Simply Piano
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Simply Piano is generally regarded as a fun, gamified entry point for absolute beginners, though it is frequently criticized by the piano community for being "surface level." While it excels at providing motivation and teaching basic note reading through live feedback, users often find it lacks the depth required for proper technique, music theory, and left-hand development. It is commonly viewed as a supplemental tool or a starting point rather than a comprehensive replacement for traditional lessons.
Pros
- Highly motivating gamified format that keeps beginners engaged
- Effective for learning basic note reading and sight reading
- Provides live feedback which traditional books cannot offer
- Allows users to learn at their own pace without judgment
Cons
- Lacks instruction in music theory and proper technique
- Weak development for left-hand playing
- Can encourage sloppy or rushed playing to progress through levels
- Subscription costs can be high after the initial trial period
Caveats
- Note recognition technology may fail on out-of-tune acoustic pianos
- Users often report a need for supplementation with method books or teachers to fix rhythm and technique issues
- The app's aggressive marketing on platforms like YouTube is a frequent point of criticism among enthusiasts
Best for
- Casual hobbyists with no interest in professional-level playing
- Absolute beginners who need a fun, low-pressure way to start
- Students who respond well to gamification and 'Guitar Hero' style learning
Avoid if
- You want to develop a strong foundation in music theory and classical technique
- You have an out-of-tune piano that the app cannot accurately track
- You prefer a structured, academic approach over a game-like interface
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older, with a median age of approximately 424 days, which may not reflect the most recent app updates or feature changes.
Sentiment
7 positive (30%) · 11 mixed (48%) · 5 negative (22%)
Trust + time weighted score: +4% · raw score 9%
What redditors said (10 of 23)
You should generally avoid anything that's aggressively marketed on YouTube (like Simply Piano).
I am trialing Simply Piano, but our piano is old and missed so many tunings it is way off from concert piano tuning. So the app will not recognize middle C, but recognizes C sharp as middle C. Obviously this will not work at all.
I learned with Simply Piano. After completing the “pre advanced” courses I felt pretty well set up to carry on learning from sheets, but I was really bad at rhythm.
I'm using Simply Piano on Android, but wondering if there are better options for learning proper piano - i.e. reading sheet music, good technique while keeping it fun.
The app is fun and gives you live feedback, which a book can’t. But simply teaches you almost no theory.
Apps like simply piano or piano marvel are fine for motivation, just don’t rely on them too hard or it can feel a bit surface level.
People don't like the main Simply Piano app as it's very gameified and missing a lot of theory
The app was fun and got me started, but the game like format (gives guitar hero vibes) stresses me out, but I am like that with video games, so it might be a me thing.
About a year ago I picked up a digital piano on a whim and have been using the Simply Piano app. I'm having fun with it and have zero interest to ever be anything more than a casual player.
I highly the recommend simply piano app. Tons of fun! No judgement! Work at your own pace.
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