In this article, we’ll get down to the brass tacks of why and how and music studio teachers of all stripes should use Curwen hand signs.

Hands signs were created by John Curwen (1816-1880) to help his a cappella choir to sing on pitch. He was inspired by the knowledge of the solfa system of Sarah Glover.

This video is part of our teaching resource on how to read music notation:https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/how-to-read-stave-notation-sound-and-symbol-1...

We all learn differently and process information differently. One of these tools, especially for those of us who learn best by physical movement, are the Curwen Hand Signs. These were initially developed …

Sep 3, 2025 · Developed by John Curwen and later adapted by Zoltán Kodály, these signs offer a physical representation of pitch, creating a powerful link between the auditory, the visual, and the …

In the 18th century, John Spencer Curwen drew upon an earlier music teaching system known as Norwich Sol-fa, which had been devised by Sarah Glover, and developed hand signs to go with the …

Curwen hand signs were invented by John Curwen (1816–1880) to help his singers to sing in tune. They are a helpful tool as students learn Solfege since it adds the kinesthetic element to singing. As the …