Jump Music- Piano Discovery and Piano Discovery for Kids

Let's see, how do we squeeze piano lessons in to the calendar? At our house there is no way! We are booked up to our necks, and the thought of committing to yet another ongoing expense is a bit scary. On the other hand, I do want my kids to learn to play the piano, at least "functionally." It was for this reason I started to investigate piano tutoring programs. I was not thrilled with the idea of teaching the kids myself. I know that sounds odd considering I homeschool, but somehow there was something different when it came to music instruction for me. This new program has turned out to be life saver!

Jump Music can be purchase separately or with a very basic midi-keyboard. There is nothing fancy about this keyboard. It does not make neat sounds, or do any rhythms. It also does not cost an arm and a leg! It does the job when it comes to beginning keyboard skills and is very sturdy. If you don't want to invest in even this keyboard yet, the "Kids Piano Discovery" comes with a small overlay which can be placed on your keyboard. Keep in mind that this will not work with the new natural keyboards.

I set my older child (12) to work with the "Piano Discovery" program and my middle child (8) to work on the "Kids Piano Discovery Program." Both are essentially the same program except that they "kids" version caters to young children with it's song selection and goes a bit slower. It is designed for kids age 6-12. Stick on labels come with this program which allow you to label the keys as well as your child's fingers. My eight year old quickly moved away from this "crutch," but it really helped her to get started. The regular version could be used by any older child or adult.

These programs teach your child proper posture and proper finger placement from the start. Your children will also begin learning to read notes immediately and relatively effortlessly. The younger kids will play shooting arcade games which teach them to read the notes of the staff without even realizing they are doing it. There is very little stress here although the program definitely keeps them moving along. As your child plays a song, the cursor is always one step ahead of the note they are playing. This really annoyed my son at first who could already read notes and plays the violin well. He soon discovered that this was helping him read ahead in the music and was a valuable lesson for both instruments! Your kids will learn to play the piano without watching their fingers as this program encourages them to continue looking at the music without their realizing it.

When I saw that "Piano Discovery" was going to plunge right in with a real song and very quickly move to playing with both hands I thought, "yeah, right, and pigs fly." I was amazed when in a matter of a few minutes my son could play "Ode To Joy" and was playing with two hands! The younger kids learn to play with two hands right from the beginning as well. I was amazed....and jealous remember all those months of "Up the Row" played with one hand. The left hand was always "hard." Here playing with both hands just becomes a part of the whole process.

Each lesson is broken down into tiny baby steps. I never sensed much frustration from either child although they did have to concentrate. They were working, but never felt dejected with their mistakes. The child with no musical background moved along almost as quickly as the child with a lot of musical training. Your kids will quickly learn to read notes and understand sharps and flats as well as timing. The lessons are pleasant and well prepared. They move at a very nice pace. Jump Music has done an excellent job at incorporating as many senses as possible in the learning process. In order to relax, your kids can play several arcade games. Even these games will be subtly teaching them the songs they are learning as well as basic note reading. In the "Kids Piano Discovery" program your child will also be rewarded with certificates as they progress.

"Piano Discovery" is marketed as "two years of piano lessons." I thought this statement a bit bold when I first saw it, but I believe it now. I was very impressed with the progress my children made and with the learning process Jump Music has constructed. The program is well done and well thought out.

Grading:

Educational value- 5
Entertainment value- 5
Use of medium- 4
Age- 6+

Jump Music can be purchased direct from the publisher at http://www.jumpmusic.com