Harmonic Vision has announced Music Ace Deluxe, a new home-based music tutorial application aimed at beginning and intermediate music students. The product combines 36 lessons from Harmonic Vision’s previously released Music Ace and Music Ace 2 products, and works with Macs and Windows PCs alike.
The lessons aren’t exactly as presented in the earlier Music Ace products; Harmonic Vision said that it has “resequenced them to follow today’s traditional music education.” The self-paced lessons teach basic skills in music theory, note reading, ear training, notation, keyboard, scales, rhythm, melody, key signatures, time signatures and harmony.
Kids are greeted by “Maestro Max,” an animated virtual instructor who uses a piano keyboard to help kids visualize music concepts. Kids also get to play other cartoon instruments like the violin, drum, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and horn. Lessons are reinforced by arcade-like games presented at the end. The software also incorporates a record keeping system that can track up to ten students. The “Music Doodle Pad” allows users to compose and hear their own music, as well. Support is also included for General MIDI keyboards.
Music Ace Deluxe requires a G3 or higher; Mac OS X or Mac OS 9; 32MB RAM; 640 x 480 pixel 256-color display, 60MB hard disk space, and a CD-ROM drive. It costs US$79.95 from Harmonic Vision and is available for less from online retailers including Amazon.com, J&R Computes and PC and Mac Mall.