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The #1 best piano learning software for Mac, PC, and best piano learning app for iPad is now available at Playground Sessions. Download on your device now! Download Piano Learning Software for Mac, PC, Piano App iPad. Easy to use software. The PianoMaestro’s software has powerful features to help you confidently master the pieces you have always dreamed of playing. Watch the notes on the computer screen. Look for patterns. Repeat sections over and over until committed to muscle memory. Slow down the playback speed. Separate the left and right hands. Toontrack ZEKeys is a software that simulates piano playing on a Steinway & Sons model. It is a software whose ergonomics are quite good. For example, you can import a MIDI file and see it being played on the piano in real time, with the keys being depressed. Toontracks EZKeys piano software interface. Dec 15, 2021 Free piano keyboard download for mac. Audio & Video tools downloads - Virtual Piano by Michael Dearworth and many more programs are available for instant and free download. There are countless piano apps on the App Store, but none can match iGrand Piano's quality, variety and professional features. Platform: PC/Mac Online Code. Edition: Online code. Enhance your purchase. Unlimited access to McCarthy Music software for piano, which works with any keybooard, digital piano, or acoustic piano. More effective practice with instant on-screen feedback (requires digital keyboard and USB connection) Includes one 30 minute Live Online Piano Lesson.
Using Garageband:
You could get a keyboard controller and plug it into the computer, and use GB's piano sounds. M-Audio makes decent keyboard controllers for the money. As someone with a piano background, you'd probably want to get one with a weighted keyboard.
Or, you could just get a digital piano with built in speakers, an all-in-one, and spend time with that. For digital pianos, I'd check out Yamaha and Roland. Incidentally, a digital piano could also be used to trigger virtual instruments in GB via MIDI.
Depends on how much you want to spend, really, how good a physical keyboard you want, and whether you want it to be self-contained, or trigger virtual instruments in the computer, and have the sound come out of speakers rather than the keyboard itself.
Then, I'd chose a song you like and try to learn it. It's always easier to learn something you like (and know). You might want to start with someone you played before, and re-learn it.
GB is fun because you can add extra parts and play around with a variety of sounds / virtual instruments. You could also use loops in GB to make instant accompaniments to play along with or improvise over.
You could also record yourself in GB and track your progress.
Finally, there are piano lessons you can download into GB (other instrument lessons as well). You might find them helpful.
Apr 23, 2011 5:34 PM
Choosing the best online piano lessons is no easy task. That’s why we’ve picked and reviewed the best online piano courses for you so you can start learning today!
Disclosure: We are a professional review website that may receive compensation for the products we review. All recommendations are genuine and/or verified by myself!
Do you want to learn to play the piano or enhance your skills in the comfort of your home?
Online piano courses are affordable, provide quality content, and are effective methods of teaching how to play the piano.
However, in order to gain serious piano skills, you need to choose the right program. Popularity doesn’t always reflect quality.
So, when looking for the best online learning platform, there are many elements to consider before starting a course.
In this article, we’ll show you the best online piano lessons and point out their most important characteristics.
We’ll also give you a few tips on how to choose the best piano course for you!
Best Online Piano Lessons in 2021
- Playground Sessions – Best overall
- Flowkey – Runner up (free trial)
- PianoForAll – Best if you want to compose and improvise
- Skoove – Best for pop music
- Hoffman Academy – Best for kids
- Yousician – Best for budding multi-instrumentalists
- Simply Piano – Best for those with busy schedules
1. Playground Sessions – Best Overall
Meet the best-selling piano-learning software for both computers and iPads!
You’ll undoubtedly gain valuable musical knowledge with Playground Sessions.
It’s a piano learning software that teaches piano through video lessons.
Due to its quality content, accessible format, and game-like features, it quickly became a very popular online learning platform.
Once you pay for your membership (it’s quite affordable), you’ll have access to hundreds of video lessons categorized by level of experience.
During the process, you’ll feel like you’re in a game. You’ll be getting scores, badges, and rewards.
What’s more important, you’ll also receive instant feedback so you know if your notes and timing are correct. Perhaps this kind of feedback is not very elaborate, but at least you’ll have an idea if you’re doing it right.
