Amazon.com Product Description

Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory introduces all the basic concepts of music through concise lessons, followed by short exercises for immediate reinforcement. The interactive software includes narration, animated examples, and clickable elements for aural reinforcement during the presentation of lesson material. Exercise screens display an identifying bar, goals are set for each exercise, and points are awarded for each correct answer. Drills can be practiced repeatedly to build solid understanding of concepts. Questions are randomized to provide reinforcement of material without duplicating the program's sequence. Each series of lessons and exercises is followed by a section of ear training. Examples are performed with real, not synthesized, instruments, and students have the opportunity to play the exercise several times to thoroughly understand what they are hearing. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

It's Fixed
After much effort, our friends at Alfred not only got the program running properly, but convinced me that they are concerned about customer service.
An excellent piece of software, and a serious custoemr support group. A usefule and well thought out program as well.

Essentials of Music Theory works on XP
I don't know what kind of setup that guy has, but the software works fine on my Windows XP system. ...

They have a downloads page on their website ...that updates this program for any computers that have any incompatibilities whatsoever.

The program is as great as I heard it was.It was recommended by a teacher at a Middle School, who uses the Network Version of the software with his classroom.

Unhappy User
I started out thinking that this might be a fun and useful tool. Unfortunately, the program will not run on my system (Windows XP), although that is not what one would expect from the "system requirements" listed among "Item Information". I contacted Alfred for support, and was basically told "Tough luck". Nice people. Stay away from this item. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Learn to play blues-style guitar with Teach Me Blues Guitar from Voyetra. This simple method uses video clips, animation, and voice-overs to make learning fast, fun, and easy. Play classic blues riffs, solos, and songs in no time. The self-paced course lets you begin with concepts and basic theory or skip right to the lessons. A video overview introduces you to each phase of the course. Each level focuses on particular chords and techniques, which are described by your instructor, written in text passages, and demonstrated by video clips. You don't have to read music to play guitar. Clear and simple illustrations, diagrams, and charts show you exactly where to place your fingers.

At the end of each section, take the chords and techniques you've just learned and put them to work by playing the included classic-rock songs, complete with chord charts, tablature, music notation, and an onscreen backing band. Music glossary animations covering melody, harmony, rhythm, and notation are linked to the songs and lessons to help you learn the music easily. Watch the notes appear on the guitar neck as you play along with the songs. Full MIDI control lets you adjust the mix, loop particular sections, and change the tempo so you can learn the part slowly. Choose from four different views of the neck and find the one that works for you, including a special view for left-handed players. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Better Ways to Spend your Money
As a beginner in acoustic guitar I have looked at lots of videos and read many many books on playing the guitar and music theory. Of all the information and study aids that I have looked at this CD-ROM is the worse of them all. It is really choppy to follow and is not a very good tool. Even though it is a cheap buy you would be better to apply this money to a beginner's blues video. Also, I now realize that it is much more enjoyable to sit in front of a television and watch an instructional video and play your guitar than it is to sit in front of a computer.

Blues Basics
I've been using this product for years and and will continue using it. This is not a beginner product, though even a beginner could learn something from this CD. What I like about this product is that I've been using it for years, and I keep learning new things from it. It's about Blues Essentials, and is a must for any guitarist.

Great Product
I've had this for almost a year now. I use it as part of my daily practice routine. I've learned two of the songs on it. It has been very helpful to me as I've matured as a player. There is alot of info packed in it from scales and practice routines to videos showing techniques you need to master in order to learn the songs. I also have "Teach me Rock Guitar with Keith Wyatt" and I love it as well. I wish they had more products becasue I'd buy them. ... Read more

Features

• Covers 155 comprehensive lessons, covering everything from the basics through chord strumming, playing melodies and fingerpicking
• Over 30 three hours of audio from guitar instructor Kevin Garry, Ph.D.
• Animated fretboard displays the fingering for each song and exercise in real-time -- adjustable in four separate viewing angles
• Multi-speed MIDI track allowing students to practice any song or exercise at any tempo
• Study by either tablature or standard music notation

Features

• Over 20 instructional videos with full-screen and slow motion options to help users learn
• Multiple practice tools including variable-speed and repetition loops
• Software corrects musical passages and sequences onscreen as you play
• The powerful Etude Sight Reader heightens your skills in note recognition, rhythm, rests & duration, and easy & complex musical passages

