Flowkey Review - A Beginners Guide - Should Flowkey Teach You Piano?

[@CharlesCleyn]

Have you tried flowkey to learn piano? Tell us about your experience in a comment. 🎵

[@redpantherz3930]

I have used it and it is simple and quick. 👌

[@Bsiywk]

It’s good so far, but for 10 dollars a month, there’s no where near as many songs to learn as there should be. I hope I can learn how to play without the app before I run out of songs I want to play. Also some songs kinda sound off. Like Dearly Beloved and Fantasie Impromptu.

[@TylerSykesOfficial]

what sight reading app do you recommend?

[@ajaymediratta9403]

Good

[@rune4498]

I will just try it out and move on to the next

[@thebadgamer1967]

Has flokey improved in the two years since this review and those missing features are any now added. Cheers great review

[@novaknovakovic1585]

Thanks for a very interesting post, here are a few more tips on how to play the piano… Try practicing about an hour a day, or half an hour if you can't find time. Do more practice whenever you have more time. For example, on weekends you could do more than an hour, like two or 3, or even more. This is very helpful because it pulls you out of the routine of piano playing, and lets you practice more and perfect the pieces you play. Practice sight-reading and don't worry about making mistakes. This can be very helpful, because it's almost like scanning a paragraph and looking at the picture. It helps you to understand what the passage is trying to convey before you actually read it and lets you know what comes next. This is the same with music, and it can help you stop making mistakes. (I learned about these and more from Denelle piano lesson site )

[@CharlesCleyn]

Thanks for sharing your tips!!

[@TigardFamilyDentist]

I started flowkey about two weeks ago. I have never played the piano before and I had an old keyboard sitting around the house. As a matter fact it is the Yamaha that's in your video it was just gathering dust and since we are in quarantine I decided to give it a try. I am 67 years old and as I said never played the piano before however I do play the flute and played it through college. I do think that knowing how to read music is a huge advantage and I would not be able to use the program without that knowledge. With that said I am having great fun with it I started out with the beginning course but now I've jumped into playing chordsand found that some of the courses in between or actually more difficult. So it is good to jump around. I am also working on learning my first Song Leonard Cohen's hallelujah. I really do enjoy it andThink it will take me a long ways.

[@CharlesCleyn]

Glad you're picking the piano back up again. I think you definitely have an advantage with learning to play the piano with flowkey since you can read music as others find it too overwhelming with flowkey not knowing how to read sheet music and therefore have to rely on looking at the persons hands too much. Have fun playing!

[@fizzybeard7291]

Hey there, did you keep learning Piano? Could you recommend FlowKey?

[@ITNoetic]

I've been using this app for a few days, and it doesn't feel like a choose your own adventure at all. Every lesson is full of videos, and I feel like I'm having my hand held. It doesn't need a metronome. The sliding notes tell you everything you need to know about the rhythm and timing. Also, before you start practicing, you hear the song one time with a metronome in the background, then they turn it off, probably because accuracy is supposed to be the main concern early on. I took a peek at some of the songs in the library to see what I have to look forward to once I know how to read sheet music, but it seems pointless to attempt to play before then. Also, they do tell you about fingerings in one of the early lessons. Flowkey is careful to try to teach just one thing at a time.

[@st8kout961]

As far as Flowkey not having a metronome, Playground Sessions DOES have it, but I actually find it distracting and turn the sound on it way down. Leaning how to tap your foot in time is more beneficial. That's how they taught us in the school band decades ago. Why? Because it works. My neighbors said their kids have been begging to learn piano but they can't afford one yet. I loaned them one of my midi keyboards and told them how to connect it to their macBooks and play through Garage Band, showing them they don't need to buy a REAL piano, but just a decent midi keyboard with the same 'feel' of a piano, plus it has the advantage of making them wear headphones so their practice sessions don't get too aggravating:)

[@CharlesCleyn]

Thanks for sharing this extra context!

[@jimprior180762]

That was very kind and generous of you to help your neighbours 👍

[@CaptainCaveman782]

Thanks Charles. I finished all courses on Simply Piano and then turned to Flow Key . I have been using it for 4 months now. I really agree with your video. I found with FK that I ended up with 10 - 15 songs all of which I play all of which I play badly. It's very easy to just jump around from one to another without finishing a single one probably as there is no feedback, accuracy of timing, striking notes correctly , no guide on dynamics, pedal notation. A lot is just guess work. Also the 4 levels of difficulty are too granular. I can learn a "intermediate" song in a few days , others takes weeks. As a learning tool I feel it is quite an inefficient way and often I spend more time pausing looking at the finger placement of the video pianist. The 50% 75% speed options would be far better to be replaced with 60% 75% 90% or something like that . However the song library is quite rich which I like

[@CharlesCleyn]

Thanks for sharing your experience Johnny! Glad your are developing a talent for it.

[@fizzybeard7291]

hey there, i got a question if you dont mind. I had simply piano for a year and the subscription runs out in a few days. Im not finished with all the courses yet but im not sure if i should switch app. I tried Flowkey a bit and it seems more like the learn a song app while simply piano has the lessons. The lessons in simply piano do all start out extremly slow again every time with like only one hand and stuff which gets annoying to do. Your post is now 7 Month old, do you still use flowkey? or another app or any app at all? Could you recommend me something? Would help alot!

[@martinepeters9891]

That exactly. I also always write my personal notes on the paper sheet music. I have been considering writing a whole song from flowkey to my own paper sheet.

[@denefreeland5369]

As a beginner I love the wait mode. I do not like the fact that it scrolls across the screen rather than presenting as a full sheet of music such as presented by simply piano for example. I also hate that there is no facility to print music, so one is forced to use the app forever more.

