Montessori Music is a great game for older kids and even grown-ups with an interest in learning more about the details of how reading and playing music actually works.

Although for many the word Montessori evokes images of toddlers and very young kids, the Montessori method is actually a teaching style in which students are encouraged to learn by teaching themselves and at their own pace.  Designed based on the principles of this teaching method in mind, Montessori Music is a game that’s able to teach people of all ages about music in an intuitive, fun way.  But with reading as a requirement, this game is better suited for older kids who are strong readers.

Although you are presented with many different options of how to play Montessori right off the bat, including four mini-games that make use of the DS stylus, you'll soon realize the need to go through the game's lessons and tests to get a proper music foundation for your enjoyment of Montessori Music.

The lessons, tests and music-based mini-games in Montessori Music are definitely more complex than many of the standard "tap in time with the rythym" games also available on DS.  Montessori Music is more interested in teaching you how to determine a note's pitch, how to read music and to understand the finer nuances of playing, reading and listening to music.

A standard lesson will take you through about a dozen screens of interactive text, teaching you concepts such as note length or the musical scale.  After you complete the lesson, you're free to take it again, or find the matching test on the subject.  Only after you've completed the proper lessons and training does the game set you free on some of the more difficult musical tasks.

The lessons and tests are not in correlation with each other, so completing Lesson 3 doesn't mean you are ready for Test 3.  You'll need to sort of feel your way through the content, and decide for yourself when you are ready for certain tests, although the game does recommend test after some lessons.

Montessori Music will challenge kids and grown-ups with an appetite to learn more about the details and nuances of reading and playing music.  It's not easy, but Montessori music is well thought out and should be able to teach everyone in your family a little something about music, as long as they put in the time and effort.

INFORMATION FROM COMPANY FACT SHEET

Montessori Music is designed to help players teach themselves about the art of music in an incredibly easy and intuitive way.  In the spirit of the Montessori Method of teaching; students are encouraged to learn by teaching themselves and at their own pace.  Through enjoyable, easy-to-follow in-game lessons and fun mini-games, players will be able to develop their understanding of music by learning how to read and play it. Hands-on activities help to reinforce more than 20 musical lessons. Users of this educational software can learn, train, practice and develop their musical aptitude on the DS at their own pace.

Features:

• Six different modes, including lessons, performance and terminology, ensure that learning is fun and enjoyable
• Over 20 lessons designed to teach music to players of all ages
• More than 60 performable classical music songs help facilitate the learning process
• Built-in calendar tracks progress, training results and learning curve day by day
• Emphasis on using a simple lexicon to help players understand key music vocabulary
• Chord sheet mode helps players learn how to play the guitar and piano
• Four challenging stylus-based mini-games help players develop a sense of rhythm and coordination in addition to an ear for music