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02-02-2006 Fisher-Price Tickles the Ivories with New Platform That Encourages Music Appreciation; Music Teachers National Association-Supported I Can Play Piano(TM) Set to Debut at Toy Fair The largest infant and preschool toy manufacturer, Fisher-Price, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. MAT introduces an exciting and innovative new platform that will change kids' tune when it comes to piano lessons. Families will be gathering around the piano for the 2006 holidays as Fisher-Price introduces the most exciting, and easiest new way to teach young children how to tickle the ivories with the new I Can Play Piano(TM) system, featuring the Piano Wizard method. According to the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the more engaging a child's initial experience with the piano is, the more likely they are to go on with their study and enjoyment of music. "The I Can Play Piano system from Fisher-Price is the most innovative approach to piano fundamentals we've seen. It's totally in line with our mission to advance the value of music study and music making to society," says Gary L. Ingle, MTNA executive director. Fisher-Price has had significant success in the learning aisle with toys that teach young children the "traditional" educational fundamentals with products that include Kasey the Kinderbot(TM), the PowerTouch(TM) Learning System, Learn Through Music, PowerTouch(TM) Baby, the Laugh & Learn(TM) Collection, InteracTV(TM) and Read With Me DVD! This year, Fisher-Price tunes in to the musical arts, continuing its dedication to the development of innovative products that help young children learn through play. "Given our expertise in the creation of unique learning platforms and our understanding of the value of musical play, I Can Play Piano is a natural evolution in our product development," says David Allmark, general manager and senior vice president, Fisher-Price. "The integration of fun and games into the practice of piano playing will help to begin to instill a lifelong love of music." Research shows that nearly every parent wants their child to play a musical instrument and the number one instrument they choose is the piano, the foundation for learning other instruments. Playing the piano makes kids think, which helps them develop a basic learning skill that extends into the classroom. And the consistent practice required to achieve success, encourages commitment and discipline. The trick is how to make it all fun! Don Beattie, director of piano pedagogy at Southern Illinois University, uses the same method found in I Can Play Piano - the Piano Wizard method - to teach piano to children at the Piano Wizard Academy which he and his wife Delayna Beattie, founded and direct. He says the method helps children develop an ear, eye, mind and appreciation for music. He also notes that it offers young children the opportunity to fully appreciate their own power to make music, laying a strong foundation necessary for continuing study and lessons. "It's so simple. All of a sudden, as children are playing the game, you realize they've advanced to the grand staff and they're actually reading music," says Mr. Beattie. "They are becoming better musicians because of the game. We find that we're looking to the game to realize the goals we've always had -- for kids to play piano and enjoy it." The innovative I Can Play Piano system is designed to help children, ages 4 to 8, learn how to play piano and read music in a fun, easy way. Now kids will be able to play a game that allows them to play their favorite songs themselves. Kids simply plug the three-octave piano keyboard, with color-coded keys, into the TV to create a plug and play piano system. The "learning magic" lies within the proprietary Piano Wizard method used in the song and game cartridges. Standard sheet music becomes a colorful game with fun, moving images that tell kids what note to play and when to play it. I Can Play Piano is easy because kids set the tempo and learn at their own pace. Another great bonus is that kids of different ages (even Mom!) can collaborate and play together, and the simple game becomes a fun family experience. Each time kids play, they'll get a score and visual feedback on how well they played, just like playing a videogame. The better they play, the higher their score, with positive feedback and unconditional applause to encourage them every step of the way. I Can Play Piano also teaches kids to read music through four simple modes of play: -- In Mode One, kids simply hit the right note at the right time! Images move toward the top of the screen, and when the color image hits the keyboard on the TV screen, kids press the same color key on the keyboard to hear that note. It's easy for players to follow a whole series of images to play a song. -- Mode Two is an intermediate step that helps kids understand how music is organized and read. The keyboard on the video screen rotates from the top of the TV screen to the left side, so kids get used to seeing how pitch is organized on a musical staff. -- In Mode Three, the images become color-coded notes on real musical staffs, seamlessly introducing kids to musical notation. Sharps, flats and beginning theory become simple child's play. -- Mode Four completes the transition to traditional music notation. The color-coded notes become black and white notes on musical staffs, enabling kids to play the same song with real notes. In addition to the plug and play keyboard, the I Can Play Piano system includes an AC adaptor and one song and game cartridge featuring eight piano favorites, The Entertainer, Row, Row Your Boat, I've Been Workin' on the Railroad, Beethoven's Fur Elise and more. Additional I Can Play Piano song and games cartridges featuring music appropriate for preschoolers, older kids, and families, will be sold separately for use with the system. In partnership with MTNA, Fisher-Price will include in I Can Play Piano packaging a brochure featuring tips for parents about what to look for when a child is prepared to move on to piano lessons and how to choose a teacher. In addition, an MTNA link will be posted on the Fisher-Price web site, directing parents to the MTNA for these helpful tips. About MTNA Music Teachers National Association is a nonprofit organization of independent and collegiate music teachers committed to furthering the art of music through teaching, performance, composition and scholarly research. Founded in 1876, Music Teachers National Association is the oldest professional music teachers' association in the United States. About the Piano Wizard Method Allegro Multimedia, Inc. (dba Allegro Rainbow) is a leading provider of non-violent music gaming software and musical educational tools that teach both young and old alike how to play the piano and read music. Their Piano Wizard method is an exciting video game approach that integrates a piano tutorial with a fun, interactive gaming environment. It has the unique ability to transform tedious and repetitive practice sessions into an exciting and deeply rewarding video game experience for people of all ages and musical abilities. About Fisher-Price Fisher-Price, Inc., a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. MAT and located in East Aurora, New York, is the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in the world. The Company has a 75-year legacy of high-quality toys that enhance early childhood development. Its often-emulated Play Laboratory was the first child research center of its kind in the toy industry, allowing researchers to observe the way children play and how play benefits their development. Some of the Company's best-known "classic" brands include Little People(R), Power Wheels(R) and View-Master(R). Fisher-Price is also a leading developer of baby gear products (nursery monitors, infant swings, high chairs) as well as a wide array of character-based toys inspired by high quality children's programming such as Sesame Street(R), Dora the Explorer(TM) and Winnie the Pooh. The Company's web site, at www.fisher-price.com, provides valuable information and resources to parents. Contact Information: Freeman Public Relations Ellie Bagli/Jen Holzapfel, 973-470-0400 ebagli@freemanpr.com jholzapfel@freemanpr.com or Fisher-Price Brenda Andolina/Dana Marciniak, 716-687-3354 brenda.andolina@fisher-price.com dana.marciniak@fisher-price.com © 2006 BusinessWire Related articles and news:
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