Yamaha YPT400MS Portable Electronic Keyboard with 61 Full Size Touch Sensitive Keys and Keyboard Stand Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did a lot of research before ordering this piano. Even so, I was very surprised at how much was included for this price. A WONDERFUL Yamaha digital piano with many fantastic features. The stand. The AC adapter. Even free lessons on music theory on a CD to get you started. Throw in all of the voices, sounds, songs, and ability to interface with a computer, and you have an unbelievable deal.
The only down side is that the software it comes with doesn't load on my Mac :-(, but since most things don't, I wouldn't downgrade it just for that. It interfaces with Garageband, which is the software I already use, so that's enough for me.
Oh, and talk about fun. I'm got this to practice my piano lessons at home, and the first day it came I had so much fun I went to bed with sore wrists. I kept trying out practicing my scales with different voices. I guess I'll have to "space out" my fun a little bit better in the future.

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YAMAHA 61 KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD W/AC ADAP *NIC* Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this keyboard to replace an older one, with 3/4 size keys. My main reason was simply that I wanted one with full-sized keys, but I got far more than just that. Its Grand Piano voice is full, rich and authentic in its sound. Most of the other voices are also remarkably realistic-sounding. It's fun to have a variety of voices, to reduce the monotony that can result from the repetition that practice requires. It came with an instructional DVD that was very helpful- take the time to watch it.
The speakers give ample sound even at lower volumes. The keyboard never sounds tinny. You can buy a more expensive keyboard and get more features (though this one has more than I need), but unless you are spending 4 times as much, it won't sound superior. You can also add headphones or a sustain pedal, if you want.
There are only 2 drawbacks for me. Firstly, the LCD screen would be easier to use if it were backlit. Secondly, on a 61-key board, the middle-C is off center. (This is true with any 61-key board. The simple solution is just to move your chair over a bit.)
Despite these minor complaints, I love it. It's great to have music in my home again.

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YAMAHA YPT200AD 61-KEY PORTABLE KEYBOARD WITH PORTABLE GRAND FUNCTION

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Yamaha PSR-295 Portatone 61-Key Touch-Sensitive Musical Keyboard Review

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(More customer reviews)[Please note that this product is available from Amazon under three packagings: PSR-295 (no adapter) PSR-295AD (includes adapter) and PSR-295MS (includes adapter and stand). I bought the PSR-295MS package.]
I got this full-length keyboard at a great price of $190 with included adapter and keyboard. Both accessories are a must, since this thing is huge.
The product shipped in two days (from PA to MD) with free shipping. I was delighted to find a helpful instructional DVD in the package to get started with the basics, so I didn't have to go through the manual, except for detailed and advanced features.
Also included was a Song Book, with staff music for some popular songs. It's great for someone who knows how to read music - I'm still learning to. There's also software to transfer music between PC and keyboard.
"Portable Grand" is just a one-touch button option to set the keyboard to Grand Piano mode. Of course, this cannot be expected to sound as great or realistic as a high-end digital piano or an expensive wooden one. However, the touch sensitive feature makes it as realistic as possible.
Here are the features I liked:
* Display shows notes and chords being played in three ways - staff notation, note name (ex. E# m7 aug etc.), and graphical (actual keys on a diagram).
* Truly Touch (Force) Sensitive Keys (can be toggled on/off).
* 487 Voices (incl. ~360 XGLite voices).
* 136 Accompaniment Styles to play along.
* Built-in songs which can be practised using Yamaha Education Suite. (Buil-in feature).
* Jog Dial to move between voice/style/song numbers.
* Flash memory to record your songs.
* Direct USB connection (MIDI-USB connecter cable *not* required - that cable would cost around $40).
* Software to transfer songs and voices between PC and keyboard.
* Truly stero output (not just two speakers).
* Phono/Line-Out socket.
* Sustain pedal socket (pedal not included).
Here are some things I didn't like:
* USB cable not included. ($7 extra from Amazon).
* Volume sometime seems a little low. But then, you can always pass output through amps if you really need it that loud.
* No mic or line-in socket.
* Phono out uses 1/4 inch pin. Had to buy a 1/8 to 1/4 converter from RadioShack.
* LCD display is highly "directional", visible only when looking at a particular angle. This is not much of a problem when playing sitting. However, if playing standing, this may be a little inconvenient.
* No sustain toggle switch. If you don't have a sustain pedal, turning sustain on/off manually takes a couple of steps.
Overall, at under $190, free shipping and included adapter and stand, this is a great buy for beginners as well as advanced users.
I had a Yamaha PSS-11 long back. It was a good beginner keyboard but it soon outgrew me, since you couldn't play it with two hands. Overall, I like Yamaha quality and find their keyboards much more professional than Casio ones (maybe I'm wrong). Of course, "real" professionals would use KORG, but that'll be upwards of $1000! :)


