Simply Piano Review – Professionaly Reviewed

Simply Piano (developed by JoyTunes) is a piano app built for IOS, android, and tablets. I have Simply Piano featured in various articles across my blog for a good reason: it’s an excellent resource for learning to play Piano. Therefore, I took the course for several weeks for this article to provide you with my complete review of Simply Piano.

Pros

• You Aren’t Limited To Only A Keyboard – Many online piano lesson platforms require a keyboard with a USB cord to connect. You can use an acoustic piano or a keyboard with Simply Piano.
• Perfection – This course aims towards perfection. You can only move on to the next lesson once you are correct.
• Teaches Basic Piano Theory Early – Learn the basics of piano note reading early on so you’re clear as the course develops.
• Internet Isn’t Always Required – You don’t need to be connected to the internet at all times to work on lessons. You only need the internet when downloading new material.
• Makes You Review Previously Learned Content – When moving on to the next lesson, a recap prompts you to do a quick review. This is essential and something you would do if you had an in-person instructor.

Cons

• Not compatible with computers – You cannot work on your piano lessons from your computer, but rather a tablet/phone.
•  Can’t Skip Ahead – If you’re already familiar with a task, you can’t skip ahead to new material.
• Pace – While the course is in-depth, it moves slowly. This is great for those who like to take their time, but it may be frustrating for those who want to zip around.

When reviewing Simply Piano, I set out to answer the following questions so that I could provide my readers with everything they need to know:

• How does it compare to its competition?
• What ages is it best for?
• How is the user interface?
• Does Simply Piano Work?
• How much does it cost?
• What is the pace of the course like?
• Is it easy to use?
• Can it replace traditional lessons?
• Course Overview
• Song overview (5,000 plus song catalog)
• Does it cover music theory?
• What do I need to begin Simply Piano?

On top of answering all these questions, I will also lay out some screenshots of the course and provide an overview of the course as a whole.

A Quick History Of Simply Piano/JoyTunes

JoyTunes was established in 2011 by Roey Izkovsky and Yuval Kaminka and focused on developing mobile music applications. The company then expanded and quickly made its name in the online music lessons niche.

Simply Piano has won Apple’s Editor’s Choice Award, Parents Choice Award, and Best App on Google Play.

Simply Piano Overview

Simply Piano is one of the top-rated online piano lessons platforms for those not familiar. First, Simply Piano is easy to download and follow as a course. 

This course focuses on learning via your cellphone or tablet, which is brilliant as people have cell phones with them 24/7. 

You can open the app and get a quick lesson if you need to brush up on any short music theory. Simply Piano is one of the best apps for learning to play the Piano, especially for children.

1) Intro To Simply Piano – What You Need To Begin Course

To check the course, you will need to download it via the app store. If you use any of the links from this article, you will be provided with a 14-day free trial.

You will then pick between a cellphone or your tablet as your main learning device. I enjoy using my cellphone, but if you have a tablet, you should take advantage of a larger screen. 

The next thing you will need is either a keyboard or a piano. Choose an instrument with 88 weighted keys if you want to take full advantage of piano lessons.

You can choose plenty of solid digital pianos that are under $500 is the wondrous thing.

Simply Piano uses the microphone of the device you choose to learn on to register the notes you play. 

How Do The Lessons Work?

When you begin taking Simply Piano, you will start with the following order:

• Piano basics – Start the basics of sight-reading
• Essentials I – Learn to play the Piano with both hands together.
• Essentials II – Continues on the basics and expands your note vocab.
• Essentials III – Introduces flats/sharps and teaches you your first scale.
• Theory 101: It says this course is optional. I recommend taking this course as it teaches you lessons with intervals, chords, and harmony that you will use throughout your journey.

Each lesson makes you complete it before moving on and progressing. When you are playing lessons, you will need to play each note to continue the song.

When you start a lesson, you will typically see 5-10 subsections that you will follow. You will go through these until you finish that lesson and then move on to the next.

Two Modes – Solist VS Chords

Once you graduate through the basics of Simply Piano, you will make it to a point where the course splits into two sets of lessons: soloist and chords.

