
 RhythmAce provides two basic types of exercises:
 reading and dictation.  Reading exercises present
 one or more measures of rhythmic notation. You
 play back the phrase.  Dictation exercises do
 not display notation. Instead, you enter the
 notation after hearing the rhythmic phrase.

 The exercise menu offers another exercise choice:
 custom.  A custom exercise is nothing more than a
 reading exercise.  The difference is that you
 compose the rhythms to be used for each drill.

 In addition, reading exercises come in two
 varieties - one and two handed.  In two-handed
 exercises, two phrases are generated.  One
 for each hand.  You must play back the upper
 phrase using your right hand and the lower
 using your left.

 Exercises are controlled using the panel in the
 lower right hand of the display.  Notice the
 Next, Play and Quiz buttons.


 Select Quiz to respond to a drill.  The program
 will play a lead-in measure of metronome ticks.
 On the first beat of the next measure you must
 begin playback.

 But before we go any further, how do you respond
 to a drill?  If you are using the computer
 keyboard, use the right SHIFT key for single and
 right hand rhythms.  Use the left SHIFT key for
 the left hand in two-handed rhythms.

 If you are using the mouse, use the right button
 for single and right hand rhythms and the left
 button for left hand rhythms.
 For MIDI instruments, any key works for single
 drills.  For two handed rhythms, play any note
 above middle C for the right hand and any note
 below middle C for the left hand.

 After you have played the phrase, RhythmAce
 displays a timing diagram under the notation.
 This shows you the expected response and the
 actual recorded response.
 The program also calculates timing and sustain
 accuracy scores.  A timing score of 100% means
 you struck the notes perfectly in time.  100%
 sustain accuracy means you held the notes for
 the exact amount of time expected.

 Now, you may quiz yourself on the current drill
 as many times as you like by selecting Quiz.
 If you would like to hear the displayed rhythm,
 simply select the Play button at any time. Select
 the Loop button if you would like to hear the
 rhythm played continuously.
 When you are finished with the current drill,
 select the Next button to generate a new rhythm.

 For the dictation exercise, select the Quiz
 button to hear the rhythm.  Use the notation
 menu on the lower left of the display to enter
 the rhythm that you hear.  Keep in mind that
 the program plays a metronome lead-in.  Do not
 enter notation for this.

 The 'R' toggle button is used to enter rests. For
 example, select 'R' and then the quarter note to
 enter a quarter rest.  The neighboring tie, dot
 and double dot toggle buttons work the same way.

 You may hit Play at any time to hear the drill
 again.  You will also hear your rhythm.
 It should be mentioned that replays are not free.
 Each time you select the Play button your
 progress score is lowered by a little bit.  So,
 try to keep replays to a minimum.

 When you are satisfied with your response, select
 the Done button to have it evaluated.

 The notation menu is also used to enter custom
 rhythms.  For two handed rhythms, the Done button
 is used to toggle between the two phrases.
 You may also store the custom rhythms away in a
 file for later use.  Select the File button in
 the main menu and select Store Rhythm.

 When you complete an exercise session, the
 Exercise Summary dialog box appears. It
 summarizes your performance for that session.


 You may print an activity report or view your
 progress chart by selecting the Report or
 Progress buttons, respectively. The Continue
 button closes the Exercise Summary dialog box.

 For more information, refer to the "Exercises"
 chapter of the manual.


                    (END)
