#Piano Keyboards ?
12 messages in this thread
What combination of piano keyboard with computer is best to learn to play
piano and have some fun ?
I think I would like to get a sound board for my kids game software, so a
keyboard with software would sound like the logical choice.
Thanks for Your Help.
Pat
There is 1 Reply.
There is an interesting keyboard called "The Miracle" that hooks up to
nintendo (also pc and amiga computers). It has a training program that
teaches piano by using the keyboard as a game controller. (Play this
scale/sequence & advance your character/score). I played with at the
January CES and thought it was decent, not terrific, but decent. I noticed
there are now TV ads touting it. (Gave all the kids in a class a machine
and held a recitial one month later!)
I also heard it wasnt selling well earlier in the year.
Anyone here bought/used one?
Jerry
There is 1 Reply.
Jerry, I've got one — for a formal article and to see if my 9 and 12
year old will do as well as the kids on the TV screen. I'm going to
introduce it as a Christmas Present to the kiddos. However, I've fooled
with it enough to know that I do believe that it will work rather well.
The interface is mostly intutitive. They method of teaching is
repetition until you get the notes, timing and phrasing correct.
At least for me, the adult — and I do play a couple of instruments, but
not the piano. Also, the keyboard has a serial port, ports to the
stereo set, and midi as well. All appear to work. The keyboard, also
will work byitself, althought the software will not boot up unless the
keyboard is plugged into the serial port. Give me a month after
Christmas, and I'll have an opinion about whether it works with my kids,
anyway. And, whatever happens, read Micro Times for my review of it and
the results.
–Woody
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Woody: Where is the Miracle available from? I tried JR Music World
thinking that if anyone had it *they would*, but they only have the
Nintendo Version. What is the street price of the PC version? Chuck
I don't recall the street price. Where do you live? I used to be VP
Marketing for Software City. If you are close to one of them, they can
get it for you. Tell them that Software Resources is the distributor
that is carrying it. Also, you can call Software Toolworks directly and
ask them for a source, if you are located somewhere not near a normal
retail store. Lastly, I have good relations with two of the local SWC
stores. If you send me your phone number, I'll have one of those stores
call you with
–Woody
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Woody: I appreciate your help!! I live in Auburn, AL, and just moved here
recently, so do not know too many computer folks here yet. There is a
little store called "Mostly Software" downtown, but it is not very large.
I guess that I could get to Atlanta in two hours if I had too… I will be
working for the next two days: twelve hour shifts, so will not be home
during business hours until Friday the sixth. My home phone is
205-821-5263. Thanks again!!
Chuck
I saw one of those at a local computer store (selling for about $400 in the
version that attaches to a PC).
Full-size keys, nice keyboard feel, and the volume depends on how hard you
strike the keys. Has MIDI ports, too.
Thanks Jerry, I have seen it in Radio Shack for $399.00 hooked up to a PC
and also had a demo from them. I also saw an other store advertising it for
$299.00 but they said it was only for Nintendo, not for computers. Are
there two different models ?
How old were the students that used Miricale ?
Thanks for Your Help.
Pat
There is 1 Reply.
It was a TV ad, the kids appeared to be about 8-10. I'm not that good a
judging ages, my kid is still 6 months away. (big grin>
– jerry
Well, if you mean six months away from 0 years old I would wait a cople of
years <grin>.
Pat
Personally, I would think seriously about getting a piano instead of an
electronic keyboard/synth. I paid about $1000 for a Kawai K4 because it has
full-size, weighted keys with aftertouch. A year later, I decided to get a
piano. There is no comparison in the sound and feel, even though I got a
relatively inexpensive piano. (And of course most synthesizer keyboards
don't have the full range of keys.) I rarely use the Kawai any more, but I
use the piano almost every day.
There is 1 Reply.
Thanks for your reply. Our house we live in is small and a piano wouldn't
fit. I saw the WIZARD and it looks interesting.
Thanks again.
Pat