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Yamaha PSR295 61-Key Touch-Sensitive Keyboard Musical Instrument - The Yamaha PSR295 represents a breakthrough in interactive playing, learning, and offers new horizons for the musician. In addition to MIDI connectivity, this is the first time that Yamaha has been able to offer USB on a portable keyboard at such a breakthrough price. Its 'one cable' setup makes it easy to connect the PSR295 and your computer. You can have the ability of creating, editing, and scoring compositions using software on your PC system. The opportunities are virtually endless. Other features include a 6-track sequencer for recording songs and performances, plus 487 selectable instrument voices, including Yamaha's ultra realistic Portable Grand Piano function. The PSR295 comes with 135 built-in styles which will follow your playing like a built-in band. Choose from one of the 30 internal or 70 CD-ROM songs, or download songs from the Web.Easy Song Arranger allows song playback in any of 135 accompaniment styles Portable Grand for the realism of a stereo grand piano Yamaha Education Suite with exercises, interactive lessons and the innovative Your Tempo learning mode, which allows the user to learn songs by progressing at a suitable rate; may repeat any difficult sections On-Board Sequencer records up to 5 songs in 6 tracks 2-way speakers, bass ports & Bass Boost System provide great sound quality Large back-lit LCD shows musical staff & chords Headphone & sustain pedal jacks (headphones and pedals are optional) Includes Digital Music Notebook software for Windows PC

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Steinway Virtual Concert Grand Standard Version Review

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(More customer reviews)The only thing that beats this product is actually sitting at a recently tuned quality grand in a nice room.
I got so excited by this sample set that I bought a 3 pedal controller so I can feel even more like I'm playing an actual piano.
I only wish this had been available in the late 1970's when I got a big loan for a Yamaha cp70 electric piano before going on the road (and also hurting my back!)
There are other very good similar products but I really think this is top of the current heap.
The only thing I'm not sure about is whether there is an upgrade path from the standard version that I bought (16 bit with 2 mic perspectives) to the Pro version (24 bit with 5 mic perspectives).

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Software. With CD-ROM. 6.7x10.75 inches. 98 pages. Published by Garritan.
The Steinway concert grand piano chosen for the sample set is among Steinway's finest Model Ds - newly voiced, regulated, and meticulously tuned by a master Steinway technician. Recording was done in one of the finest venues in the world, the Troy Music Hall. The Standard Version includes only the under-the-lid perspective and 16 GB of sounds. Cross-platform.

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Yamaha YPT-200 Portable Keyboard with Portable Grand Function (no AC Adapter) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am very happy with this purchase; Some added features would have made this product a fabulous buy though.
cons:
a) The LCD display is not backlit and has a small viewing area. It is extremely difficult to read it.
b) The keyboard body has notations for each key, but is engraved on the body, and it being the same body color, it is impossible to read those notations - even in the day light.
c)It cannot record your voice. It is important if you want to compose and transmit through midi.
d) In the learning section, it would have been helpful if there was a 'slow' playback function too.
Pros:
a) Light weight
b) Grand piano is an excellent feature. Very good for piano learners, until they buy full size piano of their own.
c) Great features.
d) YESS learning suite is simply fabulous.
This model is far better than casio 496, which I was planning to buy earlier.
Great purchase...I like it.

