Unison Packs
We’re doing something different for jazz band. PlayTheGroove (PTG) offers a new series of charts and teaching methods of current jazz and world jams. “Platinum Unison Packs” (PUPs) are crafted to work for any instrumentation from 3 to 25 or more players. PTG offers inclusivity; all students engage in a modular and flexible, unified learning experience. We embrace student-led practices for all instrumentations and emphasize modern learning objectives and competencies. Performing is one goal alongside addressing the “individual,” and the creative process. And wait till you hear the content of current jazz and world jams––it’s not like anything you’ve heard for schools groups––we guarantee it!
You can use these packs for:
- Daily Rehearsals and Warm-ups
- School Jam Sessions, Performances & Events
- Music Competitions & Festivals
- Private Lessons
- Play-along Home Practice
- Home Schooling
- Auditions
- Jazz Theory and Improvisation Activities
- In-class, Blended, and Remote Teaching
The benefits of Platinum Unison Packs include:
- Everyone plays the melody and rhythm
- Flexible & Encourage Student-Led Ensembles
- Customizable for 3 to 30+ players
- Stronger Emphasis on Rhythm Section
- Creative Arrangement Options
- Varied Part Difficulty for mixed skill levels
- Educational Strategies to increase musician capability
- Star parts for all instruments w/ chords above all measures
- Parts crafted to emphasize Melody, Harmony and Rhythm
- Explore and discover current jazz and global jams (great for ethnic studies)
- Sheet music closely follows the recordings
Platinum Unison Packs include:
Teacher Reference Elements & Guidelines:
- Sheet music for all Western instruments with an expanded rhythm section
- Original CD-MP3 with count off
- Consistent format - each tune has the same part list and resource elements
- Student-led, inquiry based framework to exploring and rehearsing the tune
- Fully cleared music for education
Musical Parts: (each chart is the same):
- Master Rhythm Part – Melody, Bass (Utilitarian C part, alt teacher score)
Melody - Horns/Woodwinds Strings (unison based):
- C Treble Clef
- Eb Instruments
- C Bass Clef
- F Instruments
- Bb Instruments
- Viola
Piano/Keyboards:
- Piano Melody - Emphasis on Chordal Comping and Melody
- Piano Chordal - Emphasis on Chordal Comping and Bass Line
Vibes:
- Vibes Melody
- Vibes Chordal/Rhythm
Guitar (all w/ TAB):
- Guitar Melody
- Guitar Chordal/Rhythm
Bass:
- Bass Clef Full Part
Drums/Percussion:
- Full Drum Part
- Three Percussion Parts for all songs
Contact Us:
We welcome your comments and
suggestions at: [email protected].
Questions and complimentary coaching:
Richard Frank
818.514.4784
[email protected]
Our Core Beliefs
Why PlayTheGroove
PlayTheGroove is founded on these core principles: Youth learn differently today, and music education must adapt to meet their needs. We believe that dynamic, flexible, and culturally aware education serves as a gateway to developing 21st-century skills for thriving in modern life. When every student has the opportunity to shine, interest in music is amplified for both players and audiences alike.
Everyone Plays the Melody
PlayTheGroove is a new playground for discovery, growth, and musical exploration and creativity for remote, hybrid, or in-class situations.
Students Enjoy Practice
Invested/Engaged Learners Keep Coming Back
To start, every instrument plays beginning to end: more captivating and engaging than counting 37 bars of rests.
Youth are engaged in performance ensembles through forward-thinking methods and activities that are relevant and accessible to them.
Music Has Cultural Substance
Musicians self-select songs from a library of unison-based tunes created by cutting-edge global artists.
Music is a gateway to learning, growth, and connection. There’s so much to discover! We’re here to guide you in fostering fun and joy with learning and performing.
PlayTheGroove International Virtual Video
In March 2020, the pandemic robbed millions of young musicians and their teachers of the chance to play together in school.