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Recommendations for online piano instruction?

Alohabob

Alohabob

Active Member
I would like to be able to actually play the piano properly rather than just using it to peck out notes before I write them in my DAW. I would like to use one of the apps that track progress rather than watching videos only. I have found several like Piano Marvel, Playground Sessions, etc. I don't know if any of them actually teach what to do with my fingers, like what fingers to use in a chord, how to do a fast run, etc. Do any of you know if any of the programs teach that stuff, or do I need to go to online videos? Due to certain restrictions, I cannot go to a teacher.
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If you’re on a Mac the lessons in GarageBand are very good. I’m currently learning and I’m using GarageBand combined with Pianoforall, which I recently picked up on Udemy for £9.99 (A number of searches on here showed good reports on it but it is video and pdf based!) and syhthesia to learn pieces. I’ve tried a lots of different apps but most were I felt overly expensive in their subscription for what I got.
 
Ritchgbg said:
I suscribed to pianote.com last year and it's good !
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I've not heard of that one till now. I tried to find reviews of it but all I see are videos from her. Is it something where you 100% watch videos or does it also have the ability for you to watch your screen and play along with the notes like most of the other apps seem to? I like her personality.
 
tc9000 said:
this moved me forwards a bit https://www.flowkey.com/en

i buy a month's access now and then. im due another month tbh!
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Flowkey is what I'm currently thinking I'll use. I'm waiting to hear back on if there is a discount for if my son and I both sign up. But I do like that Pianote one as well. I may just try both and cancel the one that my son isn't jiving with.
 
Alohabob said:
I would like to be able to actually play the piano properly rather than just using it to peck out notes before I write them in my DAW. ... I don't know if any of them actually teach what to do with my fingers, like what fingers to use in a chord, how to do a fast run, etc. Do any of you know if any of the programs teach that stuff, or do I need to go to online videos? Due to certain restrictions, I cannot go to a teacher.
Click to expand...
You won't learn this from watching videos. It's why people do scales, which develop muscle memory and make fingering, chords and arpeggios second nature. It's all about repetition. Personally, I use this book by Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. Same book that Glenn Gould would have used :)

Amazon product ASIN 1554401631
Looks like the book is less expensive from some other sources, such as SheetMusicPlus.
 
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Rory said:
You won't learn this from watching videos. It's why people do scales, which develop muscle memory and make fingering and chords second nature. It's all about repetition. Personally, I use this book by Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. Same book that Glenn Gould would have used :)

Amazon product ASIN 1554401631
Click to expand...
fully agree - videos and apps have their place but they are only part of the puzzle. the best things about flowkey is the interactive feedback, watching a pro's hands as they play, and the lessons - they push me out of my comfort zone... but it does feel like 30% of what a real teacher would give me...
 
Rory said:
Personally, I use this book by Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. Same book that Glenn Gould would have used :)

Amazon product ASIN 1554401631
Click to expand...
Maybe I missed it elsewhere, but which book specifically are you referring to? I went on their website to do some digging – are these the books?
shopus.rcmusic.com

2022 Celebration Series®

The Royal Conservatory is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world.
shopus.rcmusic.com shopus.rcmusic.com
 
Unexpectedly, boxing training has had quite a big affect on my playing: musculature of the wrists and fingers has a huge impact! It's not that surprising really, I just wasn't expecting one to improve the other... I swear there's a strange skills boost crossover between chess, piano, and boxing!
 
Rory said:
You won't learn this from watching videos. It's why people do scales, which develop muscle memory and make fingering, chords and arpeggios second nature. It's all about repetition. Personally, I use this book by Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. Same book that Glenn Gould would have used :)

Amazon product ASIN 1554401631iLooks like the book is less expensive from some other sources, such as SheetMusicPlus.
Click to expand...
This is the RCM web page on the book. It isn't the only book of its kind. I happen to use it and I like the spiral binding (lies flat) and the way the book is laid out. It has healthy dimensions, designed to be easily readable while playing: https://shopus.rcmusic.com/products...ry-of-music-piano-technique-book-2008-edition
 
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Alohabob said:
I've not heard of that one till now. I tried to find reviews of it but all I see are videos from her. Is it something where you 100% watch videos or does it also have the ability for you to watch your screen and play along with the notes like most of the other apps seem to? I like her
Click to expand...

