Simon Smith Explanations Ltd., which produces these great CD tutorials, states:

Audio CD was chosen after extensive trials with keyboard & digital piano owners.

Initially we thought the best way of teaching owners how to operate their instrument would be via video or DVD. Instead of forging ahead with this method, we decided to invite keyboard & digital piano owners in to conduct some trials. The willing volunteers were invited to try several methods of conveying information, including a test video that we created.

We observed the volunteers working with the video and it soon became obvious to us that looking away from their instrument was a distraction. As most modern keyboards & digital pianos have large display screens packed with information, it was understandable that trying to consentrate on a TV screen and the keyboard's screen at the same time was not so easy. At the same time the viewer was expected to keep up with the instruction. Time for us to have a rethink!

We decided to take away the visual aspect and trial spoken word instruction, again with a button by button approach. The results were instantaneous. Volunteers found that without the visual distraction, they could fully consentrate on following and absorbing the information. Also instead of falling into the trap of just watching someone else, they were fully involved in trying out the examples given. There and then we decided upon CD audio!

We would not wish to knock video or DVD as these are excellent mediums for portraying information. If you were wishing to purchase a keyboard, a sales DVD would be an excellent way of seeing and hearing what an instrument can do and of course would be very entertaining.

We were as surprised as anyone about the results of the trials, but decided to put 100% faith in them. We are so pleased that we did, because the feedback received from keyboard & digital piano owners about our guides since their launch has been overwhelming. We receive countless telephone calls from owners thanking us for enabling them to enjoy their instrument fully.