eMedia Piano for Dummies

Get on the fast track to piano-playing expertise with this instructional software that includes a digital metronome, recorder and over 150 lessons.

eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method Software

No longer available at zZounds
New to piano? Start here. This interactive software guides you through 100 lessons, from reading music notation and scales to playing 100 pop and rock songs.

The newest version of the award-winning best-seller!
eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method CD-ROM offers over 300 step-by-step lessons starting from the basics; such as hand position, rhythm, and playing on black keys; followed by music notation, sight reading, scales, and much more! Piano teacher Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you with video demonstrations of techniques. Songs and exercises are enhanced by live recorded audio, MIDI tracks you can slow down or speed up, and colorful MIDI accompaniments. Interactive review and ear training screens help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear. This new version includes larger easy-to-read screens, enhanced audio and video, progress tracking, and an updated curriculum. When used with an electronic MIDI keyboard, you can get specific feedback on playing mistakes, including wrong notes and rhythms. You'll learn how to play and learn a lot about music as well!

Piano & Keyboard Method features music from classics to popular modern hits to make learning fun! Enhanced multi-track audio and colorful MIDI accompaniments enhance the learning experience, and our Method includes hits popularized by artists such as:

Billy Joel ("Piano Man")
Elton John ("Candle in the Wind")
Los Lobos ("La Bamba")
Bob Dylan ("Knockin' on Heaven's Door")
Scott Joplin ("The Entertainer")
Ludwig van Beethoven ("Ode to Joy")
Spencer Williams ("Tishomingo Blues")
and many others!

316 Step-by-Step Lessons read more
Arranged in twelve chapters, the lessons cover the basics such as hand position, rhythm and playing on black keys, then move on to more advanced concepts such as music notation, sight reading, intervals, chords and scales. On-screen teacher Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., provides clear and friendly instruction.

New! Larger, Easier-to-Use Interface!
Increased content window size by 25% screens that are easier to read and use!

Animated Keyboard
Displays color-coded fingerings as the music plays. It allows you to see exactly how to play the song on a keyboard as you hear the music. Music tracking highlights the notes being played on the screen, making it simple to follow along.

Over 70 Large-Format Videos
Professional piano instructor Irma Irene Justicia, M.A., who has taught at the renowned Juilliard School of Music, guides you with over 70 videos with demonstrations of techniques - now larger, with enhanced quality! Many of the videos include split-screen displays with close-ups for a clearer perspective.

New! Progress Tracking!
Personalized reports show your rate of progress, including scores for specific songs. Requires a MIDI Keyboard

Piano Fingering and Guitar Chords
The piano fingerings help teach you the correct fingering for each note. Guitar chords are included so a friend who is learning guitar can play along with you. Piano fingerings and guitar chords can be toggled on or off for any screen.

Enhanced multi-track recorded audio
High-quality, multi-track recorded audio is included for every song and exercise. Audio playback options include piano only, voice only, and full audio including both piano and voice.

Variable-speed MIDI
Slows down the audio to any tempo, while the Animated Keyboard shows song fingering as the music plays. You can play along and learn at the pace best suited to your skill level!

MIDI playback options let you select left or right hand only, or a tick metronome track to play along with. Colorful variable-speed MIDI accompaniments are also available and can be fun to play along with!

Interactive Feedback
When using an electronic MIDI-compatible keyboard, you can get specific feedback on note and rhythm mistakes made while playing to help you get it right the next time! Clicking on an individual feedback balloon brings up a keyboard showing you exactly what mistake was made and what should have been played. Also, an overall percentage score summarizes how well you did on the song.

Keyboard Tips
With the click of a button, you can get suggestions as to which "voice" to use on your MIDI keyboard to get the best sound for the song!

Reviews and Ear Training
Interactive review and ear training screens help reinforce new concepts and develop your ear.

Digital Metronome
Allows you to set your own tempo and work on your speed, rhythm and timing. Provides both visual cue and/or audio tick. Full range of tempi, from largo to presto.

Digital Recorder
Record and play yourself back! This feature allows you to compare your recordings with the instructor's version, fine tune your skills and share your recordings with friends and family.
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System Requirements

Windows
Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7
32 MB of free RAM, 31 MB of free hard disk space
PC soundcard, CD-ROM

Macintosh
Power PC (or faster), Intel OK
Mac OS X 10.2 or later
32 MB of free RAM, 31 MB of free hard disk space
CD-ROM

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 888-363-3424

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (25 ratings)
Submitted January 1, 2005 by a customer from wt.nete

"eMusic for Piano play it now."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This product has brought me a long way toward being able to play and read piano music as I would like. I cracked the CD so I could copy it, if it was lost no big deal.
Features
For some one who has never played a piano in their life the learning features are very good.
Quality
Does not apply.
Value
For me the product was a bit pricey, I'm on disability. The price could have been a little less expensive.
Manufacturer Support
Never needed it.

Musical Background:

Was a proffesional, now hobbyist

Musical Style:

Anything interesting to me.
13 of 19 people (68%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!