Danger Notes is designed to be flexible. It can let students self-promote themselves or remediate students who have fallen behind. This is accomplished through the various scale patterns and technique exercises.
The best place to start is with the Danger Chart. This method can be used with any grade level. The Danger Chart lets students focus on the four main band keys (Bb, Eb, Ab, F) and lets them identify the Danger Note for each. The Danger Note is the scale degree that is most often missed when reading a key signature. Fingerings are also included for every note. Sometimes having students see the difference in fingerings can also help them to “click”.
The Danger Chart can be rehearsed as a traditional 8 note scale by having students “play in the bracket”. You can then add “extensions” to the scale which covers the Danger Notes outside of the traditional 8 note scale. Adding the extensions is also a good progressive way to get younger students to increase their range.
The next part is adding the Danger Scales. You will want to choose the series of scales that best fit the age of the students. The Danger Scales will display Danger Notes like the Danger Chart but do so in a more traditional rhythmic pattern with the extensions being used in a melodic sequence. It is important to note that Danger Scales 1 discusses transposing instruments in the four basic scales while the more advanced Danger Scales have more scales without the transposition explanations.
Another way to reinforce the idea of Danger Notes is through the use of Danger Levels. Danger Levels 1 are generally for Middle School while Danger Levels 2 are more for High School students. Danger Levels 1 will still use the arrows to designate Danger Notes while Danger Levels 2 do not. For either series, the students should reference the Danger Chart before playing an exercise. Danger Levels will always use three parts (A, B, C) that increase in difficulty. This is another way students can self-promote or remediate in a full ensemble setting.
Danger Chromatics can be added at any time you see fit. Both levels of Danger Chromatics are meant to be rehearsed as an ensemble while extending and expanding a student’s range. Students can keep adding notes at their own pace without feeling left out of the ensemble. Danger Chromatics also offer fingerings so they can be used as a fingering chart in any of the music they are rehearsing.
At this point you are ready to assess their progress using Danger Keys. They can be done as sight reading, rehearsed or used to help reinforce the idea of the Danger Chart.
It’s often been said that “Any band can play loud, but only the good ones can play quiet” Danger Dynamics can help your band accomplish a large range of dynamics will still producing good tone.
Rhythm study is a newer component of Danger Notes. Subdivisions will help your student develop their own sense of pulse while making the band play better together.
All of the Danger Notes series is meant to be used as full ensemble exercises letting students advance themselves or remediate as necessary.