Modules Introduce Keyboard Skills
Designing Keyboards provides a well-rounded introduction to music keyboard skills, the history of keyboards and electronic sound technology. Five distinct but interrelated modules allow one to focus on a specific area of interest or achieve an overall level of understanding. Tailored for ages 10 and up, the CD-ROM includes a Game Room that asks students to correctly identify notes and rhythmic patterns generated by the computer. A Keyboard Tour surveys instruments from early harpsichords to modern-day synthesizers. The Keyboard Lessons module, hosted by a professional teacher, introduces basic music notation, theory and playing technique through a step-by-step series of video clips and exercises. Three levels of training are offered, each comprising five chapters. With any MIDI keyboard connected to the PC, one can benefit from individualized analysis, feedback and progress tracking for each lesson. In the Songbook, students can play songs with a choice of instrument sound, tempo, volume and display options, or print the songs as sheet music. Voyetra Technologies, Yonkers, NY, (800) 233-9377, www.voyetra.com.
This article originally appeared in the 09/01/1996 issue of THE Journal.