Music is one of those things that can catch your attention at a young age and never let go. Music helps us to define the critical moments in our lives, connects us to emotions and memories, and is pivotal to forming the foundation of who we are as people.
A lot of people try piano at some point or another in their lives. It’s one of the most accessible instruments for kids, making it a favorite instrument during the early years. However, their musical education often stopped with piano lessons they took as kids.
Memories of stern teachers, learning how to read sheet music, lectures about posture, and spending hours and hours practicing scales and theory can suck the fun right out of learning.
If you do manage to stick with lessons long enough, it can take years before you realize the practical aspects of music theory, which can be frustrating for people who just want to know why they’re learning arpeggios.
However, as adults, learning to play an instrument like the piano is one thing that sits close to the top of the list of things that most of us would like to do. Let’s explore some of the best ways to learn piano online in 2022.
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What are online piano lessons?
Online piano lessons are a form of musical education that happens using either an app or videos (like on YouTube). The big difference between online piano lessons and regular lessons is the structure. With regular lessons, you’re attending an in-person lesson once a week (usually) with a teacher. Online lessons happen online, as mentioned, and are student-driven, meaning they happen at whatever pace the student is most comfortable with.
How do online piano lessons work?
Online piano lessons work in easy-to-navigate ways. If the piano learning app you have chosen seems difficult to navigate, there is something wrong. Piano learning apps are so easy to use that anyone can learn with them.
The most common way online piano lessons work is that students progress through a structured curriculum designed by professional musicians and educators. The lessons can be repeated as many times as you wish and the material is presented clearly and neatly.
What leads adults to take piano lessons online?
Three common scenarios lead adults to pick up an instrument again and take lessons online later in life:
- You took some lessons as a kid and would like to try learning again.
- You never learned how to play but always wanted to.
- You took lessons for a while, now you want to return to it and upgrade your skills.
Unfortunately, time is the thing that always ends up getting in the way.
Life is busy. Between work, kids, and daily chores, most of us never manage to find the time to sit down and practice.
This is where online lessons come to the rescue. Online lessons can be a great choice for many adult students.
With online piano lessons, there is no hassle finding the time and traveling to meet a teacher. You can take lessons whenever you like, wherever you have a piano and an internet connection!
6 reasons why piano lessons apps are the best option for you
You may be wondering if a piano lesson app is the best option for you. After all, there are many benefits to taking lessons with a teacher. However, there are also many benefits to learning with a piano app.
How to choose online piano lessons
To help you figure out which online piano lessons might be best for you, we have put together a list that evaluates the most popular apps for online piano lessons.
Here’s what we looked at for each platform:
- Price: What’s their lowest-priced package? Do they offer free lessons?
- Features: What features do they offer? Does it have an in-app keyboard? What about sheet music?
- Song selection: Will you be playing cool, modern songs or just the classics? How extensive is their song catalog?
- Ease of use: Is it easy to get started or are there a lot of steps between you and the piano?
- Who could use it: Is this for beginners? People who’ve played a little? Folks who used to play, but want to get back to it?
Why should we consider online piano lessons with Skoove?
Skoove is one of the best online piano learning apps. Take a look at some of the great features of Skoove.
Getting started with Skoove
Skoove is extremely easy to use. You can learn using your phone (iOS or Android), iPad, or computer, and can connect with Skoove right away using either a microphone for an acoustic piano or a USB cable for a digital piano.
What you will learn
Skoove does a nice job of introducing beginners to the piano, starting with middle C. Skoove is really geared towards beginners as the app doesn’t just show you the notes and an animated keyboard, it shows you an actual piano player playing along from above.
Useful features
Using video lessons is a great teaching style for visual learners to see when to play the piano notesas they develop their own internal sense of timing.
Beginners will also appreciate the way Skoove provides real-time feedback. With Skoove, you are not just learning in a vacuum, as you would with YouTube or other online piano apps. Skoove listens and reacts in a very personalized way to how you’re playing.
This feedback can be crucial to developing a true understanding of how to play the piano.
Fun songs
Skoove pair each piano lesson with a familiar song that isn’t only classical music. The early beginner lessons, for example, pairs learning the finger numbers on the right hand with popular songs like “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers.
To learn note lengths, you jam to Queen’s “We Will Rock You.” That modern touch of the best songs on piano from rock n roll, soul, pop music, and film music (which includes everyone from Bill Withers to The Beatles) is nice in a world where every other app wants to start you with “Ode to Joy.”
