Best Online Piano Lessons 2023 (2023)

Many of us have dreamed of playing a musical instrument at some point in our lives and with the best online piano lessons you can make it a reality as long as you want to play the piano. There are other instruments and maybe something like thatguitar lessonsthey are more your thing.

runs on yourSmartphoneÖPlanksAs long as you're at the keyboard, signing up for online piano lessons can be a lot cheaper than using a traditional in-person teacher. It's reasonably intelligent, able to hear what you're playing and know when you've hit a wrong note, although it doesn't work like a true master would.

It's often better to work through online lessons with a MIDI-compatible keyboard or electric piano than a traditional instrument, as these can be linked directly to the tutorial from your phone. But if you're stuck in the living room with the grand piano, there's bound to be a service to suit your needs.

If you buy a lesson package that covers more than one instrument, you can usually get a discount. And if you really like it, you can start composingMusic notation softwareAlso. And it's not just music that benefits from online learning - we've got an overview of the different platforms, covering everything from business development to photography to architecture. Now it's time to up your skills and pick up a new hobby!

1. Playing Sessions: The Best General Online Piano Lessons

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This piano learning platform is backed by some really impressive names. It was founded by music industry legend Quincy Jones, who has 28 Grammy Awards to his name, and other famous musicians like Harry Connick Jr. also regularly appear on the platform disguised as teachers.

As mentioned above, this deck works with MIDI compatible keyboards. Just connect your smart device to the keyboard and the app can record your gameplay and give you feedback on your progress. Unfortunately, the platform is not suitable for anyone who only owns an acoustic piano. However, we recommend it to anyone who owns a MIDI keyboard, as it comes closest to having a tutor sitting next to you and commenting on your playing technique without paying for in-person tuition. It's the most comprehensive progress tracking tool you'll find on this list, and when the tool measures your progress you'll find that you've "leveled up" and more courses are available.

Additionally, we were also impressed with Playground Sessions' approach, which feels immersive and hands-on. You start playing right away, and it's only when you've mastered certain fingering techniques that you're encouraged to learn notation. You can also record and play back your lessons, giving you the ability to analyze your own performance.

2. Easy Piano - Best piano lessons for beginners

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If you want to start piano lessons from scratch and are okay with learning on smart devices like iPads, you can't beat Simply Piano. It's fun to learn but still gives you a broad knowledge base and really helps you learn how to play the piano properly. The reason we recommend it for beginners is that Simply Piano lets you learn at your own pace and set your own goals for what you're playing, so there's no steep learning curve here.

Rather than forcing you into hardcore notation and reading at first, Simply Piano simply displays those things on screen while gently introducing you to the act of playing a variety of different songs. You can see for yourself with the 7-day free trial, which actually has an on-screen keyboard to give you an idea of ​​how it might work, even if you don't have a MIDI keyboard yet (you need one for the full version ) .

Combined with a really solid zero-latency technical foundation and a wide range of backing tracks, this is the perfect way to start your piano journey. It's not quite as complete and star-studded as Playground Sessions, but it's less intimidating at first.

3. Piano Marvel: online piano lessons at the best price

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Piano Marvel is great if you are looking for the best and most affordable online piano lessons. Lessons are broken up into small, manageable pieces, which is great as learning to play the piano can be overwhelming. You can use any MIDI-compatible keyboard to take interactive piano lessons and track your progress through the lesson plan. There are rewards to keep you motivated and the lessons are organized like games.

The music library available includes tracks from all genres, including jazz, rock and party tracks, and you'll learn by playing songs you know and recognize. You don't learn finger positions in the first lesson, which seems counterintuitive, but Piano Marvel is a great online piano service if you want to try a piano for a great price.

4. Flowkey - The best online piano lessons for young pianists

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Flowkey has a modern, easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to select a lesson plan or song to learn from. A quick assessment of your skill level at the start of the onboarding process should provide a good starting point for your resume.

There are monthly and yearly subscription options, and you can try the software free for 30 days to ensure the lesson content and playlist are right for you. The user-friendly software interface looks the same whether you are using a computer or a tablet. This was the simplest and most modern software interface of all the products we tested. It will look familiar to someone who uses mobile apps for study or play.

5. Yousician - A great app with a fun learning style

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We get it: sometimes learning the piano isn't fun, especially when you're trying to motivate yourself or a less enthusiastic student. Yousician excels at gamifying the learning process, allowing you to earn stars and rewards for playing every day. It also challenges you to unlock new levels and lesson content, so it's an easy challenge too.

I like a lot here too. The interface is clear and easy to use, the selection of playable titles is pleasantly wide and everything is colorful and well explained. The style of play means you don't get the right experience of learning the notation from the start, and this only starts at "level three", so we believe that other applications, while less fun, give you a better base of now on. the beginning.

