Crotchet Beat Details

Andante Software

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Crotchet Beat :
Grade 1
- Further details
- Topic list
- Sample screens
- Hints and tips
Grade 2
Alto Clef

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Grade 1 - Further Details

Structure

The content is divided into 10 Topics, each containing 6 – 10 "pages" or screens. Navigation between Topics and Pages is simple, using large buttons. Details of topics are listed on a separate card enclosed with every CD, to be given to the child's teacher.

Each Page has an activity – mainly dragging and dropping a number of words or notes to the correct place, but sometimes typing one or more numbers. If an item is placed correctly, it stays in the correct place and a "ding" is heard. If the item is placed incorrectly, it springs back to its original position accompanied by an "uhoh" sound. (Similar sounds when numbers typed in)

On completion of a page a small Score Box pops up, accompanied by one of three short phrases on flute or violin, depending on how good the score is. Score depends on speed of completion and how many wrong moves were made. Most children will be encouraged to repeat the page several times to try to improve their score.

When the final page of a Topic is completed, a Topic Score box pops up, accompanied by different music, showing the total of the best scores so far in that Topic.

A Score Page can be displayed, showing best score in each topic for up to 6 students. Another button enables a particular student to view a table showing his best scores for every page in every topic!

Contents of pages

Every page is slightly different, but new concepts are introduced gradually. The following are included in various pages:

Option to hear a displayed rhythm clapped, by clicking Play button. This is preceded by a 1 bar count so that the student can join in.
Certain displayed short pieces of music can be heard by clicking Play button.
Many of the notes can be clicked on to hear the pitch played, particularly useful in Topics E, F and G.
Con Moto, a cartoon cat, appears on all pages where there is room for him. On certain pages he holds a Help sign, indicating that additional information relevant to that page will be displayed if the user clicks on him.
Until the last Topic, the Treble and Bass clefs are dealt with separately, so that beginners who only need to read one clef for their instrument can use the program more easily.
A keyboard is used to illustrate concepts such as semitones, but the notes are named by letters on the keys. Other instruments are mentioned, and heard, so the student should not feel that it is geared only to pianists.
From time to time the student is encouraged to practise drawing a clef, or to copy out the music shown on the screen.