Practica+Musica+4

=Practica Musica 4=

Citation and General Information

 * Programmed by Jeffrey Evans
 * Published by Ars Nova Software LLC [|www.ars-nova.com]
 * © 1999-2002
 * Cross Platform (Mac and Wintel)
 * MIDI keyboard and microphone are optional
 * Age Level: Middle school up to adult
 * Type of Class: Music Theory

Teacher Support

 * Extensive Manual (also online)
 * Vast majority of manual is similar to a Music Theory Text, with the software instructions beginning on page 137
 * Activity ideas and worksheets available in the manual
 * Additional support available on the publisher website [|www.ars-nova.com]

Instructional Content

 * Primarily music theory training including
 * Ear training
 * Harmony exercises
 * Chord exercises
 * There are also some Composition exercises

National Standards that could be addressed using this software:
 * 4. Composing and arranging music within specified guidelines
 * 5. Reading and notating music
 * 6. Listening to, analyzing, and describing music

Instructional and Pedagogical Soundness
The structure of the program is drill and practice. It is divided into about fifteen lessons that increase in difficulty. Each exercise is appropriate for the skill level it addresses. The exercises are completed in a fill-in-the-blank style by either clicking on the note on the onscreen keyboard, or by clicking and placing the correct answer into a blank box. The student has complete freedom to move throughout the program as he/she wishes, but there are score milestones that the program uses to suggest when a student is ready to move on to the next level. There is not much in the way of appealing graphics. There is a system where the program records scores that are achieved on each lesson level, so it is possible to present this program as a game.

Sequence of materials–excellent Pace of instruction–excellent Quality of Interaction–good (lack of interesting graphics) Motivation for Students–excellent

Record Keeping

 * Records are kept either through progress reports stored in the program, or through the publisher's Web Student program
 * Scores are kept for each activity, along with the date they are achieved

Overall Evaluation
Practica Musica is an excellent supplement to any music theory class. The depth of the material covered makes it perfect for any age from Middle School upward. It covers everything from simple intervals to complex chord progressions with secondary dominants. The ear training aspect is a great draw for any student in music theory, because it is so difficult to find ear training practice exercises. In addition to the basic music theory lessons, it also includes other advanced pitch related exercises such as hearing out of tune notes. In addition to this, there is also the feature for an "active listening" exercise, where a score can be inserted into the program, and the student can follow along with their part or even change the volume for the parts. Overall, the program is an incredibly useful supplement to an actual class. The only conceivable problem is in its bland presentation.

Rating– ++++ (4/4 stars)

Stephen Allen (4/4/07)