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Miracle Piano --- Software Toolworks

I love playing the piano, it's one of my favorite pasttimes when I'm not playing NES :) I had started playing since January, though I'm quickly moving up through the ranks, faster than most people with such little experience. Software Toolworks had released a piano teacher-system for Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and Sega Genesis.

The Miracle Piano system is not a true piano--it is a keyboard complete with the pedals. Unless you have had some piano experience, this device is nice for beginners. It teaches you how to play several different tunes, from Elvis to Star Wars. Too bad there's no Phantom of the Opera. Anyway, below is an article about the piano that was taken from an old Nintendo Power magazine. It was typed by Nick M, put to html by TRM.

Transcribed from Issue #20 Mar/Apr 1991
Pgs.74-77 of Nintendo Power
By Nick M

INTRODUCING THE MIRACLE SYSTEM

Is it a Miracle?

Even if you aren't a piano virtuoso, chances are you can play Mary Had a Little Lamb. But how would you like to really learn to play the piano, and have fun at the same time? The Miracle Keyboard not only provides the lessons, but it also adds other fun options, in- cluding orchestral accompani- ment that will make you "Little Lamb" sound grand.

How does it work?

Through a series of software- based lessons, the Miracle will teach you the fundamentals of playing the piano. During a lesson, The Miracle System's software constantly monitors your pro- gress, providing feedback and helping you to hone your skills. The Miracle system even makes practice fun, with several different drills and game style excersizes.

What's Included?

You may be wondering what you get with this miracle package? The Miracle System consists of a musical keyboard, a Miracle cable which allows it to interface with the NES, and a special Game Pak Containing the Miracles lessons. With the Miracle System and your NES, you'll be ready to start learn- ing to play immediatly.

Where can I get one?

Availability of The Miracle System was limited to the Chicago and New York markets before the win- ter holiday season, but it will be available nation- wide by early this year.

Miracle Keyboard Features

The Miracle Keyboard alone is worth almost the entire purchase price of the Miracle System. It is on par with many musical keyboards available in its price range, and has many features (not including the lessons) that make it a better value. Programmed into the keyboard are some 128 different sounds (see list) ranging from soothing harps to outrageous sound ef- fects (dog barks, slaps, and ows!). Just making noise with some of the effects is fun! The Miracle Keyboard has built-in stereo speakers that provide acceptable sound, but the keyboard is also equipped with stereo output jack so you can run it through your home stereo speakers for big band sound. Headphones are also included so you can play in private if you like. The keys can give you the feeling of playing a real piano, and combined with the foot pedal, give advanced players a full range of expression. When you plug your Miracle Key- board into the NES using the special Miracle cable, your NES becomes a computerized music teacher, and can connect the Miracle System to a sequencer using the system's MIDI (Musical Instramental Digital Interface). This feature, which is not found on many keyboards in the Miracle's price range, makes it compatible with other electronic musicle devices like drum machines.

Tons of Tones

In the lessons, you'll be using the basic Grand Piano sound. However, the Miracle Keyboard has 128 other instrument sounds (called patches by musicians) that are fun to play around with, including:

12-String GuitarMoog
BanjoMotor
BassoonMotor Vibraphone
Big BellsOboe
Breathy FluteOrgan
Chorus GuitarPan Flute
Church BellsPercussion
ClarinetPipe Organ
Cup Mute TrumpetPizzacato
Detuned HarpPluck Synth
Detuned PianoSaw Synth
Digital WavesSaxophone
DynoSfz Brass
Echo PanShakuhachi
FluteSlap Bass
FM PianoSteel Guitar
Fretless BassStick Bass
Frogs/DucksStop Guitar
Fuzz GuitarStrings
GlockenspielSyne Organ
Grand Piano Syntar
Guitar Synth Pad
Hard Synth Synth Bells
HarmonicaTechno Bass
Harp Trombones
HarpischordTrumpets
Horns Tuba
Jazz Guitar Tube Bells
Kalimba Upright Bass
Koto Vibraphone
Log Drums Violin
MandolinVox
MarimbaWeird Effects
Mod Synth Xylophone

But what makes the system a miracle are the lessons:

A Sample Lesson On The Miracle System

The Miracle Piano Teaching System's course of study includes 36 sections. Players with some experience can use the Miracle System to brush up on their skills and skip to advanced lessons., but if you've never played, start at the beginning. Whatever your skil level, the Miracle will listen to your playing and give you the exercises you need to improve.