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Designed for the beginner or music hobbyist, the Yamaha YPT-200 Portable Keyboard with Portable Grand Function represents the first model in its price point to include complete General MIDI compatibility and functions that, up until recently, could only be found on higher-priced units and professional workstations. With a broad set of features and functions, including Yamaha's Y.E.S.5 Education Suite, this is not only a truly affordable portable keyboard that allows you to play almost anything you can imagine, but that can act as your own personal music teacher as well.The Yamaha Y.E.S.5 features 102 built-in songs for you to learn to play, separated into left- and right-hand parts and providing seven levels of lessons plus a convenient chord dictionary. The three keyboard lessons for each hand allow you to listen and learn the melody or rhythm of a selected song. A timing mode allows you to play the melody or chord by pressing any key using the correct timing. A waiting mode automatically stops the playback of a song until you find the correct note and then continues. Y.E.S.5 includes "lesson grading" that monitors your progress as you practice each of the timing and waiting lessons and gives you feedback. Finally, the chord dictionary shows you how to play chords and tells you which chords you are playing by displaying the notes and chord-name on the LCD screen.The Yamaha YPT-200 also allows you to take advantage of the Internet on a whole new level. This unit includes General MIDI (GM) compatibility with a MIDI in and out connection to your computer giving you access to thousands of MIDI songs and files on the Internet. This portable keyboard features a built-in, fully-adjustable metronome, additional jacks for a sustain pedal, headphones for private practice, and stereo speakers that have individual amplifiers with stereo-sampling technology.The YPT-200 also includes 61 standard keys, a large LCD display screen, an auto-accompaniment with 100 styles and four variations to choose from, 134 MIDI compatible voices, and it allows a maximum of 32 notes of polyphony. The easy-to-use panel and function controls allow you to create or choose from almost any sound, such as trumpets, violins, drums and even a choir, giving you a virtual orchestra at your fingertips. The keyboard weighs only nine pounds and 11 ounces. User's should note that the UX16 MIDI/USB converter necessary to connect the keyboard to a computer is not included.

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Casio LK-92TV 61-Key Lighted Keyboard with TV Outputs, Stand, and Power Adapter Review

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(More customer reviews)This keyboard is very nice. I was going to purchase an LK-55 at an online auction site. The price of that was much higher than [...] and that was before shipping. Good thing I checked Amazon.com. I discovered this better model, at a better price and with a stand and AC adaptor thrown in.
I ordered on Monday afternoon using free shipping. Amazon emailed notice of shipping that very night, and it was delivered on Tuesday before noon. Awesome! Thanks Amazon.
Apart from the keyboard and manuals, I found a microphone in the box. Embedded carefully in one outer end of the styrofoam packing material was a Casio AC adaptor. This can be easily missed and thrown away with the packaging. Amazon had packaged yet another AC adaptor and keyboard stand with the shipment. In effect I received TWO AC adaptors.
I've already started to use it and I have to say it makes it extremely easy to learn to play. The keys to play next light up, there are voice prompts for which fingers to use, in addition to the LCD screen guidance. The voice also says encouraging stuff like 'Very close', 'keep trying' in response to your performance. All these features can be turned off. There are in fact too many feature to mention - some are listed in the seller's description above.
Something I wondered about was what the differences were between the LK90TV, LK92TV and the LK94TV. I believe the 90 and 92 to be basically the same, and the manual has LK90TV and LK92TV written on it with nothing whatsoever distinguishing one from the other in the manual. The LK94TV on the other hand is very slightly larger in dimensions and weighs a little more than the LK90TV/LK92TV. The LK94TV has a larger memory for songs and will accept 15 user songs while the LK90TV/LK92TV can only take 5, but has a SmartMedia card slot for more songs downloadable onto a card. The LK94TV has no such slot. The LK94TV also has a digital effects function in form of digital reverbration and digital chorus. The LK90TV/LK92TV do not have these. The LK94TV uses 6 D batteries, the LK90TV/LK92TV use 6 AA batteries. Battery life though is aproximately 2.5 hours on continous play for both the LK94TV and the LK90TV/LK92TV.
There are no other differences other than the above. I have no regrets for having gone for the LK92TV, especially at $129 with all the extras thrown in, and I look forward to my family having loads of fun with it.

