Piano and Keyboard Method: the Easiest Way to Learn Piano! Vol. 1.

Piano and Keyboard Method: The Easiest Way to Learn Piano! Vol. 1. eMedia Music Corp. (664 N.E. Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98105), 2003. $59. 95. Older teens and adults.

Piano and Keyboard Method is an impressive and thorough piano teaching program. The software, which is sold in a hybrid CD for both Macintosh and PC computers, contains about 300 lessons that include theory basics, technique, ear-training flash cards, an introduction to music history and more than 100 pieces with attractive audio and MIDI accompaniments. Visual help for important topics, such as hand posture and sitting position, is provided in several video clips featuring teacher Irma I. Justicia, M.A., one of the developers of this package. A 3-D virtual keyboard can be opened to show a performance of each song with finger numbers. There is no need to have an electronic piano to use the program, but if one is connected to the computer, the program can provide basic feedback after your performance through "clickable" help balloons that indicate missing notes or rhythms.

It is evident the creators are experienced piano teachers because the content is carefully planned and paced. The program covers the basics, including C, F and G playing positions and major scales, I, IV6/4 and V6/5 in these keys with guitar symbols, dynamics, articulation and pedaling. The repertoire includes traditional teaching tunes such as Ode to Joy along with a few Hispanic, Jewish and African-American melodies, and some arrangements of pieces by Bach, Joplin, Elton John and Billy Joel. The MIDI accompaniments are creative and fun and can be muted at will. Although the box indicates the program is intended for all ages, the approach to the material, the amount of written text and its overall "feel and look" make it more suitable for older teens and adults.

The software runs great on my PC, but it crashes my G4 Macintosh whenever I try using a connected electronic piano. (I use MacOS 9.1 and have not tried it on MacOS X.) Although I e-mailed eMedia about this in November, as of January, I had not received a reply.

Some useful features present in the competitor's product--such as the ability to keep track of multiple students--are lacking in this software. But considering its sound pedagogical content and its careful design, these are just minor details. The final chapter promises the release of a second volume of Piano and Keyboard Method. It is definitely worth waiting for! Reviewed by Alejandro Cremaschi, Athens, Ohio.