The Piano Suite (Premiere edition) by Adventus Incorporated is a sweet program, indeed. The beginning piano student is greeted by a main screen that divides the software program into five categories: History, Theory, Piano Player, Games, and my favorite, Composer Corner (not found in the Piano Suite Basic version). In the latter, I found that I could compose an original music score, edit it to satisfaction, see it, hear it, record it, and print it! Better yet, when it was completed, I was able to incorporate it into the Player Library, where it would reside with over 300 other pieces that could be screened and played. (It can also be saved to MIDI format so that it can be heard with Windows Media Player). Colorful (even moving) images can be selected alongside the music. By clicking on certain icons, lyrics can be viewed and, indeed, demonstrated with a singing voice.
I jumped to the composition section early since I could not sight read. I never was able to transcribe any of my original tunes or interpret sheet music simply because I did not know music notation. But the musical score popped up on the screen -- and before my eyes all the notes appeared on the staff as I played them. My life-long frustration vanished. But…could I ever properly finger those notes again? No problem. The Theory section of the program was there to set me on the path to a "Conservatory Level I standard".
Not only that, but it would be literally child's play. I was encouraged by little talking people and creatures, including what I believed to be a cricket. (All right, maybe it was really a roach, but it was a cricket to me.) When I finished a drill to his satisfaction, the little critter back-flipped with joy! We became friends. In fact, I think it was this little guy who called me "Monkey-rific!"
A host of animated characters were the kind drill sergeants who guided me through the treble, bass, and grand staffs. The seven games helped also, ranging from the simple to the complex.
The most complex is "The Grand Staff Battle". In this game, which tests your sight reading as well as your ear, you are Senor (sic) Semitone, a good guy who is trying to stop an invasion of monsters led by the wicked General Midi and his pet monkey. To play the game, you must travel through forests and desert lands and the Aztec world. On the more difficult levels, the enemy can shoot you and you must use two-note chords to take out attacking animals. In the Aztec region, you must shoot three-note chords at monsters, and you have only two minutes to get out.
You maneuver your sombreroed alter ego with piano keys. Each of the regions have five levels with five monsters, each of which harbors a note that you must collect to move on to the next level. The note a bad guy shoots at you is the same one as he carries. (You can hear and even see the note by shooting away at it or by letting it fire off in your direction. A tiny music staff appears close to the enemy to display the note).
You can destroy the enemy by shooting a musical note or chord at it. When an enemy is hit, it will sound its own note. If it's the same note as the one it carries, it's a goner. At that point its note is left behind. You must collect it to move on to the next level. And then there's that pesky monkey. It will shadow you around the level you're on, run away if you chase it, and race to pick up the note that was left behind by your victim. If he beats you to the punch, he'll take the note back to the General, and another monster will be created.
The evil General Midi and his blasted monkey will withdraw only when you collect all five notes at that level. And then you're off to another level. There's much more, but maybe you should find out for yourself.
And while you're into exploring, you might sample the 128 MIDI instruments and sound effects available. The Piano Suite Basic program has 80 musical pieces, while the Premiere Edition has 350. Everything from popular tunes such as "La Bamba," "Singin' in the Rain," "Louie, Louie," and "Let It Be," to traditional folk songs such as "Down in the Valley," "My Bonnie," and "Clementine." There are country favorites and children's songs, Christmas carols, classical compositions, jazz and blues riffs, and even national anthems from all over the world.
I found that customizing the program was simple. I could adjust even the size of the staffs themselves and make them easier to read. Another feature let me select a bar of a particular piece to practice until I got that bar perfect. I could also choose either my right or left hand, or both hands together.
Piano Suite uses two learning systems: "wait for a note" and "notes in timing". The first method waits for the correct note to be played before the next note is highlighted. The second method is more demanding: There is a traveling line in sync with selected timing. This highlights notes at the precise moment they should be struck. Correct timing is thus developed.
The analysis capability is helpful. The player module visualizes the keyboard and the score that the musician plays compared to what was actually written.
I found that I could keep track of my improvement throughout the course. It is encouraging to be able to document one's progress on the screen.
Oh yes! A hundred and fifty performers and composers are profiled in the History section. And I know that if I practice real, real hard then it's just a matter of time until my name appears there, too. At least the cricket thinks so.
- Ray Tuley, Staff Writer
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