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Common knowledge says that if you don't practice diligently and master technique, you can't play a musical instrument. Casio, however, thinks everyone should experience the thrill of playing piano, which is why it developed the LK-92TV lighted keyboard. The intuitive device connects to your TV to guide you through lesson plans while lighted keys show you which notes to play. It makes playing piano as easy as coloring by numbers, giving your musical education a terrific jump-start.
The keyboard employs a comprehensive three-step lesson system to build up your knowledge, with feedback and grades after each tutorial. The three-step plan also lets you play at several different paces: you can advance the melody by using the One-Key Play buttons or any other key; you can follow the lighted keys at your own pace as the accompaniment slows down; or you can play the melody in time with the rhythm. Plus, the TV connection does more than just display lessons. It also offers sing-along lyrics for 65 karaoke classics, with the option of loading more songs via computer. If Elton John and Billy Joel are your biggest musical heroes, the sing-along function is a must. And because the song lyrics scroll across the screen while you play, both guests and keyboard players can harmonize through a host of favorites.
Another nice feature is the full complement of 61 illuminated keys, so you don't have to learn on a truncated keyboard, and the 100 prerecorded songs that give you plenty of choices for accompaniment. The setup also offers an extensive repertoire of 264 timbres for creative expression (128 tones, 128 general MIDI timbres, and eight drum sets), 32-note polyphony, and 120 rhythm patterns. To load additional songs, merely connect the LK-92TV to a USB-enabled PC and download the songs to the keyboard's SmartMedia slot.
The LK-92TV owes its high-quality sound to its HL dual-element sound chip, which delivers rich, crisp tones, and its pair of 4.72-inch speakers (2.5 watts x 2). Additional features include a practice phrase switch; transpose and tuning control; an assignable pedal jack (sustain, soft, sostenuto, and rhythm start/stop); and an easy-to-read LCD display. The LK-92TV, which runs on six AA batteries (not included), comes with a keyboard stand, microphone, and power adapter, and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box Keyboard, keyboard stand, microphone, mini-to-RCA video cable, power adapter, user's manual.

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The Music Tree: Student's Book, Time to Begin Review

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(More customer reviews)i love the way this book teaches music! It is so easy for kids to grasp. It is slow enough for little one and older elementary kids and do a unit a week (there are 9 units in the book). It focuses on intervalic reading, not hand postioned at middle C. Then it starts to introduce land mark notes. Also includes duet part for the teacher as well.

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Time To Begin, the cornerstone of the Music Tree series, is a unique and highly effective approach to beginning piano instruction. Starting with off-staff notation, it leads the student to reading direction and intervals, and climaxes with the discovery of the Grand Staff. Also included is a carefully designed program of rhythm, technic and creative work. The cassette features electronic renditions of the music: it offers the accompaniment alone, or both the student's and teacher's parts. The Teacher's Handbook is an invaluable tool. This volume contains essays regarding how students learn, on technic, and how rhythm is presented. Teaching aspects are discussed, and suggestions are offered for each unit of the book.

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eMedia Essential Keyboard Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)The keyboard shown here looks exactly like the one I purchased from Amazon in June 2008 to get back to keyboard studies after a long downtime period. I still have that keyboard, it has had no problems whatsoever, after all the practice I put into it, it still works fine.
The current version of this keyboard now has some features which were not in the original one, software, etc., so I cannot comment on that, however, from the what the other reviewer said here, the teaching devices are probably just fine. This is the review I wrote in 06.08 about the original keyboard. My knowledge of the keyboard market is now extensive; this review still stands:
"This is an excellent buy and a great keyboard for beginners of all ages or even more advanced players who want an exercise keyboard or one to take with on trips. It's very well built, solid, with full size keys, is very light weight and small enough to store away easily. Has a volume control, sustain button, metromone, and some learning devices. Easy to use, just plug in and play. Comes with a music rack, adapter, and manual. The keys are easy to press, yet the action and feel of the keys is very good and similar to pro level keyboards, so you can play with proper technique on this. The grand piano voice is good and realistic enough for practice, the other voices could be better, but with the piano voice coming in OK, the keyboard is certainly worth the money. I have not used the learning devices, so I can't comment on them, but everything else about this keyboard is very good. I am an advanced guitarist and intermediate keyboardist, I am totally satisfied with this keyboard, you will be too!"

