Synthesia product review - Awesome way to learn piano pieces!

PianoManChuck
19 Jan 201622:02

TLDRPiano enthusiast 'Piano Man Chuck' reviews Synthesia, a software that revolutionizes piano learning by visually representing notes as falling bars on a keyboard. The program supports various MIDI keyboards, offers 177 songs, and features like hand separation for practice, note labeling, and finger hint numbers. It encourages a playful learning approach, with a game-like interface and the ability to slow down songs for beginners. Synthesia is praised for its user-friendly design and the ability to import any MIDI file, making it an invaluable tool for piano learners of all levels.

Takeaways

  • 🎹 Synthesia is a software that helps piano players learn songs, especially those who do not read music notation well.
  • 📺 The software is known for its visual representation of falling bars on a keyboard, indicating which keys to play next.
  • 🔌 Synthesia works with a variety of keyboards, both old and new, including those with MIDI jacks or USB MIDI interfaces.
  • 🎼 The software allows users to learn songs by separating them into left and right hand parts, and it pauses until the correct notes are played.
  • 🎮 Synthesia gamifies the learning process, making it fun and interactive, with a website named 'Synthesia game com'.
  • 🛠️ Users can set up their input and output devices in the software settings, and even use a virtual piano with the computer keyboard if no MIDI keyboard is available.
  • 🎵 The software comes with 177 songs, but users can also add their own MIDI files to learn from.
  • 🔑 Synthesia requires an unlock code after purchase, which grants personal home use and free updates forever.
  • 🔍 The interface is user-friendly with options to adjust the learning pace, display music notation, and enable finger hint numbers for guidance.
  • 🔄 There's a looping function for practicing specific sections of a song repeatedly.
  • 🎵 Synthesia supports different piano and organ sounds for a more personalized playing experience.
  • 💰 The software is priced around $50 U.S. and is considered a worthwhile investment for its features and benefits.

Q & A

  • What is the name of the software discussed in the review?

    -The software discussed in the review is called Synthesia.

  • What does Synthesia software do and how does it help piano learners?

    -Synthesia is a software that helps piano learners by visually representing the notes to be played as falling bars on a keyboard, making it easier for them to learn songs without having to read traditional music notation.

  • How does Synthesia make learning piano more interactive and fun?

    -Synthesia makes learning interactive and fun by allowing users to learn songs at their own pace, separating the learning process into left and right hands, and incorporating elements of a game, such as stopping the playback until the correct notes are played.

  • What types of keyboards can Synthesia work with?

    -Synthesia can work with any keyboard that has either the traditional 5-pin MIDI jacks or a USB connection for MIDI over USB, making it compatible with a wide range of keyboards on the market.

  • Does Synthesia support recording of performances?

    -No, Synthesia does not support recording of performances. Users need to use another program to record their performances into MIDI format and then bring it into Synthesia.

  • How many songs come with Synthesia and can users add more?

    -Synthesia comes with an initial library of 177 songs, and users can add more songs over time, either by acquiring them or by recording their own with other software.

  • What is the significance of the different colors in the Synthesia interface?

    -The different colors in the Synthesia interface indicate the difficulty level of the song. The less color filled into the bars, the easier the song is to learn.

  • How does Synthesia help users learn the rhythm of a song?

    -Synthesia helps users learn the rhythm by providing a constant speed playback of the falling bars, which users must match with their hands. This feature is particularly useful for practicing the rhythm of a song.

  • What is the 'song recital' feature in Synthesia and how does it work?

    -The 'song recital' feature in Synthesia is a challenge where users get one try to play the entire song at full speed without making any mistakes. If a mistake is made, the recital is not completed.

  • How does Synthesia accommodate different learning preferences and skill levels?

    -Synthesia accommodates different learning preferences and skill levels by allowing users to slow down the playback, practice with just the left or right hand, turn on note labels and finger hint numbers, and choose from various difficulty levels of songs.

  • What additional features does Synthesia offer for advanced users or custom MIDI files?

    -For advanced users or custom MIDI files, Synthesia offers features such as looping, the ability to display or hide note labels and finger hint numbers, and the option to change the color theme of the interface.

Outlines

00:00

🎹 Introduction to Synthesia Software

In this paragraph, the speaker introduces Synthesia, a software designed to help piano players learn songs without needing to read music notation. The software visually represents notes as falling bars on a keyboard, making it accessible even for those unfamiliar with traditional sheet music. The speaker mentions that Synthesia is compatible with various keyboards, including those with MIDI jacks or USB connections. The software also offers a virtual piano for those without a physical keyboard. The speaker emphasizes the educational benefits of Synthesia, noting its ability to separate music into left and right hands and to pause until the correct notes are played, turning the learning process into a game-like experience.

05:03

🎼 Exploring Synthesia's Features and Song Library

The speaker delves deeper into Synthesia's features, highlighting its ability to record performances in MIDI format using external software. The software comes with 177 pre-loaded songs, and users can add more over time. The speaker discusses the software's user interface, emphasizing its simplicity and ease of use. They also mention the ability to set up different user profiles and the gamification aspect of learning music. The speaker demonstrates how to play songs, learn melodies and rhythms, and perform recitals, all of which contribute to a fun and interactive learning experience. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the software's pricing and the speaker's personal endorsement.

10:03

🔍 Customizing Learning Experience with Synthesia

This paragraph focuses on the customization options available in Synthesia, such as adjusting the speed of the falling bars, turning on note labels, and using finger hint numbers to guide the player. The speaker explains how these features can help beginners learn piano more effectively. They also discuss the option to display music notation, which can be helpful for those learning to read sheet music. The speaker demonstrates how to use these features with different songs, including a personal rendition of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity.' The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the software's capabilities and its value for piano learners.

