Random Research Girl

Did you ever wish that your kids could play piano, but there’s always too many obstacles you need to overcome just to enrol them for piano lessons? Either you don’t have a time to drive them to a music school or a private teacher, or simply you can’t afford it, or maybe your child is already taking lessons, but you would want to make it more fun and interesting between hard and boring long practices? How to encourage a child? How to stop this “Please, honey, you need to practice only 10 min!” everyday routine? And how to give yourself some peace of mind that your child is getting the music education that she/he needs?

I was lucky enough to find something that could meet any of the above circumstances: Children’s Music Journey by Adventus, HomeSchool program.

I started the program with my kids more than a week ago, and I am amazed by results! My 4 year old daughter has no interest so far in learning the alphabet, but she sure knows where the middle C is, or high and low notes on the keyboard. She doesn’t care about any big personas in this world, but she knows who the Ludwig van Beethoven was, and that he lost his hearing at the young age. She may not have cared about any classical music before, but now she listens to it, dances to it and has her favourite pieces.  And after more than a week she herself reminds me that today she needs to practice her piano! Isn’t that truly amazing?

All this is happening because of the very sneaky way the Children’s MusIQ Journey works. I think it’s sneaky, because when it teaches kids how to recognize sounds and how to read notes, you can bet they don’t have any idea that they’re learning something otherwise difficult and complicated! They think they’re playing! I’ve looked into some lessons, and found for example very funny game to help kids practice their fingers’ number. There is this cute little frog on one side of the stream, and she needs to get to the other side jumping on lily pads floating in the water. Every lily pad has a number and in order to make the frog to jump on it, you have to pres the keyboard key with the correct finger . Very cute! However, that’s only one little game and there’s many more.

I like that every lesson and every practice starts with music piece kids have to listen to. Then, with every lesson and practice they’re also being  introduced to the music history, theory, biographies of famous composers, notes, rhythm and much more. It’s done with the help of lovable animated characters that portray famous composers, who share with kids their knowledge, facts from their life and teach. These are the teachers! Don’t expect flashy Wii sort of game. Here kids get quiet, thoughtful, relaxed and more focused.

I can’t even describe how pleased I am with the Children’s MusIQ Journey software! I highly recommend it and I am sure you won’t be disappointed. Watch  the video of my kids playing piano on YouTube and see for yourself! (more videos coming so stay tuned! you can also check Adventus’ YouTube channel for more videos)

PROS: Definitely the price. Just for comparison: single piano lesson in Toronto cost around $35-60, plus piano – around $800 at Costco( if you want to buy something essential just to get your child started) but when you choose Adventus, you spend $69 for a software (Volume 1 – there’s 3 in the series) and $129.95 for a 49-Key USB Piano Keyboard, that is carried for your convenience by Adventus also. This is type of Plug ‘n Play device, so no software installation is necessary. Works great with Garage Band too, for those of you who are the Mac maniac like I am.

CONS: BIG WARNING ( read before buying it!! ):
If you feel like you cannot handle any more whining in your life – don’t buy it. If you will, please expect that daily: Can I play piano? I didn’t play piano today. Mom, can you turn the piano on? Mom, it’s my turn! I want to play piano first! Mom, Joshua is bothering me, he doesn’t let me play piano! Mommy, Misha always gets to play first ! and so on.

You can also join Adventus on Facebook and Twitter to get latest updates and news.

Use promo code RANDOM in the shopping cart on the Adventus website to get $5 OFF on all Children’s Music Journey software, bundles and deluxe bundles.

I hope you will find this review helpful on your child’s journey through music!

Eva

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