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Get Started with the eMedia Play Piano Pack The eMedia Play Piano Pack includes everything you need to play piano straight out of the box. It's an ideal affordable solution for anyone who has thought about learning piano or keyboard. It includes a 49 full-size key MIDI keyboard with built-in speakers, 50 instrument sounds and LCD display, an AC Adapter, and the USB-MIDI interface for connecting the keyboard to the computer. What's more, it includes a great teacher: the eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method CD-ROM (for Windows & Mac computers).


System Requirements:
Windows: Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 64 MB of free RAM, CD-ROM

Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.3 or later (Intel OK) 64 MB of free RAM, CD-ROM

What's in the Box Keyboard, AC Adapter, USB-MIDI interface, eMedia Piano & Keyboard Method CD-ROM

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eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method Volume 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)I was completely new to music when I bought this set (CD-ROM and keyboard). I think it is great. It walks you through the basics and when you start playing the music has numbers on it that match up to your fingers (1-5) so you can play as you get the hang of reading music. Gradually they remove some of the numbers so your music reading skills improve.
The software grades your playing with a percentage score, and gives you details on your errors (if you want them).
Also, it includes short videos of a person playing piano so you can see proper posture and such. Each song comes with (optional) accompaniment, which can make it funner to play (especially with the simple songs).
The keyboard that comes with it (optional) has a solid feel, and is touch-sensitive (pressing harder plays louder). The keyboard plugs into the joystick port (probably on your sound card).

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The eMedia Piano and Keyboard Method CD-ROM offers over 300 step-by-step lessons starting from basics such as hand position, rhythm and playing on black keys, and moving on to 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, variable-speed MIDI keyboard tracks and colorful MIDI accompaniments.

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My Piano for PC/Mac Review

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(More customer reviews)I had very high hopes for this software. My almost 7 year old daughter is very excited about learning to play piano. But I guess she doesn't watch enough cartoons because she and I both find the talking piano character a little ridiculous. But that's not the problem. The problem is that the volume for the narration cannot be adjusted separately from the midi keyboard output through the computer speakers. Our keyboard does not have internal amplification. (MIDI only) so there is no option to adjust keyboard output. This makes the software all but unusable for us. We had high hopes but it looks like we'll have to look for another solution.

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Emedia Ek12097 My Piano

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Piano for Kids (Jewel Case) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a first-stage beginner's program with an excellent presentation. The cute characters provide a very good education about piano basics and how to play the piano. For the software version, screen animations provide a level of interest for kids. Recommended for age 6+, but I believe it could start younger for those that can read a little. The software version features printable sheet music, tempo adjustments, puzzles, games, and an option to download other free MIDI songs (but on Windows Vista with a broadband (cable internet) connection, this option did not work). SelectSoft/ArcMedia's website also did not produce a listing for free MIDI music downloads. If the download MIDI songs function works for you, this would be an excellent choice for long-term teaching. Piano for Kids (Jewel Case) Piano for Kids