15:04

🎶 Advanced Features and Song Grouping in Synthesia

The speaker introduces advanced features in Synthesia, such as the ability to loop sections of a song and the option to display key labels and finger hint numbers. They also discuss how songs are grouped by difficulty, allowing users to progress at their own pace. The speaker demonstrates how to play songs at different speeds and with various settings, such as music notation and key labels. They emphasize the importance of practicing songs at slower speeds before attempting them at full tempo. The paragraph concludes with a demonstration of how to play a song in Synthesia, highlighting the software's versatility and user-friendly interface.

20:07

🎵 Conclusion and Recommendation of Synthesia

In the final paragraph, the speaker wraps up the discussion on Synthesia by reiterating its benefits and recommending it to viewers. They highlight the software's compatibility with various MIDI controllers and the ability to choose different instrument sounds, such as different types of pianos and organs. The speaker also explains that Synthesia works with MIDI files, making it versatile for various music learning needs. They conclude by emphasizing the value of the software, stating that it is worth the investment and highly recommend it for piano learners.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Synthesia

Synthesia is the name of the software being reviewed in the video. It is a piano learning tool that visually represents music through falling bars on a keyboard interface, helping users to learn piano pieces without needing to read traditional sheet music. In the script, the reviewer, 'Piano Man Chuck,' discusses how Synthesia makes learning piano fun and accessible, highlighting its features such as the ability to slow down songs, practice with one hand or both, and the visual representation of notes.

💡MIDI

MIDI, which stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a protocol for communicating musical information between devices. In the context of the video, MIDI is used to interface keyboards with computers, allowing the Synthesia software to interact with various keyboard models, whether they use traditional MIDI jacks or transmit MIDI over USB. The script mentions that Synthesia is compatible with any keyboard that can interface with a computer via MIDI.

💡Music Notation

Music notation is a written form of representing music, where symbols and lines indicate pitches, rhythms, and other aspects of music. The video script explains that Synthesia offers an alternative to traditional music notation by visually representing notes as falling bars, making it easier for users to learn piano pieces. The reviewer also mentions that even those who can read music notation might find Synthesia's approach more enjoyable and engaging.

💡Piano Controller

A piano controller, as mentioned in the script, is a device that can send MIDI signals to control software like Synthesia. The reviewer uses a Kawai MP 11 as an example of a piano controller. It can be connected to a computer via MIDI jacks or USB, allowing the user to play along with the visual cues provided by Synthesia.

💡Virtual Piano

The virtual piano within Synthesia is a feature that simulates a piano using the computer keyboard. It allows users without a physical piano or keyboard to still interact with the software and learn piano pieces. The script describes how the virtual piano maps computer keys to piano notes, providing a visual guide for which keys to press.

💡User Profiles

User profiles in Synthesia allow individual users to save their settings and progress. The script mentions that while the reviewer does not make use of this feature, it is available for those who wish to track their learning and customize their experience with the software.

💡Song Recital

In the context of Synthesia, a song recital is a feature that challenges users to play a song at full speed without making any mistakes. The script describes this as a 'one try' experience, where the software plays the entire song, and the user must match each note correctly to complete the recital successfully.

💡Falling Bars

Falling bars are the visual representation of notes in Synthesia, where bars fall onto the keyboard interface indicating which keys to press and when. This feature is central to the software's method of teaching piano, as it provides a visual cue for users to learn songs, as mentioned in the script.

💡Unlock Code

An unlock code is a unique identifier used to activate and license the use of Synthesia software for an individual user. The script explains that once purchased, the user receives an unlock code that allows them to use the software for personal use and receive free updates.

💡Looping Function

The looping function in Synthesia allows users to repeat a specific section of a song for focused practice. The script describes how this feature can be used to loop start and end points, enabling users to practice difficult passages in a song repeatedly until mastered.

💡MIDI File

A MIDI file is a type of file that contains digital information about music, including notes, timing, and other performance data. In the script, the reviewer mentions creating and using MIDI files with Synthesia to learn and practice piano pieces. MIDI files can be imported into Synthesia, which then converts them into the visual falling bars format for learning.

Highlights

Synthesia is a software that helps piano players learn songs by showing falling bars on a keyboard instead of traditional music notation.

It's suitable for both beginners and those who already read music notation but want a different learning method.

Synthesia can be used with any keyboard, whether it has MIDI jacks or transmits MIDI over USB.

The software separates songs into left and right hands, allowing users to learn each part separately and then together.

It includes a feature that halts the falling bars until the correct notes are played, making learning interactive and game-like.

Synthesia comes with 177 pre-loaded songs, and users can add more songs or use their own MIDI files.

The software does not record files, so users need to use another program to record their performances in MIDI format.

Users can set up different profiles and earn points online, adding a competitive element to learning.

Synthesia offers a simple interface with few choices to avoid confusion.

The software allows users to practice the melody and rhythm separately, with the option to slow down the speed.

Users can choose to show or hide key labels, note labels, and finger hint numbers for a personalized learning experience.

Synthesia provides a looping function, enabling users to repeat specific sections of a song for focused practice.

The software includes a feature to show music notation, which can help users learn to read notes.

Users can adjust the difficulty of songs by changing the octave range, making it easier for beginners to learn.

Synthesia offers a variety of piano and organ sounds, allowing users to choose their preferred instrument sound.

The software is highly recommended for its price, offering a fun and effective way to learn piano.

Synthesia is licensed for personal home use and includes free updates forever.

Transform Ideas into Images & Videos

Generate stunning visuals effortlessly with Flux AI.

Transform Ideas into Images & VideosTry It Free