Toney the Music Tutor

** Still in development! **

Toney the Music Tutor will help you learn to read music! This early preview version supports various lessons for reading the treble clef on piano/keyboard.

Lesson progress is saved as you go, and you are free to select lessons as needed based on your skill level or practice needs!

How to Play

This is a PICO-8 cartridge you can play right in your browser!

Default keyboard controls are:

• Keyboard Left/Right arrows: Move to a new note
• Keyboard "X" (PICO-8 "X" button): Select item/note/continue
• Keyboard "Z" (PICO-8 "O" button): Back (in menus)/Hold and press Left/Right to skip a whole octave on the keyboard
• Enter key: System menu, allowing you to reset the virtual cartridge (progress is still saved), or exit the lesson in-progress.

Click the game controller icon after launching the game for more controls help.

Depending on your previous knowledge or preferences, you can enable various hints and color modes:

• Note and keyboard colors can help you find keys without clutter
• Note names can be shown for the sheet music and selected keyboard position for easier learning

Use the in-game Settings menu to configure these hints as you like! Settings are saved in your browser along with lesson progress!

If you want to reset your progress and start over, see the Settings menu.

Feedback Encouraged!

I am eager to find out how beginners to reading music may be helped by Toney! I'm also curious to know how it can be made more useful for those who already know some music.

Please leave your comments and suggestions in the comments below to help improve the lessons!

About the Game

Programmed (so far) over the course of about two weeks, this is my first major foray into the delightful world of PICO-8 programming.

I plan to add more lessons soon as they fit on the cartridge, and I hope to produce additional editions for other instruments.

Upcoming lessons should include:

• Bass clef (for piano, cello, etc.)
• Alto clef (for viola, cello, etc.)
• Key signature identification
• Note reading practice in other keys

I have more plans for this game in addition to these, so look out for updates as they come!

The PICO-8 cartridge itself will be free to download and play. Standalone Windows/Linux/Mac versions will be offered in the future for a small charge.