Dani Day
DMST 4150
Instructed by Joseph Labrecque
February 11, 2007
From the non-linear navigation to the lesson of choice, this site is for anyone wanting a distraction from work or school or to learn how to play "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." The images and interface is not meant to be a replica of a functional 88 key piano or a method to master the great composers. It is simply a small section of keys representing the notes between B below Middle C and B above Middle C.
This site is for the young, the old, the young at heart and the old-enough-to-know-better. There is no experience required with web pages or pianos. The only things required for this experience are an Internet connection, a Flash Player, a computer with sound capabilities and a little bit of an exploratory nature.
The sample lessons attempt to reach a variety of people with a wide range of musical abilities. For those with a limited ability to read sheet music, there are multiple options that do not require musical knowledge. There are also opportunities to just play whatever you want.
No matter what your skill level or knowledge of music and/or web navigation, you can play with this site with little understanding of either, and discover your own experience. There are multiple ways to navigate and multiple ways to play. Have fun and explore for yourself.
Pressing a button on the web is much like pressing a key on a piano or electronic keyboard. The real difference is tactile more than conceptual. Using the metaphor of a piano keyboard or "pressing the keys" as the navigation element for this site, brings together the ideas of playing games on the web and playing a piano.
The site's simple design, with limited information intends to create a more playful environment and does not require a great deal of reading or comprehension to be beneficial to the participant. The information is organized in a semi-sequential manner with a very non-linear, exploratory approach to navigation; much like learning to play a piano with or without sheet music.
Small children, adults, old and young can have fun with this site. Women, men, boys and girls can find pleasure in making music or noise depending on the mood of the moment or level of boredom with other tasks the person does not want to do at the time they discover this site.