Music Games (Jewel Case) Review

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(More customer reviews)A colorful, fun program for beginning students, especially for piano students. Includes activities to practice your existing knowledge of names of the piano keys, note names on the treble and bass staff, C major and G major scales, melodic intervals, musical terms, and counting in 4/4 or 3/4 time. No music theory instruction is given - just practice what you already know. The packaging I saw recommended for ages 7+, which seems about right; students using this software will need to be able to read (the directions are not spoken). Very affordable!

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The perfect way for aspiring musicians ages 7 & up to learn music theory! Note names, rhythms, intervals, music terms and more are covered in an entertaining, interactive software environment. For Windows and Macintosh.

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Harmonic Vision Music Ace 2 - Consumer Version, Hybrid CD Review

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(More customer reviews)Very well developed program for the young student of music. Can hook up your keyboard to your computer & work the lessons that way, or just use the keyboard, too. Teaches beginning tempo, rhythm, introduces the various concepts of all the differences in tempo, beat, etc. Teaches about the grand staff, also has a "doodle pad" where kids can make their own music & hear it played back to them. Lots of fun!

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A good sequel to Music Ace (available separately), or a good first step to practice rhythm and melody concepts. Maestro Max and his choir of singing notes teach the fundamentals of music with narration and colorful graphics; each lesson ends with a game designed to reinforce new concepts. REQUIREMENTS: WindowsXP/Vista/Win 7 *OR* Mac OSX 10.4 or later;P133MHz - 16 MB RAM *OR* PowerPC/ iMac/ G3/ G4, 68040 25MHz - 5 MB RAM;640x480 256-color monitor;5MB free hard disk space;MPC compatible sound card or General MIDI required;CD-ROM drive & mouse. LESSONS: Beat & Tempo;Hearing Rhythms;Review 1 Note Names;Review 2 Sharps & Flats;Basic Rhythm Notation;The Quarter Rest;Key Signatures & Major Scales;Melody;The Measure;Sharp Key Signatures;Notes Longer than a Beat;More Sharp Key Signatures;Dotted Quarter Notes;Flat Key Signatures;Rests;More Flat Key Signatures;Syncopation;Sixteenth Notes;Minor Scales;3 Sounds Per Beat;The Time Signature;Intervals;The 6/8 Time Signature;Introduction to Harmony.

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My Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)I had very high hopes for this software. My almost 7 year old daughter is very excited about learning to play piano. But I guess she doesn't watch enough cartoons because she and I both find the talking piano character a little ridiculous. But that's not the problem. The problem is that the volume for the narration cannot be adjusted separately from the midi keyboard output through the computer speakers. Our keyboard does not have internal amplification. (MIDI only) so there is no option to adjust keyboard output. This makes the software all but unusable for us. We had high hopes but it looks like we'll have to look for another solution.

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USB Teach Me Piano Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I wanted a usb midi cable, since my new machine doesn't have a game port and I had been using a gameport midi cable to connect my sythesizer to my computer. This piano kit seemed to fit the bill. And, I liked that for about the cost of a cable I get the piano instruction software for my son basically included.
Before buying, I verified with Voyetra that this cable works both with mac and pc, since I have a PC desktop and Mac laptop. I didn't want a PC only cable. (Mac OSX has built-in compatible USB drivers for this Turtle Beach brand cable.)
Unfortunately, I spent over half a day trying combinations of connecting the cable between 2 different synths and my two computers... I get either computers to send data to control either synth, but got flaky MIDI IN data coming into the computers from every combination. It would send either random data or only "note off" commands but not "note on".
Eventually I gave up, suspecting the cable rather than my synths, computers, or application software. So I emailed voyetra tech support (they have no phone support), who replied on the next business day suggesting I download and install the firmware upgrade from their website. The upgrade worked easily, and now everything works great. (Note that the firmware upgrade needs to be run on a PC not a Mac.)
The included piano instruction software is good, and my son enjoys it, but it uses a lower screen resolution, leading me to believe that it was not written recently. But it has no problem running under XP.
Overall it's a nice product for the money, but the install was frustrating. You might need to know a bit about your synth, MIDI, and how to troubleshoot -- unless you get lucky.

