Claire is a voice-training system that uses the built-in microphone in most Macintosh computers. By using samples of a human voice, the program sings a note or series of notes to you and listens as you sing them back, analyzing your pitch and adjusting the difficulty of the exercises according to your level of ability, keeping a log of your progress. Claire also speaks to you in a great rendition of a junior high school music teacher's voice, telling you if you are sharp, flat, or way off - but, unlike a human coach, Claire won't lose its patience with you as it strives to fine-tune your crooning. You can also turn off the program's automatic curriculum and choose for yourself from among the exercises, which include scales, intervals, and arpeggios in many keys.
Although Claire has a few clunky features that cause occasional frustration, it's fun and useful enough to be spared a toss into the software graveyard of lame typing-tutors and useless fitness regime planners. Opcode, the maker of Claire, promises future modules that will include further exercises for musical instruments.
- Jessica Wing
Claire Interactive Musical Coach: US$129.95. Opcode Systems: (800) 557 2633, +1 (415) 856 3333.
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