Instant Play Piano
© 2004 Topics Entertainment
This is a four program suite of piano tutorials and composing tools that offers a great value; but keep in mind that you'll want to have a MIDI keyboard attached to your computer in order to get the most of the package. Disk one, Keyboard Foundation, is a renamed version of Music Coach (www.musiccoach.com) which offers 50 rudimentary lessons in the basics, including music reading, rhythm, and technique. The presentation is dry and the screen is too small, but the content is there if you are looking for a structured introduction to the piano. Disk two, Etude Sight Reader offers practice in note recognition by working in conjunction with your MIDI keyboard-- you repeat a passage on the MIDI, and the software corrects any wrong notes with an audiovisual display. Note that you'll want a MIDI keyboard hooked into your computer for this program. Disk three, Music Masterworks XE lets you use your MIDI to compose, play, record, edit and print your finished music. You can also click and drag notes into place on the staff, and hear the results. If you are interesting in composing -- and printing sheet music, this can do the job. Finally, disk four, Personal Ear Trainer (PET, www.janasoftware.com) is like a set of musical flashcards -- you first hear an interval and try to guess what it is. If you're looking for only piano lessons, this program is limited and probably mistitled. However, for a general set of fairly powerful music related tools, this is an outstanding bundle to have in your library, for an affordable price.
$29.99, Windows
Teaches: music, piano, ear training, creativity, composition, rhythm