From: maurices@spock.dis.cccd.edu (Maurice Shihadi)
Newsgroups: comp.music
Subject: Re: Suggestions for best PC piano-teacher (soft- &/or hardware)???
Date: 24 Jul 92 19:47:36 GMT
Organization: Coast Community College District, Costa Mesa, CA

In article <1992Jul17.020005.8774@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> siffert@horton.Colorado.EDU (Thunder-Thumbs) writes:
>In article <1992Jul8.215200.7083@vela.acs.oakland.edu> sphaak@vela.acs.oakland.edu (sphaak) writes:
>>
>> I would like to learn how to play the piano and read music better,
>>but wonder which package on the PC market is best for this???
>>
>>Has anyone had any experience with "Miracle Piano Teaching System,"
>>and are there any better systems out there???  
>>
>>I think that the keyboard that comes with the "Miracle" system *really*
>>sucks, and would PREFER to buy my own MIDI-keyboard while using some
>>sort of teaching software...... 
>>
>>I own a ProAudioSpectrum16 board; this is the board the MIDI would
>>be using...
>>
>>THANKS for any help or input!!!    ;-)
>>
>>Steve Haak
>>Biology Major at Wayne State University
>>Dee-troit, Michigan, USA
>>
>>(reply on comp.music or via e-mail to: sphaak@vela.acs.oakland.edu)
>
>	PLEASE take real piano lessons.  I've taken real piano 
>	lessons for 11 years and am currently majoring in it,
>	along with computer science.
>
>	Of course, take my advice with a grain of salt.  Since
>	I've spent so much time immersed in the traditional
>	realm of piano instruction, I probably 'automatically'
>	turn up my nose at these schemes.  (See?  I did it 
>	again!)
>
>	All I know is that I watch those paid advertisements
>	about some chick named Judy or something that has
>	football players making up beautiful melodies in
>	about an hour, and I want to throw up.  
>
>	No matter how well documented something like miracle
>	piano is, I don't see how it could teach you proper
>	technique (remember, with technique comes compositional
>	knowledge...), like a teacher would.  The interaction
>	is a very important part of learning.
>
>	Well, that's what I think.  :)
>
>	Curt Siffert
>-- 
>*  Thunder-Thumbs               *  'In the heart of the rain forest, it  * 
>*  Curt Siffert                 *   was doing what it usually does in    *
>*  siffert@horton.colorado.EDU  *   rain forests; which is rain; hence   * 
>*  Paper-Mache Cows Forever!    *   the name.'  - Douglas Adams          *

The Miracle piano thing is great for beginners and little kids because
it motivates teaching through game playing and it is relatively cheap.  
It also teaches you about reading etc.  As a music teacher I've 
evaluated this unit for students that ask and have found only one
major problem.  Rather than training your eyes to always look ahead, the
student (player) is sensitized to recognizing what has allready passed.
But then again, you get what you pay for........

Another option might be to check your community services for the nearest
"Conservatory of Music".  They tend to be non-profit, are reasonable,
and can give you what you need.  In my oppinion, the whole MIDI thing
will distract you as a performer.  However, if you want to improve upon
your theory, eartraining or history (CD_ROM stuff) than computers and
MIDI can be wonderful.
Good Luck

maurices