The Soloist mode focuses on sheet music, sight reading, coordination, and piano technique. In addition, these lessons will allow you to gain skills to learn your favorite songs/compositions.

Chords focus on the material so you can learn to play different chord progressions in your favorite songs. This is great for someone who wants to learn piano improvisation and accompaniment.

The Soloist and chord modes are the “meat and potatoes” of Simply Piano. It would help if you focused on both of these to round out your skills as a pianist.

The music will have the classic scroller, which shows you the sheet music when you’re playing songs. When you play a note, the notes will light up as the following:

• Blue – Correct
• Red – Incorrect
• Yellow – You need to pick a note

Sheet Music

Sheet music is available for those who would also like to have it in front of them and not on their phones.

How Much Does Simply Piano Cost?

The pricing structure for Simply Piano is as follows:

The 14-day free trial is followed by the following:

• Individual 3-month plan – $14.99/month
• Individual 12-month plan – $9.99/month
• Family 12-month plan – $14.99/month (5 profiles)

If you choose the 12-month individual plan, it is billed annually at $119.99.

The pricing for Simply Piano compared to its competition is fair overall. In addition, it’s one of the cheapest options on the market, making it available for those on a strict budget.

With this being said, the app still delivers an exceptionally high-quality product.

Does Simply Piano Work?

The simple answer is that, yes, it works. But unfortunately, a lot of piano teachers who give lessons are not big fans of the online platform, so courses like this get a bad reputation.

This course drills the basics teaches the beginnings of note-reading and music theory, and teaches you how to play along to your favorite songs. If you want to do this, you will enjoy the course.

Is Simply Piano Easy To Use?

One of the selling points of this course is that it is straightforward to use and follow. In addition, it does a great job of keeping the material fun yet engaging.

If you need guidance, this course is for you.

User Interface

The user interface is highly user-friendly. One thing to point out is that this course relies on identifying pitches. This means you could guess and play a bunch of notes to figure out which note you need to play. This isn’t bad, as you still need to learn what you are playing to advance.

The Pace

The pace is not blistering fast. If you have kids or are an adult taking the course, prepare to take your time and remember that it’s not a race just to complete the material.

What Ages Is It Best For?

Simply Piano is best for kids but works for all ages. The song selection covers pieces from all genres and engages those of all ages. The course is also suitable for adults; I just think it is a great fit for kids.

Song Overview 

Simply Piano features 5,000 songs for your discovery and enjoyment. There is a wide range of songs to pick from of all genres. The first song I chose was “Safe and Sound,” as I’ve always been a fan of Capital Cities. The piece is laid out in a user-friendly way and geared toward beginners. It nails the melody and gives you the root of each chord in the left hand.

After you complete a song, it grades your performance so you can know how you are doing. I’m a big fan of this, as it allows instant feedback.

Should Simply Piano Replace Normal Lessons?

These types of questions are why I do what I do. There isn’t a right or wrong answer here. If you enjoy learning online, don’t have the budget or means for in-person lessons, or want to test the waters; it can replace lessons in the early stages.

I am a firm believer in whatever it takes for you to get the motivation and begin playing. Simply Piano provides a clear path and a solid understanding of the basics you will use in your piano journey.

Versus The Competition

Compared to the competition, Simply Piano is one of the best options for kids. The course moves at a solid pace, has excellent visuals, and is relatively fun to follow.

The learning is done directly via a tablet or cellphone, so you can quickly review any material instantly. This is definitely one of the best courses that focuses on getting you to the point of following along and playing your favorite songs.

Wrapping Up – Overall Thoughts

So, should you purchase Simply Piano? If you’ve been searching for options before buying, please check it out. You can try it for free for 14 days before purchase, and as stated above, it’s one of the cheaper options that gives you such a detailed program.

Students will finish this course with a solid understanding of reading music, playing chords, and playing essential accompaniments for singers. They will also be guided through the course. This is great for those needing clarification and help figuring out what to do next.

Simply Piano is simply a great product. The course is engaging, fun, and comprehensive, emphasizing the basics. I recommend this course to children and adults who have little background when it comes to playing Piano.