Teach students how to teach themselves 15 Major Scales and much more... perfectly... in 15 minutes.

Abraham Lincoln said, "If I had 8 hours to chop a tree, I'd spend six sharpening the ax!"

ARTICLE involving MMMS Curriculum by MATT SMITH

"Stephen - I was at the conducting symposium in Greeley and saw you present - it was inspiring to say the least. I purchased the ScaleWorks, Rhythm Readers and Function Chorales (an investment) and have begun using the ScaleWorks with my 8th graders. The process is incredible! After introducing the concept Tuesday, practicing, and reinforcing yesterday, one of my weakest players was able to construct and play C# Major - flawlessly. The class sat in shocked silence before erupting in cheers. He left yesterday feeling like a king and I left knowing that any student can have success in music."

Amen.

"I have never left a professional conference so inspired, excited, or energized. So much of what we see as music educators is "same old, same old," or slight variations on the techniques used to teach music to our grandparents. Seeing you teach in such a different mode, without holding any knowledge or passion back was a breakthrough for me, more valuable in many ways than some graduate courses I have taken. I know that my students see a passion in me that they have not seen in a long time. Thank you so much for the inspiration and guidance!" Justin Mavity, Laredo Middle School

Testimonials from Waynesburg College, PA:

"Music has been my life. I’ve held the upper chairs in flute sections and was section leader of my high school band. I can play a variety of instruments. However, the Stormworks Suite caused me to see music and its theory in a totally different way. I’ve never taken a music theory class, but now I can transpose music and play 15 major scales. Stephen Melillo’s teachings have changed music for me. More importantly, it has changed my life. Being able to read and understand music better has re-inspired me to write music. I gave up composing due to my lack of music theory knowledge. All I can say is “Thank you!” Stephen Melillo’s Teaching Suite is priceless and will affect yours and your students’ lives drastically…and permanently." Heather Bryner, Flute/Piccolo, Freshman, Waynesburg College

"Steve, I know that you have heard this before, but your approach to learning scales is amazing. I have seen and used your chart before, but after watching the DVD I had a new perspective.
I taught my freshman jazz class to use your scale learning method complete with the stopwatch. The surprising part was how much of a motivator the timing was. Each student wanted to have the chance to outdo the other. We have also started a scale challenge to encourage to students to play scales for time. I used again during 2nd period to reinforce scales with the Music Theory class. From teaching to timing individual scales to filling in the entire chart took only 20 minutes of class time and they all felt it was beneficial.
I can't wait to present your rhythm concepts.
We also read through the 1st mvmt. of Aurora. We started by singing/playing the G scale over a drone. We then did the Function Chorale #2 and some of the other excercises (8-5-1,8-7-8-5-1, etc )in G. After that, they could actually hear in the key of G. They did have a few problems sight-reading the meter changes, but that will come. I can't wait to read the others. Thanks helping me make my students better than me." Ted Burton, Ben High School, Oregon

"Steve Mellilo’s work is without a doubt the bright future of music education. Many students create mental barriers, believing that music theory and technique is beyond their reach. These concepts are very intimidating to students, so they don’t want to learn it. Furthermore, theory is often over-looked within our schools. Steve completely breaks these barriers and makes learning not merely attainable, but surprisingly easy. With Steve’s method, ANY student can succeed." Jesse Maxwell, Trumpet. Freshman, Waynesburg College

"Scaleworks, to be specific, has helped me a great deal. I now have a much greater understanding of the sharps and flats. With the scale sheet, I can see the arrangements of sharps or flats in a scale and know exactly how to manipulate the notes for any given scale." Steve Zak, Euphonium, Junior, Waynesburg College

" If every music class used Stephen Melillo’s teaching tools as a starting point, development and understanding of musical theories and ideas would increase exponentially and endlessly…guaranteed!" David Call, Percussion, Freshman, Waynesburg College