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Platform:WINDOWS & MACINTOSHPublisher:SELECTSOFT PUBLISHINGPackaging:JEWEL CASERating:AGES 6 AND UPMeet Professor Rhythm and his staff: five cheeky characters who will open up the world of music and make playing the piano as easy as pie-ano. Children learn to read and play music with the help of an amazing magic piano that shows which notes to hit and when.Features: Adjust the tempo bar to match learning speed.Left and right hand movements taught separately and together.Watch the ladybug follow the notes as the tune is played back.Look up musical terms in the glossary.Well-known recognizable tunes plus printable sheet music with finger positions and notes that kids can color.Introduction to the basics of general music theory.Puzzles games and drag & drop exercises with fun sounds and animations to support the lessons.The unique touch & click piano helps kids learn where the notes are on the piano keyboard and the staff. System Requirements for Windows Windows 98 Me XPPentium PC or faster32 MB RAM (48 MB recommended)100 MB free hard disk space800x600 monitor 16-bit colorWindows-compatible sound card & speakers2X CD-ROM drive (4X recommended) System Requirements for Macintosh Mac OS 7.5 9.2 OS X Classic modePowerMac or faster32 MB RAM (48 MB recommended)100 MB free hard disk space800x600 monitor thousands of colors2X CD-ROM drive (4X recommended)

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USB Teach Me Piano Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)I wanted a usb midi cable, since my new machine doesn't have a game port and I had been using a gameport midi cable to connect my sythesizer to my computer. This piano kit seemed to fit the bill. And, I liked that for about the cost of a cable I get the piano instruction software for my son basically included.
Before buying, I verified with Voyetra that this cable works both with mac and pc, since I have a PC desktop and Mac laptop. I didn't want a PC only cable. (Mac OSX has built-in compatible USB drivers for this Turtle Beach brand cable.)
Unfortunately, I spent over half a day trying combinations of connecting the cable between 2 different synths and my two computers... I get either computers to send data to control either synth, but got flaky MIDI IN data coming into the computers from every combination. It would send either random data or only "note off" commands but not "note on".
Eventually I gave up, suspecting the cable rather than my synths, computers, or application software. So I emailed voyetra tech support (they have no phone support), who replied on the next business day suggesting I download and install the firmware upgrade from their website. The upgrade worked easily, and now everything works great. (Note that the firmware upgrade needs to be run on a PC not a Mac.)
The included piano instruction software is good, and my son enjoys it, but it uses a lower screen resolution, leading me to believe that it was not written recently. But it has no problem running under XP.
Overall it's a nice product for the money, but the install was frustrating. You might need to know a bit about your synth, MIDI, and how to troubleshoot -- unless you get lucky.

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Learning to play a musical instrument is a rewarding and creative skill that can enrich the lives of you and your family but finding the time to learn isn't easy.If you've always wished you could play the piano or you've let your skills get rusty over the years you'll appreciate the convenience of interactive lessons that are ready whenever you have the time. Key features: USB MIDI Interface Interactive Lessons Progress Charts. Includes: USB MIDI Cable Teach Me Piano" software

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PianoHead Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a Win/Win product for teachers and students.With over 30 years experience, and a large studio of successful students, I can attest that Piano Head taps into the quick visual perception both honed in today's youth by video games, and required by successful music readers.Kids are further motivated by the challenge to appear on the Worldwide Scoreboard, which entices them to practice their note and interval recognition to the desired level of automaticity.I have many students who have leaped to a higher level of understanding and enthusiasm for playing the piano, as Piano Head has lifted them beyond the mundane level of "hunt and peck". At a time when national studies show that a large percentage of piano students drop out after two years of lessons because they cannot read music, I cannot recommend this product highly enough!

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This easy-to-use software product teaches fundamental music theory skills in a fun, game-like format. Explore self-paced practice areas for note recognition, scales, intervals and key signatures. A practice-and-play interface helps you learn through repetition, feedback, and increasing levels of difficulty. When you're ready to move on, play the PianoHead Challenge, a game that combines all of these skills in 16 challenging levels. An online scoreboard lists the top scores of players from around the world. PianoHead is not a replacement for a piano teacher or music education books, but it is a powerful supplementary tool for solidifying the foundational skills required to read and perform music.

