Back In the Studio Deborah Mele uses Music Ace with about 13 piano students ages seven to ten in her Santa Barbara studio. Mele, who has been teaching piano, music theory and music history for 24 years, likes Music Ace for its educational and entertainment value. Mele's students work on Music Ace for 15 minutes before or after each lesson in a separate computer room set up with a 486 machine attached to a keyboard.
Most students can work on their own, but parents often help out the younger ones.
Each student starts at the beginning of Music Ace, but Mele also uses the software to reinforce theory and prepare students for new concepts. Today Rhodes is using Music Ace to introduce line and space notes on the treble staff to her third graders-a precursor to her next unit on recorders. The children call out the notes in unison as Maestro Max introduces the treble staff. Once they've grasped the first four note names, Rhodes divides the class of 26 into small groups. The students share mouse duty as Singing Notes race across the staff.