Rhythm Ace

For more information on Rhythm Ace, including a demo, visit our web site at http://kellysmusic.ca/rhythmace.asp  Rhythm Ace is available for DOS or Windows.

Rhythm Ace is appropriate for virtually all ages and ranges from very simple rhythms to quite challenging two-handed rhythms.  Rhythm Ace does not provide extensive tracking features like MusicLab, but it does allow students to log in, and it will print a progress report at the end of each session.  One of the main strengths of Rhythm Ace is the ability to customize the levels or create custom rhythms.

Excercises

The Exercise menu in Rhythm Ace includes Reading, Reading Two Hands, Dictation, Custom and Custom Two Hands.

Reading

As the name implies, the Reading exercise involves sight-reading rhythms.  The rhythm is displayed on screen, and you tap the rhythm back after a count in either on your computer keyboard or MIDI instrument.  Reading Two Hands adds a unique twist, as you tap the top line with your right hand and the bottom line with your left hand at the same time.  Although it starts with basic rhythms that almost anyone can read, the higher levels prove to be a challenge for all but the rhythmic geniuses!

Rhythm Ace displays a graph under each note, showing what you should have played and what you actually played.  This is perfect for finding out if you are slightly ahead or behind the beat.  Rhythm Ace will also let you hear the computer play the rhythm, and for difficult sections, you can choose to loop a section so you can practice with the computer.

Dictation

Aptly named, the Dictation exercise in Rhythm Ace plays rhythms for you to write down.  Notes are entered by clicking on the note value on the screen, or by typing the note values on your keyboard.  The program will let you compare the rhythm you write with the actual rhythm by playing them both at the same time using different pitches.  Unfortunately, rhythms have to be entered from left to right, and you cannot put the ending in while you figure out the middle section.  To work around this, I encourage students to write down the entire rhythm first, and then enter it in the computer. 

Levels

Preset

There are 12 preset levels to choose from for each exercise in Rhythm Ace, ranging from simple quarter notes and rests to complicated triplet and sixteenth rhythms.  Advanced tuplets are not covered, nor are notes faster than sixteenths.  The tempo for each exercise can be adjusted.

Custom level

The real strength of the program is the fact that you can customize each level by selected rhythms that should, must or should not be used.  The number of bars in the exercise can also be adjusted.

Load rhythms

In addition to customizing each level, custom rhythms can be created and saved for practice.  Not only can you test yourself on one and two-handed rhythms, but you can also play along with the computer, or have the computer loop the rhythm for you.

Summary

Rhythm Ace is the only program I have seen that actually includes a large bank of two-handed rhythms – a real asset for keyboard players, but useful for anyone!

Although it is easy to create your own custom rhythms in Rhythm ace, they have to be loaded one at a time – a little bit slow.

For students who need a little help with rhythms, this is the ideal program.