  • The introductory screen tells you what you'll cover in the section, making it easy to find the topic you want to study or practice.

  • When you first encounter a piece, the Miracle System will demonstrate it so you'll know what it's supposed to sound like.

  • Then it's your turn. At first there's no metronome, or beat so you can focus on finger- beat, so you can focus on finger- ing. What you play is displayed on the screen.

  • Play the peice repeatedly until you get it right. If you're stuck, you can go back or skip ahead, but be sure to master every section.

  • In the Shooting Gallery game, the ducks cross the screen on the lines and spaces of a musical staff. Hit the correct piano key to zap them.

  • You'll work on a single piece of music in each section. The later sections of a lesson will teach you to play the peice accurately and in time.

  • In this rythm game, tap the keys to the beat to keep Roboman from taking a dive.

  • Playing along with the Tool- works Orchestra makes even basic tune sound impressive. It's fun!

  • You can practice any piece in the Practice Room. Repeat a section to master it.

    The Practice Room

    The old saying "Practice Makes Perfect" applies more to learning a musical instrument than any other activity (except possibly mastering video games). Using the Miracle System's Practice Room to go over difficult pieces is easier and more fun than repeating them in the lessons. There are many options available, and you can decide what you want to practice and how.

    48 Songs to Play Along With

    The Miracle System's song library contains 48 great tunes. Some of these are familiar hits, others were specially written for the Miracle System. The styles range from classical opera to rock 'n roll to simple jazz. All were chosen to teach a piano playing concept.

    Ode To JoyTwinkle Twinkle
    Mary Had A Little Lamb Puff the Magic Dragon
    Yankee DoodleHound Dog
    Old MacDonaldGreensleeves
    Jingle Bells Star Wars Theme
    Worms Crawl InLa Bamba
    Chopsticks Carmen
    Amazing Grace Let's Go Crazy

    Topics Covered

    It is estimated that the average person should be able to master the Miracle System's lessons in 6 to 12 months, gaining basic piano playing skills.

    1. Basic finding keys, metronome
    2. Names and locations of keys
    3. Sharps and Flats
    4. Rythm, Eight notes
    5. Reading Music
    6. Treble Staff
    7. Hand Positions
    8. Reading Flats & Sharps
    9. Sixteenth Notes
    10. Ostinato Rythm
    11. Bass Staff
    12. Bass Clef
    13. Key Signatures
    14. Measures and Bar Lines
    15. Ledger lines-Treble Staff
    16. Ledger Lines-Bass Staff, Chords
    17. Imitative Rythms
    18. More Imitative Rythms
    19. Playing With Two Hands
    20. Time Signatures
    21. Quarter Note Rests
    22. More Symbols
    23. Eighth Notes and Chords
    24. Eighth Rests
    25. Time Signature Review
    26. Tied and Dotted Notes
    27. 2/4 Time, Staccato Attack
    28. Practice and Review
    29. Triplet Eighths, Finger
    30. Review, Hound Dog
    31. Broken Octaves, Sixteenth Notes
    32. Using the Pedal
    33. Review, My Funny Valentine
    34. 6/8 Star Wars Theme
    35. More Syncopation, La Bamba
    36. Chords, Dotted Eighth Notes and Syncopation

    What's Next?

    After gaining some basic mastery of the piano from the Miracle System, you can take it further by learning from a private instructor or by practicing on your own. The Software Toolworks plans to produce additional software for the Miacle System, including a Game Pak that allows you to create your own music. Sounds great!


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