Content and Benefits
So, besides providing a linear learning process that will easily guide you through the music curriculum, Playground Sessions has many other benefits.
For example, in the video lessons, you’ll be taught by famous pianists.
The co-creator of the platform is the Grammy-award-winning musician Quincy Jones. Apart from him, you’ll be learning from jazz musician and actor Harry Connick and pianist David Sides.
Besides teaching you how to play particular songs, these successful and talented pianists will share their knowledge of music theory including notation and ear training.
You’ll learn how to read notes in no time, and you’ll have printable sheet music, which is another great benefit.
The song library is extensive, especially when it comes to different genres. You can choose between jazz, rock, TV music, Latin, and many more.
Who is Playground Sessions Best For?
Experienced players will also find the program useful if they want to brush up on their skills. However, the amount of truly advanced content is limited.
All in all, Playground Sessions is a great learning source for anyone who wants to indulge in a well-structured and engaging online piano course.
Find out more in our comprehensive Playground Sessions review.
2. Flowkey – Runner Up
Learn the songs you like with this convenient piano teaching app!
Among online piano lessons, Flowkey is one of the most popular.
There is a good reason for that – it’s a piano teaching app that is efficient and easy to use.
Flowkey works for any device, and you can connect your keyboard with a MIDI cord so the app can listen to you play. That way, you’ll be able to track your progress.
So does it really work?
Flowkey Features
Flowkey’s features make learning how to play piano online easy and fun. You’ll master the basics quickly by following step-by-step lessons.
The app’s layout is game-like, but video lessons are clear, instructive, and well-designed. You’ll be seeing sheet music and hands playing the piano above.
For starters, you’ll be asked to choose a level. Then you’ll start the course and learn songs suitable for your skills.
Content and Benefits
Video lessons are comprehensible and well-rounded, and they cover a wide range of topics focusing on both the practical and theoretical aspects of playing the piano.
The content is great for beginners since it offers an easy way of teaching songs. Meanwhile, you will learn notes and sight-reading, which is certainly a huge benefit.
The app will also offer you extra music theory courses, so how deep you want to delve into music theory depends on you.
Another advantage of Flowkey is that it’s customizable – you can adjust the speed of the song you’re learning, pause it, go back, play loops, and also practice with separate hands.
Moreover, you’ll choose the amount of material you want to learn per day. Just be mindful of how much you can take in without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t push yourself, but also try to maintain regular practice.
Regardless of how much you want to learn, it’s a piano learning app definitely worth checking out.
You can use Flowkey for free, but basically, you’ll only get access to one part of the course. If you subscribe, you’ll have access to more technical and theory lessons and a variety of songs to learn.
When you purchase Flowkey Premium, you’ll have access to over 1,000 songs to choose from. They include pop songs, film music, classical pieces, and so on. Everybody can find something for themselves.
Who is Flowkey Best For?
Flowkey is best for beginners and piano players with experience who want to get back on track.
Also, it could be a useful tool for skilled players who need structured and specific lessons.
When you complete the Flowkey course, you’ll undeniably have a solid musical background, but if you want to bring your piano skills to a higher level, you shouldn’t stop there.
Like all the best online piano lessons, Flowkey will prepare you to keep expanding your musical knowledge and enable you to enjoy playing your favorite songs on the piano.
Learn more about the app and its pros and cons in our complete Flowkey review.
3. Pianoforall – Best If You Want To Compose & Improvise
Learn how to improvise and compose with this chord-focused piano learning alternative!
Pianoforall definitely deserves a place among the best online piano lessons.
The platform’s piano tutorials are in the form of eBooks, videos, and audio. The course is downloadable, so that’s where it differs from Flowkey and Playground Sessions .
Pianoforall Features
Pianoforall aims to teach how to play the piano very quickly.
Bite-sized lessons are easy to follow and they focus on important elements. They are created and demonstrated by the course creator and pianist Robin Hall.
In his eBooks, Hall explains musical concepts in a way that anyone can easily understand. He also uses diagrams and other visual features to make things clearer.
Content and Benefits
The course does progress pretty quickly and that’s great since you’ll be able to grasp more and play your favorite tunes in no time.
