Forget stuffy piano lessons and confusing sheet music. Flowkey, used by over 1 million music lovers worldwide, is changing the game (since 2015). This app makes learning piano FUN, letting you master your favorite songs while building real skills.
Curious if Flowkey stacks up against Simply Piano or Yousician? We’ll break it down in this Flowkey review.
Plus, did you know tickling the ivories can actually boost your brainpower? Studies show piano playing improves memory, sparks creativity, and even melts away stress. Flowkey makes these benefits accessible to EVERYONE, no matter your musical background.
Considering Flowkey Piano Lessons? Read This First!
Carefully evaluate these factors, try the free trial, and compare them with other options to make an informed decision about whether this popular piano learning app is the best fit for your musical journey.
What is Flowkey?
Flowkey is an online piano learning app that offers a personalized approach with an extensive song library, interactive feedback, and compatibility across devices. It caters to beginners through advanced players. Flowkey provides a combination of videos, sheet music, and interactive features to help users learn piano. It listens to your playing and provides real-time feedback.
Flowkey operates on a freemium model with monthly, annual, and lifetime subscription plans. Pricing is competitive compared to traditional piano lessons.
Flowkey is viewed as an excellent tool for beginners to learn piano and expand their repertoire. It works best as a supplement to, rather than a complete replacement for, in-person lessons to develop proper technique.
Its strengths are the extensive song library, instant feedback, and motivating gamified learning approach.
The Minds Behind Flowkey
Flowkey is owned and operated by its three co-founders – Jonas Gössling, Alexander Heesing, and Ahmed Hassan – through their company Flowkey GmbH, which is registered and based in Berlin, Germany. The founders have grown Flowkey from a small university project to a leading piano-learning app with over 10 million users worldwide.
Flowkey’s Learning Process and Methodology
At the heart of Flowkey’s success lies its personalized learning experience, tailored to each user’s skill level and goals. Flowkey adapts to your needs. The app offers a diverse song library spanning multiple genres and difficulty levels, ensuring that there’s something for everyone.
| Skill Levels | Number of Songs Available |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 500+ |
| Intermediate | 1000+ |
| Advanced | 200+ |
One of Flowkey’s standout features is its focus on proper piano technique. The app provides real-time guidance using MIDI or acoustic piano, helping users develop correct hand positioning, fingering, and posture.
Flowkey also offers a range of music theory courses, covering topics such as:
Flowkey for Different Learners
- Beginners: If you’re new to the piano and looking for a fun, engaging way to learn the basics, Flowkey is an excellent choice.
- Intermediate Players: Flowkey offers a wealth of content for intermediate players looking to expand their skills and repertoire. With a diverse selection of songs across multiple genres and difficulty levels, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself and discover new favorites.
- Advanced Players: While Flowkey may not be the primary learning resource for advanced pianists, it can still be a valuable tool for exploring new genres, brushing up on techniques, or simply enjoying a wide variety of piano arrangements.
Module Available on Flowkey
| Course Categories | Course Names |
|---|---|
| Beginner Courses | – Introduction To The Piano – Playing With Both Hands – Intermediate Piano Playing |
| Exercises & Scales | – Music Reading Training – Playing Scales – Playing Scales II |
| Chords & Improvisation | – Improvising With Chords – Chords & Improvisation |
The courses cover various topics, including:
User Interface and Experience of Flowkey
Flowkey’s sleek and intuitive user interface is one of its standout features, making it easy for learners to explore the app’s extensive content library and engage with the interactive lessons. The simple navigation bar on the left-hand side of the screen provides quick access to the following sections:
The app’s layout is familiar and user-friendly, with a virtual keyboard and scrolling sheet music displayed on the screen during lessons.
Flowkey’s progress tracking and rewards system keeps learners motivated by displaying their achievements and milestones.
Flowkey works seamlessly on:
However, some users have reported occasional issues with the app’s responsiveness on certain devices, particularly older smartphones. Despite these minor hiccups, Flowkey’s overall user experience remains positive, with a 4.4-star rating on the App Store based on over 34,600 reviews.
Flowkey’s Cost and Subscriptions
Flowkey offers a range of subscription options to suit different budgets and commitment levels. Let’s take a closer look at what’s available.
Flowkey Free Trial
Flowkey generously provides a 7-day free trial, giving you a taste of the premium features without any upfront cost.
If you choose to continue after the trial, here are the premium subscription plans:
| Plans | Prices |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $14.99 per month |
| 6 Months | $89.94 per month |
| Annual | $179.99 |
They give 50% Off after a 7-day trial with the yearly subscription and also allow you to share the premium access with up to 4 people. While selecting the song access they give 30% Off on basic access to the users.
What’s Included in Flowkey’s Premium Plan?
Upgrading to a premium subscription unlocks a lot of features including:
- Access to the entire library of 1500+ songs across various genres and difficulty levels
- All courses and lessons, from beginner to advanced topics
- Unlimited use of interactive features like Wait Mode, Loop, and Slow Motion
- Ability to learn on multiple devices (desktop, iOS, Android)
For Yamaha fans, there’s even more good news. Customers who purchase a qualifying Yamaha digital piano or keyboard in participating regions can enjoy 3 months of Flowkey Premium for free.
Flowkey Vs Traditional Piano Lessons
Traditional piano lessons with a private instructor have long been the standard, and online platforms like Flowkey have emerged as cost-effective alternatives. One of the most significant advantages of Flowkey is its affordability. Private piano lessons can cost anywhere from $35 to $50 per hour, quickly adding up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year.
