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Kids Piano Discovery Software
from Jump! Music

See also the Summary Rating Table for comparisons with other Music software titles, and the SuperKids Buyers Guide for current market prices of PC and Mac versions.

Reviewed on:
Macintosh Performa 6400/200 with 32MB and 8XCD
Pentium90 with 16MB and 2XCD

Description
Similar in content and style to Jump! Music's more comprehensive Piano Discovery, this program is a downscaled version, focusing on younger and less musically savvy children. The PC version comes with a mini piano-keyboard overlay which the user places over his or her regular computer keyboard. Although this overlay works sufficiently for the beginner -- to get a feel for whether or not the child will take to the program and want to continue with it -- purchase of a MIDI keyboard is recommended to benefit most from the program. (The Mac version requires the purchase of a separate MIDI keyboard and cables.)

The main screen for this program looks something like Coney Island, with various amusement park style buildings in which the user can work on the different activities offered. "The Schoolhouse" is where the actual lesson learning is done. The lessons begin with the basics and very slowly take the user step by step through early piano instruction. Lessons interface with other sections of the program, so that by the end of the first lesson the user has actually visited two of the other island features: the "Shooting Gallery"--to complete arcade-like drills, and the "Performance Hall"--to perform the newly learned piece with orchestral accompaniment. The final activity option is the "Bungalow" where the user is invited to practice the current lesson, until comfort with playing the piece is achieved.

Moderate feedback is given throughout each lesson, however this program differs from the more advanced version in that comments are given less frequently and with more moderation. Perfection is not as intensely stressed.

Ease of Install / Use
The program installed easily on our reviewers' Mac and PC test machines.

Educational Value
With well-organized, easy to follow lessons, this program successfully teaches piano basics. Child reviewers were able to transfer skills learned on the mini-overlay to larger keyboards and pianos without difficulty.

Kid Appeal
As with most music tutorials, this program requires tedious, step-by-step progress through the lessons, with innumerable practice and drill sessions. A patient, motivated child will enjoy the lessons and the new-found skills they help develop. Reaching the lesson in which the "Animaniacs Theme" is taught provided motivation for our kid reviewers. The average child may find it slow and repetitive, however, and give-up on it quickly, to move on to more high-energy activities.

Best for / Bottom-Line
Kids Piano Discovery is best suited to the goal-oriented, motivated learner who will endure the subject's inherent tedium to learn to play the piano.

See also the Summary Rating Table for comparisons with other music software titles, and the SuperKids Buyers Guide for current market prices of PC and Mac versions.

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