What the Best Piano Learning Software?
In this article, I’m going to help you best figure out how you can competently learn how to play the piano online using a variety of different software and educational options. Learning piano not only can be fun, it can be interactive. So if you’ve ever pondered what the best piano learning software is, be sure to stick around, as I’ll go into detail about my favorite websites and software and why I think they’re worthy of cracking this list.
- If you’re interested in learning how to play piano or keyboard in a fun and interactive fashion, then look no further then Piano for All. This course features 10 in-depth eBooks that contain 200 video lessons and 500 audio lessons. And best of all, the course works on PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or any Android phone or tablet. Get your copy of Piano for All today while supplies last!
And if you’re in the market for a new piano, please take a look at our interactive guide below that allows you to compare some of the best selling digital pianos on the market against one another:
| Photo | Model |
|---|---|
 | Yamaha P-515 |
 | Casio PX-870 |
 | Yamaha YDP-165 |
 | Roland RP-102 |
 | Casio PX-560 |
Why Use Piano Learning Software?
If you’re reading this article, there’s a great chance that you already believe in the benefits of piano learning software and online instruction as a whole. But, some of you might be “old school” and may be wondering, “How in the world could this be better than a real teacher coming to my home and teaching me the basics?”
Well, that’s a great question. But, in my opinion, here are the massive benefits towards acquiring online software or online lessons versus the offline route:
- Benefit from the expertise of a variety of professionals
Many of the great online piano resources have been researched, written and tweaked by a host of professional musicians. This isn’t just Joe Blow in his basement creating videos while playing on a toy keyboard. For me, this is a huge plus for things like online piano courses, as the user benefits from the experience and expertise of more than one teacher.
- Great if you’re learning on a budget
Traditional piano lessons are still viewed as a luxury. Of course, if your wallet allows for plenty of luxuries, then traditional lessons do offer many benefits. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to become a great pianist on a tight budget, online resources are without a doubt an excellent alternative.
- Flexibility – learn when you want and how you want
Traditional teachers often have their own set way of teaching (I know this from my own teaching days). Unfortunately, this can mean a student conforming to a set musical style, as opposed to becoming the musician they feel they are within. Opting for piano learning software allows the student to choose a method of learning, style of playing, and practice pattern that feels true to themselves.
- Forum Galore!
Whilst learning via an online course or software does lack the personal teacher-student relationship, it certainly opens another door. Many websites, often including the site offering the software, have online chat rooms for users to discuss their progress, problems, and general musical thoughts.
Feeling part of a bigger community of people who are in the same ‘“musical boat” as you are can be of great encouragement and motivation.
- Virtual pianos mean you can have a go before buying your keys
Some of the online courses offer an interesting little feature—a virtual keyboard. This may initially sound like an unnecessary gimmick, but think again.
In fact, this ideal for beginners. Even a cheap digital piano is still going to hurt the wallet, so using the virtual piano to take a few lessons first can ensure that you don’t purchase something you will later regret.
Software Worth Considering
So now that you know why piano software can prove to be a good choice, it’s time to tell you about a few of my favorites that are available on the market.
Piano Nanny
My favorite feature: Minimal graphics.
There’s nothing worse than being fired-up and ready to learn, but having to wait ten minutes for the lesson page to load due to an overload of graphics on the page. I love the fact that Piano Nanny keeps all graphics to a minimum, meaning that you can easily flow from one lesson to another without contemplating throwing your technology out of the window!
So, if you find that your Internet can be a little slow at times, coupled with patience not being your virtue, this feature of Piano Nanny will certainly appeal to you.
Other things I like about Piano Nanny:
- It’s free!
That one definitely deserved first place position.
- Clinton S Clarke
This is the instructor for the course. Being an award-winning film composer, jazz musician, and a member of ASCAP, if you need inspiration as you learn, this is your guy.
- Caters to a range of skill levels
Piano Nanny offers Starters Studies, Intermediate Studies and Advanced Studies. A quick run through the Starter Studies should refresh your musical memory and have you ready to move on to the next level within the same learning structure.
All in all, I would call Piano Nanny a “no-nonsense” piano learning course. There are no fancy frills or graphics on the site, yet the lesson materials are simple, user-friendly and with a clear focus on learning.
Piano for All
My favorite feature: Embedded video and audio are instantly heard or seen.
