Customer Reviews

Music Ace Deluxe

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am an adult that wants to learn how to read regular music notation and hear the difference between the beat and tempo. This program can do that. It is easy and fun for children from about 6 to 96 years of age! I am 49 and having a blast with it. I play several bluegrass instruments but have always used "TAB" to play the instruments. I recently started playing a new instrument whose usual music is written in standard notation. That is why I wanted to learn. But I found so many of the programs out there to be either beneath my level or really above it. I guess most teachers think someone my age should known something about standard written music. I do not have anyone close by and available on my limited time schedule to learn from, so that is why I choose to learn from software.

This program is fun for adults too. It is a quality in depth program that assumes you know nothing about music and takes you on a magic ride from the very beginning teaching the staff, the notes, notations and everything else. It has a game at the end of each of the chapters and believe me some of the games are hard to get correct-particualarly the ones dealing with starting on the beat.

For my money it can't be beat!

As a music educator, I find this software is perfect for learning and drilling the essentials of music theory. The graphics and visuals are entertaining for elementary-aged students and the prompts are clear enough that my non-reading four year old LOVES to play. She has entertained herself for hours!

I bought this for my 4 year old who is taking piano lessons. HE LOVES IT!!! It is not only educational but also entertaining for children and adults alike. Definitely worth it!!

My 6 years old son is taking piano lessons form an excellent real teacher. But as a supplement he tried some of the lessons from the limited edition version of this program which was bundled with the Yamaha keyboard we bought for him. He got hooked and had lots of fun for about an hour with these lessons and wanted to do more lessons but couldn't due to that what we had was a limited edition and I think it only had three lessons. Then he immediately started playing the keyboard and I noticed a huge advancement and improvement in his playing and his timing. I became convinced; not only he found the lessons engaging but I saw immediate results in less than an hour. So we finally, bought the deluxe version of the software for him which contains 36 lessons all together and we'll use this program as a supplement to his music lessons with his real teacher.

You can actually download some of the demo lessons from www.harmonicvision.com and try before you buy. See if you get the same results.

Oh, I'll probably be using the program too. A limited number of students can use this program on the same license. They also sell a studio version if you need to exceed the limit.

I'm using this product with my 6 year old daughter, in prep for having her take piano lessons. She is not a computer-fan, and so the program has necessitated learning how to use my laptop as well. Some of the lesson follow up games are a bit trigger-happy (a computer game addict would love them), but she is getting the hang of it and even enjoying it. The lessons are a good length, although some of the introductions could be snappier. I love that the music used for examples is identified; this music appreciation aspect will be useful for her at a later age, and I enjoy the review now.

I chose this product because I have a mac and a clavinova digital piano, and hoped the two would go together well. So far the program does not take advantage of our plug in to the computer, but I hope the two will synch up in a later lesson. It was VERY hard to find music software for the Mac--weird, isn't it? With GarageBand readiness right there? Come on, software producers, get with it! Apple users are waiting!

All in all, I am satisfied, and my daughter is too.

