Dear HH, I think I have read most of the threads on Music in which you mention this program, but I still have some questions. What age would you recommend for the children to start with this? I noticed the program is $199, are there any discounts or coupons or anything? Do you mail overseas (Mexico)? and is the program complete in itself considering that I don’t know much music (always studied, but can’t really play anything well)?
HH, are there any personal preferences for keyboards beyond compatibility? My price range is 1,000 and lower.
You may start teaching kids from 2+ year old. If their age between 2 and 6, $199 is good enough. If you have children older then 6, you may consider to buy a Deluxe version (all levels 'till university for $359)
I think it would be some discounts for members of this forum. Just stay tuned!
Yes, we mail to Mexico! Shipping usually about $40.
Program is complete for you to be able to teach and learn as well.
BTW, here is a site dedicated to the method in Spanish from Spain (Madrid): http://www.accionpiano.com/
I like Casio keyboards/digital pianos, but any other brand would work. If your child is small, better to start with light touch keyboard (under $100). Later on you may buy more expensive instrument, when you develop better coordination.
Here is the page that explains more about choosing the instrument: http://www.doremifasoft.com/chdipiorelpi.html
HI HH,
Thanks for answering our questions. It would be GREAT if you could offer us any sort of coupon or discount. Also your link for "how to choose an electric piano or keyboard is very helpful.
Since I live in a very remote part of Alaska, I can’t go to the store and press the keys to hear if they sound electronic or piano-like. I am going to have to buy my keyboard online using amazon or ebay. It’s very confusing when I read reviews from people who purchased keyboards to know if the keyboard is really good enough or not. I’m sure you don’t want to endorse a particular keyboard… however, if you could make a recommendation on a particular model - I would really appreciate it. You had mentioned in a previous post that it’s possible to find one for under $100 - so if you don’t mind could you please recommend a particular model that meets all the needs of the software? Perhaps you could even recommend a couple for us to choose from.
Stay tuned! 
Hi, jaluitgirl!
Here what I found in Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8394427&st=keyboard+61&type=product&id=1179876644295
You also could find some on Internet (look for keyboards with at least 61 keys with MIDI)
Hope, it would help!
‘Soft Mozart’ now is part of curriculum for future music educators in Russia.
Thank you for answering our questions so quickly. I’m very impressed.
I have ordered the program. I think that it will be a great jump start into learning the piano since it is hard for me to leave the house (because of young children). I have been wanting to learn an instrument for a very long time, and this would be my chance. My little ones can learn beside me when they become interested.
I haven’t decided yet on a keyboard. I’m still figuring out where I would like to put it in my house, but I’ll figure it out soon.
Thanks HH for the keyboard recommendation. I can’t wait to get started!
I am sorry for disappearance: had been busy and traveling. I will get back here soon.
Just a brief question: should I continue to write about SM here to start a new post? I have to explain about core of the system: GENTLE PIANO
Hi HH welcome back … pls do conyinue to post here … best to consolidate all the knowledge in one place for easy followup … especially for newbies …
Anyway should beginners get the basic pack or the added extra packs?? with more songs … Do give us good discounts please … i wuld be the first few to purchase it … if i have enough points that is … :yes:
also want to ask can adults learn to play piano this way …??
Also how many people can use this product ?? as you had mention there are test at each stages… so if two different family members learning on it … wat would happen?? i was thnking i do some testing n learning first before i put it forward to the little one …
Purple fungi … so youhave purchased the product how is it ? any success…
Dear HH,
So glad to hear that you are back! I have many of the same questions as TrinityPapa.
I just ordered my keyboard and it has arrived. I would like to purchase SM by the end of the month, if possible. So please, if you can offer a discount to those of us from this forum, I would really really appreciate it. I want to try SM out this summer and if it is successful for me and my 2 year old son to learn, I’d like to purchase another for my 2nd grade classroom. So please - get back to us as soon as possible for a possible discount. I assume there are other parents out there ready to begin too if we can just purchase the product. And so yes, how does the program work with multiple users?
I am waiting for the discount, too. lol
I usually recommend basic for kids from 2 - 5 year old. If your kids 5+, they would learn basic pretty fast and would need more ‘room’ to grow before you know it.