The first eBook will introduce you to the rhythm piano and basic chords. By starting off like that, you’ll be able to play simple melodies pretty soon.
Also, you’ll be taught how to play by ear and read sheet music. According to Hall, it’s the fastest way to learn how to play the piano.
As you progress, you’ll learn about technique, improvisation, and memory tricks, all through different music styles.
In the end, you’ll have a solid musical foundation.
Who is Pianoforall Best For?
So, is Pianoforall really for all?
It’s certainly great for beginners who need a fast and structured way of learning how to play the piano. Intermediate and more advanced players will also find it as a good tool for some extra exercise.
Also, if you’re a person who learns better by reading, eBooks will be a perfect learning source for you.
The Pianoforall method won’t disappoint anyone who wants to start with piano lessons at the comfort of their home.
Find out more in our full Pianoforall review.
4. Skoove – Best For Pop Music
Get well-acquainted with this interactive piano learning app!
Skoove is a piano learning app that combines video lectures, AI teaching, and personal support from piano teachers.
It’s a great way of working on your piano skills, especially if you’re a beginner or need a reminder of some music theory.
Skoove Features
First of all, Skoove listens to you play and provides feedback, exactly like Flowkey and Playground Sessions . You can connect it via MIDI, Bluetooth, or microphone.
Video lessons are clear, interactive, and easy to follow, and with the split-screen method, you’ll be able to learn notes while seeing someone play the piano.
Courses are divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced category so they are adjusted to your level of experience.
With Premium membership, you’ll gain access to special courses and more piano lessons.
Content and benefits
Although it’s similar to Flowkey and Playground Sessions , Skoove will teach you songs in the very first few lessons. At the same time, you’ll be learning notes. Reading sheet music is crucial if you want to be a good piano player or learn new songs easily!
The app also focuses on important elements that are sometimes neglected in virtual piano lectures. For example, the beginner course starts off with the explanation of hand position.
Furthermore, you’ll keep learning notation and technique while learning a particular song. You’ll also practice playing by ear and learn about improvisation. The curriculum covers a lot of content but it doesn’t really go deeper into certain elements.
With Premium membership, you’ll gain access to special courses and more piano lessons.
One of the cool and really useful benefits you’ll have is the possibility to contact Skoove teachers should you have any questions.
Who is Skoove Best For?
Skoove contains courses for different levels of experience.
However, it’s probably most convenient for newcomers. Although it’s best for adults and teens, children can also use it with a little help from their parents.
Also, the app doesn’t imply a strict schedule or guided learning process, so if you are looking for a quality online piano program that will let you be more flexible, then Skoove is the one for you.
Find out more in our full Skoove review here!
5. Piano Marvel – Best Online Piano Lessons For Kids
Enjoy a gamified way of piano learning, offering manageable lesson chunks!
Piano Marvel blends traditional piano lessons with a modern approach.
It’s a piano learning software based on video lessons, instant feedback, and various features that make it truly personalized and efficient.
Piano Marvel Features
You can use Piano Marvel on Windows, Mac, or iOS, and if you connect it to your piano/keyboard, it will listen to you play and provide instant feedback.
Besides feedback on your accuracy, Piano Marvel is divided into three sections: Method and Technique, Library, and Sight-Reading.
Method and Technique will introduce you to a bunch of musical concepts and elements and, of course, teach you how to play the piano. However, if you only want to focus on performance pieces, you should head to the Library section.
The Sight-Reading section provides a sight-reading assessment. It will track your progress and compare your score to other users.
Piano Marvel is also suitable for piano teachers since it allows you to create your own curriculum and upload songs. It also offers seminars and conferences.
Content and Benefits
Unlike many virtual piano lessons, Piano Marvel is similar to traditional classes due to its wide content, thoughtful method, and focus on music theory.
You’ll be learning through three modes: Prepare, Assess, and Practice Mode. You’ll work through the notes, chords, rhythms, and finger placements, all while being aware of potential mistakes.
With Piano Marvel, you’ll get a good grasp of the technical part of piano playing.