Go to the lesson
Jam along with the band
Skoove offers you the opportunity to play songs along with a band at the end of a set of lessons. However, they don’t just throw you into it. First, they demonstrate the song. Then you practice it. Then you play with the band.
This simple progression eliminates the surprise of having to suddenly adapt to playing a song at full speed. Something budding online pianists will appreciate.
Skoove overview
- Free lessons available? Yes.
- Free trial? Yes, one week with CC.
- Song selection: It’s a great balance of modern and classic songs.
- 1 month $29.99/month.
- 3 months $19.99/month.
- 12 months $12.49/month.
- Power feature: Songs you recognize and love.
4 tips for successful online piano lessons
Online piano lessons are a great choice for many students. Of course, there are some helpful tips you can use to make the most of your interactive piano lessons right from the start.
- Equipment – Having the proper equipment set up from the get-go is a great way to ensure your success. This means having a piano, whether digital or acoustic, all your necessary cables, and some good headphones or speakers.
- Check your placement – Setting up a comfortable and organized place to practice is a perfect strategy to help ensure your success with online piano lessons.
- Check your internet connection – Of course, having a stable internet is invaluable for online piano lessons. Nothing is worse than playing piano and being interrupted by buffering!
- Practice and take notes – Even though you can repeat courses as often as you want as you learn to play, taking notes can be a helpful step on your piano journey.
An overview of other piano learning apps
Simply piano
Simply piano is available for both iOS and Android devices as an app that contains everything you need to learn piano. It works by using the microphone to listen to the notes that you are playing or by connecting to the device via a MIDI cable.
Simply Piano allows you to select the level that you’re at as a piano player and you can access content specifically designed to help you at that level.
Simply piano overview
- Free lessons available? Yes.
- Free trial? Yes, one week with CC.
- Song selection: A mix of modern and classic.
- Lowest plan: $119.99/year or $9.99/month.
- Highest plan: $59.99/3 months or $19.99/month.
- Power feature: Singer Duet is a nice feature to help players work on timing but it takes a bit of getting used to.
Yousician
Yousicianis one of the more well-known music learning apps. They have run a strong campaign targeting anyone who searches for music tutorials on YouTube.
Yousician is available for Android or iOS tablets or phones. They also give you the option of logging in through a computer using either the mic or a MIDI cable.
In some ways Yousician feels a bit like playing Guitar Hero in the way it runs you through the lessons and teaches you how to “hit notes” in an engaging way, making it fun for beginners.
Yousician overview
- Free lessons available? Yes.
- Free trial? Yes, one week with CC.
- Song selection: A wide range, from classical to modern, and everything in between.
- Lowest plan: $89.99/year or $7.49/month.
- Highest plan: $209.99/ year or $17.49/month.
- Power feature: Workouts.
Piano Academy
Piano Academy has been around since 2018 and provides a solid app that helps introduce people to online piano lessons. It covers all the bases you’d hope to see when learning the piano, starting with middle C and working from there.
You can work with both a real piano or use an on-screen keyboard while you’re learning, which is perfect for someone who wants to see if the piano is right for them.
Piano academy overview
- Free lessons available? Yes.
- Free trial? Yes, one week with purchase of a monthly plan.
- Song Selection: A mix of popular music and classical music. None available on the free plan.
- Lowest plan: $14.99/month.
- Highest plan: $6.99/week.
- Power feature: It’s very engaging for kids.
Online Pianist
Online Pianist is less of an online piano lesson app and more of a way to learn songs online. OnlinePianist offers a platform for song tutorials you can use once you know how to play the piano basics. It can be used on iOS and Android devices, as well as on a computer with a mic.
The program provides a dashboard that allows you to control settings like tempo. It gives you the ability to break the song down by individual hands, so you can first learn what the left hand is doing, then the right, and combine them in the end.
Online Pianist overview
- Free lessons available? Yes, with ads.
- Free trial? Yes, one week with CC.
- Song selection: Everything from popular hits to cartoon theme songs.
- Lowest plan: $59.88/year or $4.99/month.
- Highest plan: $39.96/3 months or $9.99/month.
- Power feature: A great selection of songs to learn — once you know how to play.
Playground Sessions
Playground Sessions is a powerhouse of a piano app that was put together by legendary music producer Quincy Jones and features lessons by notable pianists like Harry Connick Jr. Like other platforms, you can use it with your computer, as well as on an iPad.
Playground sessions overview
- Free lessons available? No.
- Free trial? 30-day trial with a CC.
- Song selection: Runs the gamut from Christian gospel to rock music.