It works well on most platforms, but we did notice some latency with the Apple version and that can really ruin an experience and throw the timing completely out of whack. Overall it's great.

6. Piano with Willie - A good solid series of lessons for adults

PianoWithWillie can be purchased monthly, quarterly or annually. It's not the cheapest online piano course, but there are thousands of lessons to help you learn a variety of music genres, including jazz, blues, gospel, latin, funk, rock, and classical.

There are also improvisation classes and musical arrangements, rare subjects in online piano courses. One-on-one Skype lessons are available for those who still want the one-on-one attention normally associated with face-to-face piano lessons.

We recommend this software for adults rather than young children due to the lack of progress tracking. PianoWithWillie works best with motivated people who complete hands-on lessons without being prompted by the software. However, it tracks your progress in each lesson and displays a progress percentage before you start the next lesson.

7. Music2Me - The best budget option for busy people

What we liked most about this platform was the short lessons. They can be as short as six minutes, meaning you can do a quick practice session before work or while babysitting.

Lessons are also clearly presented, with techniques demonstrated on video at the beginning of the lesson. They are followed by simple animations that highlight the keys to press.

The price is very reasonable. It currently costs $15 per month or $120 for a 12-month subscription. And you can also include guitar lessons in your package if you are interested in playing the instrument.

It's certainly not the most elegant platform out there, as it doesn't offer the direct feedback that you'll find in Playground Sessions and Simply Piano. These smart apps can measure how many notes you hit and miss, but that's not an option in Music2Me. It also has a somewhat dry narrative that younger students may lack enthusiasm for.

8. ArtistWorks: Piano with Christie Peery: Best for classical music

The Online Piano Tutor with Christie Peery is the most comprehensive classical piano course on the web. There are hundreds of lessons for all skill levels that you can complete at your own pace using the ArtistWorks Video Exchange platform.

When you've completed a section of the lessons, submit a video and Christie will personally review your video and provide you with personalized feedback on how to improve it. ArtistWorks, as the name suggests, brings your talent to the fore and lets you interact with trained tutors, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a more traditional piano learning experience.

The monthly price goes down with longer subscriptions, a 3-month subscription costs $35 per month and a 12-month subscription costs $23 per month. Before you start the class, get your own 88-key metronome, keyboard, or piano, and a video recorder to record your practice sessions so you can upload them for feedback.

9. Skoove: An overall good experience

Skoove is one of the greats when it comes to learning the piano, but it didn't blow our minds like many of the other apps on our list. While it has all the features you'd expect, it doesn't really stand out in any particular area, and we also found the user interface to be a bit lacking compared to its rivals.

The Beginner's Course combines many different concepts into one basic series of lessons. While this is meant to give you a full understanding of the piano as quickly as possible, the downside is that it feels incredibly scattered, so you don't need to make any changes to facilitate a specific concept.

While there are some great backing tracks here and the audio sounds fantastic, we don't agree with the way music reads on screen. It simply runs from left to right, mimicking the experience of reading music, and that means you don't know what's coming when you reach the end of the staff. Realistic maybe, but we prefer the scrolling screen you see in other apps.

The company just released its Android-compatible app, which you can try for free for a limited time.

10. Tonebase - The best online piano lessons for intermediate players

Relatively new to the world of online piano lessons, Tonebase is aimed at intermediate players looking to improve their skills. He has guitar and piano lessons taught through a series of videos and textbooks. The latter are surprisingly useful features, while the videos aren't as clear as a beginner might need. In fact, we only recommend this deck for advanced players because there are so many complex theories that you should read, absorb, and apply to your game.

In addition to pre-recorded videos, you can also watch and participate in live classes and workshops. On the platform you will find a lively "forum" where tutors conduct guided activities and challenges for community practice. It's a way to encourage some sense of community in an activity that can feel a little isolated.

The price is $29.95 per month or $239 for a yearly subscription, which is more or less in line with prices on other music learning platforms. It's a good option if you have music experience, but it might not be the best option for beginners and small children.

How we tested online piano lessons

Our online piano lesson testing process began by evaluating the ease with which each product can be purchased, downloaded, and installed. Once the software was downloaded onto our test computer, we researched all the resources available and realized how easy it was to switch between lessons and songs.

After getting comfortable with navigating the software or app, we started taking courses for beginners. While we take note of the advanced features of each platform, for the most part we approach the courses as if we were new to the instrument. We also tested how easy it is to use a MIDI keyboard if the software allows it.

How much do online piano lessons cost?

It varies, but most of the online piano courses we review require a monthly, semi-annual, annual, or lifetime subscription. Classes and courses can start as low as $10 per month, but can go as high as $50 if you want a truly comprehensive offering.

