Music Ace Starter
© 2004 Harmonic Vision
This well designed music tutorial contains 12 lessons on pitch, notation, scales, the keyboard, melody and musical terms. The lessons are fun, engaging and very well designed... some of the best that we've seen for just about any subject. Both visual and auditory cues are used to help children visualize the concepts, using an onscreen keyboard. The instructor in this case is an animated conductor who guides kids through each concept. Instruction is tailored to children's responses, giving them just the right amount of help while they're learning. The CD has all of the elements of good design. A sign-in feature lets you start where you left off, and you can easily check the lessons that have been completed in a progress report section. The menu makes it easy to jump to the lessons or games, the graphics are uncluttered, the sounds are clear, and the program is very responsive. This program offers a systematic, affordable way to introduce children to music essentials, and would be perfect as a supplement to music lessons. Note that a deluxe version is available with much more content.
$30, Windows XP, Macintosh OSX
Teaches: Music theory basics; pitch, notation, skales, the keyboard, melody and musical terms