Won't install fully, 13 Mar 2008
I have tried installing this on both a pc and a laptop, and in both cases there has been a fatal installation error saying something about microsoft data access components 2.5. The bits that do install are fine, but the interactive bits which were the reason I bought it do not work. Have tried finding a way round the mdac problem but all the advice I could find didn't help.
Does what it says on the package :), 21 Nov 2007
This program is best used with an electronic keyboard with midi feature,connected to the pc. It's like having a personal teacher right there infront of you.
For some of you who experienced problems printing the music sheets,like I did, you need to uninstall the version on 'Acrobat Reader' on your pc and install the one included on the cd-rom. But before actually printing, open up the 'Acrobat Reader' program to 'Agree with the terms/conditions' to activate it. I'm only able to print the sheets this way, and IT IS high quality as stated :)
Satisfied in the end. But remember,you can't be lazy!
A waste of money, 17 Oct 2007
The idea behind this software is potentially good - i.e. take the computer processing power we have now and get it talking to what your fingers are doing via MIDI. That's a great idea. This software doesn't do it at all well. It's a curiosity for maybe half an hour, then you realise how basic it is. I'm a piano novice and I'd already done all the exercises on the disk/prog/app via a slim piano for beginners book - i.e. paper, print media - which was far far easier to use. The interactive element is also over-sold - it's actually minimal. Most of the content is look and learn, chalk and talk. It's very much last decade CD-ROM thinking and I would urge you to avoid it. If you're hoping for a great interactive experience while you learn, look elsewhere - and let me know when you find it.
Musicalis Interactive Piano Course., 06 Feb 2006
If you want to be creative, start with Musicalis Interactive Piano Course. Why? This product is not only Excellent, It is beautiful, and if you get as far as "MELO" you will see why. If you never touch a key to learn, the product has given you value for moneies worth in music and if you can finish the course you can honestly say your a piano player. Very strict teacher, and good midi interface. only one small problem, I cant print out the music sheets.
Great start, 11 Jan 2005
I bought this thinking it was cheap and if it turned out to be a dud, I hadn't lost much. I have to say also that I have not progressed far into the lessons. However my astonishment at the quality of the program is matched only by my dawning awareness of my own shortcomings as a keyboard player. This program is not for those with aspirations to greatness, but it packs a huge punch, with practical lessons, theory and demonstrations on how pieces should be played. It's progressive and combines the important theory with easy to follow practical exercises.
You must also have access to a midi keyboard and a computer. Some knowledge of music would also be an advantage. The program offers a glossary for complete beginners but you would need to be dedicated and focused to get far with it if you had no musical experience. I came to it as an advanced flute player wanting to expand my understanding of the instument around which most Western music is based. In this context I am delighted with it and can commend it to others in a similar situation. For others approaching the piano as a first instrument good luck. You'll find it tough going, but that's music education for you, no matter how you learn.
Too many problems for the result..., 24 Jul 2006
As mentioned above the cover is very misleading. After struggling for several days to get onto the program- both from the fairly old computer in my bedroom and the very new family computer, the program would have had to be amazing in order for all the messing around to be worth it. After getting past the front page it very quickly slipped and I was very unimpressed with what it offered. Although it fulfilled what it aimed to do at a bare minimum in areas, the overall product was poor. I found it very hard to get help both with guitar playing and with the problems I was having with the program. It says things like " 2 CD set" on the front cover, where one is only used as the other is an installation disc.
I think that this is a very poor attempt at a guitar course and hope to see better ones in the future. I reccomend that you stay well clear of this and find another guitar course which will probably be much better than this poor excuse for one.
Very poor, 24 Oct 2005
The package description is very misleading. It is not a course at all. I bought it expecting it to be a series of lessons with increasing difficulty but instead it is 9 pretty bland songs to chose from with the tab and a MIDI file to play along too. Intead of giving an improved ability on the guitar instead this course is only likely to add some stinking tunes to your repertoire.
Not what you think it is..., 25 May 2005
This is a good piece of software but please, dont buy it expecting to find lessons. Its is merely 8 or 9 songs with a few excersises that you can play along with. It has a small information section including musical theory and chords but the amount of problems ive had with this program...
At the very least you are free to email GSP to get technical support; the pdf manual is useless.
Interactive Guitar Course, 10 Nov 2004
This software is not actually a course. More a source of information with some demonstration of fingering. The interactive part is really only appropriate to an acoustic(electric) guitar. Information about using the software for classical guitar was requested from GPS but none was forthcoming.
I bought this at Heathrow, 28 Jan 2008
The first poster is correct, you do need a MIDI input device for your PC to get this software to work correctly - the idea is that you can play along with the software. If you have a separate Audio card (like a sound blaster), there is sometimes a midi port on that card. Alternatively Behringer make a device which accepts mono input (from a bass) and generates MIDI, connecting via USB - costing some £25 or so. Its possible to use the software without a midi input, but you get reminded constantly that you dont have one configured.
The software interface seems to have been written in French and then translated into English - the translation is mostly good but clumsy in places.
I've abandoned it until I can afford one of the Behringer devices.
Good concept but...., 07 Feb 2005
Very good idea - but doesn't seem to work well. Program seems to require a midi input device in order to function properly. Why it needs midi in I have no idea since a bass guitar does not generate midi (to my knowledge). This was not advertised on the box! Also I haven't been able to get the recording function working. It records in .wav format, seems to pick up lots of noise - despite having a direct connection - and sometimes even generates errors after recording.
In other words a very good idea - but lacks proper execution.
