Learn and Master Piano

Back at the end of August, I presented a product that we were going to use in order to learn piano – Learn & Master Piano.   I had promised to post at the end of September in order for you to see the progress my son and I had made with the program.   Well here I am today – a month later that planned – and I want to update you on this product that will allow your child or yourself to learn piano.   First, I must tell you that my oldest son is diligently learning the piano at his own pace.  So far he has watched and practice for three lessons.  We have not schedule this on a weekly basis but he practices regularly during a week.   The main reason that it is not schedule as much as I would have hope to is that he has already a big workload with his regular lessons as well as Awana memorization.  But to top it off, he went through numerous appointment in the past two months for braces and planning for a small surgery in order to remove two teeth – one being impacted.   The appointments are not finished for the braces as we have five more weeks of scheduled appointments for him to go through to complete the braces installation.  Nevertheless, now that the surgery is in the past, I find myself this morning in front of my computer in order to tell you more about his progress on learning the piano.

What is Learn and Master Piano you ask?

Well, Learn and Master offers a wonderful package for homeschoolers wanting to learn piano.   The Learn and Master Piano is offered as a Home School Edition which makes it affordable for families.  This complete 2-year piano curriculum is specifically designed for home study.   It contains the complete piano course, a 68 pages teacher’s guide which includes a full 2-year scope-and-sequence as well as a DVD containing teacher’s resource.  Learn And Master Piano Home School Edition has been widely recognized as the best home instruction course for learning piano available anywhere and when you see how my son is advancing in his lessons, I think you will understand why. Essentially, the program consists of 20 professionally produced DVDs, 5 Play-Along CDs, a 100+ page lesson book, and a free online student support site.

I have to admit that I like the fact that it is a completely independent learning program.  My son, Alexandre, choose to do a lesson depending of his workload.   Recently, as he was doing one, I decided to take some pictures in order to show you how he does it.  Alexandre is thirteen years old and is currently in grade 8.

Once the DVD is in the player, the lesson starts.   Alexandre has set up the keyboard in the living room.  He is listening attentively while waiting for the practice part to begin.

At some point during the lesson, he sits up at the keyboard and practice at the same time as the teacher.

Here you can see him doing more practices throughout the lesson.

When we go to our homeschool coop on Wednesdays, he brings his binder of songs and practices on a full piano that is in the basement.    This past week, while he was playing a lady asked me since when he was playing the piano because she thought he was playing beautifully.   I looked at her and answered, “Since September really.”  She couldn’t believe it.  So I mentioned the program Learn & Master Piano that he was using and she thought it was interesting to have such a product on the market.    She also mentioned that my son  must be gifted musically which I am sure she is right because it is so easy for him to learn the guitar and the piano.   

Seeing him striving in learning the piano, I know without a doubt that Learn & Master Piano is a great product to have in your home.  He could easily get on the online student support line if he needs and get answers to his questions.   However, he doesn’t seem to have any issue at this point in time.   He would like to have a full size piano but for now he can advance quite a bit with the keyboard.  Besides, when we go to coop, not only does he has a chance of practicing on the full size piano but he can experience with the pedals as well.

From our experience, I think that the Learn & Master Piano is a great product to own and would make a wonderful gift for someone who has expressed an interest in learning the piano as well.   I find that this product is great for young people and adults.   It could bit a bit too advanced for children.

In my next post later this month, I am planning to include a video of Alexandre playing the piano.  

Learn and Master offers various courses if you are not interested in piano.   Check out the guitar, drums, dance, painting and even photography courses available by clicking on the image below.

Learn and Master offers Homeschool Editions of Piano, Guitar and Painting instructional courses. Shop now at LearnAndMaster.com and save BIG on award-winning course materials.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Learn & Master for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

KNex Review & Giveaway

K*Nex is a toy that is part of our life.   Every now and then the kids try to create something new with the sets we have.   Other times, they try to recreate the models offered in the box.   We even have a remote control K*Nex sports car that they play with as well as some other ones that can be very colorful when working in the dark.

Since Christmas is coming, K*Nex has sent two sets to promote on my blog.  Continue reading this blog post to see what else they have offered for my readers.

70 Models Building Set

This fun treasure chest will allow your child to build anything he/she can imagine with instructions for overs 70 unique models.   The creativity of the child will be unleashed and be prepare to be in awe of what this set can produce: cars, places, sea creatures, and much more.  The box is loaded with over 700 K*Nex rods and connectors.   And the best part is that the treasure chest can be use to store the pieces when your child is done playing with them.    This set is ideal for any kids ages seven and up.

My kids have used K*Nex on and off through the years.    But each time, they discover a new way of playing with them.    I love the fact that sometimes, you can also download new projects for the set purchased – especially for the regular building sets like this one.   I find that K*Nex allows your child to be more creative, to follow instructions when building, develop hands and eye coordination and will allow them to play with having too many toys. 