Of course, you will learn many songs as well. The song library is really extensive and they keep updating it. Although it contains numerous genres, we came across a lot of classical pieces (and holiday music).
Nevertheless, once you master sight-reading, you’ll be able to play any song you want!
Who is Piano Marvel Best For?
Piano Marvel covers many topics that are created both for beginners and piano players with experience. Kids will also like it due to its clear exercises, guided lessons, and a variety of children’s songs.
It also offers an array of useful options for piano teachers. So, anyone who wants to gain core piano skills, strengthen them, or work on their piano teaching will surely benefit from Piano Marvel.
Read our full Piano Marvel review here!
6. Pianote
Pianote is an online video-based piano learning platform.
Due to its well-rounded curriculum, talented instructors, and fresh layout, it quickly became successful and popular among online learning sources.
Pianote Features
If you take the Pianote course, you’ll feel like you’re in a piano school and in the comfort of your home at the same time.
Video lessons are guided by a team of famous and talented pianists who will share their musical knowledge, tips, and tricks with you.
You don’t have to strictly follow the itinerary, so you can choose your own pace of learning. Content is also divided into sections, which is quite useful if you want to work on a specific skill.
Pianote doesn’t give you instant feedback but you can record yourself and send the video to Pianote teachers and get advice from them. This is a unique feature that many online music courses lack.
Content and Benefits
Pianote’s curriculum is pretty straightforward – you’ll be learning popular songs while getting valuable knowledge in music theory.
Playground Piano Software
Content truly covers a wide range of musical concepts and you’ll be able to delve deeper into some topics through the platform’s Packs, Bootcamps, and Quick tips.
Another reason why you’re going to feel like you’re in a piano school is Pianote’s community. You can chat with other students on the Pianote Forum or its social media group.
You’ll also be able to ask questions during Pianote’s live lessons. These lectures are a great way of making students feel included and interested.
Although Pianote’s song library isn’t so extensive, they keep updating it, and you’ll have access to a variety of genres with a focus on popular hits.
Who is Pianote Best For?
Pianote is a great course for anyone who wishes to learn how to play the piano online.
While it will teach you basics and give you a solid musical foundation, Pianote also offers a variety of lessons that deal with specific topics. That’s why it’s also a good tool for experienced piano players who know exactly what they want to work on.
If you want to learn more about the course and find out who Pianote’s world-famous teachers are, read our full Pianote review here.
7. Piano In 21 Days
Piano in 21 takes a twist on common online piano classes.
It promotes and aims to achieve a very clear goal: to teach how to play popular songs on the piano in less than a month.
So, is it really possible?
Piano in 21 Days Features
Piano in 21 Days course is created and taught by a pianist Jacque Hopkins. In his short and concise video lessons, he aims to teach anyone how to play popular tunes in a quick and easy way.
In each video provided after you become a member, you’ll see Hopkins talking and a virtual keyboard showing you which notes to play and when.
The program doesn’t listen to you play, so this course is great for somebody who doesn’t want to get instant feedback.
Content and Benefits
This online piano course is focused on playing popular songs on the piano as fast as possible. In order to achieve that, it doesn’t teach you note reading.
Video lessons mostly focus on chords and improvisation. By mastering chord patterns, you’ll be able to apply that skills to playing many other popular songs.
So, you’ll be introduced to some basic music theory, but you’ll not be able to read sheet music after completing the course.
However, the course seems to deliver what it promises. If you stick to the schedule and complete one short lesson per day, you should have a number of melodies in your muscle memory after 21 days.
Although you’ll not be getting instant feedback, you can ask for it by sending a message to Jacques. This personalized help option is one of the advantages of the program.
Who is Piano in 21 Days Best For?
If you don’t wish to delve into music theory and learn notes, but simply learn how to play the piano for fun, Piano in 21 Days is the course for you.
It will teach you how to play your favorite songs quickly and efficiently.
To discover more about the Piano in 21 Days method and its advantages and drawbacks, read our complete Piano in 21 Days review.
8. Hoffman Academy
If you have a kid who wants to learn how to play the piano and you feel like online lessons at home are a way to go, then Hoffman Academy will undoubtedly meet all your expectations.
