We help teachers create flexible "jazzy" ensembles where every student participates, contributes, and grows.
What if every student could begin making music immediately—even in a mixed-level ensemble?
Try the always free 10-Minute Voice & Choice Activity
When the Traditional Ensemble Model Doesn't Fit the Room
Many secondary ensembles now include mixed skill levels, incomplete instrumentation, and students with diverse musical interests.
What if we create engaging, student-centered “jazzy” ensembles that work with today’s classroom realities—not against them? Since today’s students learn differently, music education must evolve with them. Student agency increases when learning supports diverse musical interests, builds real creative skills, and operates within real classroom conditions — especially where instrumentation varies, skill levels differ, and students possess diverse musical backgrounds and interests.
Experience Change First
Before exploring the full framework… Try this simple 10-minute activity — first alone, and then with the class.
Many secondary ensembles now include mixed skill levels, incomplete instrumentation, and students with diverse musical interests.
What if we create engaging, student-centered “jazzy” ensembles that work with today’s classroom realities—not against them? Since today’s students learn differently, music education must evolve with them. Student agency increases when learning supports diverse musical interests, builds real creative skills, and operates within real classroom conditions — especially where instrumentation varies, skill levels differ, and students possess diverse musical backgrounds and interests.
Experience Change First
Before exploring the full framework…
Try this simple 10-minute activity — first alone, and then with the class.
Why aline? It lets you experience how structured Voice & Choice can influence attention, ownership, and musical decision-making.
No preparation.
No curriculum change.
Just ten minutes.
Start the Activity
Why We Built PlayTheGroove
Today’s ‘jazzy’ classrooms are different. Teachers are working with:
Mixed instrumentation
Mixed skill levels
Limited rehearsal time
Students from diverse musical backgrounds
Growing expectations for student agency
Most ensemble methods are not designed for these realities.
PlayTheGroove is.
PlayTheGroove (PTG) is a fully developed music-learning system designed to help secondary, ‘jazzy’ music ensembles function more effectively under real classroom conditions. It provides adaptable musical content, structured teaching tools, and practical implementation strategies that support mixed instrumentation, varied skill levels, and student-centered music-making while aligning with national standards and contemporary pedagogy.
In practice, PTG organizes musical content in ways that allow all students to participate in full songs through shared melodic material played in unison or octaves, rhythmic structures, adaptable arrangements, and multiple entry points.
PTG is built on the Unison-Based Content (UBC) framework.
Instead of waiting for every student to be “ready,” students begin making music immediately through shared rhythm and melody before expanding into differentiated parts, creativity, improvisation, and ensemble roles.
What PTG includes:
• Adaptable charts
• Recordings
• Teaching guides
• Activities
• Student Voice & Choice resources
• Mixed-instrumentation strategies
• Global repertoire
• Standards connections
Yes. PTG is ideal for mixed skill levels and Mixed instrumentations.
Yes. In many ways, beginners can participate. Intermediate levels can experience more.
Yes. PTG is fully aligned to the National Core Arts Standards, as well as other modern education frameworks.
Yes. And in astounding ways. Inquiry-based education instills personal responsibility and encourages self-reflection and experimentation.
Fabulous! A traditional jazz band is more limited than one thinks. Yes, performance skills may be enhanced for some, but other educational goals such as an authentic diversified repertoire, self-realization, creativity, collaboration. communication, and critical-thinking can be overlooked.
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.
We invited international students & teachers
ages 13 to 60
to join in a PlayTheGroove Virtual Jam.