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Learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding and creative skill that can enrich the lives of you and your family but finding the time to learn isn't easy.If you've always wished you could play the piano or you've let your skills get rusty over the years you'll appreciate the convenience of interactive lessons that are ready whenever you have the time. Key features: USB MIDI Interface Interactive Lessons Progress Charts. Includes: USB MIDI Cable Teach Me Piano" software

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Piano for Kids (Jewel Case) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a first-stage beginner's program with an excellent presentation. The cute characters provide a very good education about piano basics and how to play the piano. For the software version, screen animations provide a level of interest for kids. Recommended for age 6+, but I believe it could start younger for those that can read a little. The software version features printable sheet music, tempo adjustments, puzzles, games, and an option to download other free MIDI songs (but on Windows Vista with a broadband (cable internet) connection, this option did not work). SelectSoft/ArcMedia's website also did not produce a listing for free MIDI music downloads. If the download MIDI songs function works for you, this would be an excellent choice for long-term teaching. Piano for Kids (Jewel Case) Piano for Kids

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Piano Wizard Premier Software Review

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(More customer reviews)Full Disclosure here, I am the CEO and founder of Music Wizard, creator of Piano Wizard, responding to the product reviewed above as being "like Guitar Hero".
Sigh. There is a customer comment on that review that points out that there are other levels that take the player to reading sheet music. Maybe some people clicked through, wondering how this could be so different from most reviews of the product, and bravo for those people who took the time to click through and see that there may be more to the program than what he said.
I normally don't comment, but I feel like this guy so completely missed the boat that I need to speak up.
Here are some of the top ways that this product is different from "Guitar Hero" or "Rock Band"
A) It uses a real instrument. Any digital keyboard will work with the game.
B) It uses real music. Any MIDI file, (thousands and thousands online, 1000 years of music literature) can be plugged into the game and learned.
C) Because you will learn real music on a real instrument, you may even get a real girlfriend, as opposed to posing as a musician with Guitar Hero.
D) The game has extensive help for you to explore to reveal these simple facts and their implications. Because I am visual, so are most of the help resources. There is a set up poster, a set up video, Flash demo movies of every feature (hours and hours of it), in game Help in graphical format, online videos, online FAQs, an automatic reply within the game to email tech support that reads your operating system so that you don't need to tell us what video driver you have, our tech can help you without you knowing much about your own computer, online live chat with tech support, email tech support, live phone tech support, and a game that will work on most Windows and Macs dating from 98SE. None of which seems to have been looked at by the reviewer above.
E) There is a full "music teaching system in a box" version of the software called Piano Wizard Academy, that includes 50 video lessons, the sheet music, a 100 song piano curriculum called Easy Mode (included in your Premier version) that has spectacular results, including an amazing story of a profoundly retarded 8 year old boy who has gone through almost 70 songs, that is reviewed right here on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Premier-Silver-M-Audio-Keyboard/product-reviews/B001ARGZEC). This boy's mother however found all this value in the same version "reviewed" above, just by reading the instructions.
Finally, my challenge to anyone wanting to do their do diligence on this product is to type in "Piano Wizard" or "Piano Wizard Academy" into any search engine and look at the reviews and customer testimonials and videos ([...]) and make your own educated decision. We also offer a 30 day unconditional guarantee at our website. With our Academy, we guarantee that you will learn at least 5 songs in 5 days or your money back if you follow our system. We have had kids learn as many as 20 songs in that time.
Having something as amazing and authentic as this, and having to look at a post like the one above, is very disheartening, and I could not let it pass unanswered.
There is a another review above complaining about the interface, what they are objecting to is the screen resolution. We are working on an update that will resolve that soon, possibly by summer, but it is not a problem for gameplay or children, it is more an aesthetic issue with all the high resolution screens available now.
So, I am not even sure this kind of response from the company is allowed on Amazon, but I felt that to be fair a response was needed. My suggestion to all of you is to do more due diligence before you buy, and make as educated a decision as possible with all the facts.
Thanks
Chris Salter
CEO and Founder
Music Wizard

