| Rocket Piano is a very professionally done piano | | | | off the left-hand side of the display. You can click |
| lesson package. It includes a number of ebooks, | | | | on the name of the note with your mouse, hit |
| audio tracks, and video tracks to support the | | | | the letter on your keyboard that corresponds to |
| instructional material. In addition, there's a ton of | | | | the note(s) displayed, or type the number that |
| extras, all extremely well-done, and described | | | | you'll see associated with each note. The game |
| below. The product is simple to download, and is | | | | has an Options menu that lets you control the |
| perfectly paced for the introductory piano | | | | level of difficulty (basically the speed at which the |
| student. It runs on Windows and Macs, so it | | | | notes move), and there's even a high score |
| doesn't matter what kind of computer you have. | | | | screen that records your name once you start to |
| In a word, if you want to learn to play, you'd be | | | | excel. Kids love this stuff. This kind of game |
| nuts to pass on this. I highly recommend it. | | | | makes learning to read notes so painless, that |
| Read on for the details.Chapter One - Piano Facts | | | | there just isn't any excuse anymoreAnd it gets |
| and HistoryDon't skip this chapter. It's full of really | | | | better...the second extra is another game called |
| interesting facts about the piano and includes a bit | | | | Keycelerator which helps you learn chord |
| of history, a lot of physical facts about the | | | | nomenclature and keyboard patterns. The game |
| instrument that the beginning piano lesson student | | | | consists of a display of a chord pattern on the |
| should know, and some great diagrams that show | | | | left of the display, and four choices on the right - |
| the mechanics of how a piano produces sound. | | | | a multiple choice test...the choices are shown as |
| There's also a nice section about the pedals, which | | | | keyboard segments with different notes |
| you don't find in most courses, that actually | | | | depressed. So if you can read the notes of the |
| explains what the pedals are for and how they | | | | chord, you then pick the notes that represent the |
| work. All in all, a great introduction.Chapter Two - | | | | chord from the set of four choices; much more |
| The BasicsChapter Two provides all the basic | | | | fun than studying a chord manual. The game |
| information you'll need to get started in the right | | | | keeps score and has a number of options you |
| direction. It has the most complete description of | | | | can control. (I'm not bragging, but I got a perfect |
| how to sit at the piano that I've come across so | | | | score on my first test :)The next extra is called |
| far. You get the idea very easily from the | | | | Chordinator , which is designed to improve your |
| included diagram that shows the proper position | | | | chord recognition abilities. Structured much like |
| for your head, back, arms, and legs. Pay attention | | | | Keycelerator , but the answer choices are in the |
| students There's nothing worse than seeing a | | | | form of chord names, not notes on the keyboard. |
| beginning player struggling because of a slouch or | | | | Okay, I missed one on this game, but it was only |
| being too high or too low in relation to the | | | | because my finger slipped off the mouse and hit |
| keyboard. Chapter Two continues with an | | | | the wrong choice :) ...99/100 isn't bad though, |
| explanation of proper hand position, and dispels | | | | right?The next extra is really addictive It's called |
| the popular myth that you need very long fingers | | | | Perfect Your Pitch - it's an ear-training tool to help |
| to play well. The author correctly points out that | | | | you home your pitch recognition skills. It plays a |
| finger strength and agility are far more important | | | | series of four notes and you have to pick the |
| characteristics than finger length. The standard | | | | right choice from a set of four answers. It really |
| and necessary assignment of numbers to each | | | | is a lot fun. My score wasn't perfect on this one, |
| finger is included too, accompanied by a very | | | | and I had to force myself to stop ....like eating ice |
| good diagram. No confusion possible here. The | | | | cream As you ear gets sharper it gets much |
| layout of the keyboard is explained next, again | | | | easier to play songs by ear , and you'll start to |
| with very clear graphics, and then the connection | | | | recognize note combinations in common melodies |
| between the finger numbering system and the | | | | and songs on the radio...just like learning a new |
| keyboard is introduced with some very simple | | | | language. This one is highly recommended. But |
| exercises - so after only sixteen pages of | | | | don't ignore the other parts of the course while |
| background, the new student is actually using the | | | | you try to perfect you pitch recognition |
| keyboard. Note reading is introduced next with a | | | | abilities.There's yet another bonus included called |
| very clear and simple approach that starts with | | | | Advanced Learning Techniques for the Piano , but |
| the definition of a note, and then introduces the | | | | I think the little book is misnamed I think you |
| concept of rhythm. The notation for whole notes, | | | | should read this first when you get the package, |
| half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, and | | | | and I also think this little gem is worth the cost of |
| sixteenth notes is illustrated, and the standard | | | | the package all by itself. What it tells you is how |
| duration of each is explained. What follows is a | | | | to practice - a topic that is completely ignored by |
| series of easy exercises to reinforce the basic | | | | most teaching packages - even by a lot of |
| concepts of note type and duration. Audio clips | | | | teachers I think it's one of the most important |
| are available for each exercise to assure the | | | | aspects of learning to play any instrument. Read it |
| student that they are proceeding | | | | as soon as you get Rocket Piano. If you're just |
| correctly.Chapter Three - The Musical | | | | starting out, the insights you'll pick up here will |
| AlphabetChapter Three starts with a graphic of | | | | save you a lot of frustration.The Metronome |
| the keyboard with all the notes labeled and then | | | | program (another bonus) is really well-done. Just |
| shows you the middle C hand position, followed | | | | turn up the volume and save yourself the cost of |
| by a short exercise that gets both hands going to | | | | a physical metronome. The graphics are |
| familiarize the student with middle C and the | | | | marvelous.If you like jazz, after you've gone |
| surrounding notes. Chapter Three also introduces | | | | through the basic Rocket Piano book, take a look |
| time signatures, the other component of rhythm. | | | | at the add-on called Introduction to Jazz Piano . It |
| Good examples follow the explanation, and there | | | | has eight informative chapters that cover |
| are a few practice exercises, again with sample | | | | everything from jazz rhythms to chord |
| audio tracks. | | | | progressions to syncopation. If you're not familiar |
| The rest of the chapters in the book are just as | | | | with those terms, don't worry Start with the |
| good and cover such topics as:* the musical staff | | | | basic Rocket Piano book and then dive into the |
| * intervals | | | | more advanced Jazz book.So, my advice to you |
| * sharps and flats | | | | is to start your own personal countdown, and |
| * playing scales | | | | then blast your musical knowledge and your |
| * rhythm | | | | playing skills to new heights with this piano lesson |
| * arpeggios, and more.Okay...if I review any | | | | package. Think about it...you get all the stuff |
| more Chapters, you won't need the package, But | | | | described above for less than the cost of one or |
| I do want to tell you about the extras that come | | | | two private lessons.Peter Cullen is the Webmaster |
| with Rocket Piano. First of all, there's a Music | | | | at |
| Theory Game called Jayde Musica that is really | | | | and an avid amateur pianist. The site reviews |
| wonderful. When you start up the game, notes | | | | piano lesson offerings on the Web and offers |
| move past you on the screen from right to left | | | | many other piano-related resources. |
| and your job is to identify them before they scroll | | | | |