1. About the value of mathematical methods in the study of music and professional training of musicians. Written with M.Zalivadny and Irina Gorbunova (Russian language) Science Index

2. Interactive network technologies for training music in School of digital century. The program 'Soft Way to Mozart' Written with Irina Gorbunova Science Index

3. Musical-computer technologies as an information-translation system at school of the digital century. Written with M.Zalivadny and Irina Gorbunova Science Index

Recommendation letter of Yuri Rozum, Professor of Gnessin Russian Academy of Music
A soloist of Moscow State Academic Philharmonic Society
A full member of Russian National Academy of Natural Science
The president of Yuri Rozum International Charitable Foundation
A national artist of Russia

First time I learned about 'Soft way to Mozart' was in April of 2006. I've always been interested in the latest inventions in the field of music education. I think that the primary music education needs reform. It is far from providing successful music learning for the majority of children by losing students in elementary classes of music schools. We are not only losing future musicians, but, above all, we are losing educated music listeners. In addition, what a loss for those people for whom the beautiful world of music remains unknown. 

After I learned the key features of the 'Soft Mozart' computer system, I had a chance to see how this method worked with my 9-year-old daughter. Previously, she didn't want to hear about music lessons with the traditional approach. However, now she is learning piano successfully and with great pleasure using this system. 

I want to say the following:

• The program 'Soft Mozart' does not conflict with classical approaches of music learning. In fact, this program is a 'missing link' of traditional music education filling the lack of visual support during the first steps of acquaintance with the space of piano keys and musical notation.
• The program 'Soft Mozart' brilliantly uses the computer for creating the interactive learning of music as a language. The student is able to play a musical composition with one hand while listening to the part of the other hand being played automatically. Then, the student is able not only to see one's own mistakes in the performance of a musical score, but make corrections without the teacher's help. Finally, the student is able to memorize easily a music piece without anybody's assistance while still controlling its correctness. The student starts fluent music reading from the first lessons. This is far from a full list of all advantages and benefits that the system can give to every beginner.
• This program is a break-through approach because with its help any person, regardless of his or her talent, can learn how to read the music score and play the piano (or other keyboard instruments) with both hands and all ten fingers. This is important for development of music ear, memory, and for the sake of pleasure to learn music.
• The turned sideways 'primary presentation' of a musical score with color-coded pictures allow students to cope with reading and coordination problems in balance. This is an original 'ABC book' of music.
• The gradual transformation of a musical score from the 'primary presentation' to the traditional presentation allows any student to understand the musical notation easier and faster. 
  Any use of 'Soft Mozart' system can substantially relieve the work of music teachers during the classes of piano, theory, or solfeggio. Because the computer takes care of the routine development of basic skills, it spares the teacher's time and energy for more complicated professional and artistic tasks.

I recommend using this system not only for music institutions, but also in daycare centers, schools and any organizations that are related to the upbringing and cultural education of children. In addition, this system provides inestimable advantages for home music practice.

Yuri Rozum with Russian Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky

Original document 1, 2.

Hellene Hiner 'Computer Way to Mozart'. Paper is published in the book 'How to Teach Solfeggio in the XXI century. Buy the book here (Russian). PDF of the English translation.

Paper Title: Music Computer Technologies and Interactive Network Systems of Learning Music Author’s Name: Irina B. Gorbunova Co-author’s Name: Hellene Hiner Paper ID: II-PLTOXFD-19098-1253

'About the value of mathematical methods in the study of music and professional training of musicians.' Written with M.Zalivadny and Irina Gorbunova (Russian language) Science Index.

Musical-computer technologies as an information-translation system at school of the digital century. Written with M.Zalivadny and Irina Gorbunova Science Index 

'Soft Mozart is a great finding for children, parents and teachers'

From the very first lesson, it enables a student to actually start playing the piano. This is as true for a child as it is for an adult, who has dreamed of playing the piano but was unable to do so in childhood. The program is truly unique. It distinctly and clearly presents all core components that are required for playing a musical instrument, including:

• The musical alphabet
• Rhythm
• Introduction to and familiarity with the keyboard
• Sight reading in both the treble and bass clefs
• Coordination of the fingers and hands

Gentle Piano Games combines all these skills into one.

The learning material is colorful and accessible, which allows a child to absorb it intuitively.

Both my daughters and each of my little students love learning new songs. They also continue to perfect these pieces, in an effort to 'win' against a computer, a teacher or a parent.

Both the parents and the students can see and enjoy the small victories that, with regular practice, turn into great achievements.

Dr. Svetlana Selezneva

This software is clearly different from any other products that claim they teach music. It is truly exceptional.
It does the job: it teaches you not only ear training, notation, duration, etc as many other software do. It teaches to play piano (or keyboard). It has to be used with a MIDI keyboard connected to the computer. It is based on a very thoughtful innovative step by step process of teaching how to play first with one hand, then with both hands hundreds of songs, melodies and classic pieces.
It is very straightforward to use, and can teach equally well a grown up person and a child. I am in my early forties and my daughter is 4 years old. We both had minimum knowledge of musics prior to using this software and in a two months learned how to play several songs. Absolutely amazing and a dream come true! Highly recommend.