The Miracle Piano Teaching System is a MIDI keyboard/teaching tool created in 19901 by The Software Toolworks for the NES and SNES, Apple Macintosh, Amiga, Sega Genesis and PC.
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Here is the video game “The Miracle Piano Teaching System”! Released in 1992 on Genesis, it's still available and playable with some tinkering. It's an educational game, set in. The software that comes with the system is your piano teacher - complete with an estimated eight to twelve months worth of lessons (depending on how fast you learn and what your level of experience is). The lessons begin with the absolute basics - get to know your keyboard, what fingers go where, and the names of the different keys. Description of The Miracle Piano Teaching System Genesis Here is the video game “The Miracle Piano Teaching System”! Released in 1992 on Genesis, it's still available and playable with some tinkering. It's an educational game, set in a music and music / rhythm themes.
LAWRENCE J. MAGID <i> is a Silicon Valley-based computer analyst and writer</i>
My PC is now equipped with two keyboards--one for words and numbers, and another for music.
The Miracle Piano Teaching System, from Software Toolworks, turns an IBM-compatible PC into an electronic music school. I’ve never had any piano training, but after several hours with the Miracle, I’m reading music and playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” with two hands. I’m not about to land a job with an orchestra, but I’m making progress and having fun.
The system consists of an electronic piano keyboard, software and a cable to connect the keyboard to the PC. There are also versions for Nintendo, Super Nintendo and Commodore Amiga. A Macintosh version will be available in February.
Installation is easy. You plug the cable into the PC’s serial port and run the installation program. It copies the software to your hard disk (it requires about 1.7 megabytes) and automatically configures it to your hardware.
The keyboard has a stereo amplifier and two built-in speakers, as well as jacks for headphones and an optional external amplifier. There is also a MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) connector that makes it possible to use the keyboard with other musical software if your PC is equipped with a MIDI adapter. MIDI is a standard system for connecting electronic instruments to computers and to each other.
The 49-key keyboard has full-size piano keys and a sustain pedal that you operate with your foot. The keys are velocity-sensitive--the faster you press, the louder the sound. You can control the software with either the computer keyboard, a mouse or the Miracle keyboard’s foot pedal.
You can also play the keyboard without the computer. It has switches that give you access to several instruments. Unlike some keyboards, there are no built-in rhythms or background sounds. Such sounds are available through the software when you’re using the keyboard with the PC.
The program starts by asking your name, so it can track your progress. The program can be used by others as well, making it suitable for a family, a school or any other group. Beginners are then given some introductory lessons. The program makes very good use of the PC’s graphics. There are screens that show you proper posture and how to hold your hands. Others familiarize you with the keyboard layout, sheet music and other basics.
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The software has about 1,000 lessons divided into 40 “chapters.” By the end of Chapter 1, you’re playing “Ode to Joy” with the right hand. Chapter 3 covers playing with both hands. Much of the time, you’re looking at sheet music. In some situations, a pointer shows you which notes to play. In some cases, you’re playing songs at your own pace, in others you’re keeping up with the software’s metronome.
The software is infinitely patient, but it’s also firm. It requires you to replay lessons that aren’t to its liking. After each lesson, you’re given feedback about the keys you missed, your timing and other possible problems.
Most of the lessons use on-screen sheet music, but there are plenty of diversions. For example, when the program introduces new notes or finger positions, it tests you with an arcade-type shooting gallery, where you use the piano keyboard to shoot ducks from a musical staff.
The program is based on a music school metaphor. You take your lessons in the “classroom.” Other rooms include the “practice room,” where you can practice any of the songs, and the “performance studio,” where you play along with an optional background orchestra.
There is also a “recording studio,” where you can save your performances to disk. The “arcade” offers several learning games and a “jukebox” that plays songs that come with the program.
The program, according to Software Toolworks spokesman Doug Mealy, offers the equivalent of between six months and a year of piano lessons. Unlike traditional lessons, students work at their own pace and schedule.
The company doesn’t offer an advanced course, but it does sell additional song collections for $49.95 each. Each collection has 35-40 songs with a variety of levels of difficulty. Laserjet 1010 windows 8.
Miracle Piano Keyboard
Joe West, owner of the San Francisco specialty store Computers and Music, is impressed with the software.
“It’s what our customers have wanted for years,” he said. “I wish I had had it when I started.” The Miracle’s MIDI keyboard, according to West, is not as good as others in its price range, but none of the others come with training software.
The system is designed for both children and adults, but it does require reading skills. It’s entertaining and fun, but, as in any rigorous training program, its results will depend on the student’s motivation and effort.
The IBM PC version of the Miracle Piano Teaching System has a suggested price of $479.95 and a street price of about $400. The Nintendo version, which is not as advanced, costs $100 less.
Software Toolworks can be reached at (415) 883-3000 or (800) 234-3088.
Computer File welcomes readers’ comments but regrets that the authors cannot respond individually to letters. Write to Lawrence J. Magid, P.O. Box 620477, Woodside, Calif. 94062, or contact the L. Magid account on the MCI electronic mail system.
Miracle Piano Teaching System | |
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Developer(s) | The Software Toolworks |
Publisher(s) | The Software Toolworks |
Designer(s) | Jon Mandel, Henrik Markarian |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Mac, Commodore Amiga, Sega Genesis, PC. |
Release | 1990; 29 years ago |
Genre(s) | music, non-game |
Mode(s) | Single player |
The Miracle Piano Teaching System is a MIDI keyboard/teaching tool created in 1990[1] by The Software Toolworks for the NES and SNES, Apple Macintosh, Amiga, Sega Genesis, and MS-DOSPC.