Alohabob said:
I've not heard of that one till now. I tried to find reviews of it but all I see are videos from her. Is it something where you 100% watch videos or does it also have the ability for you to watch your screen and play along with the notes like most of the other apps seem to? I like her personality.
Click to expand...
There's what they call a learning path.
This are lessons from beginner to intermediate.
There's like 8 parts with a minimum of 20 lessons inside with everything you can think of (pdf, metronome , tempo ....).
Let's say that the first lesson is about learning 3 chords they explain you how to play it and you got the theory as well so you learn how a chord is built etc .
Once you've done watching there's a "practice room" with the tab and a small video where u practice this lesson with her. It's reeaaaaally well done and it works if you put the time to practice of course.
Apps like flowkey or whatever are pure garbage.
It's only like "put your finger here" don't ask why.
Pianote is more like a regular teacher and you go on at your own pace.
You'll go from your first C chord to modes and how to gain indepence with both hands, both fingers.
Highly recommended
 
Ritchgbg said:
There's what they call a learning path.
This are lessons from beginner to intermediate.
There's like 8 parts with a minimum of 20 lessons inside with everything you can think of (pdf, metronome , tempo ....).
Let's say that the first lesson is about learning 3 chords they explain you how to play it and you got the theory as well so you learn how a chord is built etc .
Once you've done watching there's a "practice room" with the tab and a small video where u practice this lesson with her. It's reeaaaaally well done and it works if you put the time to practice of course.
Apps like flowkey or whatever are pure garbage.
It's only like "put your finger here" don't ask why.
Pianote is more like a regular teacher and you go on at your own pace.
You'll go from your first C chord to modes and how to gain indepence with both hands, both fingers.
Highly recommended
Click to expand...
Thanks much, I'll be getting it.
 
Ritchgbg said:
There's what they call a learning path.
This are lessons from beginner to intermediate.
There's like 8 parts with a minimum of 20 lessons inside with everything you can think of (pdf, metronome , tempo ....).
Let's say that the first lesson is about learning 3 chords they explain you how to play it and you got the theory as well so you learn how a chord is built etc .
Once you've done watching there's a "practice room" with the tab and a small video where u practice this lesson with her. It's reeaaaaally well done and it works if you put the time to practice of course.
Apps like flowkey or whatever are pure garbage.
It's only like "put your finger here" don't ask why.
Pianote is more like a regular teacher and you go on at your own pace.
You'll go from your first C chord to modes and how to gain indepence with both hands, both fingers.
Highly recommended
Click to expand...
Does Pianote cover basic theory as well?
 
If you need more opinions I highly recommend this site. I’ve been on it for feels like a century now and there’s some really great people there whose passion is piano.

Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums - Forums powered by UBB.threads

The Piano Forums are an online community of piano lovers including piano industry professionals, concert artists, recording artists, technicians, dealers, manufacturers, and thousands of enthusiastic amateur pianist
forum.pianoworld.com forum.pianoworld.com
 
tmhuud said:
If you need more opinions I highly recommend this site. I’ve been on it for feels like a century now and there’s some really great people there whose passion is piano.

Piano World Piano & Digital Piano Forums - Forums powered by UBB.threads

The Piano Forums are an online community of piano lovers including piano industry professionals, concert artists, recording artists, technicians, dealers, manufacturers, and thousands of enthusiastic amateur pianist
forum.pianoworld.com forum.pianoworld.com
Click to expand...

ChromeCrescendo said:
Does Pianote cover basic theory as well?
Click to expand...
Yes, and more than this. What i liked is the fact that they "bring in " the theory, so to speak, step by step. as i remember you've got a complete course in theory if you want to, as well as reading music etc ...
 
Rory said:
You won't learn this from watching videos. It's why people do scales, which develop muscle memory and make fingering, chords and arpeggios second nature. It's all about repetition. Personally, I use this book by Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music. Same book that Glenn Gould would have used :)

Amazon product ASIN 1554401631
Looks like the book is less expensive from some other sources, such as SheetMusicPlus.
Click to expand...
Thanks, just ordered it also. Got the spiral-bound version. Bound music books are maddening. ;)
 
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