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PianoHead Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a Win/Win product for teachers and students.With over 30 years experience, and a large studio of successful students, I can attest that Piano Head taps into the quick visual perception both honed in today's youth by video games, and required by successful music readers.Kids are further motivated by the challenge to appear on the Worldwide Scoreboard, which entices them to practice their note and interval recognition to the desired level of automaticity.I have many students who have leaped to a higher level of understanding and enthusiasm for playing the piano, as Piano Head has lifted them beyond the mundane level of "hunt and peck". At a time when national studies show that a large percentage of piano students drop out after two years of lessons because they cannot read music, I cannot recommend this product highly enough!

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Piano Wizard PREMIER Piano Instruction Software - USB/MIDI Review

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(More customer reviews)Mine had an M-Audio Uno interface [...], which is a known dud. But I got my money back and moved on with a different one.
And the graphics are a bit back to the 80's. Very low resolution.
Otherwise not too bad - as a game. Although, I agree with other reviewers that it is only a game. It is no substitute for proper teaching, requires some guidance to learn something other than hacking around on the keyboard, and is not a sophisticated piano method.
But I found it a good way to get the kids practicing the piano in a playful way, without me always needing to be there.

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ALFRED Teach Yourself to Play Piano CD-ROM: Deluxe Edition (Windows/Macintosh) Review

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(More customer reviews)I guess they misrepresented the product listed for the price listed. However, they rapidly credited my purchase so no harm no foul. The only reason I state one star is because I had to pick one. Since I didn't receive anything I couldn't really rate it.

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Piano Suite Premier 2.6 Review

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(More customer reviews)This software does pretty much what it claims. It's neither clearly better nor clearly worse than the alternatives. Here are some specific notes which might be helpful to you:
* It's trapped in an un-resizeable DOS window. To get full-screen, you have to alter your monitor settings.
* You can use your QWERTY keyboard to play notes, but you have to reactivate a special window everytime you click elsewhere. Therefor, this feature is useful only for testing the software w/o a MIDI keyboard connected.
* There are about a dozen MIDI songs which you can upload to your MIDI keyboard (if your keyboard allows this). The rest of the songs are integrated into the program -- ie, not copyable.
* Contrary to the advertising, there are no REM songs. There is "Superman", which REM covered but did not write. (Good song though.)
* If you press "next" too early, you do not get credit for having viewed a lesson. This is good for a classroom, but annoying to me.
* I have gotten weird errors from the Music Recorder, but I didn't buy it for that anyway.I bought Piano Suite 1 & 2, which is much cheaper. It contains only 80 songs and lacks the Composer (which also prints sheet music). For me it is a much better value than the Premier edition. It has all the lessons, the games, and the same basic player.

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eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method Deluxe v3 Review

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(More customer reviews)At the same time I purchased Alfred's book method. I use the software and then folow up with Alfred's books as theory homework. Between the two I am doing quite well never having touched a piano nor read music before. The fact the software shows me the keying from the animated keyboard and I can hear fwhat it is supposed to sound like. I like that I can use each hand seperately and with the midi keyboard the feedback is fantastic.

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Piano and Keyboard Method V2.0 2007 Review

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(More customer reviews)I started using this software tool June, 28th. Before that, I took some lessons but never believed myself capable of playing an instrument. I thought my ears were plastic and my fingers were wood. Today, after 250 lessons and two months and a half, I am playing. I put about an hour daily. More or less, one song every day. At the beginning of each lesson, computer feedback is 50 or 60% but it improves faster to more than 90%. Once I get more than 90%, I consider that lesson learned and start next one. The feedback provided by the computer every time I play is tremendously helpful for a better try. I have played in public "country gardens", "piano man" and "heavens door" in a satisfactory manner. Thanks to emedia! I am now planning moving to intermediate level, which also looks like an amazing product.

