 The
Danish Ear Training package called Earope is still new on the market
for Ear Training software. It is made to compete (and does it well)
with the biggies on the market. As other programs in this category,
it runs with MIDI and works with or without a music keyboard.
The approach
Earope is modular, aimed at 7 areas: intervals, scales, chords,
inversions, progressions, melodies and rhythm. The configuration
of each individual module is more or less alike making it quite
easy shifting from one to the other. Even though the interface does
not completely follow usual Windows conventions, I found myself
easily navigating around. Also adding to the ease is the fact that
the developers took the time to add hints to all buttons and other
elements so the user can quickly learn what they are.
The screen itself consists of a virtual piano,
a music sheet, an “exercise-department”, and top-most
the buttons and menus. A “sexy” feature in Earope is
the control of the window size. All the graphical elements are scaled
with the window size or screen resolution so that all fits. You
don’t need to look at a small window if you have a 19”
screen and you don’t have to worry about not being able to
run the program on a 14” screen in low resolution.
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Exercises
Choosing the individual exercises are done easily an intuitively.
You simply choose level and exercise type and you are ready to train
away. The answer is prompt and like in the old days you are evaluated
with points and encouragement to proceed or repeat.
User profiles can be set up, giving each student a certain levels
in each discipline, so that everybody doesn’t have to start
from Adam and Eve.
A unique feature invented for this program is the "EarTutor"
- a friendly fellow that you can "turn on" and that guides
you through you ear training experience. This is bound to be copied
by others!
Evaluation
Each exercise is rewarded with points in the TOP-10 list where you
are able to compete with Johann Sebastian, Thelonius and Jimi. This
is of cause a bit comical, but the user is able to see the progress.
Help and Manual
The online help system is even better than most manuals and is complete.
Here you can freely search for what you want to know about.
If you need to know more about Earope, it has it’s own website,
where a demo should be available (!).
Conclusion
There is really not much to say. If you need a good ear trainer
and if you have a PC, then this is it!
Developed by Cope Media
Nearest retailer: Phone. (+45) 51989896 fax (+45) 33120747
email: earope@cope.dk
Rec. retail price (incl. vat): US$ 99
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from
Dansk Sang 