It’s an online piano course based on video lessons created primarily for children.
The Academy offers a well-rounded curriculum that delves into the practical and theoretical parts of piano playing.
Hoffman Academy Features
Video lessons are guided by the course creator and piano teacher Joseph Hoffman.
While explaining, he uses games, puppets, and other helpful tools that bring musical concepts closer to children.
His approach is positive and motivating, which creates both a fun and productive atmosphere for students to learn.
Video lessons are available on the Hoffman Academy website for free.
However, if you get Premium, you’ll gain access to practice plans, printable sheet music, and various learning resources. You’ll also be able to track progress and earn points.
Content and Benefits
Hoffman Academy uses a holistic teaching approach. The basic idea behind its method is learning how to play the piano both by sight and ear.
By focusing both on theory and playing songs, this course will provide every student with quality musical knowledge and essential tips (like proper body posture) that lack in some online piano programs.
The course is divided into units with about 20 lessons each. It will slowly introduce more complex techniques while teaching various kid-friendly songs.
Lessons cover notes, chords, scales, arpeggios, improvisation, dictation, and so on. Basically, it includes everything you need for building core piano skills.
Who is Hoffman Academy Best For?
Hoffman Academy is surely best for kids of all ages. The instructor’s fun and engaging approach keep kids interested in music but also motivated to practice regularly.
The course might also be a fun way for parents and adults to remind themselves of some music theory.
Nevertheless, Hoffman Academy will bring a nice dash of piano school classes to your home.
Read our full Hoffman Academy review to find out more details.
9. Yousician – Best For Budding Multi-Instrumentalists
Yousician learning app found a place among the best online piano lessons because of its well-structured content, exciting features, and gamified format.
It’s based on video lessons that are interactive and focused on a wide range of topics. They will teach you how to play the piano in a fun and easy way.
Yousician Features
The app is available on all devices. Once you subscribe, you’ll get unlimited lesson time, while Premium+ offers more features and songs.
Yousician works similar to some apps we described earlier – it listens to you play the piano and gives you feedback and rating.
However, you can choose between three learning paths: Classical, Knowledge, and Pop Path. It’s best to go through the courses simultaneously in order to get a well-rounded musical knowledge.
You can also play songs in the Practice mode, try exercises in the Workout section, and even participate in Challenges where you can compete against other Yousician students.
The app offers plenty of features that make the piano learning process interesting.
Content and Benefits
If you complete all learning Paths, you’ll gain basic piano skills and a good knowledge of a number of songs.
The app’s song library is quite rich in songs and genres so you’ll enjoy searching for what it has to offer.
Unlike some other apps, Yousician will coach you in sight-reading so you’ll be able to read sheet music and learn any song you want afterward.
However, if you want to dig deeper into music theory and piano technique, you should consider combining Yousician with other learning resources.
Who is Yousician Best For?
Yousician is created for people of all ages and levels of experience. However, it’s probably best for beginners and intermediate players since it doesn’t go in-depth with more complex musical concepts.
With its colorful features and game-like format, it’s also appealing to children.
10. Simply Piano – Best For Those With Busy Schedules
An award-winning, socially orientated app from JoyTunes that teaches the piano from zero to hero.
One of the most popular apps on the market right now is certainly Simply Piano.
It’s a fun and game-like piano learning app that guides you through the learning process step-by-step.
Simply Piano Features
After you’ve installed the Simply Piano app on your phone (it’s not compatible with computers), you can choose between Soloist and Chords path. We recommend doing both to get knowledge on notation and technique as well as chords to play songs.
As you progress through lessons, you’ll be getting feedback and rates based on your performance. The app doesn’t let you move forward unless you complete the lesson.
Piano Lesson Programs
Also, the app is not customizable, so you can’t pick sections to practice, play with separate hands, or reduce speed. This might be a drawback whether you’re a beginner or already have some experience.
However, the whole process is fluid, fun, and interactive.
Content and Benefits
Simply Piano will primarily teach you how to play popular songs, but it will not avoid music theory while doing so.
However, the whole process is somewhat slow, so you have to wait a while to learn the more advanced techniques. And once you do, it will not cover all important elements.
