Pathway to Brass

Across the United States, music educators face a common challenge: how do we engage more children in music-making, build confidence quickly, and create stronger pathways into instrumental programs?

pBuzz was designed to address exactly that challenge.

pBuzz is a beginner brass instrument that enables children to make a real brass sound and play music almost immediately. It was never intended to replace traditional brass instruments. Instead, it creates a bridge between classroom music and instrumental learning.

For schools around the world, pBuzz has become a practical way to introduce whole classes of children to active music-making, regardless of prior musical experience.

Buy pBuzz
 

 

Why pBuzz?

Many children never reach a point where they can discover whether they enjoy playing an instrument.

Traditional brass instruments can be expensive, physically demanding, and intimidating for beginners and elementary learners.

pBuzz removes many of those barriers.

By focusing on a small number of foundational skills, children experience success quickly. Rather than spending weeks learning how to assemble and manage an instrument, they begin making music almost immediately.

That early success builds confidence, motivation, and enthusiasm.

Although pBuzz develops authentic brass skills, its primary purpose is broader than brass education.
At its heart, pBuzz is a tool for teaching music. 

Children develop:

  • Pulse and rhythm
  • Listening skills
  • Pitch awareness
  • Notation reading
  • Improvization
  • Composition
  • Ensemble performance
Find out more about pBuzz Progression

Teacher Conversations about pBuzz

Across the United States and around the world, the pBuzz elementary instrument helps students explore and create more musical experiences with long-term value.  The teachers who created the pBuzz Journey method book discuss how teaching with pBuzz helps students learn important music education skills as they expand on their lifetime music journeys. Incorporating lessons in the basics of music, students learn pitch control and develop endurance. pBuzz makes learning more accessible for all by engaging simple gross motor skills. Learn more about how you can create a dynamic culture of music-makers in your classroom directly from the experts in this roundtable of music educators.

Case Study: Teaching with pBuzz

pBuzz Classroom Music

If you are an educator looking for free pBuzz backing tracks and sheet music, you've come to the right place.

  • 14 easy Colour coded pBuzz Tunes PDF
  • I Feel Good (Sheet Music, down 4 steps) by Melanie A. Hilden, Music Department Coordinator, Colegio Menor -San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador PDF
  • Backing Tracks to pBuzz Tunes: I Feel Good mp3
  • Backing Tracks to pBuzz Tunes: Incy Wincy Spider mp3
  • Backing Tracks to pBuzz Tunes: Mary Had a Little Lamb mp3
  • Backing Tracks to pBuzz Tunes: Ode to Joy mp3
  • Backing Tracks to pBuzz Tunes: When the Saints mp3
Case Study: The Impact of pBuzz

The Basics of Teaching pBuzz

pBuzz is an easy instrument to learn and to teach. It also opens up many doors for music learning no matter what musical directions your students choose in the future. 

However, some general music teachers have concerns about teaching pBuzz because they haven't played a brass instrument since college. If you are one of those teachers,  this video series from Keith Dye will give you the confidence you need to teach pBuzz! Check out the first video or click the button below to access the YouTube playlist.

Check out the full series!

Learn to Play pBuzz Guides

Educators can find a wide variety of guides for getting the most from pBuzz, including free video guides and printed and digital materials available for purchase.

  • Learn to play pBuzz (Teacher Handbook) lesson plans to support interactive PowerPoint for the primary classroom by Martin Yates PDF
  • Learn to play pBuzz interactive Powerpoint with backing tracks for the primary classroom by Martin Yates Powerpoint
  • How to Make a Buzz: Video Series Video Series
  • Are You Ready? - pBuzz Charlton (purchase) Publication
  • Learn to Play -  Yates (purchase) Publication
Case Study: Gilbert Public Schools

pBuzz with Ensemble Music

Want to get your pBuzz beginners to play with the rest of the band? You're in luck. We have a number of ensemble resources that include pBuzz parts so that everyone can join in the fun.

  • Create a Buzz, a work composed for pBuzz and Brass Band - parts PDF
  • Create a Buzz, a work composed for pBuzz and Brass Band - score PDF
  • Yo, pBuzz, a work composed for pBuzz and Marching Band PDF
  • Yo, pBuzz, a work composed for pBuzz and EASY Concert Band PDF, mp3
Does pBuzz Increase Participation in Band?

pBuzz Educational Session Planning

Need some pBuzz lesson planning inspiration? These free guides offer ideas for your next pBuzz session.

  • pBuzz: Four Session Plan PDF
  • 10 Week pBuzz Program PDF
  • pBuzz Karate PDF
  • pBuzz projects with primary school children - overview Video
  • pBuzz projects with primary school children Video
Find out about STEM and pBuzz