I think what makes Piano for All quite nice is the convenience. Here, you have video (for instance) that is embedded within the lesson. So, instead of having to search online or look up separate files to view the audio or video material mentioned in the course, you simply view them as you go along – wonderful.
Other things I like about Piano for All
- A clear specific focus
This course has been designed with a very concise goal: help the beginner pianist reach an intermediate level as quickly as possible.
- Gives a good base for musical versatility
I actually nearly made this my favorite feature, and for good reason. Sometimes a piano course can focus too much on one style of music. For example, a course that has a focus towards classical works is great for the beginner musician that loves this genre of music. However, if it’s rhythm and blues that had you tapping your foot and swearing your undying allegiance to becoming a pianist, then such a course may not give you the fulfillment you were dreaming of.
Piano for All certainly seems to deliver on allowing even the beginner pianist to experience a range of musical styles, whilst building a solid musical foundation.
- You don’t need a grand piano to progress
Of course, this is true for any chosen piano course, but Piano for All makes you feel comfortable about this fact. So, whether you’re playing on a beautiful weighted key digital piano or you’re borrowing your nephew’s cheap, and perhaps slightly banged-up, keyboard, you’re still more than welcome.
I guess in a nutshell, I would say that Piano for All offers a more fun approach to learning, with a lot of extra features that help the whole process to stay engaging, interesting and sometimes even challenging (we all need a good challenge every now and again).
- If you’re interested in learning how to play piano or keyboard, get your copy of Piano for All today!
Zebra Keys
My favorite feature: It’s free!
Here’s another option for the beginner on a budget. The range of lessons and materials offered by Zebra Keys is more than impressive considering the user doesn’t have to pay a penny for them.
Other things I like about Zebra Keys:
- View and hear the songs as you play along
A nice little feature, the visual flash animations contribute to lessons being both easy and fun.
- Ideal for the absolute beginner
The Preparation Section on the website makes the assumption that the user has never sat at a piano before, so no corners are cut in providing a sound knowledge of the basics.
- A good selection of sheet music for beginners
The easy- to-navigate website has a section especially for Sheet Music, great for beginners who are in need of a little challenge.
All in all, Zebra Keys doesn’t offer ground-breaking technology or intense graphics, but it does deliver on teaching the beginner pianist the basics in a thorough and logical way.
Learn Piano Online
My favorite feature: Beginner – Advanced Concepts
Many students who progress in their musical journey may not realize just how much of their ability has been built from the basic concepts they learned during the early stages. A course like Learn Piano Online that highlights beginner to advanced concepts equips the student to fully understand the music they are playing—even helping the student become a capable teacher themselves one day.
Other things I like about Learn Piano Online
- Lessons become building blocks
A haphazard approach to learning (in other words, using a selection of various piano courses) can leave the beginner feeling frustrated and discouraged. Since this structure aims to build on each lesson completed, learning should feel logical and satisfying.
- Give and benefit from user comments
Users can comment on lesson pages, creating a classroom and supportive feel that can provide needed motivation at just the right time.
- No shortage of homework!
With 9 levels divided into 57 weeks, this course is no Mickey Mouse affair. For beginners that are serious about learning quickly and systematically, this approach has a lot of appeal.
Learn Piano Online seems to offer a complex piano learning experience in a logical and easy-to-follow way, ideal for musicians that are willing to commit to their musical progress and enjoy a systematic approach to learning.
Playground Sessions
My favorite feature: Their tagline
Other things I like about Playground Sessions
- Music is about what it looks like, how it feels and how to approach it
This seems to be one of the general ideas behind the creation of Playground Sessions (I’ve just got to say I love the name of this software too!) Ultimately, this is what any great musician is aiming for—seeing the music correctly, truly feeling it and then approaching it from a place that will make sense to even the beginner musician.
- Learn to play using the music you love
In my opinion, scales, finger drills and exercises will always have their place for pianists that want to continue to improve their skills and explore their musical horizons. That being said, they should never form the focus of learning. Using the music you love will not only motivate regular practice, but at the end of the day, is what learning an instrument is all about!
- Track your progress
This software cleverly incorporates points, rewards and progress charts—an excellent way to make sure users stay committed, interested and driven.
So what to say in conclusion about Playground Sessions? I guess it may very well come up tops in terms of incorporating modern technology, inspiring tuition, an element of gaming, and a range of great music.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve found this list to be very helpful. Now, it’s your turn to take the plunge. Choose your course, practice regularly and enjoy every step on the path to making sweet music.
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