The 5 Questions You Should Ask When Evaluating Piano Software

There are now quite a few programs available on the Internet for learning how to read music. The problem is deciding on which program will actually meet your needs. The following questions will help you to evaluate any music software to see if it is right for you.

QUESTION #1: Was the software developed by a professional software developer?

I have downloaded a lot of music programs from the Internet and unfortunately quite a few of them were developed by well meaning music teachers who were ‘experimenting’ with software development. This can be a recipe for disaster!

Many of the software programs I’ve tried continually crash and a lot of them simply don’t work because the developer hasn’t tested them on different operating systems.

You can usually identify professionally developed software by looking for the following signs:

1. The developer’s website is clean and professional.
2. The website includes testimonials from real customers.
3. The site offers a money back guarantee. A good developer will be happy to stand by their product with a money back guarantee.
4. The developer has an email address listed on the site so that you can contact them if you do have
   problems

QUESTION #2: Does the software teach or test?

The most common problem with note reading software is that many programs simply test what a child already knows by illustrating a note and asking the child to identify it.

If a child can’t read music, they end up guessing and when they guess incorrectly, the program gives them negative feedback. In the child’s mind this reinforces the idea that they can’t read music.

Well designed software on the other hand always gives a child the chance to learn the material in a safe environment before they are tested on their understanding.

QUESTION #3: Does the software offer a series of step-by-step lessons?

You should always look for software that is easy to use. Ideally a child should be able to use the software by themselves.

The program should start at the very beginning and gradually take your child through a series of easy to follow step-by-step lessons.

QUESTION #4: Is there a clearly defined goal?

Children are incredibly motivated by striving for and achieving specific goals. Well designed software makes use of this fact by presenting your child with a series of small goals that lead to the realization of an overall objective.

For example, they may have to collect a series of keys in order to open a secret door. This type of approach keeps a child coming back for more.

QUESTION #5: Is the program FUN?

Most of the musical drill programs I have seen on the Internet are incredibly boring!

If a child is going to benefit from a software program they have to play it repeatedly. As always there are two ways to make a child do this.

There is the Sergeant Major approach of telling them that they have to work on a computer drill for 20 minutes.

Or there is the subtle approach of making the game so much fun that children ask to play it. Using this approach, children don’t even notice that they are learning.

These are the guidelines I use when I evaluate software for use in my music studio. They are also the guidelines I used when I designed and developed Piano Is Fun.

To find out more about the program please click here