- 1Description
Description[edit]
A Miracle system keyboard (NES edition)
The Miracle Piano Teaching System consistes of a keyboard, connecting cables, power supply, soft foot pedals, and software. The software comes either on 3.5' floppy disks for personal computers or on cartridges for video game consoles. After the supplied MIDI keyboard is connected to a console or computer and the included software is loaded, a user follows the on-screen notes. Its marketed value is as a tool to teach users to play the piano. It provides hundreds of lessons,[2] and was advertised as the perfect adjunct to formal lessons. It was sold for e and had low sales, in part due to its high price.
It was released in the United States and in multiple regions of Europe. Some of the NES Miracle keyboards were later converted for PC use and the Nintendo Seal of Quality on these boards was covered up with a piece of plastic.
With the exception of the metronome that is used in the Miracle system's lessons, the Miracle system does not ever generate sounds through the video game console hardware. All MIDI information from the console is converted into audio by the instrument's built-in ROM and played through the instrument's stereo speakers, allowing the keyboard to be used independently of the console.
Features[edit]
Jump Music Piano Discovery System
Game activities in the Miracle system (such as Robo Man, shown here) combine video gaming-type gameplay and practicing of musical skills.
Students can learn to play classic piano, rock piano, or show tunes.[3] The Miracle system assesses the player's ability to create custom lessons.[4] Avg server antivirus. Fun exercises were meant to make learning the piano seem less like a chore and more like playing a video game. Instead of using the traditional NES controller, the piano becomes the controller as players aim at targets in order to perfect their music skills.
There are multiple games that students can play to help teach musical skills. One game is called Robo Man where the player has to press the correct keys at the right time to create a bridge. If they miss, Robo Man falls and the player loses. In the duck hunting game, the player has to press the keys that correspond to the positions of the ducks on a musical staff to shoot them.[5] In the Ripchord game, players must press the correct combination of keys for a chord to land paratroopers onto a target.[5]
Successors[edit]
Around 1995, technology from the Miracle system was incorporated into the Piano Discovery System, an interactive PC software application that works with any MIDI keyboard including the Miracle keyboard.[6][7] By 1997, the Miracle product had been discontinued in favor of the Piano Discovery System.[8]
Reception[edit]
Reception | ||||||
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The Miracle system failed commercially with its high price of US$500,[citation needed] but it was overall well received by critics.
Computer Gaming World liked the Miracle system's games and graphics, describing them as 'not only entertaining and challenging, but they are also cleverly designed to reinforce the lessons'. The magazine concluded, 'everything that Software Toolworks promises about this system is true [but] there is still no substitute for parental involvement'.[10] David Wesley and Gloria Barczak mentioned that the system was praised by educators and that in 1990 it was the highest-rated third-party NES title by Nintendo's software review team.[1] It was not well-suited to average gamers who lacked musical experience or who were not highly committed and dedicated to undertaking long-term electronic piano learning.[1]PC Magazine mentioned the system as being easy to use and likely more patient than a live piano teacher though the system did not cover certain aspects of piano playing such as hand position.[2]
NPR personality Noah Adams begins his 1997 memoir Piano Lessons attempting to teach himself how to play through the use of Miracle for PC software, ultimately finding greater success by taking more traditional lessons.[11][12][13]
References[edit]
- ^ abcBarczak, Gloria; Wesley, David (2012). Innovation and Marketing in the Video Game Industry: Avoiding the Performance Trap. Gower Publishing, Ltd. (retrieved via Google Books). p. 197. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
- ^ abKendall, Robert (August 1992). Miracle System Turns Your PC Into a Patient Piano Teacher. PC Magazine (retrieved via Google Books). p. 618. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
- ^Free, John (February 1993). Electronics Newsfront. Popular Science (retrieved via Google Books). p. 30. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
- ^Stover, Dawn (August 1990). Electronics Newsfront. Popular Science (retrieved via Google Books). p. 32. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
- ^ abBrown, Lonnie (1992-08-22). ''Miracle' in a major key'. Lakeland Ledger (retrieved via Google News). p. 10C. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
- ^'Piano Discovery System Uses PC to Make Music Lessons Easy and Fun'. BusinessWire. 1995-05-05. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
- ^'Jump! Music to Publish Piano Discovery System; Multimedia music tutorial system will join comprehensive line of music products'. BusinessWire. 1995-09-18. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
- ^'Questions about Miracle Piano'. Jump! Music. Archived from the original on 1997-01-05. Retrieved 2014-04-26.
- ^Noonan, Damien (March 1992). 'The Miracle Keyboard Tutor'. Amiga Format. No. 13. Future Publishing. p. 125.
- ^Rich, Jason R. (April 1992). 'The Software Toolworks Puts a Miracle into Music'. Computer Gaming World. No. 93. pp. 58–59.
- ^Adams, Noah (1997). Piano Lessons: Music, Love & True Adventures. Delta Trade Paperbacks. pp. 27, 80, 86. ISBN0385318219. OCLC1001862507.
- ^Kelly, Katy (2 December 1999). 'Noah Adams' Keys to Happiness'. USAToday. Gannett Co. Inc.
- ^Childress, Kyle; Kennedy, Rodney Wallace (August 4, 2016). Will Campbell, Preacher Man: Essays in the Spirit of a Divine Provocateur. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 17. ISBN978-1-4982-0273-2. OCLC951646286.
External links[edit]
- Miracle Piano Teaching System at MobyGames
- Miracle Piano FAQ for PC Versions at the Piano Education Page
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