"Steve Melillo is a mentor teacher for me! He constantly encourages me to reach farther than I initially believe possible. Our music program at Waynesburg does not currently have a music degree. After our ‘non-music majors’ were connected with Steve’s Scaleworks, Rhythm Readers, and Function Chorales, their understanding and level of engagement was combustible…off the charts! I started using the Teaching Suite this past spring term. The financial investment in this program is minimal in comparison to the rewards for our students. I have literally overheard my students explaining scales and rhythms to their friends on campus – these are the same students who began the year saying, “I can’t really count,” and “What’s a triad?” They are now saying, “Oh, that’s just music in threes,” and “Can you go through the section again, because I missed my leading tone.” Our goals are now MUSICAL GOALS! With my summer preparation time, I can’t wait to get my former students back in the fall, as well as introduce the incoming freshman class to these amazing methods, just to see how far we can go. As Steve would say, “Let’s Find Out!” Dr. Ronda DePriest, Waynesburg College, PA

"I just completed my first Scaleworks lesson with a group of 6th grade saxophones... They LOVED it! I just said to them, "What would you guys think if I told you that you can learn and play all of your major scales in less than a half hour?" Of course, they were skeptical. Then I said "Let's find out!" and away we went! They quickly came to the realization that if they can play all of their scales, then they can play every note of every piece of music that was ever written, and they were astounded by how easy it is! Yay for Scaleworks! Thanks Steve!" Nate Sanders, PA.

And another small triumph for LOGIC!

"Steve, having confidence in your system and my kids, we sight-read a piece on the concert last night and they did great. I am so proud of my kids and honored that they learned your system so well. It works!!! And scales? Grades 7-12 know all of their scales and can play them chromatically. We even made a 10 push-up bet that I couldn't teach them to play all of them in less than 15 minutes. 11 minutes in 7th grade, 8 in 8th grade. 9 for my high school. Your system is incredible." Stacy Briggs, Indiana

"Mr. Melillo, My goodness! It's been about two weeks since I started using the Function Chorales and ScaleWorks in my band classes/rehearsals, and I am BLOWN AWAY!!!!! I am a brand-new teacher straight out of college. I have struggled a bit to find different techniques that work for my students, but your model for ScaleWorks was so excellent I hit one out of the park right away (not that I won't go back and refine, of course). My students absolutely LOVE the function chorales--they keep asking for "the next one". We are moving quickly but cautiously, striving for precision in each. We are making effective transfers into the literature with these--we are doing an arrangement of Shenandoah, an obvious transfer, but I'm noticing things like a sense of direction on long notes and listening "vertically" for intonation in ALL of our playing, up to and including our spring musical. As for ScaleWorks, BRAVO! My students LOVE the method and process. I presented the information as you do on your DVD (an excellent model), and my students eyes got to be the sizes of dinner plates--they were drawn in within minutes. "Sing and Fing" has become a regular part of my vocabulary--for scales, but also chorales and difficult passages. I had my doubts about the "stopwatching" (because I'm a brand new teacher and know everything, right??), but I did it and it had its intended effect--some harmless competition amongst the students that creates a sense of "urgency" in order to not have the lesson become stagnant. My next project is Rhythm Readers--I can't wait!! My only regret is I did not use this source sooner. Bravo! Best," Keith Roeckle, Ridley High School, Folsom, PA

"I have been following your music for about 3-4 years now, ever since I first heard it and subsequently did a research project for a Wind Band Literature course. Over the course of that time, I have tried Function Chorales, STORMQuest, and most recently Fountainhead and the Let's Find Out DVD. The music is very powerful, and very playable by ensembles at ALL levels. I teach grades 5-12. Last year I began making full use of the PAD Bass concept with Time in the Balance, and liked it so much that I use it now with ALL literature, and can't imagine not having it. Scaleworks and Rhythm Readers are without a doubt 2 of the most important components of my teaching repertoire. At ALL levels, they have proven time and again to be valuable, reliable, and meaningful to the KIDS as well as opening my eyes to see some things that I always knew were there, but never really noticed. The scores are LARGE size, which makes for very easy reading. I am especially moved by Steve's personal signature on every score and CD ordered. The kids really enjoy playing this music because it touches and speaks to them, and they feel that they are touching and speaking to their audience in a more direct manner. Who says sixth graders can't learn 15 scales? In short, I have been transformed by this approach, and my students have also. Thank you." Glenn Roberts, Lisbon, New York

"I knew that it would take some time, but we a finally seeing the results of starting our kids in the "STORMMethod" right from the time they start playing. We see our beginners twice a week for 30 minutes. They can all play a chromatic scale from low concert E to Ab in the middle of the staff, and most of them can write all the notes and fingerings in for their instruments.