However, even the most expensive online piano lessons are cheaper than face-to-face lessons, and you can take them at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. With face-to-face classes, you're likely paying around $40 for an hour-long session and not being able to click the refresh button for what you last learned in class.

Other Useful Resources

If you are looking for a much cheaper alternative, you can find some hands-on courses for beginners atThe best online learning platforms(opens in new tab). In our experience, the music lessons on these platforms aren't as comprehensive as the options above, but if you already have a subscription to something like thatshared ability(opens in new tab)then it might be a good start. You can also get personalized help through thebest online tutoring services(opens in new tab), like platforms likeWyzant(opens in new tab)You now have professors in a variety of subjects.

Online or face-to-face piano lessons

The main advantage of online courses is that you can proceed at your own pace. There is no disappointed teacher who greets you each week when you have neglected your practice. We also found the online courses to fit into a busy schedule very easily; So if you're constantly working on a long to-do list, these at-home digital courses might be ideal.

Of course, there are also some disadvantages. The main reason is that you don't always have access to individual feedback. So if you misinterpret a piece of music or your hand position requires some work, you may need a personal tutor.

Therefore, online courses are usually more suitable for beginners who want to get familiar with the instrument. However, some platforms are also suitable for advanced players; This is especially the case if you have been playing the piano regularly but have stopped practicing. These platforms can help you brush up on forgotten skills and often cost a fraction of the price of face-to-face classes.

Important features of online piano lessons

MIDI compatibility

The best online piano software allows you to use a MIDI compatible keyboard to track your progress in real time as you take lessons. The software can identify the specific notes you missed so you can go back and practice the areas that give you the most trouble. Any keyboard with a MIDI output or USB port is MIDI compatible. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also sometimes an option and allow you to wirelessly connect your piano to a computer or tablet if you choose to use a piano learning app.

Metronome and adjustable tempo

Learning the most difficult parts of your favorite song can be easier as you slow down. The best software titles allow you to adjust the pace to get through these trying times. Using a metronome while practicing improves your ability to play songs in the time they were written and also helps you maintain consistent timing throughout the song.

song requests

Online piano software that allows you to order specific song titles offers value for those looking to purchase an annual or permanent subscription. Learning songs that you know and enjoy keeps you motivated.

Tools for Educators

Piano lesson software can be used by teachers who want to create a hybrid curriculum for students who are struggling to attend face-to-face classes. Instructional software with tools for educators can allow teachers to remotely track student progress and recommend lessons and music to keep students engaged.

The best piano tutorials we've tested have huge libraries of sheet music that you can use to practice. In some cases, you can print the song or download it to a tablet. However, if you want a song that isn't included in your piano tutorial, you can find it at one of the best online sources for sheet music to print and download:

musical notes(opens in new tab)

This online catalog contains over 300,000 arrangements from a wide variety of music genres. Each song costs about $5 and can be printed from a computer or mobile device. There are alsoiOS(opens in new tab)jAndroidApps that allow you to take your purchased sheet music to a recital or piano lesson. The app also lets you repeat problematic sections of an arrangement and mark up the score with notes so you can remember rhythm and key changes.

The Mutopia Project

Most of the sheet music selections in the Mutopia catalog are classical and baroque compositions, but all are free to print, copy, distribute and perform as they are in the public domain. All arrangements are downloadable in PDF or MIDI format, and if you use LilyPond songwriting software to write and arrange music, you can download an editable LilyPond to modify the arrangement. There are over 2,000 titles in this catalogue, but only about 700 are piano specific.

The best metronomes for piano lessons.

A metronome is an important practice tool for beginners and professional musicians alike. The best piano tutorials we've tested have metronomes built into their interfaces. However, we recommend purchasing a separate metronome, which offers more features than are included in the software. Here are some of our favorite digital metronomes:

Pulso Soundbrenner

That's itUnique portable metronome(opens in new tab)represents the best technological advance in timekeeping since the dawn of digital metronomes. It is infinitely adjustable and vibrates seven times more powerfully than a smartphone. With the companion mobile app, you can set the metronome to vibrate or flash, and you can create a library of playlists of your favorite exercise songs. Attach the silent watch-like device to your arm, wrist or leg with the included strap and tap the time on the wearable or set a time with the app. It's pricey at $100, but it's a worthwhile investment for someone with long-term exercise goals.

Professional metronome app

Pro Metronome is free and keeps workingiOS(opens in new tab)jAndroid(opens in new tab)Devices. This easy-to-use app features a practice mode that gradually increases the pace over an adjustable period of time to help you crack a difficult sentence. There are 13 sound options including the all-important cowbell, or you can set the app to flash on your phone. The updated version of the app costs $4 and includes a built-in rhythm trainer, subdivisions, and polyrhythms, but the free version has all the basic features you need to practice simple arrangements.