Is Simply Piano a Scam?
Simply Piano, an educational app available for iPhone, iPad or Android devices, has 10 million downloads. But is Simply Piano legit? Can you really learn how to play the piano? We’ll dig into some commonly asked questions below.
Is Simply Piano a Scam?
No, Simply Piano by JoyTunes is not a scam. You will learn how to read notes, play some pop songs and classical pieces, read chords, understand lead sheets, and more. While you won’t become an advanced pianist with Simply Piano, it’s an excellent supplement to piano lessons and method books, and it may be a cost-effective alternative to online piano lessons for some students.
Give Simply Piano a Try (free)
We’ve spent many hours testing Simply Piano, and we think the program is worthwhile. Give it a try for free. Of course, if you sign up, we may receive a small commission. We appreaciate your support!
Remember that you only get out of piano what you put into it. If you download the app and never practice, of course it’s a waste of money - but if you use the app for a few minutes every day, you will learn certain aspects of playing the piano over time.
That said, an app will never take you as far (and in as little time) as working with an expert instructor. We are currently offering a 10% discount when online students sign up for a 4-pack of live online lessons - please mention this blog when you contact us.
Is Simply Piano Really Free?
Simply Piano does have one free course (“Piano Basics”), and after you’ve completed it, you will be prompted to pay for a subscription before you can access more advanced material. Furthermore, before you purchase the paid version of the app, you can experiment with a free seven day trial.
What Does The Free Version Of Simply Piano Include?
Lesson 1: You learn Middle C, D, and E, and finger numbers
Lesson 2: You learn F and G
Lesson 3: You drill the five notes you have learned in your right hand, and you finish by learning “Ode To Joy”. with your newly-learned five finger pattern.
And that’s it for the free version! It’s an interesting introduction to the piano, and you’ll know whether or not you like the learning style presented in the app.
How Much Does the Paid Version of Simply Piano Cost Per Month?
While the app does present the pricing amounts as month-by-month averages, please note that you actually pay subscription fees three, six, or 12 months at a time.
You can purchase a 3-month package for $74.99 (avg. $24.99/month)
You can purchase 6 months for $99.99 (avg.$16.66/month)
You can purchase 12 months for $149.99 (avg. $12.49/month)
If you choose the 12 month option, you are eligible for the free seven day trial. Just don’t forget to unsubscribe if you don’t like it!
Is Simply Piano Worth The Money?
Yes, from a teacher-to-student perspective, Simply Piano is worth the money. Consider that piano lessons, at a minimum, would cost around $125 per month. This app is much cheaper, and while you won’t learn nearly as much as you would in lessons, it’s a great introduction or supplement to in-person instruction. Simply Piano might be worth it for you if:
You are unable to work with your teacher for a period of time (summer break etc.)
You’d like to use it as supplemental practice material at home
You’d like to gift it to someone who isn’t sure if they’d like the piano
Parents may find that their children enjoy practicing with Simply Piano
How Does Simply Piano Work?
In short, Simply Piano works as interactive sheet music on a mobile app or tablet. The notes or chords you are learning are shown on the staff on your screen, and it will show you where on the keyboard the notes are played. The main point of Simply Piano is to teach you notes and chords on the piano, the corresponding keys and finger numbers, and how to play them in tempo.
So is it just Guitar Hero for piano? No! Because when you play a wrong note, the music stops, highlights the incorrect note, and makes you play it correctly before continuing.
The app also lets you learn pop songs, so you’ll have fun music to share with your friends before long.
The big picture goal of Simply Piano is to allow you to see a piece of sheet music or a lead sheet, read the notes, and play them in tempo on the piano.
What Concepts Does Simply Piano Cover?:
The Basics & Fundamentals of Piano
You’ll learn the notes on the piano and finger numbers. From there, you’ll learn to play hands together, fill out a whole octave of notes (8 notes), learn flats and sharps, and learn scales. You will then progress to playing a melody over top of a chord accompaniment (arranged by genre).
The app then gets into various rhythms, like syncopation and others. The app will basically layer these fundamental concepts on top of each other as you progress through the courses.
Popular Music
You’ll be taught pop songs organized by difficulty, and within this course, you will tackle increasingly advanced chords, syncopated rhythms, popular modes and scales common in blues, jazz, and other popular genres, and more.
Classical Music
The classical music course follows the advanced fundamentals material. It will put your reading ability and technique to the test - as opposed to the popular music courses, which focus on chords. You’ll learn pieces like Minuet in G and Arioso.
Lead Sheets
Simply Piano has an entire course devoted to playing off lead sheets - if you’ve ever wanted to play along with a band or worship group, you’ll find this course helpful. You’ll learn advanced concepts like hash chords, and you’ll be able to download a new rock tune lead sheet and sight read it.
Do You Need a Piano To Use Simply Piano?
The app actually has a playable “keyboard” that you can use while learning the notes, but that will only help you work through the Piano Basics course. If you want to progress through the more advanced material, you will need to have at least a 61 key digital keyboard at home. Whether you have an electric keyboard or grand piano at home, you’ll be able to use this app.
Is Simply Piano Good For Both Kids and Adults?
Yes - many teachers recommend Simply Piano as a supplementary method for children, and adult piano students will love how they can accumulate some piano knowledge from their phone.
To be fair, young children will get more out of the app if it’s used with guidance from a parent or caregiver at home. All told, it has an easy-to-use interface, well-structured learning progression, and cross-generation appeal. It may get your child to practice piano at home.
Can Piano Teachers Assign Simply Piano To Students?
While you can’t force your students to pay for a relatively expensive app, it can be very useful:
Use it as a reward system for young kids - If they have a great lesson, pull the app out for the last five minutes.
It’s a great tool for introducing sight reading to a more experienced student.
Adults in particular enjoy having a degree of autonomy in their learning process.
In sum, piano teachers, and music teachers in general, can benefit from buying their own subscription to Simply Piano. Educators can use it as an in-lesson aid with young students, try the sight reading material with intermediate students, and introduce it to adult students who would like some autonomy at home.
If you would like to learn more about our presence in Philadelphia, piano teachers in Nashville, curriculum, or piano moving services in Philadelphia, please get in touch.