Starlight vs CueTime vs Pianosoft vs XG etc. Best for beginner with a CVP-307?

[belbearvan]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking at buying some software music for my 9 year old daughter. She has been getting discouraged and I hope that giving her one of her favorite shows, "Phantom of the Opera" will reignite her interest.
My problem comes in finding something that matches the music but is simple enough that she can play it (3 years practice).

Further, I cannot find anywhere that identifes the differences between the various available types (Cuetime, Starlight, XG, Pianosoft, EasyPlay?, etc.) As far as I can tell they all work on the CVP-307, but which one works best? I assume they were created at different times, taking advantage of different clavinova features, but which one is the latest?
Edit: I found some good information in the FAQ section and an upgraded version of the FAQ data at http://www.stagepass.com/midi/yamahamidisoftware.html

Considering who will be using it, functions like follow the lights, karao-key, onscreen score, pause and play accompaniment, etc. would be best, but which types have what, I don't know. Also, do any offer simplified versions for beginners that might be advanceable as she becomes more proficient?

For $20 to $35 I would like to get the best appropriate type.

Any advice or links would be appreciated.

BelBearvan:confused:

[Kaye M]

All of those formats you mentioned (Cuetime, Starlight, XG, Pianosoft, EasyPlay) will work just fine on your CVP-307. And they're fun too!

I don't know why they have different names, or the release date of the programs, but I find the Starlights the easiest to play. Cuetime is fun too, as is the Clavisoft-You Are the Artist series.

If your daughter has been playing for 3 years though, most of these are probably too easy for her. Most of them are beginner level unless otherwise stated.

[dancaputi]

Here's a bunch of snipets and random thoughts I've found from some of my previous posts. They may not answer your question directly but hopefully they may help...

PianoSoft - midi songs designed for the Disklavier but compatable with almost any digital piano. These are mostly for entertainment (non-educational) purposes. They are piano only, left and right hands, but note that the notation will not display properly on the CVP. I use these as background music for parties.

PianoSoft Plus - same as above but with additianal instruments that accompany the piano track. The instruments are all XG (see below).

DOC - Disk Orchestra Collection. The oldest standard for instrument accompaniment via midi. Compatable with all the Clav's but inferior due to the limitted power of the older instruments.

XG - a midi instrumentation standard similar to General Midi but better. These are songs that work only with instruments that have Yamaha's XG synth chip built-in. XG has actually been around for a long time but it remains the best choice for the Clavinova for realistic sounding accompaniment.

CueTime
These vary from beginner to advanced. CueTime songs are not guided strictly by the melody (as are the Follow Lights variety). The cue points are scattered throughout both the left and right hands. You must play the piece from the score for it to work (or even make sense). The notes chosen as cues look almost random but they are actually cleverly arranged such that they "lead" the accompaniment from one passage to the next.

You-Are-The-Artist
Also vary from beginner (EZ-Play) and on up. These are similar to CueTime but are not as tightly arranged. The accompaniment doesn't try to follow your playing and therefore it's more forgiving. On the other hand, the overall effect is not as dramatic and "novel" as the CueTime.

Follow-the-Lights songs are geared more for beginners. My 3-year-old has a ball plunking out the melody as the CVP fills in the background accompaniment.

StarLights - (same as Follow-the-Lights). One finger melody that you plunk out by following the LEDs while the CVP cranks out a whoop-de-doo musical accompinement.

- Dan C.

[belbearvan]

Thanks everyone.
I went ahead and tried the "Spotlight on Andrew Lloyd Webber" Starlight collection and from what I can see it is definately too simple for my daughter to learn from.
However, it is a collection of some of her favorite songs and being as easy as it is, it may be just the ticket to rejuvenate her interest (and maybe I'll be able to learn it also).

I think I'll try one of the Cue-Time or You-Are-The-Artist collections next time.

Thanks again.

Belbearvan