Schottenbauer Publishing

Schottenbauer Publishing

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Spicing Up Elder Care with Electric Guitar Lessons!

With a growing number of retirees worldwide, the number of individuals with elder care, assisted living, and nursing homes is at an all-time high. Activity coordinators searching for interesting entertainment for their clients have traditionally focused on arts and crafts, but now have a new, exciting option: electric guitar and electric bass! Perfect for the dilettante elderly interested in the arts, electric guitar and electric bass can be practiced discretely with a headset, and enjoyed in group with a speaker sound system. Even better, the use of a capo can simplify playing essential notes, allowing newcomers to enjoy playing one-note basses in unison, with the slightly more advanced plucking out a simple folk tune melody.

 The options for learning electric guitar and bass are simple and enjoyable with The Big Print Music Method. Method Boosters, available from MusicaNeo for only $4 each as printable e-files, provide simple one-note fingering instructions in bold color, coordinated with keyboards and extra-large music staves. Three-Note Exercises and Interval Studies, available as e-files or in traditional printed books from online retailers, offer similar practice opportunities for increasing basic skills. 

 Using the above tools, elders can participate in individual or group lessons on electric guitar and bass. After learning basic skills, the possibility of small group ensemble becomes available. Conveniently, Big Print Ensemble and The Big Print Conducting Method provide easy options for group activities, focusing on popular folk tunes and classical themes.

 Additional information on The Big Print Music Method is available on The Big Print Music Method blog and the Schottenbauer Publishing website. Free samples are available on MusicaNeo.

Sheet Music & Multimedia from MusicaNeo!

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Sunday, May 17, 2015

Affordable Summer Skating & Hockey on Synthetic Ice!

Summer skating and hockey can be affordable on synthetic ice, for a tiny fraction of the cost of a real ice rink! But when investigating the types of synthetic ice, the news is even better: some synthetic ice costs even less than traditional flooring! 

Consider the following comparison prices, taken recently from a major USA retail home improvement company:

 Carpet: $0.38 to $10.55 per square foot
Ceramic Tile: $0.79 to $3.00 per square foot
Laminate Flooring: $0.99 to $2.99 per square foot
Hardwood Flooring: $3.79 to $7.50 per square foot
Marble Tile:  $4.00 to $9.65 per square foot

Now, consider the cost of synthetic ice:

 Major USA Brand: $16.00 per square foot

 Although this cost seems quite large upfront, it is actually not as exorbitant as the cost of a real rink, which requires expensive ongoing refrigeration expenses. But the news is better when examining the low-cost alternative to synthetic ice, purchased directly from a plastic company!

 HDPE Plastic from USA (3/16" Thickness): $2.00 per square foot

 Now, consider the following higher-quality solution:

 Ultra-HDPE Direct from China: $1.20 per square foot, Including Rink Sideboards

 Note that these cost estimates have been made in 2014 and 2015, and may vary over time and with respect to the size of the order. Shipping costs may also vary due to destination and other considerations.

 The next question on the mind of potential consumers pertains to the quality of skating on these surfaces. The author, investigating the quality of an 8 foot square HDPE surface, found it suitable for hockey practice, and some figure skating. A YouTube Video Playlist, Skating Science Demos, includes samples of skating on the surface. 

Additional information on the science of ice skating, including both hockey and figure skating, can be found on the blog, Ice Skating Science. Additional information on the science of ice skating are available in a free pamphlet from the publisher's webpage. 

The following books from Schottenbauer Publishing contain graphs and data pertaining to the science of ice skating, figure skating, and hockey:

Graphs & Data for Science Lab: Multi-Volume Series
  • The Science of Ice Skating 
    • Volume 1: Translational Motion
    • Volume 2: Rotational Motion (Curves)
    • Volume 3: Rotational Motion (Spins)
    • Volume 4: Jumps
    • Volume 5: Ice Hockey
    • Volume 6: Biophysics
    • Volume 7: Video Analysis
    • Volume 8: Reference Manual
  • The Science of Hockey
    • Volume 1: Force, Acceleration, & Video Analysis of Pucks & Balls
    • Volume 2: Force & Acceleration of Sticks, plus Biophysics
    • Volume 3: Video Analysis of Ice, Field, & Street Hockey Sticks
Anthologies of 28 Graphs
    • The Science of Figure Skating
    • The Science of Ice Hockey
    • The Science of Winter Olympic Sports

    In addition, the following books are suitable for younger children learning geometry:

    Geometry Workbooks
    • The Geometry of Figure Skating 
    • The Geometry of Winter Olympic Sports
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    Saturday, May 16, 2015

    What Age to Start Learning Recorder?

    With The Big Print Music Method, almost anyone can learn to play the recorder! With extra-large fingering charts, color-coded keyboards, and oversized staves, The Big Print Music Method provides convenient, easy music education for a wider range of ages and conditions than ever before!

