This 1/8-size violin comes with software that listens to a child's playing, corrects their finger placement, and provides easy-to-follow tutorials. As the child plays the violin into a computer's microphone, the software instantly analyzes the sound and uses an animated fingerboard to show aspiring virtuosos where to place their fingers to play the correct notes. An animated character--Val the Violin--leads children through educational games and 160 lessons demonstrated by a professional violinist. The tutorials cover basics like holding and tuning the violin, playing rhythms and songs, and reading music. The software has seventy-five classic songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and Mary Had a Little Lamb that appear in music notation, and as the music plays, each note is highlighted for children to play along. The violin has a carved spruce top and a maple back and sides. Includes an automatic tuner, digital metronome, digital recorder, and violin case. Compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP and Mac OS X. Ages 5 and up. 17 1/4" L x 5 3/4" W x 3" D. (3 1/2 lbs.)