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Over 300 lessons from a former Juilliard instructor. Learn to read music and play songs. Gives specific interactive feedback on your playing.

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My Piano Review

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(More customer reviews)I found this to be a great product in teaching kids to learn to play. I am 30 with no music abilities and I have learned to play part of a song in the first few mins. My daughter is 4 and she loves to watch and play the games at the end of each lesson. Then she goes to the keyboard and tries. I did not expect her to learn since it is recommended for age 6 and over, but the interest is there and she will learn someday.
I have Windows XP and no blank screens

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My Piano is a unique and fun way for kids ages 6 and up to learn how to play piano or keyboard! An animated character named Pam the Piano guides kids through over 100 lessons by former Juilliard School of Music instructor Irma Irene Justicia, M.A. My Piano covers the basics, such as proper hand position and rhythm, and moves on to reading music notation, playing songs and more. An animated keyboard shows kids where to put their fingers as the music plays, and the speed of the music can be adjusted with MIDI tracks so that each child can learn at his or her own pace.When used with a MIDI keyboard, kids get instant feedback on their playing, telling them which notes were played incorrectly and what should have been played instead. Separate audio tracks (left / right hand, full song / voice only) and colorful MIDI accompaniments provide exciting options to have fun with. My Piano is the complete program that will get your child playing piano!Built-in accessories: Digital Metronome: Kids can keep a steady beat with audio and/or visual feedback. Digital Recorder: Allows kids to record and play themselves back for friends and family to hear! Research has proven that children who play a musical instrument do better in school, form friendships more easily and gain self-confidence. Get your child started playing with the easy and fun way to learn - eMedia My Piano

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Piano For Dummies Review

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(More customer reviews)I am having a blast learning how to pay my keyboard with this software. You can see your progress and that makes me want to practice more and set goals. I wish I had this software years ago.

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The eMedia Piano For Dummies CD-ROM offers everything you need to learn how to play. Learn from over 160 step-by-step lessons with full-motion video demonstrations. Piano teacher Irma Justicia has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music. Learn from either the music notation or an animated keyboard. Songs include recorded audio, variable-speed MIDI and MIDI accompaniments. When used with a MIDI keyboard, you can get specific feedback on playing mistakes. Also includes a digital metronome and recorder.

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Piano and Keyboard Method Review

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(More customer reviews)I think this is a great product. It walks you through the basics through more advanced techniques and songs. It also does a great job of teaching you to read music.
It includes short videos of a person playing piano so you can see proper posture and such. Each song comes with (optional) accompaniment, which can make it funner to play (especially with the simple songs). You can also slow the songs down while learning them. The software grades your playing with a percentage score, and gives you details on your errors (if you want them).
This is a great program if you really want to learn to play on your own.

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This new version of eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method offers everything you need to learn how to play! Piano instructor, Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you through over 300 step-by-step full-screen lessons. New Instant Feedback works with both electronic keyboards and acoustic pianos! It listens as you play melodies and shows whether you're playing correctly!

The lessons start with the basics, such as hand position, rhythm, and playing on black keys, and move on to reading music notation, sight reading, scales, and much more. Techniques are demonstrated with over 70 videos viewable in full-screen mode.

Learn songs and exercises from music notation as an animated keyboard guides you through fingerings. Songs and exercises are provided as both live-recorded audio and variable-speed MIDI tracks which let you slow the music down as needed. Colorful MIDI accompaniments help make practicing fun! You will learn over 100 popular classical, blues, pop, and rock songs, including hit songs from artists such as Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, and Elton John!

Interactive review and ear training quizzes help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear. When used with an electronic MIDI keyboard, you get Interactive Evaluation Feedback with detailed specifics on your playing, including which notes and rhythms were wrong and how to correct them. In addition, the new Note Tracker shows you what note you're playing and makes learning music notation easy. This latest version also offers fully scalable lesson screens and an option for full-screen video. Other accessories include a built-in digital metronome and a recorder. eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method is the ultimate way to learn how to play piano or keyboard!

eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method Features Accessories include a built-in digital metronome and a recorder. Click here for a larger image

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