- Lowest plan: $149.99/year or $12.49/month.
- Highest plan: $24.99/month
- Power feature: Lessons taught with a well-known instructor.
Hoffman Academy
Hoffman Academy uses the Hoffman Method and is very much geared towards children. The Hoffman Method relies on a multisensory technique that taps into children’s natural curiosity and helps kids connect with music and learn to play online.
This method of teaching piano doesn’t just rely on memorization. It provides a complete online musical education. If you like having that human element, Hoffman Academy might be for you.
Hoffman academy overview
- Free lessons available? Yes.
- Free trial? No, but the free plan is very generous.
- Song selection: Mostly geared towards children, with songs like Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb.
- Lowest plan: $179/year or $15/month.
- Highest plan: $18/month.
- Power feature: Great for kids with a lot of free material.
Picking the piano learning app that’s right for you
When it comes to choosing the best way to learn to play piano, it helps to approach the decision the same way you’d look for a teacher. Forget about online versus offline lessons.
Think about what you need to have to do your best learning and think about what you want to get out of playing the piano.
- What style of piano lessons works best for you?
- Does it help you to play along?
- Do you want to learn a song right away?
- Do you consider song tutorials to be helpful?
Answering these questions can help get you pointed in the right direction when choosing the online piano lessons that suit you best.
Skoove gives you access to all styles of music, music theory, and feedback. At Skoove, we want to empower you with all the skills you need to master the piano. Our focus isn’t just on understanding the mechanics of how to play the piano but also on the ear training that comes with it.
This training helps you gain a deeper understanding of music and makes playing, and listening to music, that much more enjoyable. Skoove makes it easy for people who want to learn but struggle to find the time in their hectic lives.
It helps foster the connection that you had to music when you were younger by using your favorite songs that fueled your passion for music in the first place. Excited to dive into your first few online piano lessons? Start your Skoove free trial today.
Online piano lessons FAQ
Can you learn piano with an online app?
Yes, you can certainly learn piano with an app. For example, you can practice at your own pace and learn to play the piano with Skoove.
Can piano be self-taught?
Yes. It is possible to learn piano without a real-life teacher. Everyone learns from somewhere and you can certainly teach yourself with the aid of video tutorials and apps.
Which app is the best to learn piano?
We may be biased, but Skoove is the best app to learn piano. The lessons are fun and engaging and you will build a solid foundation of musical knowledge.
Are online piano lessons the same as in-person lessons?
No, online piano lessons are not the same as in-person, private lessons. It really depends on how you learn. Some people don’t learn well when someone’s hovering over them and correcting little details in real time and prefer to work on their own and at their own pace. Others need the push that only a teacher can provide. Ask yourself what kind of learning works best for you.
What equipment and technology do I need for online piano lessons?
The best way to approach these lessons is with an electronic keyboard, headphones, and your laptop or tablet. That said, we have a digital keyboard that you can use to get started. It’s not quite the same as a physical keyboard, but it can get you started.
Which activities can be successful in an online lesson?
All of them. Online piano lessons teach you everything you’d learn during in-person lessons. This includes reading music, developing piano skills like scales and chords, ear training, and learning music theory. The only real difference between in-person and online lessons is how you learn.
Author of this blog post:
Eddie Bond is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and music instructor currently based in Seattle, Washington USA. He has performed extensively in the US, Canada, Argentina, and China, released over 40 albums, and has over a decade experience working with music students of all ages and ability levels.
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FAQs
Can you really learn piano with an app? ›
Yes, technically, you can learn piano with an app. Modern piano apps will teach you how to read notes in both treble and bass clefs, play those notes on the keys of the piano, use good hand position, play chords, and so forth.
Is there an app for free piano lessons? ›Another common type of free piano apps are those associated with programs like Flowkey, Simply Piano, and Skoove, which are free at first but require payment to access most content.
What is the number one piano app? ›1) Pianote – Best App For Learning Piano
Pianote curently dominates the piano apps market. With access to real instructors and detailed lessons, Pianote is tough to top. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
If you can already play songs hands together it'll take you about 4 months to get good at playing piano by ear. If you're a complete beginner and you've never played a song hands together before, it'll take you about 6 months because you'll need to learn some other skills first.
Can you self study piano? ›Yes! While we believe the best way to learn piano is from an expert instructor, we're also in full support of students who prefer self-learning. Piano's one of the most versatile instruments, so learning how to teach yourself is a skill that will serve you in other areas of life.
