Music Ace Deluxe (Windows, Mac)

MUSIC ACE DELUXE offers sequenced, comprehensive music instruction for beginning and intermediate music students. Aligned with the National Standards for Music Education, Music Ace Deluxe teaches music theory, note reading, ear training, notation, keyboard, scales, rhythm, melody, key signatures, time signatures, and harmony. Maestro Max, a humorous animated conductor, and his throng of animated notes and instruments present 36 core lessons and accompanying games.

Using colorful graphics and interactive activities, Maestro Max helps children to work through self-paced lessons. Kids hone their skills by playing a game that reinforces the musical concept just taught. The syncopation lesson, for example, shows how to mix note combinations to create the rhythm. The accompanying game challenged the player to use the computer mouse to echo the rhythm of a syncopated piece.

Music Ace Deluxe is a new configuration of lessons from two older products: Music Ace and Music Ace 2. It's a shining example of how to make a complicated subject interesting to kids by presenting it in a lively interactive format. When a player has trouble, the software slows down the material and offers help.

It is offered at $79.95 on the company's Web site but is available for $50 at online retailers Amazon.com, JR.com, PCMall.com.