So, if you want to develop serious piano skills, you should continue with other learning sources to broaden your knowledge.
On the other hand, Simply Piano is really easy to use, and it’s a useful tool for getting into the world of music.
One of its benefits is that it also provides printable sheet music so you can play the piano and practice outside the app.
Who is Simply Piano Best For?
Simply Piano is a useful learning source for beginners of all ages. Its game-like and lively features will probably be most attractive to younger students.
Also, it’s a great tool for anyone who wants structured online learning. Since the app doesn’t let you skip ahead, you’ll really be sure that you completed the lesson properly.
Read our Simply Piano review here.
How to Choose the Best Online Piano Lessons?
There are many online piano programs and apps available at the moment, and they keep getting more and more popular, so it’s not hard to get lost in all the options.
So, how do you choose the best one?
First of all, ask yourself what your goals are.
Perhaps you’ve never touched a piano before and you want to learn how to play some of the songs you like. Maybe you want to brush up on the skills you’ve gained at piano school as a kid.
Whatever it is, you need to know what your ultimate wish is. Of course, goals change, but many piano courses have curriculums that are focused either on playing songs, theory, or a little bit of both, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
Also, be mindful of how much time you want to invest. Do you want to complete the course as soon as possible or do you want to commit to it and reach advanced levels?
Piano Lessons Mac Software For Beginners
Now, try to find the course that’s compatible with your goals and wishes. There might be several ones out there, so you can also choose the format that you like the best.
Some people prefer game-like apps and some learn better with guided video lessons. All formats have their pros and cons, so what you choose depends on your preferences.
If you’re still not sure, why not give it a trial run? Many apps and websites offer free trials so you can get an idea of what you’re going to purchase.
In the end, reading high-quality reviews is very helpful. Comments of people who have used the app might be tricky to find but they might also provide you with some useful information.
When it comes to opinions and verdicts, reviews usually value structure, guidance, and overall quality of the program, which are the elements you need to check before starting the course.
What Are the Benefits of Online Piano Lessons?
Online piano lessons are attracting more and more students around the world and there’s a good reason for that.
One of the reasons is that most online courses are less expensive than piano school classes. Many have a variety of free materials online and also provide the free trial option.
Although hiring a piano teacher will give you quality piano skills, learning piano online also has many benefits.
For example, most online courses use a modern teaching method. You’ll be able to learn songs quickly and also concentrate on developing specific skills like composition or learning chords.
When learning piano by yourself, you’ll be flexible with your practice time. You don’t have to attend scheduled classes – choose what time suits you best for practicing. Whether it’s early morning or 11 pm, depends solely on you.
Even if you don’t have much free time on your hands, you can progress with your lessons as they are usually bite-sized.
Mac Software Versions
Also, in the comfort of your home, you’ll feel completely at ease, and being relaxed is essential for playing any instrument. Moreover, some people feel more confident and comfortable if nobody’s listening to them playing.
Online piano lessons also provide a bunch of extra features and learning resources, from online games to helpful video tutorials.
Another advantage of virtual piano classes is that sometimes they will give you a chance to learn from really talented and famous pianists. Some programs even offer an option to communicate with them and ask for advice.
All things considered, there are many advantages of e-learning. Modern technology made it possible for anyone to take music lessons at home.
So, why not put your extra time and energy into something fulfilling as playing the piano?
Mac Software Install
Final Thoughts On Online Piano Lessons
At the end of the day, you’re not going to go wrong with any of the reviewed online piano courses.
Piano Keyboard App For Mac
Especially if you’re a complete beginner, the above best online piano lessons will similarly teach you a strong foundation for which to build upon, they all just go about it in their own unique way.
Piano For Mac
If you’re still struggling to decide, think about your budget and what style of music you’re most interested in, and choose based on those two factors.
Or if you just want the most comprehensive piano course out there, that’s suitable for all levels of experience, and software that you’ll never outgrow, Playground Sessions is hands-down our favorite.
We hope this list has helped you to begin your piano journey! There’s no better feeling than learning to play a new instrument, and helping people with their decision and getting them on their way is something we find enjoyable and fulfilling too.