How can I learn piano at home for free? ›Piano Nanny, offering 13 beginner, 11 intermediate and 10 advanced piano lessons, is one of the most comprehensive free online resources for piano lessons. Probably the most fun online tool to help you learn how to play the piano is Plern Piano. It's equally helpful for beginner and more advanced pianists.
Is Flowkey completely free? ›You can download the flowkey app for free and immediately gain free access to selected songs and course content. For full access to all songs and course content, you will need to purchase a flowkey Premium subscription. You can access flowkey Premium content on all your devices.
How much is Simply Piano app? ›As for subscription options, Simply Piano offers a 7-day free trial so you can try it before you buy it. After that, it is $149.99 per year, $89.99 for six months, or $59.99 for three months.
Should I learn piano online or in person? ›In-Person Lessons Offer More Guidance
When a teacher is there they can look at specific things going on with your technique and make much quicker adjustments. The problem with taking piano lessons online is that you might not even have a teacher looking at anything you're doing, to begin with!
Two famous pianists who self-taught piano and their approach. The two self-taught piano players that will be explored are Lucas Debargue and Paul Lewis.
What's the best free piano software? ›
...
- Arcade by Output. ...
- Spitfire Audio LABS. ...
- Soundmagic Piano One. ...
- Sample Science Room Piano V3. ...
- Ivy Audio Piano in 162. ...
- Bigcat Instruments Iowa Grand Piano.
Expert – 5-6 years: Can play almost anything, but complicated songs might need years of practice to master them. Professional – Above 10 years: The years of practice mold you into a respected piano player, and your concerts are well-received.
Can I learn piano at 35? ›“Learning piano has no age limit. In fact, activities like learning piano can stimulate the brain, increasing the ability to recall information. There are physical benefits to learning piano as well. By practicing fine motor skills in your fingers, piano students are keeping the muscles in their hands flexible.
How many hours should a beginner play piano? ›Teenage and adult beginners should practice at least 30 minutes a day, six days a week. Once you have developed a proper working methodology, a practice regiment of 45 minutes to an hour five to seven days a week should be considered mandatory.
How many years does it take to learn piano? ›If you want to be a professional classical performer, you're looking at a minimum of 10 to 15 years of concentrated study with a master teacher, and hours of practice every day. Most people who want to learn piano to play for their own enjoyment can get great results within three to five years of study and practice.
How long should I learn piano a day? ›Most piano teachers recommend practicing anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours daily. To facilitate this, consider making a schedule for when you'll play and for how long.
What's the easiest instrument to learn? ›- HARMONICA. One of the easiest instruments you can take up, which is also very popular in a variety of styles, is the harmonica. ...
- GUITAR. ...
- UKULELE. ...
- KEYBOARD. ...
- DRUMS.
Learning to play the piano as an adult can be intimidating. Many people limit themselves because they think they are too old or that it's too late to start something new. The good news is, it's never too late to start. If you have a desire to learn to play the piano, here are some tips to help you on your way.
Which is better Simply Piano or Flowkey? ›Flowkey is the overall better option if you are a beginner looking for comprehensive online piano lessons. They have a large selection of songs to choose from and the learning pace is much quicker and more structured than Simply Piano.
How much is Flowkey a month? ›Flowkey also features informational videos on piano posture, sight reading and learning basic music theory. The app is $19.99/mo, and has cheaper options depending on how long your subscription lasts.
How much is Flowkey a year? ›
Annual Premium subscription
The annual plan costs 119.88 USD/EUR. The 12 months are paid in advance. You can unsubscribe from your annual plan whenever you want but no later than 24 hours before the renewal date. Even when you unsubscribe, you will keep your Premium access until the 12 months are over.
Simply Piano
It has a more gamified feel to it than flowkey and Skoove, but it is just as educational. Simply Piano teaches you to play music along with backing tracks and gives you instant feedback on how accurately you played it. It has 2 paths you can follow as you learn: piano solo music or chords.
Update May 2021: Skoove have recently released a beta version of their Android app, which is free and will stay that way as long as it's in beta. The interface walks you through the setup process, including calibrating your keyboard, and will ask you whether you're using headphones and what kind of piano you have.
Is Skoove free? ›Skoove is available in two tiers: Skoove Basic and Skoove Premium. Skoove Basic will give you access to selected lessons from our courses for free. With Skoove Premium you get full access to all courses with over 400 lessons and 1-on-1 support from our piano instructors. Skoove Premium is a subscription service.
