Theory Games Software, Levels 1A-2 (for Piano).

Theory Games Software, Levels 1A-2 (for Piano), Alfred's Basic Piano Library. Alfred Publishing Company, Inc. (16320 Roscoe Blvd., Ste. 100, P.O. Box I0003, Van Nuys, CA 91410), 2004. $19.95.

Theory Games Software contains eight games presented in six parts and is designed to coordinate with Alfred Basic Piano Library for young beginners. All that's needed is a computer and mouse.

"Name that Key" requires the naming of white and black keys. A ladybug lands on a keyboard, and the student clicks on the corresponding letter. In subsequent levels, choices expand from CDEFG to all white keys, then sharps and flats. Graphics and sound effects are entertaining, but the drill is needlessly limited. At the beginning of the Alfred books, students play in C position--not enough of a reason to omit notes A and B, especially when CDEs and FGABs are easier to see.

"Note Name Race" drills note naming on the staff. In the upper corner of a forest, a staff-appears with G or F clef and one note, and the options are CDEFG. With each answer, a turtle scampers about, while pitched sound effects underscore his antics--a distraction from the note's sound. The visual focus is not the staff, but the forest and turtle. Choices in successive levels expand to all notes, then sharps and flats. No particular landmarks are stressed; the only ledger line note is middle C in treble staff:

"Cross the River" matches musical symbols with their names. There are choices like "forte," "quarter note," "tied notes" and so on, though it may be too early to introduce tied notes.

The object of "Counting Game" was not immediately apparent, but fortunately, there is a "help" button. Under an apple tree is a staffed rhythm pattern and a basket. Each apple has a note value, and a student chooses two apples to complete the rhythm. They fall into the basket, ...