Ars Nova Software Practica Musica 4.5 (Windows/Macintosh)

List Price: $125.00 Discount Price: $64.99

Features:

• This award-winning music training software has over 80 theory and ear training activities, focusing on rhythm tapping, interval recognition, chord spelling and more
• Vocalis voice input technology allowing users to sing or play instrumental input into activities, using any USB microphone
• All-new notation tools allow students to write not only melodies, but also chorales and other polyphonic compositions
• Built-in MIDI capabilities mean no more third-party software to deal with -- just plug in an instrument or keyboard and get started
• Greater control over the range of generated melodies -- users can even define chords with a root that is not actually present

Customer Reviews:

Practica Practice [Posted on 2004-05-22]
I don't remember ever opening this book, other than to glance at it for this review. However, I did use the computer program that accompanies it for ear training many many times. The program has quite a few glitches, but few that will be a large deterrant for those who want to use it for practice. I thought that the program was an excellent option for those who don't have time for an ear training partner, but need to hear new intervals.

If only I had had Practica Musica when I was a music student [Posted on 2005-04-15]
I took music theory classes for two years in college, got my undergraduate degree in music, became a professional musician and never felt like I really understood music theory until a fellow musician told me about Practica Musica. The really great thing about using this program is that you can practice and practice and practice each new thing that you learn until you really know it. You always know if you're getting it because the program gives you constant feedback (something I didn't get in school!) This product has really helped me with ear training. When you give an incorrect answer you can compare your answer with the correct one. Hearing the two side by side is very helpful. Practica comes with a great theory book written just to go with the software. It's written for someone who knows nada about music, but it covers just about everything I studied in school and I have to confess that I learned a lot from it.
I found the software easy to use and I'm not a techie. I haven't tried any of the other music theory software, but my friend uses it to teach music fundamentals at a CC and she told me that it's the best out there. I can believe it.

Comprehensive but somewhat rigid [Posted on 2006-04-08]
My kids and I have been using this software for over a month. I have it connected to a MIDI piano.

This software allows up to five students to keep track of their progress. One can choose any lesson to start and may switch among different lessons. The software remembers prior progress and picks up where one left off.

For each exercise, points are awarded for correct responses and deducted for incorrect responses. The exercises become harder with higher scores and easier again as the score drops down because of wrong answers. This progressive instruction is very nice.

I found the accompanying book to be very helpful, as I had no prior theory training.

However, the software has limitations:
The biggest problem is that it requires the user to strictly follow the lesson format. You only get one shot at playing intervals, for example. I like to learn by repeating the item several times before advancing to the next, to reinforce the sound and the relationship with the name. Trying to repeat the last item results in a wrong answer on the next item.

This strict approach also limits exploration and frustrates kids. My kids, ages 10 and 8, don't really like the program and rarely spontaneously use it. My kids really like to learn other stuff on the computer. I would recommend this for kids over the age of 14.

Finally, the lack of keyboard or even MIDI-mediated commands neccessitate constantly moving one's hands from the MIDI keyboard to the mouse, moving the pointer to the right icon and clicking. The mouse should not be necessary to work this program that keyboard oriented.

I did contact tech support for one problem. I sent an email on Sunday afternoon and got a response about an hour later! I thought this was great.

Moderately Pleased [Posted on 2007-04-25]
I got this package on Ebay for a killer deal and I am glad I did not pay the full price for it.

The strength of the package is that it allows you to view your progress and gives your instructor some degree of control. The weakness is that the program is very confusing to work with and not user friendly.

On the menu you have to choose from a drop down list of activities. The program gives you NO idea of where to start. Which activities should I do first?

The book cancels out some of the confusion. However....the book should have been more practical and more easier to read...too rigid as one person said.

I would not suggest this for the absolute beginner.

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