How many times a week should I learn piano? ›One piano lesson a week is enough for most people. In some cases, more than one lesson per week can be recommended. For example, a second lesson could be used to cover certain complimentary topics such as music theory, music history, or even piano technique.
Is piano very difficult to learn? ›The piano is one of the most difficult and rewarding instruments to learn; not only do you have to learn to read notes and translate them to the keys, but you have to do it with both hands at the same time. You'll also have to learn to play with correct technique or you could face injuries in the future.
Can I practice piano on my phone? ›Although an app isn't a complete substitute for learning from a professional, you can still benefit from a piano app. These apps have tutorials, lessons, and recordings you can take advantage of to improve your skill. Here are the best Android apps for learning the piano.
How can I practice piano everyday? ›- Practise for 1-2 hours per day. ...
- 10 minutes - warm-up. ...
- 20 minutes - scales and arpeggios. ...
- 20 minutes - your pieces. ...
- 10 minutes - sight-reading. ...
- 10 minutes - aural & viva voce (optional)
Yes, learning piano on a keyboard is possible. The layout of keys is identical on both instruments. The songs you learn to play on a piano will transfer directly to a keyboard, and vice versa, with little adjustment needed for small differences in the width of the keys or the amount of pressure needed to play them.
Does piano need talent? ›How to be a great pianist. You don't need insane natural talent to be a great pianist. You don't even need to believe natural talent exists to become a great pianist. All you need to to become a great pianist is to love the piano and practice diligently and consistently.
Can pianists play without looking? ›
There is only one instance in which piano players should avoid looking at the piano. This is when a piano player is sight reading. While sight reading, a pianist doesn't have much time to look down at their hands. They need to keep their eyes on the upcoming notes.
Do pianists look at their hands? ›Do pianists look at the keys while they play? The short answer to that last question is: YES! It's perfectly acceptable and normal for a pianist to look at their hands while they play. An important part of the design of any musical instrument is the necessary range of movement for the player in order to produce sound.
What is the best way to learn piano online for free? ›- Piano Lessons. Piano Lessons is a resource from the teachers at Pianote, offering online piano lessons. ...
- Pianu. For many people, their favorite artist is the reason they want to start playing music. ...
- Skoove. ...
- flowkey. ...
- TakeLessons. ...
- Piano Nanny. ...
- HearandPlay.
- Spitfire Audio LABS Soft Piano. ...
- Sample Science – Room Piano. ...
- Ivy Audio Piano in 162. ...
- Prism Audio Atmos Piano. ...
- RDG Audio – Free Piano. ...
- Keyzone Classic. ...
- Versilian Studios Upright No. ...
- Soundmagic Piano One.
Flowkey is the overall better option if you are a beginner looking for comprehensive online piano lessons. They have a large selection of songs to choose from and the learning pace is much quicker and more structured than Simply Piano.
Are online piano lessons as good as in person? ›In-Person Lessons Offer More Guidance
In-person lessons offer more guidance than online lessons because you have a piano teacher physically there with you. When a teacher is there they can look at specific things going on with your technique and make much quicker adjustments.
- Learn the Basics. It may seem obvious but start with the basics. ...
- Set a Practice Schedule and Stick With It. Practice makes perfect. ...
- Try to Find Patterns. ...
- Apply the 80/20 Principle. ...
- Play Slow in the Beginning. ...
- Warm Up Before You Practice. ...
- Practice Music You Enjoy. ...
- Find a Teacher.
The app is FREE and available on all iOs devices and Android.
Is Simply Piano full free? ›As for subscription options, Simply Piano offers a 7-day free trial so you can try it before you buy it. After that, it is $149.99 per year, $89.99 for six months, or $59.99 for three months.
How much is Flowkey monthly? ›Flowkey also features informational videos on piano posture, sight reading and learning basic music theory. The app is $19.99/mo, and has cheaper options depending on how long your subscription lasts.
Is Flowkey free with Yamaha? ›
If you purchase one of the Yamaha keyboards or digital pianos listed below, you'll receive an email telling you how to activate three months of flowkey Premium free of charge.
How many hours of piano should I practice a day? ›Pianists should practice between 30 minutes to 4 hours per day. Beginners will benefit most from shorter practice sessions while advanced pianists will be more accustomed to longer days. Each practice session can be split into segments to help avoid physical and mental fatigue.
How many times a week should you have piano lessons? ›How often should piano lessons be? Piano lessons are typically done once a week. This is the universal standard for most piano teachers. Having a week between lessons allows the student to practise the material at least a few times before the next lesson.