I didn't learn piano the old fashioned way, and I didn't learn as a little kid. Therefore, it's not surprising that I'd be interested in new, alterative, innovative ways of teaching piano/keyboard. PIANO WIZARD teaches in the style of the video game "Guitar Hero." I'm sorry, I don't know which came first, but, I'm guessing PW did because the computer interface has an older software feel to it. That said, I like it. But it will require someone with at least some comfort level with computers – either the parent, teacher or student.

Once set up, the beginner can begin instantly and work his/her way up through lessons that are already included. Each lesson plays like a game – it even keeps score (btw, that's not a pun). Therefore, once students get used to the routine, they can continue independently. Most of the visuals are bugs or squiggly lines that drift into a colored key on the screen that matches a colored key on the keyboard – meaning it's time to press and hold for the duration of the squiggly line. You can choose from many colorful backgrounds like screen savers. Not as mod as "Guitar Hero," but nonetheless kinda fun to look at and certainly not as dull as a black and white score of sheet music on a dusty piano. Still, I like that the user can change those drifting bugs into notes, you can even choose to put fingering numbers on them. I like those options. Further, you can change the range of allowable timing. That is, as the student reaches to hit a note on the beat, there's a user-definable fudge factor to tighten as the student gets better and better. This parameter is very easily adjusted – as is the tempo.

In practice, you hear the accompaniment constantly, but if you miss the timing on your piano part, you won't hear that note sound. That's pretty cool. I also really like that the system will accept other midi files. I took some time to record a piano composition I wrote into a midi file (using POWERTRACKS PRO). It didn't take long, even including some PW type tweaks like adding a second accompaniment and percussion. This makes PW quite flexible and expandable. I assume any piece you can get on midi – you can put into PW. PW also offers, for a few bucks each, popular pieces in the format purchasable online.

Overall, I like it. If you're a piano teacher you should definitely look into it. I can even envision a teacher requiring all his/her students to get one. (After all, the set up comes with a keyboard that will free-play as well through the pc). However, if you're a user or parent with low to no computer skills then you might want to pass on this unless you know someone who can help you get it set up and running. Btw, while PW comes with a 4 octave touch-sensitive midi controller that even has a pitch and mod wheel, I'd recommend CASIO digi pianos with weighted keys (they cost about $450 – and you'll need a midi to USB connector cord). That said, the included keyboard hooks up with only a USB cord and doesn't even need batteries.

I'm a musician and very comfortable with computers. I followed the directions on the quick set up and also viewed a short (7 minute) video demo in the set up menu. It took me exactly 30 minutes to get it all installed, registered, connected and running. I didn't need to install the special drivers that came with the keyboard – the thing just worked (for me). All instructions were pretty good except I think the vid demo encouraged me to set up the keyboard driver before installing PW, which was in conflict with the quick start sheet that had me connect the keyboard and then install keyboard software if necessary (which, as I said, thankfully I didn't need to.)

Here are some recommendations to the software developers for future versions. Don't limit the size of the play screen. Also let the useable range of keys expand to the left and right, why waste screen space with darkened keys? Use the space bar as a pause/resume toggler. Use "W" or "R" for rewind. When the user is active in practice, it's easier to use keyboard shortcuts than the mouse. A small thing, the word "Premier" is vague; just rename that button "Advanced Mode." Allow users to integrate their own "worlds" (IE: just use their own photos). Include worlds that move, like most media players – or just the abstract patterns that they include. Lastly, here's a great idea, create a long narrow "Monitor" that sits on top of the midi-keyboard and is the horizontal mirror image of what would be on a normal display (or simply use a mirror). You don't even need to make it LCD; you could use a separate LED (fader display) for each key. Call me, I'll brainstorm with you.

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Books & Music by Author/Illustrator/Composer Ross Anthony