I have been teaching 22 years as a certified music teacher. Don't hesitate to trust Music Ace with beginning music students, advancing students who need to sure up some gaps and vocabulary, and adults who want a good-natured and very engaging second chance at music literacy. Don't miss the available demo and session titles.
As I was finishing my Masters thesis on computer-assisted music instruction in the early 90s, I was introduced to Music Ace through available demos. I was able to acquire it for my students through the years in educational versions and eventually network versions of Music Ace and Music Ace 2 for my school. I purchased both titles in the single versions for my own children at home. I dedicated a summer to assisting my daughter and son through all 48 sessions. They were able to advance immediately in their private piano lessons. Music Ace was a factor in their public school band performance. My students and I are now enjoying Music Ace Maestro which is all 48 sessions from the two titles above. Harmonic Vision's Music Ace Deluxe has managed to keep the best and most essential 36 sessions under one title for home or other settings. I recently purchased two copies of Deluxe (for my father and my sister). My father is using it to instruct musicians and music leaders in the rural church where he is pastor. My sister is including it in her home school curriculum with her five children.
Today I continue to see the advantages of having another virtual instructor in my elementary classroom. Music Ace motivates, instructs, customizes drills and individualizes the progress of each student while maintaining progress records on all of them. Music Ace Deluxe will do the same for up to 10 re-assignable users at home or in the studio. I consider it appropriate for new readers with assistance all the way through music novices in high school. It is a great compliment to private music lessons. The foundational content is not insulting. Ear training, music vocabulary, and notation are introduced for students with no musical experience in a setting that promotes rapt attention and well-sequenced advancement. Staff reading and piano basics are patiently developed within an atmosphere that fosters quick advancement if the skills are demonstrated. As a balance to the patient pace, the element of urgency is effective for the video game generation. With sensitive personalities, this intensity can be moderated by the use of a pause button on lessons and the menu button during game mode. The bonus title, Doodle Pad, makes a light first impression until you see its vast and deep application as an instructional tool for demonstration, music literature, and creativity. It is accessible to the youngest of students and challenging to the advanced student. Instant transposition and the option to save original work make it very versatile. I am waiting for Doodle Pad to be offered with and option for traditional rhythmic notation and print capability. At the price of Music Ace Deluxe, this all constitutes a value with enduring and broad applications. In 20 or so years on the market, nothing else in its class can approach it, let alone replaced.

Music Ace Deluxe is a comprehensive beginning music notation and basic music theory tutorial. It is very well produced, with quality animation that is used to encourage the student.

I am an adult who enjoyed learning from the software even though it appears aimed towards the ages of about 8-12. I was able to relatively easily skip lessons that were too basic for me, and I appreciated the variable skill levels for the practice games. I was able to quickly understand the "circle of fifths" and how the scale is notated, much more so than just reading a book.

The rhythm instruction works amazingly well, just by striking a key on the computer keyboard. It warns you when you strike keys early or late or if you hold them too short or too long. If you make too many mistakes, it slows down the tempo, and then subsequently speeds it up once you perform it correctly. I feel much more confident about my understanding of syncopation as a result of this instruction.

The software works beautifully with a MIDI-connected keyboard, so consider buying an interface and/or a cheap controller keyboard if you have neither to aid in the instruction. Otherwise you will have to use the on-screen keyboard, which is still feasible.

The only thing I am disappointed about is the fact that the lessons end with an "Introduction to Harmony" that left me wishing for more. Unfortunately, there is no "advanced" product from Harmonic Vision to cover this territory, so I will be forced to read books, dry by comparison.

I bought this software for myself (learning keyboard) but I also have children. The software focuses on learning how to read music and also locating the notes on the keyboard. It would be helpful for children/adults playing any instrument. Most of the lessons are based on learning the notes on the scale, counting beats, etc.

Cons: The doodle pad composer does not save on my computer (I have vista) so when my son makes his "masterpieces" I can not save them to listen to later. Also the graphics are very dated. There doesn't seem to be any competition for this type of software so I guess that is why it hasn't been updated.

Overall I think this is a good game and slightly overpriced ( I paid 45 on here but feel 30 would have been a better price since the game is older) I have finished all of the lessons but go back and do the games to improve my speed with identifying notes on the scale and the keyboard.

I searched around for a good music theory software for my 5 year-old boy that can match the old Miracle Piano Teacher program (which can still be put together with items on eBay but I didn't want to risk it). I first bought the "Children's Music Journey" and sold it right away (read my 1-star review at that item). Then I came across Music Ace Deluxe, downloaded the demos from their website, and was immediately impressed with its coverage of music theory and fundamentals. The graphics are not impressive but it follows a good flow to teach kids (and adults) how to play and, more importantly, read music. My wife taught piano before having children and she is very happy with this program's methods.

Very good value. easy to understand and follow. interesting and fun format. teaches music theory so that anyone can understand it.