Previous Next

From Rose Software, who have a reputation for quality educational software, comes Learning To Read Music. This contains four programs to help develop the skills needed in order to read music. Technically, this is a commendable program, the layout and presentation being of a high standard. Colour and graphics are well used and the sound, given the limitations of the Spectrum's tiny speaker, is adequate.

The first program is a game for beginners called 'Treble Clef' which aids pitch discrimination and musical literacy. Notes must be recognised from the screen. Corrections are given and a 'help' facility is available, if required.

The program is straightforward but, for some reason is followed by 'Scale Position', designed for the older student preparing for ASBM Grade V Theory. This is a much more complex program where the user is required to name a given key signature and then name notes, such as the Tonic or Dominant, in relation to that key.

'Note Values' teaches and tests the relative value of certain notes and rests but the procedure seems to have more of a mathematical rather than a musical emphasis. A rhythmic sequence is built up by the student and is then played, showing how successful the learning has been. 'Keyboard', the final program is designed for keyboard beginners and shows the relationship between notes on the music stave and notes on the keyboard. It also explains sharps and flats.

All in all, this is a comprehensive package which aims to cater for a fairly wide age and ability range, but in my opinion a computer is no substitute for a piano and a good theory book is likely to be of equal value!