Keyboards For Kids

In this low-budget production, Laurie, a "professional musician and teacher" teaches Seth keyboard basics. In the first tape, viewers learn the names of the notes, hand positioning, and practice with right and left hands playing scale runs. In the second tape, the basics of sheet music are explained (clefs, sharps, time signature, etc.), and students learn "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain." Neither Laurie nor Seth appear to be very comfortable in front of the camera (during the first tape, Seth looks as if he's on his way to the dentist). And the reason--unless it's monetary--for splitting the teaching program over two tapes is not immediately apparent. Still, these tapes will encourage kids to drag out their Casio's, and they may learn some rudimentary skills necessary for playing music--which would be nice for those parents who suffer the ill effects of the untrained cacophonous key-thrashing typical of today's child musicians. An optional purchase. (Available from: Hourglass Productions, P.O. Box 428, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927-0428.)