Product Description

Piano Suite is a great option for learning to play piano no matter what your age! With a full compliment of customizable and expandable tools Piano Suite will guide you into the rewarding world of making your own music. No matter what your age, Piano Player will help you through the learning process with the help of an interactive voice tutor and provide continuous feedback on your play until you master the piece.Piano Suite is a real teaching tool, developed by music educators! Even if you already play piano you can benefit from the in-depth interactive theory lessons, and the large musical repertoire to extend your skills, and learn your favorite music easily. With Piano Suite you can record your own music, display and print the musical notation and add your own composition along with a favorite photo to the "Learning Library" repertoire. Others can then learn your music in Piano Suite's friendly guided environment. Personal and musical biographies of over 150 composers and performers will enrich your learning experience. ... Read more

Features

• Supervised piano practice with brilliantly effective audio/visual feedback
• Hundreds of professionally narrated, step-by-step theory lessons
• Practice exercises teach notation, sight-reading, and playing skills
• 100 pieces to play, practice, and enjoy; fun music-related games
• Designed to suit beginners of all ages

Reviews (2)

This CD does the job
This is a good CD for beginers. I bought this from shop and finished it in a few hours. The video on the CD are helpful, althogh only a few pieces. You can play the video again and again to focus on the finger actions. In addition, the software is designed in an elegant style - you feel as if a well-dressed piano teacher were working with you rather than a tool in front.

I give four stars. Wish the ARCMEDIA publish software to teach piano at medium level. I am willing to pay for more $ than this CD. Again, this CD is worth the money. Think about the tuition you might pay for a piano teacher and the flexibility you get by using this CD.

not so easy
I thought it was as described ..... easy, however this software does no provide much and there's this background music which sounds kind of cold. They basically spilt the lesson to three parts which does not follow with everybody's pace. Try another software. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good value
Just got this from Best Buy, looks great so far. I am an absolute beginner and I was worried it would be too advanced for me, but it really does start at the beginning. A lot of information, but it is presented well. I highly recommend.

Very good from Start to Finish
Good product...a ton of information on guitar playing and styles... ... Read more

Features

• Piano and keyboard instruction software
• Five instruction modes
• Step-by-step progressive interactive lessons
• Sheet music from any imported MIDI file
• Session with MAGIX midi studio SE included

Reviews (1)

The worst software i have ever seen
hi,
Well i bought this CD hoping to learn the basics of keyboard( There was no music teacher in our area)
But iam very much disappointed since this software teaches nothing..
There was just a virtual keyboard for u to play....
But the capacity of cd is 400MB...wondering
The actual software is 4 mb and the rest(380mb) r demos of some games and softwares which r not related to music...

if u dont believe me ..try this software ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Everything you need to know to start playing the guitar now. An interactive song player lets users see exactly how each song should be played. Use the player to adjust tempo, mix accompaniment audio, and record performances. The software includes more than 60 popular songs in a variety of styles including rock, heavy metal, blues, country, jazz, and folk. The lessons are clear and easy to follow, with techniques that are reinforced with exercises.

Follow along with the music right on the computer screen. Learn to read standard music notation and TAB. Included is a guitar chord dictionary and guitar tuner, so learning is made even easier. After completing the program's lessons, download new lessons from the Internet with the Add-A-Lesson course customizer. ... Read more

Features

• This is the software for beginners of all ages to learn playing the guitar
• Learn to read the standard musical notation and tablatures
• Clear, easy-to-follow instructions explain how each song should be played
• Follow along with the music on your screen
• Play chords and scales and move on to more complex lessons

Reviews (3)

Full featured and interactive
This CD-ROM is very cool.It is pretty rudimentary, but if you are learning or refreshing your knowledge of reading music, this is a painless and fun way to do it.It also has tabulature (?), or pictures and descriptions of where to play the notes if you don't want to learn musical notation.Also, you can set the tempo of the sections you play along with, as well as mute any combination of 4 tracks, such as metronome, guitar (example), accompaniment, and (?) rythm section.Graphics are clear and show where on the neck, what fret and what string to play.There's also a "tuner" which plays the notes needed to tune your guitar.Sound quality in general, and of the tuner is fine.

Poorly laid out for a beginner
My wife bought me a guitar for my birthday and this book, and I find it extremely frustrating. It assumes I know music notes, and I am a beginner and do not. It said on the cover it shows you how to hold the guitar, it does not. It said on the cover it shows you how to take care of your guitar it does not. The CD will not play on my computer. Mostly I have always wanted to learn guitar and all this has taught me is how to throw a book accross a room.