In contrast, Flowkey offers a range of subscription plans, with the annual plan working out to just $14.99 per month for unlimited access to a vast library of resources. While Flowkey may not fully replace the personalized feedback of a human teacher, it offers a cost-effective way to learn and progress at your own pace.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Despite these drawbacks, Flowkey remains a top choice for many aspiring pianists. In a survey conducted by the app, 87% of users reported significant improvement in their piano skills after just one month of using Flowkey regularly.
Alternatives of Flowkey
In the world of online piano learning, Flowkey isn’t the only player in the game. Let’s see how it stacks up against some of its main competitors: Simply Piano, Yousician, and Playground Sessions.
1. Simply Piano
Simply Piano is developed by JoyTunes. It offers a personalized learning experience and a wide selection of songs. However, there are some key differences:
- More gamified, interactive experience compared to Flowkey’s streamlined interface.
- Focuses more on beginners, while Flowkey caters to a wider range of skill levels.
- Integrates lessons with songs, while Flowkey separates them.
2. Yousician
Yousician is a multi-instrument learning app that covers piano, guitar, ukulele, and bass. But, there are a few things that set them apart:
- Teaches multiple instruments, not just piano like Flowkey.
- Has a video game-style interface with unlockable content.
- Progresses more slowly and is less challenging overall compared to Flowkey.
3. Playground Sessions
Playground Sessions Is co-created by legendary music producer Quincy Jones, Playground Sessions offers a unique approach to piano learning. However, there are some key differences:
- Uses famous artists to teach lessons, which Flowkey lacks.
- Has more interactive features and detailed progress tracking.
- Requires a digital piano, while Flowkey is compatible with both acoustic and digital.
| Features | Flowkey | Simply Piano | Yousician | Playground Sessions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner content | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Intermediate/Advanced content | ✓ | Limited | Limited | ✓ |
| Song library size | 1500+ | Smaller than Flowkey | Smaller than Flowkey | 500+ |
| Contemporary/pop songs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Classical music | Some | Some | Limited | Some |
| Interactive feedback | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gamified elements | Limited | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video lessons | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Acoustic piano compatible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Requires digital piano |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription | Subscription | Subscription with in-app song purchases |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Windows |
| Best suited for | Beginners to advanced, song-focused learning | Beginners, slower pace | Beginners, gamified experience | Beginners to intermediate, contemporary music |
Future Updates and Improvements of Flowkey
As Flowkey continues to evolve and improve, there are several exciting updates and features we can look forward to in 2024 and beyond:
- Expanded Song Library: Flowkey is committed to adding new songs and arrangements regularly, ensuring that there’s always fresh content to explore and enjoy.
- Enhanced Interactive Features: The app’s developers are constantly working on improving the interactive elements, such as real-time feedback and adaptable learning paths, to provide an even more personalized and effective learning experience.
- Collaboration with Artists: Flowkey has hinted at potential collaborations with well-known artists and musicians, which could bring exclusive content and unique learning opportunities to the platform.
FAQs Related to Flowkey Review
Can I Use Flowkey with an Acoustic Piano, or Do I Need a Digital Keyboard?
Flowkey is compatible with both acoustic pianos and digital keyboards. If you have an acoustic piano, you can use the app’s built-in microphone feature to detect the notes you play. For digital keyboards, you can connect your instrument to your device via USB or MIDI for a more accurate learning experience.
How Does Flowkey’s Real-time Feedback Work?
Flowkey’s real-time feedback feature listens to your playing through your device’s microphone or MIDI connection and compares it to the correct notes in the song. The app will wait for you to play the right notes before moving on, helping you develop accuracy and timing.
Can I Learn Music Theory and Sight-Reading with Flowkey?
While Flowkey’s main focus is on learning to play songs, the app does offer some courses that cover music theory and sight-reading basics. These courses include topics like reading notes, understanding rhythm, and playing scales.
Is Flowkey Suitable for Complete Beginners?
Flowkey is designed to accommodate learners of all levels, including complete beginners. Beginners can start with the “Introduction to Piano” course and work their way up to more challenging material as they develop their skills.
Does Flowkey Offer any Social Features to Connect with Other Learners?
Currently, Flowkey does not have built-in social features or community forums within the app. The learning experience is primarily individual-focused. However, you can connect with other Flowkey users and share your progress on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
Is Flowkey Suitable for Children or Mainly for Adult Learners?
Flowkey can be a great learning tool for both children and adults. The app’s user-friendly interface, engaging song selection, and interactive features make it accessible and enjoyable for learners of all ages. However, younger children may require some guidance and supervision.
Can I Use Flowkey to Learn Other Instruments besides the Piano?
No, Flowkey is specifically designed for learning piano and does not offer courses or lessons for other instruments. If you’re interested in learning guitar, ukulele, or another instrument, you may want to explore other apps or online resources dedicated to those specific instruments.
More Guides from Coursebay.Pro
Want to Learn Piano Online? Go Flowkey!
As we wrap up our Flowkey Review, it’s clear that this piano learning app has a lot to offer aspiring pianists of all levels. With its extensive song library, personalized learning approach, and intuitive interface, Flowkey has earned its place as a top choice for online piano lessons.
The app’s adaptable learning paths make it an effective tool for developing proper techniques and progressing at a comfortable pace. For the best results, users should combine Flowkey with other learning resources like books, online tutorials, and occasional guidance from a piano teacher.
Overall, Flowkey is a valuable resource for self-motivated learners, especially those just starting their piano journey.
