- Tympani
- Mallet Percussion
- Small Drumset (4 Drums, 2 Cymbals)
- Large Drumset (5 Drums, 3 Cymbals)
By providing a structured basis for learning both individual and group skills, The Big Print Band Method prepares percussion students quickly for the traditional music-reading skills required for both band and symphony orchestra.
The first set of books for tympani and mallets feature big print instruction, drum charts, extra-large musical notation, clear note names, and keyboards in brightly coordinated colors. Books include:
- Method Boosters
- 3-Note Exercises
- Interval Studies
The first books for drumsets (4+2 and 5+3) are combined into the following:
- Big Booster Book (Method Boosters plus Interval Studies)
- 3-Note Exercises
The next step in learning includes a series of exercises with big print musical staves and traditional black-and-white ink, allowing students to have a gradual transition to standard musical notation. These exercises are available in packages including multimedia (audio and/or MIDI) support. Packages include:
- Big Print Tunes
- Big Print Duets
- Big Print Ensemble
- Elementary Exercises (Multimedia Expected in 2015)
The series also includes a theory series, available separately.
- Big Print Theory
Method Boosters
Learning basic skills is easy with large-print tympani and mallet charts, note names, and keyboards, plus 1-note and 2-note exercises. A selection of sample pages demonstrate the variety of exercises available in each Method Booster:
3-Note Exercise Books
With these big print exercises, students systematically hone skills throughout the entire range.
Interval Exercises
Learning interval combinations and names has never been easier! Big print exercises systematically teach all interval combinations, up to one octave.
Big Booster Book (Drumset Only: Method Boosters & Interval Studies Combined)
Big Booster Book (Drumset Only: Method Boosters & Interval Studies Combined)
Learning drum combinations is a bit simpler than pitched percussion, so the Method Boosters and Interval Studies are combined.
Elementary Exercises
Large-print, systematic exercises provide support for practicing basic techniques on pitched percussion. Lengthy introductory texts provide tips for technique and practice. Exercises focus on long tones, short tones, 2- and 3-note combinations, and basic scales and arpeggios.
Big Print Tunes
Large-print children's folk tunes, transposed chromatically into every key within a 2-octave range, provide excellent practice on pitched percussion. The print size is the same font as Elementary Exercises above. Packages available from MusicaNeo include both pdf and MIDI computer files, the latter which can be transposed if necessary. Tunes are available in Treble Clef C, Treble Clef F, Low Treble Clef F, Alto Clef, Bass Clef C, and Bass Clef F. Tunes are organized into three levels of difficulty, corresponding to the structure of The Big Print Music Method:
- Level 1: Basic Duple Time
- Level 2: Faster Tempo
- Level 3: Triple Time
Big Print Duets
Large-print duets provide an easy start for pairs of similar pitched percussion. Big Print Duets provide instructional guidance, plus audio and MIDI files, so that even one instrument can learn to play duets at home by playing along with the computer!
Big Print Ensemble
Even one elementary student can learn ensemble skills with Big Print Ensemble computer accompaniment! Currently consisting of 40 pieces grouped into levels by difficulty, these educational pieces provide a variety of popular folk tunes, classical music excerpts, exercises, and original compositions for elementary to intermediate students. Each piece includes audio & MIDI files for home practice, so that even one student can practice alone. Plus, each package includes flexible instrumentation scores, suitable for any combination of band & orchestral instruments. With flexible instrumentation scores, instruments can easily switch parts, sharing the practice of melody, harmony, or bass. Students can also take turns playing the unpitched percussion parts, or even conducting the group! With such flexible options, elementary students can use Big Print Ensemble with friends, neighbors, and/or family to hone their music skills!
Big Print Ensemble pieces are grouped by difficulty, into the following levels:
Big Print Ensemble pieces are grouped by difficulty, into the following levels:
- Level 1
- Common Time
- Quarter, Half, and Whole Notes
- One Octave Range
- Level 2
- Duple Time
- Eighth Notes
- One Octave + Perfect Fifth Range
- Level 3
- Triple Time
- Two Octave Range
- Level 4
- Dotted Rhythms
Theory: Scales, Chords, & Arpeggios
In this textbook and workbook, students can practice theory skills pictorially, with large-print keyboards and arrows.
Conducting Method
Learning basic conducting skills can develop student mastery of ensemble concepts. The Big Print Conducting Method teaches basic skills through a combination of books and follow-along video, plus exercises which include conductor's score, flexible instrumentation parts, and audio for home practice. Students are able to gain additional practice with conducting skills by using pieces from Big Print Ensemble.
Completion of the Series
The complete Big Print Music Method, including the main method series and other support materials, is expected soon.
Availability
Currently, books from The Big Print Music Method are available at low-cost via direct download and printing from MusicaNeo. Selections from the method series are available in full-color print on high-quality paper from CreateSpace and Amazon.
Additional information on the series, as well as free samples, are available from the Schottenbauer Publishing website and MusicaNeo. Preview videos are available from YouTube.
Additional Information
Additional Information