REVEIW
I LOVE THIS ITEM. IT'S TAUGHT ME A LOT. NOW I CAN SIT IN MY ROOM LISTENING TO RECORDINGS OF MINE. ... Read more

Features

• The unique Intelligent Accompaniment tools listens to musicians as they sing or play, and follows their spontaneous tempo changes
• With this type of computer accompaniment, you'll improve on issues like being in tune, keeping time, learning to listen and more
• Over 20,000 fun accompaniments to make teaching & learning music efficient, productive and enjoyable
• Different exercises for practicing scales, intervals, arpeggios and twisters
• Create a loop that repeats those difficult passages over & over, until you get it right

Amazon.com Product Description

Everything you need to know to start singing now. This easy-to-use CD-ROM is for singers of every style and age. Learn the basics of singing, including breathing, posture, warming up, and more. Discover the mind and body connections to singing and learn an easy and comprehensive approach to reading music. Techniques are reinforced with exercises.

The interactive song player lets you adjust tempos, mix accompaniment audio, record performances, and transpose song accompaniments to any key. Use it to learn to sing rock, jazz, blues, and other popular styles. Follow along with the music on the computer screen. With this program, users can teach themselves to sing, even if they have never taken a lesson. The software supports both Windows and Mac platforms. ... Read more

Features

• Many people are daily impersarios - singers in the shower or behind the wheel, while driving
• There are certain nuances, lessons that are vital when you choose to sing with a group - Alfred's Teach Yourself to Sing provides everything you need to know to start singing now
• Designed for beginners - No prior music experience is necessary
• Topics cover virtually any type of singing
• Transpose MIDI file playback so you can customize software to accompany your singing in your 'key'

Amazon.com Product Description

Transport to another world and learn all that's needed to play the guitar. Be able to read music, strum more than 90 chords, play simple leads, and jam along with your favorite sheet music. Guitropolis is a city that has but one purpose: to start people on the path to superstardom. Each of the 10 locations in Guitropolis contains lessons, songs, and exercises that teach how to play guitar.

Users learn about the different types of guitars, how to hold and tune a guitar, and the fundamentals of reading music. Learn to play melodies, chords, scales, and songs in a variety of styles, all at your own pace. After finishing the course part of each location, you'll have to successfully complete a puzzle or game in order to gain access to the next stop in the journey to stardom. Like the course material, the games are concealed somewhere in each location. You have to go through the course material before you're allowed to play the game and move on to the next step.

The software teaches how to read standard music notation and TAB. Songs include full accompaniments in a variety of styles with more than 60 popular songs in all. Guitropolis introduces advanced techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs. Get right to the course materials at any time by accessing the method-only version. The software includes an interactive song player that lets you see exactly how each song should be played. Use the player to adjust tempo, mix accompaniment audio, and record performances, as well. ... Read more

Features

• Teaches note-reading in standard notation and TAB
• Songs include full accompaniments in a variety of styles - over 60 popular songs in all
• Introduces advanced techniques like hammer-ons and pull offs
• Rock, Blues, Jazz and Country licks
• Jump right into the course materials at any time by accessing the method-only version

Features

• Special note-reading system teaches you blues, rock, folk and country styles
• Download new lessons and customize the course to see learn what you want
• Adjust tempos and mix in audio accompaniment
• Techniques are reinforced with multiple exercises to help develop your piano skills
• Record your performance to see how you do (requires microphone)

Features

• Professor Rhythm and his five assistants will introduce the piano through a set of game and activities
• Kids will learn the difference between notes and rests, and between sharps & flats
• Understand basic music theory
• Learn finger placement as you practice piano tunes
• Practice using left-hand & right-hand movements, separately and together

Amazon.com Product Description

Easy Drums is an interactive guide that will show you everything you need to get started playing the drums. Learn how to select the right drum set,as well as basic techniques like how to hold the sticks and how to playdifferent beats and rolls. The lessons are specially designed withbeginners in mind. Print out music to practice, learn about drum history andfamous drummers, and watch video instruction by an expert. Interestingtrivia and a fun drum-related quiz rounds out this package. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

I am impressed
This CD-ROM is a great choice for beginner drummers. I definately recommend it. ... Read more