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Humanities Software Evaluation

Musical Instruments

Copyright Date

1992

Publisher

Description

Contains articles on over 200 musical instruments, 500 color photos of instruments and ensembles, plus 1,500 sound samples, and a full complement of historical information.

Disciplines

Humanities, Music

Type of Program

x Single            |     x Mac
  One of a Series   |     x IBM

Suitable for:

Individual Instruction, Large Groups, Pairs, Small Groups

Vendor

Software City

Cost

$37.00 Academic

Instructional Characteristics

Instructional Techniques

  Game
  Tutorial
  Simulation
x Informational
  Problem Solving

Documentation Available (Y=yes, N=No, NA= Not Applicable)

N  Student worksheets/Supplentary Material required
N  Student worksheets/Supplentary Material provided
N  Reference Manuals Required

Quality 1 (low) to 5 (high)

3  Content Characteristics
3  Instructional Characteristics
3  Technical Characteristics

Recommendations

I would use this program, but with some reservations or change

Comments

My first observation was STATIC. It seems like a program designed to demonstrate the sounds of musical instruments could and should have elimination of static as a bottom line. Some of the samples were very representative and of fine quality; others were too short to be helpful and contained too much static. Particularly disappointing were the clarinet and soprano saxophone. I hear these instruments every day because my husband is a professional musician and teacher, but I would not have identified them from the samples played. The samples for the harpsichord, clavier, and clavichord were so short, the distinguishing features of each instrument could not be discerned. On the other hand, the coverage of Families of Instruments was very complete, including many little known relatives from all parts of the world. Also, the section on Musical Ensembles was good, including the listening selections; they were still excerpts, but they were long enough to illustrate the style. The format of this program and the information it provides is excellent. I just hope a version 2 will be produced raising the quality level of the listening samples.