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Piano Wizard PREMIER Piano Instruction Software - USB/MIDI Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)a little background, i am a 22 year old woman with learning disabilities. i have a lot of difficulty reading and writing so when i wanted to learn piano i was worried because i couldnt afford lessons and learning from a book required a ton of reading.. im very easily distracted, just like a child.. i learn best with color.
first off:
piano wizard=awesome
second.. um, well.. its fun..
third.. everyone should have piano wizard
forth.. piano wizard company is evil for requiring registration on the internet for the product to be usable.. what if a person doesnt even have internet in their house? well i guess its not evil, but its annoying.. ive never seen another software that did that, not even my expensive rosetta stone japanese.. its especially a pain in the butt when the computer only has one bar of wireless internet.. really irritating.. but whatever i guess they are scared that people, um, im not sure what they are scared of.. but im sure its something..
5th.. no matter how excited you are your dog will never care that you got a 100% at the right tempo for a new song you have just learned.. he will sit there and stare at you as you dance around in your seat your victory dance..
6th.. start out in step 2.. its easier to learn the sideways layout faster if your brain doesnt have to turn.. well, start out there once you make it past old mcdonald..
7th.. boy im just going on and on with this numbering thing.. the dinosaur layout has the easiest to see flying thing shape, an egg, this is the best one because when fingering is activated you can clearly see the number without blocking the color while you still need color.. a lot of the others just become hard to read if you have poor eyes like me
8th.. songs make way more sense when you get up to level 3 and they show how some notes are supposed to be for longer (because during levels 1-2 you are learning fingering but in level 3 you can see real notes and so if you have even a tiny bit of knowledge about how the circle ones are longer your song will sound waaaay better)
9th.. well if you read 8th you might be under the impression that you cant see how long the notes are until level 3.. well if you choose to you can select the long flying thing and see them in level 1-2.. it will get longer for how long the notes are but i dont use it because it makes it a lot harder to see when there are multiple notes back to back for the same key..
10th.. songs in easy mode are lame, but they are truly the best for for each skill level.. any downloaded songs should wait until you have mastered the 100 songs at the proper tempo
11th thing to say about PW is that stretchy gloves with the tips cut off make it a lot easier to play in a 50 degree house..
12th.. well i wish there was sheet music for each song.. but i suppose if i really wanted to i could look it up
13th thing to say.. I AM A PIANO,,,, um WITCH!.. i dont think i can be a wizard since im a woman..
14th,, this is definitely not a stand alone product.. i think a book that teaches about the different notes and maybe some youtube lessons work well with it..
15th, i wish it could play through my keyboard speakers instead of my laptop.. meh
16th.. not everything is set up like it is in the how to videos but the real way its set up is easier anyway so whatever right?
17th.. the stickers do not impede the functionality of my lighted keyboard when not connected to the computer.. they are see through enough that the light shines through enough.. the black key stickers are not bright enough so be sure to practice in a well lit room.. one lamp may not be enough but its not a big deal because after a while when you are learning a song you stop looking at the keys all together..special note, the height of your regular computer desk may be too high for proper posture playing.. its harder to keep the wrists up when the desk is much higher than your elbows..now one thing i hate that i havent figured out how to turn off, is that line that connects the musical note to the piano key.. this makes it hard to see which line the note is on on the staff.. its really really annoying and it hurts the learning process for learning to read the music when everything is black and white.. honestly at that point i think i would rather they get rid of the keyboard for an even more challenging level where you are just playing the notes as they hit a line instead of keys.. maybe one day they will put a new level in that does that.. maybe they wont.. ((ETA: i have figured out how to turn off that weird line))
one more bad thing, it doesnt take off if you hit the keys out of order if they are close together.. and you can totally mash keys for a perfect score if you get frustrated enough.. sort of like in tekken 2, you could win any fight my mashing keys..
one more bad thing, the sound quality is awful.. but um, i dont actually care that much.. so whatever right.. but if you do care about sound it is best to note that.. i think its probably the midi files the songs are on's fault..
um if you are having trouble getting the stickers on right (like if you have a bigger keyboard and arent sure which areas get stickers) go into free play mode and hit keys to see which color they are then put the correct sticker on.. easy peasy..
havent figured out how to take midi files already on my computer and put them into the premier mode thingy.. i would like to have my cartoon songs on there..
the screen is weird on PW but you can get used to it.. i wish it had a sustain thing so i could learn that instead of holding down keys.. but whatever, and i also wish there was a velocity sensitivity component because you dont play all keys at the same volume when you play a real piano, some are softer and some are louder..
um i recommend starting a new song slowing the tempo down, waaay down.. then working your way up to moving your fingers faster.. it helps with mastering a song faster especially when you switch over to the black and white notes, it helps you have time to hit the correct keys instead of accidentally learning the wrong ones because it wont correct you..
i dont like how it doesnt take off points for pressing the wrong key, but as its made for children i sort of understand, but for an adult constructive criticism is helpful.. i hate when i get a 100% when i know i messed up a couple keys.. it makes me feel like i cheated..
rating:
fun= 5*****
instructive= 4****
sound= 3***
customization capabilities= 5*****
buggyness= 4****
total stars 4.2
i recommend this to any adults with learning disabilities that may otherwise prevent the learning of a musical instrument..

