Music Ace Series: Putting the FUN in Fundamentals

by Tim Wilken, Harmonic Vision

The Music Ace Series, published by Harmonic Vision, Inc. helps students succeed during the first years of music instruction by providing an engaging introduction to music fundamentals and theory. The two volume series includes Music Ace and Music Ace 2, and several more titles are expected.

Winner of 28 awards and honors including the Technology & Learning Software Award of Excellence, a 4-CD rating from PC/Computing and a 5-apple rating from Mac Home Journal, Music Ace software introduces note reading, ear training, major scales, keyboard basics, whole steps, half steps, major scales and more!

Teaching K-8 magazine had this to say about Music Ace:
"The 24 lessons build on each other. As I practiced, it became easier to master the levels. The lessons covered these skills and concepts: staff and keyboard relationships, pitch identification, note reading, listening skills, sharps, flats, key signatures, keyboard basics, major scales and octaves, and treble, bass, and grand staff. I appreciated the non-judgmental environment as I slowly made my way through the lessons.
"In Music Doodle Pad, students compose music with different instruments, but the real fun begins when you save and play their pieces for the class. You'll be surprised at the complexity of their compositions.
"I liked that the program wasn't instrument specific. The piano was used to present musical concepts, but the product works well for students using any instrument. If you want your students to have fun while learning the fundamentals of music, this program will be a hit."

The second volume in the Music Ace Series, Music Ace 2, was released in the Spring of 1999 and has already received rave reviews. Among them are a gold seal from the National Association of Parenting Publications and a five-star rating from Children's Software Review, as well as a listing as one their top ten educational titles! Music Ace 2 features over 2,000 musical examples and covers treble, alto and bass clefs, standard notation, rhythm, melody, harmony, intervals and much more.

Here are just a few excerpts from Children's Software Review where Music Ace 2 was the only product in any category to receive their coveted five star rating:
"The lessons that come before each set of games are the most interactive and engaging that we've seen for just about any subject. Both visual and auditory cues are used to help children develop hundred's of music skills like beat and pitch discrimination and the location of notes on an onscreen keyboard. Kida also learn staff and keyboard relationships, the meanings of important musical terms, and many other things. The instructor in this case is a nicely developed animated conductor who carefully guides kids through each concept. Instruction is tailored to children's responses, giving them just the right amount of help while they're learning.
"After each lesson, fun games reinforce the concepts. When learning about melody, for instance, children must match Mozart's Symphony #21 and other music samples to the correct melody line shape - a great exercise in listening. In another activity, kids win at tic-tac-toe by identifying same and different rhythms for a variety of musical instruments.
"The CD has all of the elements of good design. A sign-in feature lets you start where you left off, and you can easily check the lessons that have been completed in a progress report section. The menu makes it easy to jump to the lessons or games, the graphics are uncluttered, the sounds are clear, and the program is very responsive. Impressed? We certainly are. This program offers a systematic, affordable way to introduce children to music essentials, and would be perfect as a supplement to music lessons."

Thousands of teachers across the country are having great success using the Music Ace Series in their classrooms. Here is just one example:
Kris Rhodes uses Music Ace at her school in Lakewood, Colo. "I know you've probably heard this already, but Music Ace really makes learning theory fun," said Rhodes. Today Rhodes is using Music Ace to help introduce note names on the treble staff. Once they've grasped the concept as a group by interacting with Maestro Max and his Singing Notes projected on to a screen, Rhodes divides the class of 26 into small groups. Half of the students work in the music room's computer lab while the other half do a word game worksheet taken from the Music Ace Teacher's Guide.

Why not put Music Ace in your lab, classroom, studio or home today?