Our 7th grades know all 15 major scales by the end of the year, and a 2 octave chromatic scale, and our 8th graders can play all 15 scales two octaves where possible, with the arpeggio and thirds, and start learning their minor scales. The kids work out of the rhythm readers, and play the function chorales. The 8th graders are going to start writing some of their own chorales by the end of the year." Roy Maxwell

"Now the important stuff. My kids think that I've completely lost all common sense. We've been sharpening our ax and (here's a news flash) IT WORKS!!!! I've been energized. My kids, although they think I'm crazy now, also know that they can do this stuff. I set them up pretty good. I told them what they were going to be able to do in a few minutes and most of them said "Yeah, right." Within a few minutes it was with great pleasure that I said, "See, I told you so!" I wish I would have video taped their faces. You could just see the lights go on in not only my brightest students but more importantly those struggling students. I could just see them say to themselves, "He's right. I CAN do this." Feel free to use me as a reference. I'm ready to go do clinics about this method. I'm a true believer. My email address if you would care to post it is - ewesrussell@msn.com. THANKS and Godspeed to you!" Wes Russell, Joliet, Illinois

"Steve, I met you at Villanova. WOW!!! I'm energized. Your music and teaching tools are just what I've been looking for. Ever since I got 'smacked in the face' with your TREATISE ON RHYTHM and SCALEWORKS, 15 Major Scales in 15 Minutes, my kids have been 'sharpening the ax and having a blast! 1000 thank you's!" Frank C. Parker, Milford Middle School, Quakertowm, Pennsylvania

"Steve! I just wanted to write and thank you again for all that you've contributed to the music ed world. Between your methods and those of our friend Sir Edward Lisk, this has been a truly remarkable year for my bands! Less than three weeks into my daily rehearsals and the groups are tuning so well that they're getting the overtones to sound! I've been rendering By Love Compelled... with my 9th grade band. The levels of teachable music are astounding. I even took your suggestion about relating the music to the literature the english classes are reading. When I told them this music was "heroic like Atticus Finch" (every 9th grader just finished the book) the sound clicked! So thanks again for everything. And be on the lookout for a PO from Lower Merion HS for Escape From Plato's Cave - I can't wait to turn my advanced wind ensemble onto the same piece that introduced me to the world of stormworks! Sincerely", Aaron Datsko, PA

"Hi Stephen, I just wanted to write and tell what has been happening with my teaching since I watched your DVD. Luckily Ihave a whole group of clarinet pupils who were just at the right point for 'Scaleworks'. I was so inspired by everything on the DVD that straight away on the first lesson I got them writing on the board and doing Sing and Fing and the first time they played D-flat Major it was perfect. This was really motivating for them and for me.

AHA!!! Excellent! And in German!!! Brava! I mean Fantastiche!

They all really enjoyed it! With any other scale system this would have been completely unmotivating but the whole idea of using the stopwatch just transformed the whole exercise. It showed clearly the most efficent way to practice. The kids who just tried to play as fast as possible all the time got a slower time than the Kids who played and practiced slower and more effectively. For the first time I could prove to my pupils that slow practice works!!!! I think that the whole thing can be summed up in the words of a 12 year old boy who is always difficult to teach. At the end of a half hour lesson of basically just doing scales he said 'This is so cool, can we do this next week'!!

AHA! Perfect! With your permission I need to put this on the STORMSite!

I followed it up with a scale competition afternoon and now use the scale sheet every week. I just wanted to say a big thankyou for producing and giving away to other people what you have learnt. I have become a different teacher since Iwatched your DVD.

Now I need to show you ALL of the MANY MANY things that come after this!!! This is just a BEGINNING!

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