     What is the best age for learning recorder? The answer to this question is linked to the size of the recorder. Recorders are available in many sizes, from small to large. The smallest, the garklein, is tiny enough for a 3-year-old child to hold! The sizing chart below provides a guide to selecting a recorder, for individuals of average build:

     Age 3+     Garklein in C
    Age 5+     Sopranino in F
    Age 7+     Soprano in C
    Age 10+   Alto in F
    Age 15+   Tenor in C
    Age 15+   Bass in F

     Students should note that tenor and bass instruments are very similar in their requirements for the size of hand, with several caveats. Most bass recorders have keys for the lowest holes in both hands, which ironically makes the fingering span more comfortable than the natural tenor recorder. In contrast, the tenor recorder is available in many models, some of which offer the traditionally large span, and others which feature extra keys and/or a bent neck, resulting in a shorter span between fingers.

     A few additional details are useful when choosing a recorder. First of all, buyers should be aware that the tuning requirements for recorder vary widely, due to different historical standards. Students should check that the recorder is in tune with other recorders being used in the same musical ensemble. The term "tuning" refers to the frequency of pitch for the A, which is modern times is usually set at 440 Hertz for all pianos, plus band and symphony orchestra instruments. Historical recorders may be manufactured for a pitch of 442 or 445 Hertz, resulting in instruments which are chronically out of tune with modern instruments. 

     Second, it is necessary to know whether the recorder has been created with Baroque/English or German fingerings. Although only slightly different, these fingerings may be difficult to unlearn at a later point in time. Solve this proactively by selecting the right equipment for your school or ensemble!

     Third, students should know the proper ranges of the recorder being purchased. The lowest pitch of a recorder is either C or F, although some modern high-end recorders have extensions for one or two lower notes. These conventions around lowest pitch presents a challenge for learning fingerings. The same pattern of fingerings map to different notes, depending on the lowest note of the recorder. Therefore, for the typical student, it is easier to specialize in only recorders in C or recorders in F.

     Fourth, buyers should be aware of the options for quality and price range for recorders. The most common models, soprano recorders in C, are usually made of plastic and cost only $3 to $5 at most music stores. These models are fine for learning recorder. Most importantly, the plastic mouthpiece can safely be washed, which is necessary for good hygiene if the recorder is to be played by more than one student. The next most affordable recorders are the plastic garklein in C, sopranino in F, and alto in F, which may be available for $20 to $30 each. Tenor and bass recorders in plastic are usually much higher in cost. The best value is the Harmony recorder set, consisting of plastic models (sopranino through bass), available from West Music for just under $200. Schools, parents, and students who require the best are advised to purchase wooden recorders, which begin around $100 and may cost as much as thousands of dollars each. 

    Once a recorder has been selected, consider The Big Print Music Method. A free sample of the Big Print Exercises for Soprano Recorder (German Fingerings), is available for download from MusicaNeo. Excerpts from several of The Big Print Music Method exercise books and Big Print Ensemble are located below. 

    Excerpt from The Big Print Recorder Method Booster

    Excerpt from The Big Print Recorder Method,
    3-Note Exercises

    Excerpt from The Big Print Recorder Method,
    Interval Exercises

    Excerpt from Big Print Ensemble


    The Big Print Music Method is available from MusicaNeo for as little as $4 per e-file. Books in the series are also available in print from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, CreateSpace, CreateSpace Direct Wholesale, and other internet retailers. 

     Worldwide, books in The Big Print Music Method are available through internet retailers such as Amazon in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, 
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    Sport Science Anthologies of 28 Graphs Each!

    Sport science anthologies from Schottenbauer Publishing offer convenient selections of 28 graphs. Excerpted from science lab manuals from the same author, these books provide graphs demonstrating a variety of scientific concepts and mathematical functions. As such, these books are suitable for inclusion in traditional classrooms for projects in writing, science, math, and physical education, from fourth grade through high school, plus some college and university.

     Of particular relevance across traditional classes is The Science of Physical Fitness. This anthology provides 28 graphs of common physical fitness activities, including:
    • Aerobic Exercise 
    • Exercise Equipment 
    • Weightlifting 
    Graphs contain a selection of physics data including acceleration, velocity, trajectory, and force, as well as biophysics data such as breathing, joint angle motion/positions, blood pressure and heart rate, and the electrical activity of the heart (EKG) and muscles (EMG).

    Additional anthology topics include Summer Olympic Sports, Winter Olympic Sports, and more! Specific ideas for incorporating graphs into education are available in the blog Graphs in Education.


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    Monday, May 11, 2015

    Which Book of Graphs to Select?



















    With over 8,000 graphs of sports, transportation, construction, environment, music, entertainment, and general physics from Schottenbauer Publishing, it may seem mind-boggling to make any selection. Fortunately, a free Teacher Resource Guide is available, with a chart listing the types of data present in each lab manual. Across the selection of books, data types include:

     General Mechanics
    • Video Analysis
    • Force & Acceleration
    • Motion & Rotational Motion
    Electricity & Magnetism
    • Power, Current, & Voltage
    • Light Intensity & Magnetic Field
    Acoustics
    • Sound Pressure (Microphone) & Sound Level
    • Gas Pressure & Wind Speed
    Environment
    • Temperature
    • Water Flow Rate
    Health & Biophysics
    • Joint Position & Angles (Goniometer)
    • Electrical Activity of the Heart (EKG) & Muscles (EMG)
    • Breathing Rate & Lung Volume
    • Heart Rate & Blood Pressure

    Lab manuals include subject-specific series of books, plus a set of convenient themed anthologies with 28 graphs each. Specific ideas for incorporating graphs into education are available in the blog Graphs in Education.


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