Piano Lessons

Piano Suite Premier Review

Cost

• Software only: $89.95
• Software and Keyboard Bundle: $199.95

Make sure that the version you are buying is compatible with your computer’s operating system.

Features:

• Interactive feature allows you to connect a keyboard and play into the software.

• Large music library, including:
  • 500+ pieces of music.
  • 120 exercises and educational pieces.
  • Music from every genre and in every style.
  • Many songs with lyrics, with voice recordings included.

• Learning is supplemented by academic music tuition:
  • ‘Theory Thinker’ gives lessons in music theory, the essential skills for any instrument player.
  • ‘History Happens’ provides information on over 150 of the main composers and performers from musical history.
  • Theory games aid and reinforce the learning of basic music theory.

• ‘Composer’s Corner’ gives you the opportunity to:
  • Write music, edit it and print it off.
  • Add lyrics and fingering.
  • Lay down drum, guitar and and piano parts on a multitrack.
  • Save music you write and learn it or teach it to others in the Piano Player.

• ‘Personal Profile’ tracks your progress every step of the way.

• Up to 5 years of piano tuition and 2 years of theory lessons.

Editor’s Verdict:

An outstanding feature of Piano Suite Premier is the vast volume of music it contains, and the broad and diverse styles that it encompasses. If you do not know what area of music you would like to pursue this program will give you an introduction to absolutely anything, so that you can then go and find more for yourself. No tutoring software is ever going to provide you with a lifetime’s supply of music; there will always be specific pieces you want that are not included, and it is not good to limit yourself to a selection made by somebody else. However, the music in the Piano Suite Premier library is probably going to last you longer than that of any alternative program. In addition to the great music library, the program offers several extra features, many of which you would not expect in piano tuition software. Composer’s Corner, History Happens and Theory Thinker are the most notable examples.

This software certainly does a lot, but in a way it tries to do too much. If you want professional quality composition software, for example, you will want to invest in a program specifically designed for this, which will give you far more options and better playback facilities. If you want a comprehensive music reference tool or theory teacher, you will also want something designed more specifically for your needs, such as a computer reference library or a subscription to a music reference website. You cannot realistically expect to get so much in one package for such a low price. However, if you just want an introduction to all these features, or are sure that your interest is never going to go beyond that of an amateur, Piano Suite Premier is perfectly adequate in all these additional features. And it is important to remember after all that few of the other piano courses even offer these bonuses; but you are paying for them, so be sure that you actually want them.

The most important feature of any teach yourself piano course is the quality of the lessons themselves. In this respect, Piano Suite Premier scores fairly highly. The lessons are all similarly run. You learn pieces in a user-friendly and intuitive environment, where you get to decide which part you play, giving you more freedom than in many alternative programs. One useful feature for both children and adults is that you can change the note sizes, so you can be sure you can see them. Small touches like this are what make Piano Suite Premier so ergonomic and well-designed. However, the lessons tend to focus on the pieces themselves rather than on improving the technique of the player, and this will be a disadvantage if you want to progress to a high level. You may find that you learn bad habits that are difficult to change.

In order to make the most of all features of the program, you will need a MIDI keyboard. If you already have a fully-functioning MIDI keyboard, this will almost certainly be compatible with the software. However, if you do not, you may want to make this additional purchase to take advantage of all of the opportunities available to you. Not only will you need a keyboard, but also a MIDI to USB cable to connect the keyboard to your computer, which are easy to find but additional expenses. (It is also important that you get a keyboard that you like the feel of and, if you are intent on eventually playing on a real piano, that has a realistic piano-like touch. This may not be essential to you, but it is important to be aware of it.) You can buy the keyboard and the software in a bundle, and this will ensure that you are getting everything you need although, if you want a keyboard of a good quality that will be equally functional without the software, we suggest you look around first to make sure you are getting exactly what you want. A good thing about this software is that it has been set up to be fully compatible with many of the more famous keyboard models and their features, allowing you to use the different sounds that these offer when you are working through the program.

Although your initial setup may be more complicated than with some of the other piano tutoring software available, the potential rewards can be even greater. With the interactive learning style, your progress can be assessed by the software and it can tell you where you need to improve. If you are learning as a complete beginner and are totally on your own, this may be a feature you want, and so you are going to want to buy either this software or an alternative with similar capabilities.

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