Check out some of the models that can be made with this special set.

I think my favorite one is the flying bird seen above.   I prefers K*Nex sets that promote and cultivate creativity over the ones that are based on specific themes.   But I also know that other people love to get toys based on popular video games for their child so I also received a set based on the Super Mario Bros U to review.

Super Mario Layer Cake Desert Building Set

Geared for kids ages 8 and more, this specific set will allow the child to go on a brand new adventure with Fire Mario as he journeys through the Layer Cake Desert. This special set feautres K'NEX's all new jump disk and launcher that allow Mario to run and jump, like he does in the game. Unfortunately, we are complete stranger to the new game so it is hard for me to compare the set with the video game.   However, knowing how Mario games works and seeing the flexibility of K*Nex with their specialized theme sets, I am pretty sure that they nailed the Layer Cake Desert adventure.

With this special set from K*Nex your child will be able to build Fire Mario and use the jump launcher to enter the course. He will also be able to use the Stone-Eye Statue which flips back and forth by twisting a white connector .  Mario can to cross to the right and collect the coins on top. But beware of the Waddlewing! Mario will be able to drop through the warp pipe and discover another complete play area on the back.   Finally,it is possible to pop-up the Sand Geysers to cross to the last platform, where Mario will do battle with a spinning Pokey.  The goal it the pop-up the flag in order to complete the course.  

The best past is that this set can be combine with the rest of the K'NEX Super Mario™ building set line to take Mario on an even BIGGER adventure!

GREAT NEWS!

K*Nex has graciously offered to bless one of my readers with the 70 Models Building Set.  The contest is open for US and Canadian citizens. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The two above mentioned products are available for purchase at your favorite toy store even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

  

Disclaimer: I have received the above mentioned products for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Last minute accessories for Halloween

Halloween is this week.  Some of you are probably prepared and others always wait at the last minute to think of a costume.    Did you know that Hasbro has a big selection of masks of superheroes as well as accessories from the most popular movie or television show?

This year as part of the promotion for Halloween, I have received two products from Hasbro Canada

Marvel Guardian of the Galaxy Star-Lord Battle Gear Set

Halloween wouldn’t be the same if you don’t see some Guardian of the Galaxy characters on the streets.   With the Star-Lord Battle Gear Set your child will be able to lead the battle against interstellar evil.  He will  feel like the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy when he is wearing the Star-Lord Hero Mask and load up the mini blaster with the included dart.   The mini blaster will allow your child to hit targets up to 40 feet away.  

The package is tricky and you have to be careful in cutting the parts.   I am saying this because my 2nd son was going a bit fast and accidentally cut the black elastic that was needed to hold the mask on your head.   The elastic is the same color at the paper thigh on rope that held the mask in the packaging.  Oups.   But super-mom came to the rescue with some elastic band that she has in stock for sewing projects.   All is fixed and Dominic is very happy to have a new costume for Halloween.

The Star-Lord Battle Gear is not the only mask available at Hasbro Canada.  When the movie came out I had the privilege to review another mask from the movie – Rocket Raccoon!   It is an amazing mask worth discovering and that is fun to use.

The boys were very creative in putting their costumes together along with the masks.   Jérémy, our 3rd son, immediately decided to take a big blaster in order to complete his costume.    We couldn’t agree more. 

My two heroes will walk the streets in my neighborhood on Halloween night in hopes to find villains to blast off as well as candies to collect!

Now not only Guardians of the Galaxy is popular but Star Wars is getting more and more popular as the years go by.  What started a generation of young people loving Star Wars in the 70s has splashed onto a new generations of fans with our own kids loving the series whether in movies or television shows.   Did you know that a new cartoon is out right now – Star Wars Rebels.    Hasbro was quick to bring toys based on this new television show. 

Star Wars Rebels Inquisitor Lightsaber

Want to feel just like your favorite Star Wars villain? Then grab this incredible 3-in-1 lightsaber and battle the Rebels, just like the sinister Inquisitor from Star Wars Rebels television show.   This double-bladed lightsaber can break into 2 single lightsabers, and they come with a Force Disc you can throw at the enemy. Each lightsaber’s blade extends with the flick of a button, and you can combine them into one 3-foot blade as well.   Your child will be the most terrifying Jedi hunter in the neighborhood when you battle in your The Inquisitor lightsaber.    It is a great accessory for kids who have opted to become a character from Star Wars Rebels this Halloween.

I find that this accessory is quite versatile since you can split it in part and use what you want at a moments notice.    I really like the disc part which could be use for a game as well.

 

This Halloween, surprise your kids with new accessories and have a great time on the road.   Be careful when you cross the streets and make sure you bring a flashlight as well.   Have fun with your kids and eat a few treats on your Trick or Treat adventure.

On behalf of my three youngest kids – HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Both items are available at your favorite toy store.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Hasbro Canada for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.