When Rocktopus partnered with RSL Awards in 2023, they discovered an exciting and accessible way to bring national music qualifications to schools in a single, unforgettable day. Up to 60 children could work together, rehearse, perform, and earn the RSL Entry Level 1 Award in Music Performance, all within a one-hour workshop filled with energy, teamwork, and creativity.
Now that Rocktopus is ceasing to trade, Andy Hawkings is continuing that same vision through Numbiano, a fresh and innovative approach to music education built on simplicity, inclusivity, and the use of everyday technology, from a full set of school iPads to the smartphone in your pocket.
What Is Numbiano?
Numbiano is a revolutionary, number-based interval system that helps learners of all ages see, hear, and understand music instantly. Its colour-coded notation can be played on the Numbiano App, a guitar or ukulele, a keyboard or piano, or even sung using the voice.
If children can count from 1 to 7, they can learn to play any song in the world. Numbiano combines visual logic with musical creativity and the excitement of live performance. It is ideal for ensemble learning in schools and community settings.
Why Numbiano Works for RSL Awards
The RSL Entry Level Performance Awards are built around five core areas of musical development. Each one is naturally supported by Numbiano’s simple, engaging, and inclusive approach to music-making.
Technical Skills
Numbiano’s number-based system helps children quickly understand pitch and intervals, allowing them to play melodies and chords with confidence. Whether using the Numbiano App, a ukulele, a guitar, or a keyboard, learners can instantly see how notes relate to each other. Being led by a musical expert helps them maintain steady rhythm and consistent tempo, building real technical control in an accessible way.
Interpretation
Because the Numbiano system takes away the uncertainty of knowing what notes to play, children can focus on developing a strong sense of musical expression and emotion. During a workshop, they learn to recognise how dynamics, tone, and phrasing bring songs to life. Even beginners can explore how a change in tempo or volume can change the mood of a piece, helping them perform with character, confidence, and style.
Communication
Numbiano encourages children to perform with energy and presence. The use of clear visual cues and group participation helps even the most reserved learners find their voice and connect with the audience. Every session includes moments for children to engage, respond, and express themselves.
Ensemble Skills
Performing as part of a group is at the heart of every Numbiano session. Children learn to listen to one another, match timing, and blend their sound as they play or sing. The number-based Numbiano Notation makes it easy for everyone to know what to play, allowing the participants to focus on fostering real collaboration and teamwork. By the final performance, each participant contributes to a shared sense of rhythm and harmony.
Impact
The culmination of every workshop is a live or recorded group performance that feels exciting and professional. The result is a lasting sense of achievement and pride, as every child walks away with an official RSL Certificate in Music Performance and a memory they will never forget.
Delivering Awards in a Day
Numbiano sessions guide children from their very first musical note to a confident, unified group performance, all within just one hour. Every session ends with a live or filmed performance aligned with RSL ensemble assessments, giving schools and community groups a chance to celebrate musical achievement in a fun, inclusive, and unforgettable way.
During a Numbiano workshop, children do more than learn songs. They play, sing, create and perform together as a real band using Numbiano’s intuitive notation. Along the way, they build rhythm, timing, teamwork, and confidence while enjoying the excitement of making music as part of a group.
Each child learns to express emotion, connect with an audience, and perform with style, contributing to a high-energy ensemble performance that demonstrates the five essential RSL assessment skills. By the end of the session, every participant receives their official RSL Certificate in Music Performance, marking a proud achievement and a joyful introduction to the world of music.
A New Chapter
Although Rocktopus is coming to an end, its spirit of musical fun and accessibility lives on through Numbiano. This new system adds a deeper educational foundation and a clear framework for progression, from first notes to nationally recognised certification.
Numbiano is music made simple, social, and unforgettable. It helps every child discover the joy of performance and the pride of achievement.
