🚀 go-pugleaf

alex@grian.cps.altadena.ca.us (Alex Pournelle) writes:
>wright@aelle.cs.odu.edu (GENTLEMAN) writes:
>>In article <56961@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> dckim@mentor.cc.purdue.edu writes:
[initial question about Miracle deleted]
>>Sure!  Invest your money into a private piano teacher if you want to
>>learn how to play the piano.  I love electronic music as much as
>>the next guy, but it is absurd to believe that a simple music
>>software program can answer a user's every need!!!!

>But do you need those things to teach a kid (or yourself) something 
>about keyboards?
>No one is trying to shut down the conservatories and music schools with
>this thing: they're making piano teaching more available and affordable.

I agree that Miracle and such systems can be beneficial, especially
from a 'freedom of choice' point of view.  My experience with piano 
teachers was not a pleasant one, even though I took lessons for five 
(long) years.  The problem I had with the teacher was that she wanted 
me to play what _she_ thought were interesting pieces, that I had no 
interest in playing.  (And no one can convince me that a student should
have to play what the teacher wants you to 'for your own good.'  If
you don't like what you're playing then you won't enjoy practicing.)  
When I quit taking lessons, I actually played more because I enjoyed 
the pieces I was learning.  A program that offers a wide variety of 
songs, while teaching techniques and music theory, could be quite 
appealing.

Having said that, I saw a demo of Miracle at MacWorld Expo in January.
I wasn't really impressed with their library of songs;  in the version
I saw, their collection of pieces for users who already have some 
background in piano was pretty small.  At that time, I decided to get 
my own MIDI keyboard, Practica Musica, and EZ-Vision for composition.  
Practica Musica is a great ear-training program, and EZ-Vision does 
a good job at recording and playback. (Now if I only had time to 
practice. :-)  And yes, I am considering taking private lessons
again, someday.

The moral here is: go try it out before you decide.  If you find that
you like the selections available, or if you really just want to learn
the basics, then it may be for you.  If it's for a son/daughter, take 
them with you and let them be in on the decision, or you may end up 
wasting your money.  I believe it can be a good starter system, and if
you decide to get more serious, you can take lessons later.

Sheila
-- 
Sheila Wallace		(shla@spf.trw.com)
TRW, One Space Park, R2/2162, Redondo Beach, CA 90278