Jalmus

CITATION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Title: Jalmus Publisher: http://jalmus.net/?lang=en Copyright Date: 2003-2006 Platform: Mac, Linux, Microsoft Windows Age: Any

TEACHER SUPPORT
Objectives: This program is designed to train sight reading skills of musicians, especially pianists. It concentrates on note reading and rhythm reading. The software supports different languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish, and German.

No additional support is provided.

INSTRUCTIONAL CONTENT
Specific Musical Content: Jalmus basically consists of a note reading game and a rhythm reading game. Both can be adapted to beginning or more advanced learners by altering the tempo, clef (treble or bass only), key signature, intervals, chords, accidentals, number of notes, note values, and use of the metronome. MIDI options are also included in the preferences: MIDI hook up, Java Sound Synthesizer and Java Sound Sequencer.

In the note reading game, the student can either click on the letter name or the keyboard on the screen. The score is shown throughout with a scroll-like bar at the bottom of the page representing the number of questions answered correctly and incorrectly. At the conclusion of the game, the student's score is numerically indicated. I could not get the rhythm reading game to respond. It would play the written rhythm with the metronome, but would not allow me to manipulate anything on the screen during the game. An adaptation would be to have the student clap with the computer. However, learning would have to be self-regulated, as there would be no record of achievement on the software for this specific game.

National Music Standards addressed through this program: 5. Reading and notating music.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND PEDAGOGICAL SOUNDNESS
Jalmus is an instructional game program.

This software is a valuable resource for improved reading skills. It is appropriate for any student level as long as the necessary adjustments are made in the preferences menu. The presentation of the note reading game was rather straight forward. However, the rhythm reading game was rather unuseful and confusing to operate. In general, the graphics are neither motivating or distracting. However, more instructional information on the screen would be helpful.

There are newer versions of this program available. These have remedied some of the inadequacies of this first version: a learning game for the note reading portion, the addition of Turkish to the languages supported, an increase in the possible range of notes, a pause option, and a new system of lessons.

Rating: **

Reviewed by: Amber Dahlen 10/27/08