Piano Wizard for PC With 49E Keystation

List Price: $179.95 Discount Price: $155.99

Features:

• Package includes 49-note full size keyboard with cable, 100 songs and lessons and colored stickers
• Runs on a variety of Windows systems, including Windows 98SE/Millennium/XP/2000

Customer Reviews:

NOT Premiere Version! [Posted on 2007-12-29]
I bought this (for Christmas for my daughters) under the assumption that it was the Premiere version of the Piano Wizard software, and that I was saving $20 over the retail price. But, I got the EASY version and spent $30 more! So, if I want to upgrade, it will cost me another $70! If you are buying this, skip Amazon and go direct to the Piano Wizard website.

The one star review is for the failure to label this product the EASY version. The software itself seems pretty good so far, but there are many ways they could have improved it.

P.W. customer support gave me SOUND, fun [Posted on 2008-01-21]
I had previously complained that I could not get sound. We had spent hours reinstalling, downloading a driver, pushing buttons... I finally got off work early enough to call customer service (still a problem with their hours). The kind and patient young man I spoke with had the music playing in ten minutes. CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE and save yourself a lot of frustration! It seems to be a fun program that will take many hours to explore. (Note: The midi keyboard needs a program to run through, so don't expect sound unless you are in "free play" or a game.)

this is really just a game and not a very good one [Posted on 2008-04-06]
I purchased this software hoping to get some basic instruction and have a little fun. Its very lacking in both areas. The graphics are circa 1990, and the basic premise is find the key and hit it -- find the key and hit it -- find the key and hit it. Its more like that game where you bash the gophers as they come out of the hole than a learning experience.

The interface is setup with "lessons", but these are just a selection of the song you want, and the colors of the notes, orientation of the keyboard, etc. There are no real "lessons", its point and shoot from beginning to end.

Having spent the money I am now in a position of having to research some software that teaches. At least the keyboard that cam with it is OK.

If you looking for something fun and educational, this is not it.

no support from m-audio [Posted on 2008-05-22]
Never had opportunity to try the product. E-mails (9) requesting help to m-audio and support@allegrorainbow were either never answered or took over four days and resulted in no help. Calls to m-audio resulted in being put on hold immediately, then put on hold for tech support with no results . The calls were never picked-up. I left my name and phone number on three separate occasions and never received a return phone call. This has been going on since 1/12/08. The company does not care and does not back it's product. They delayed so that the opportunity for return has passed. Piano Wizard for PC With 49E Keystation

fun way to learn the basics [Posted on 2008-07-12]
My kids as well as my husband love this piano. It is a good way to tell if your child will be interested in learning piano and getting the basics down. It won't replace lessons but it is a good place to start. Even if they aren't bound for piano greatness, it is fun. The 49 key station is definately the way to go. The other would be too small.

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