Do give us good discounts please .... i wuld be the first few to purchase it ..... if i have enough points that is ..... :yes:
We are working on it and it is going to be soon
also want to ask can adults learn to play piano this way .....??This program fpr everybody: children, adults, beginners and advanced. One size fits all :D
Also how many people can use this product ?? as you had mention there are test at each stages... so if two different family members learning on it ..... wat would happen?? i was thnking i do some testing n learning first before i put it forward to the little one ......
All the people can use the program in your family. Tests are for future educators. You may use it with kids right away and learn together. It would be fun!
Hi, jaluitgirl! I am glad to see you, too!
I had been busy to find way to bring program to state schools in USA. Had a nice presentation with one major TV producer to create some fuzz about it. Hope to be able to provide kids in Alaska with it for free soon.
But for now let’s learn more about the system! It is very interactive: can teach 1 child at a time, but kids could take turns!
GENTLE PIANO.
Free demo download is here: http://www.doremifasoft.com/gentlepiano.html
What is Gentle piano? It is your FULL support in learning music from very simple songs to the most advanced.
We don’t use words or verbal explanations – we rather more apply to your intuition.
When you learn something new, we want to receive re-assurance that everything we do, we do right. If we make mistakes, we ought to know, where and when and how to fix them. This is what GENTLE PIANO all about.
Due to the fact that when we learn to play we have to interact with piano keys and with music score all at once, we connect piano with computer and make computer sense every move you make.
For example, if you press the note correctly, it starts blooming as a flower bud in conjunction with its duration value. When it’s done, you’ll see a butterfly with waving wings – time to move on to the next note.
If you release your note prematurely, you’ll see an animation of a dwarf (Mister OOOps), who will gesture his disappointment.
If you press the wrong key, you’ll see a spider and by its place you would know, how to get the right note.
You may monitor, how many mistakes you made by looking at the number on the left bottom of the monitor. You also would be able to see, how much you are behind of the precise rhythm (in right bottom of monitor the number builds when you play/find note longer then it has to be)
The program would allow you to cut certain segment of the song, to play it with one hand at a time (while other is playing automatically) , play it with both hands and memorize it (you may hide notes of right, left or both hands). While you trying to memorize it, the program gives you hints every time when you press the wrong note.
What GENTLE PIANO teaches you and your kids?
- It teaches you to play music pieces with notation and by heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKOUa03NVtA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLoUXzlb-yo&feature=channel_page
- It develops your coordination and technique very proficiently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkJKTTFOjYM&feature=channel_page
-
It develops your ability to read sheet music fluently on the fly (without computer in future)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqbxUz9xi1c&feature=channel_page -
It develops your music ear and music memory: in future you would be able to play any tune just by listening to it and pick up chords for any melody.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMsjF5uHgtI&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq3xrN4xpMo&feature=channel_page
WITH TEACHER OR WITHOUT?
Even though it is very nice to have a teacher who is trained and certified by Soft Mozart, you may manage without him/her for several years and learn how to play many pieces and read music.
Why is that?
Theory – it all built in software and had been learned intuitively. In fact, the best way of learning something – is hand on way. This is exactly what all Soft Mozart is about.
Fingering and hand position - due to the fact that you feel comfortable learning on your own pace, you are capable of seeing what to play, when and where to move your fingers, you will naturally start playing with correct position and right technique. I didn’t have any student who would develop a ‘wrong’ technique with Soft Mozart: it is impossible! I also don’t enforce fingering on students: at first they all play wrong, but when they develop coordination, they develop right sense of fingering. You just have to wait and be patient.
Here some video – testimony: a lady from Russia managed to teach her son (Senya – now 3 year old) to play piano WITH NO TEACHER.
At first (when he was 2) they played like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56_8-rGyEBI
Afterwards, Senya learned to play many songs (he is 3 now):
Hot Cross Buns:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/63.html
Ode to Joy
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/64.html
Jingle Bells:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/65.html
Musette:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/66.html
This old man:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/68.html
Hickory-Dickory Dock:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/70.html
Largo:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/72.html
Fur Eliese:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/75.html
Morning Mood
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/78.html
and many others!
