October 8, 2004

Learn to play classical, blues, pop, and rock songs 

eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method highly effective, fun tutorial software 

By Sean Eastwood 
Staff Writer

The new eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method” CD-ROM makes learning to play the piano fun for all ages. Featuring music from classics to popular hits, the CD-ROM provides everything a beginning piano student needs to learn how to read music, rhythm and timing, pitch and notation and how to play real songs on both the piano and electronic keyboard. Its dual platform Windows/Macintosh software follows its guitar teaching software series.

The software’s new custom interactive technology enables the CD to point out mistakes a student makes while playing just like a piano. The interactivity and integrated multimedia lessons combine to create a clear and easy-to-use method. The software is available as a stand-alone product or combined with a touch-sensitive 49-key full-size electronic MIDI keyboard as the “Learn to Play Keyboard Bundle.”

The software’s interface allows students to play along and learn at the pace best suited to their skill level. It is packed with hundreds of step-by-step lessons with high quality video demonstrations.

Students using the electronic MIDI-compatible keyboard receive immediate and specific feedback on note and rhythm mistakes helping them play it right the next time. A software feature called Variable-Speed MIDI, slows down the audio to any tempo while its animated keyboard shows song fingering as the music plays. Interactive review and ear training screens help reinforce newly introduced concepts and develop your ear with flashcard quizzes.  

The CD provides 12 chapters containing more than 300 lessons taught by highly respected piano teacher Irma Irene Justicia, who received her master’s degree from Mannes College of Music in New York. Justicia,who taught at the Juilliard School of Music, has an original approach appropriate for all age groups.  

Students begin during the first lesson to learn the skills of sight-reading, creating accompaniments and transposition—all the skills needed for independent music exploration.

The CD offers more than 70 videos demonstrating techniques with review screens to help reinforce the various musical concepts taught. The method is song-based, which helps make learning fun and rewarding. Justicia guides students with full-motion videos demonstrating her special keyboard techniques. Many of the videos provide multi-angle views to see precisely how to position your hands on the keyboard.

The program includes more than 100 songs, presented in the order of their difficulty. It offers a number of features such as audio tracks, accompaniment tracks, a digital metronome, an animated keyboard and interactive feedback.

One of its many features is its flexibility; it provides the option to choose listening to piano and voice, piano only or voice only. Students also can listen to a full accompaniment on the left or the hand. In addition to seeing the standard music notation of each song on the screen, students can watch a full-size animated keyboard, which shows what keys should be played as the notes of the song are sounding as well as the correct fingering.

The program continually interprets your performance throughout the song. At its completion, it displays wrong notes in regard to pitch and timing. The new software also allows you to record and play yourself back to compare your playing with the instructor’s version to fine tune your skills and share your recordings with friends and family.  

For intermediate keyboard players, eMedia will soon make available its new “Piano and Keyboard Method, Volume 2.” In the meantime, grab a copy of Vol. 1, and you will be doing a favor for yourself, your children or your grandchildren.

For more information visit eMedia at www.emediamusic.com 

“Piano and Keyboard Method” is available locally at CompuUSA, 638 Blossom Hill Rd., Fry’s Electronics, 550 E. Brokaw Rd., Guitar Center, 3430 Stevens Creek Blvd., or online at www.amazon.com.