SuperKids Software Review of Music Software

SuperKids Educational Software Review. The parents' and teachers' guide to educational software

Music Software: The Big Picture

Did you ever wish you had learned to play the piano? Would you like your children to learn, but want to find out if they're really interested before springing for a piano and lessons? SuperKids' teams of parent, teacher, and kid reviewers looked at four programs specifically aimed at teaching the user to play the piano, plus three other titles that focus a little more on some of the basics necessary for playing any instrument.

Please note that some of the programs also require the user to also purchase an electronic MIDI keyboard - far less expenisve than a conventional piano, but a bigger deal than "batteries not included."

Which is best for your child (or you)?

Read below for cameo descriptions, then click on the titles that interest you to see what our reviewers had to say.

Discovering Keyboards [ages 10 to adult] from Voyetra, was rated top among the piano lesson programs we reviewed, largely because of the variety of songs presented in the process. For a mature child or adult.

Kids Piano Discovery [ages 6 to 12] from Jump! Music, provides a program well-suited for a motivated child in this age range. Less demanding than its namesake.

Teach Me Piano [ages 12 to adult] from Voyetra, is a no-frills version of the Discovering Keyboards program, designed for a more serious, older piano student.

Piano Discovery Software [ages 6 to adult} from Jump! Music, is a much more detail conscious version of its namesake, best suited for older, serious students, including dedicated adults.

SimTunes [ages 8 to adult] from Maxis, is not designed to teach keyboard skills or the ability to read a score. Instead, it encourages the child to explore, experiment, discover and create music.

Music Ace [ages 6 to pre-teen] from Harmonic Vision, leads the user through the fundamentals of music -- from introduction to the staff, to practice with the piano keyboard and a glimpse at the major scales -- with some fun along the way.

A Little Kidmusic [ages 3 to 13] from Ars Nova Software, blends a beginning music tutorial with the broader category of music appreciation. A nice introduction for the young child who is interested in music but discouraged by more intense tutorials.

Take a look at the ratings tables below, click on the titles of the software you are interested in to see the complete review, or click on "PC" or "Mac" in the Buyers Guide column to see current market prices in our Buyers Guide.

Music Software for 3year olds to Adults

SuperKids Ratings
Title Publisher Education
Value Kid
Appeal Ease of Use Buyers Guide
(Price Survey)
SimTunes Maxis * * * * * * * * * * * * * PC

Discovering Keyboards Voyetra * * * * * * * * * * * * * PC

Kids Piano Discovery Jump! Music * * * * * * * * * * * * PC
Mac
Teach Me Piano Voyetra * * * * * * * * * * * * PC

Music Ace Harmonic Vision * * * * * * * * * * * PC
Mac
Piano Discovery Software Jump! Music * * * * * * * * * * PC
Mac
A Little Kidmusic Ars Nova * * * * * * * * *

Mac

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SuperKids Ratings
Title	Publisher	Education Value	Kid Appeal	Ease of Use	Buyers Guide (Price Survey)
SimTunes	Maxis	* * * *	* * * * *	* * * *	PC
Discovering Keyboards	Voyetra	* * * * *	* * *	* * * * *	PC
Kids Piano Discovery	Jump! Music	* * * *	* * * *	* * * *	PC Mac
Teach Me Piano	Voyetra	* * * * *	* *	* * * * *	PC
Music Ace	Harmonic Vision	* * * *	* * *	* * * *	PC Mac
Piano Discovery Software	Jump! Music	* * * * *	* *	* * *	PC Mac
A Little Kidmusic	Ars Nova	* * *	* * *	* * *	Mac