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This package includes: Piano Wizard PREMIER software (compatible with both Mac and Windows); USB/MIDI cable to connect your Windows PC or Mac to your piano keyboard; color-coded, washable & removable stickers for your piano keyboard. Piano Wizard PREMIER

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Magix Piano & Keyboard Workshop Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The price of this might lead you to think it's worth a try..but XP users be aware that it does not work -brings up an error screen right at the outset..I've tried it on two machines. If you read the reviews for the version 2, which I have just got, then I would say one star is a little harsh, but then again... the metronome/count in on mine is highly erratic to the extent that it's more of an offputting hindrance than a help - it seems to play an almost random selection of the beats but never the full number for whatever is indicated by the time signiature.. sounds like a 70's jazz rock drummer most of the time! Because of this it's quite difficult/impossible to do the rhythm tests. Also the way the staves are presented on screen could develop bad eye-tracking habits that pass over into your paper copy reading..because it only presents two lines of measures at any one time once the upper line has played through it refreshs the screen with the measures following the bottom on the top.. as a result if your developing the habit of reading ahead as you should be you end up reading above your current position which never happens in the real world.

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Teach yourself how to play your favorite songs using Magix Piano & Keyboard Workshop. This software uses the MIDI file format so you can download from a huge selection on the Internet. Featuring 30 well-known songs in different styles, it automatically creates lessons and exercises for different levels of experience directly from the song files. Notes appear on the screen while the songs play--making practicing easy and fun.

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Adventus Incorporated Piano Suite Basic Review

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(More customer reviews)No program is ever going to suddenly give you knowlege... Regardless of what program you pick you are going to have to practice practice practice. This program is a little dated and looks like it was designed for the Win 95 platform. Still though it gets the job done and I largly enjoy it. Even though it is geared towards kids, as an adult, I followed allong nicely.

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SmartScore X Piano Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this Smartscore X Piano Edition after some researches. I'm disappoited. This software can't recognize well if the music is at intermediate or advanced level. As a result, it can't play back well. For example, i have a piece of music called "A Comme Amour." This software recognizes only about 70% correctly. When it played back, it skipped a buch of notes on the left hand. I can't edit and fix it as the editing tools that are available are very limited. If you want a software to recognize and play back a piece of easy music, then this software might be OK.

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The perfect practice tool for the pianist, both professional and student.SmartScore Piano Edition captures nearly every detail of printed piano scores for playback, transposition, reformatting and re-printing. SmartScore's SmartScan interface operates almost any scanner and adjusts each setting automatically. No guesswork or expertise required. SmartScore recognizes more musical symbols more accurately and more quickly than any other music-scanning product. Nuances written into scores are accurately captured resulting in astonishing realism in playback. Transpose and print your piece in a new key. Audition piano arrangements and practice along at various tempos. Save scores as MusicXML files and open them in Finale, Sibelius or other notation program keeping all page formatting and layout intact. Output to PDF, MIDI and audio (.WAV) file formats. Recognize most any PDF file from the Internet.

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