He also had developed perfect pitch by using Soft Mozart:
http://video.mail.ru/mail/ism_evgennia/3/81.html
We just finished questionnaire for educators, who teach with Soft Mozart. The results are quite remarcable.
Look for yourself!
Amount of participants: 38
Countries: 13
USA 12 31.57%
UK 1 2.63%
Russia 7 18.42%
Ukraine 7 18.42%
Norway 1 2.63%
Slovakia 1 2.63%
Israel 2 5.26%
Germany 2 5.26%
Mexico 1 2.63%
Thailand 1 2.63%
Canada 1 2.63%
Costa Rica 1 2.63%
Spain 1 2.63%
Answers
Question 1 Are you teaching Soft Mozart to teach or to learn by yourself
Amount of answers 38
Teach 37
Teach and learn 1
Question 2 Did you receive ‘Soft Mozart’ training and certification?
Amount of answers 38
Yes 27 71.05%
No 11 28.94%
Question 3. Do you think, training and certification is important in teaching ‘Soft Mozart’
system?
Amount of answers 37
Yes 28 73.68%
No 2 5.26%
Don’t know 7 18.42%
Question 4. How many years have you used the program?
Amount of answers 38
Minimum – Maximum 1 - 5
Average time 2 years
Question 5. If you are a music educator, what degree do you have?
Amount of Answers 38 100%
Bachelor 12 31.57%
Master 15 39.47%
Doctorate 3 7.89%
N/a 8 21.05%
Question 6. You use Soft Mozart with the following level student
Amount of answers 56
Intermediate 20 35.71%
Beginner 34 60.71%
Advanced 2 3.57%
Question 7. How many students do you teach with Soft Mozart?
Amount of answers 34
Minimum 1
Maximum 150
Average 16
Question 8. Do you teach multiple students at the same time?
Amount of answers 29
Yes 14 48.27%
No 15 51.72%
Question 9. If the answer to Question 9 is Yes, how many?
Amount of answers 15
Minimum 2
Maximum 11
Average 4.26
Question 10. What is their age range?
Amount of answers: 33
Minimum 2 year old
Maximum 82 year old
Question 11. Did Soft Mozart help you to improve your studio?
Amount of answers 35
Yes 29 82%
No 1 2.85%
N/a 5 14.28%
Question 12. You use Soft Mozart
Amount of answers 37
all the time 6 16.21%
most of the time 19 51.35%
sometimes 12 32.43%
not at all 0
Question 13 On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most favorable) how has Soft Mozart helped you/your children/your students improve music-reading abilities?
Amount of answers 37
Average 8.70
Question 14. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most favorable) how do you think Soft Mozart helped you/your children/your students to develop musical ear and memory?
Amount of answers 36
Average 8.77
Question 15. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the most favorable) how do you think Soft Mozart helped you/your children/your students to develop a love for making music?
Amount of answers 36
Average 8.86
Question 16. Which method is your preferred method of teaching beginner students?
Amount of answers 44
Traditional 10 22.72%
Soft Mozart 33 75 %
Other 1 (own) 1 2.27 %
Question 17. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being most favorable) do you believe Soft Mozart can help improve public and/or private school music curriculum?
Amount of answers 36
Average 9.41
Question 18. Please rate effectiveness (10 being the most effective) of the following methods of teaching beginner students to read and play music on the piano in terms of time and proficiency.
Traditional
Answers 35
Time average 4.77
Proficiency average 5.74
Soft Mozart
Answers 35
Time average 8.97
Proficiency 9.2
Other
Answers 12
Time average 5.66
Proficiency average 5.91
Question 19. Do you think Soft Mozart motivates students to learn music literacy?
Answers 38
Yes 38
No 0
Question 20. Do you have students who have not successfully learned to play and read music with Soft Mozart?
Answers 36
Yes 4 11.11%
No 32 88.88%
Question 21. How many lessons does an average beginning student of yours usually take before he/she is ready to proficiently play at the first recital? Please indicate the estimate as it pertains to your previous experience with the traditional method as well as with Soft
Mozart.
Amount of answers 24
Traditional method average : 25. 87
Soft Mozart average: 10.45
Question 22. How did you find out about “Soft Mozart�
Amount of answers 38
Internet related answers 28
Personal recommendation 9
Book for educators 1