[@jigglybandito9505]

What’s cool is I think there’s an app that you can use to listen to a song and it’ll give you sheet music for it.

[@raxhie6933]

I am watching all your app reviews and I wish you wouldve played a full song that you learned off of it so we can see how it sounds 😭

[@CharlesCleyn]

I have a yousician vs flowkey review coming soon that I do that, thanks for watching!

[@dipayan4264]

Pros: Simplicity, All library songs available, option for lifetime subscription, wait mode, video of actual player playing the piece during playing, real piano sound dynamics instead of midi piano sound. Cons: No accompanying band, No metronome, Minimal feedback to the correctness of playing (only a green tick mark for correct notes played, no overall percentage, no real time visual feedback of key press), limited slow playing tempo ( only at 50%, 75%), single recorded sound track so no distinction in sound when left or right hand modes are selected separately, no fingerings number, chord name written over the sheet music, very basic initial piano tutorials courses, No recording function.

[@KeksiLPs]

Hi Charles, I just started my journey with Flowkey a few days ago. "Choose your own adventure?" I never thougt of this. I just started the first course and am working my way through all of them. If a beginner thinks he can learn playing piano by playing songs instead of taking the courses, he is just wrong. Actually I am pretty proud of my advance even with the little time I have to spend.

[@CharlesCleyn]

True those are good points I would always recommend a balance of learning songs and technique with more of a focus on learning technique like you're saying

[@TemanZodiakk]

Hello, i wanna ask if i can play songs in flowkey without having to connect my keyboard with the app? Because the app cannot detect my piano voice and it is so disturbing that i need to stop quite a lot of time... I'm thinking of paying subscription, but, for who can answer my question please help me Thank you 😀

[@lindaacuellar]

Very helpful to me Been using it with lots of satisfaction more than a year. Agree on what’s needed.

[@judithmorice2276]

I was disappointed with Flowkey in some aspects because I would click on a song that I would like to learn to play, particularly classics, only to find that they only teach you part of the song and then it finishes, i.e. only the first part of Fur Elise. I found this with the more modern popular songs as well, although you can get around this with just repeat choruses. I also didn't realise that to get the optimum from this programme that you probably want to connect to an electronic device and not play on a conventional piano like me. Still trying it out though.

[@MITCH31785]

Just got Flowkey and not getting on with it at all! The problem is, because I learned to read music, I am mesmerised by the stave running along and can't focus on the hands moving over the keys!

[@jigglybandito9505]

Flowkey plus actually learning sheet music separately is the best way to go.

[@antoniomanfredi951]

Thank you very much for this in depth review!

[@CharlesCleyn]

You’re very welcome.

[@Usul]

Here we are 3 years later (almost 4), and it appears this platform has hardly changed at all. Kind of surprising Yamaha's Flowkey team would not have been able to implement something really new in the last 3-4 years.

[@ognacyyoutuification]

Its a shameless cash grab. Another subscription app which shows no active development. I tried flowkey a few years ago and it looks exactly the same now. Shame.

[@markwkaplan4923]

Hi Charles. Can you please tell me what keyboard you are using in this video? Thanks so much. Mark

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

Hi there. I have been using flowkey since November 2019. I have been practicing with flowkey everyday well i did take about 3-4 weeks off for vacation and I was not able to practice. My piano experience was none but I did play with casio keyboards but never really did play with two hands until flowkey. I’m really lazy with learning to read sheet music so I have been learning and memorizing the fingering play it over and over again. The best thing is you can loop measures and repeat. Not knowing how to read music and translating that into playing is a disadvantage so I will need to really buckle down and learn it. I find that in the wait mode your rhythm is can be waaaay off so I would go back and listen to the song to get the rhythm. Like some other comments I have a casio keyboard (61 keys) that was collecting dust and I am 49 so I better get myself going since I’ve been wanting to play since I was a kid. In feb I decided to get a digital piano I ended up with the Yamaha p125 (88 keys). Which I am fairly happy with. Huge difference between the Yamaha dp and a casio keyboard I like that flowkey short cuts the fingering. You can emulate their fingering or if it’s not possible. Not all of us have the same hand and finger length so when I can’t emulate it I have to find other fingerings to suit me. I have not tried any other program but so far I really like flowkey. With their lessons they have categorized it with beginner intermediate advanced. Color coded green for beginner and yellow for intermediate and red for advanced. As a beginner I would look at all the green then go to yellow and then red. Yes you choose your own adventure and advance when you feel ready. Edit: 12/21 I’m still using flowkey. I can read music but not quickly enough- I am able to play easy arrangements- I bought a Star Trek theme song. Book and I enjoy playing it. But playing is still enjoyable so I just keep on and I Use flowkey. You may at some point no longer need the lessons. Then you’re just paying for sheet music but you don’t own any of it. Think of it as a rental.

[@CharlesCleyn]

thanks for your extra thoughts!

[@fantomuartbox]

Nice and honest review. I was debating which app to use and this seems more my speed. I am trying to get back into it after being classically trained as a kid. No metronome can definitely be an issue for timing… perhaps in an future update? Anyways, thanks for the review… a lot to think about. Subbed 👍.

[@gloriamonhclares7329]

I'm wondering which one ppl like better for beginners. Flowkey or Simply piano. Thoughts?

[@CharlesCleyn]

I have more comparison videos on them, you should watch.

[@kenzogm3536]

@@CharlesCleyn could’ve just answered bruh

[@mathewgodfrey1517]

Might get Flowkey since it has a Lifetime Subscription. I'm a terrible procrastinator and wouldn't want to waste a year subscription if I end up flaking.

[@CharlesCleyn]

It’s a great deal if you know you’ll always be wanting to learn piano

[@InsaneFame]

Why connect with a MIDI keyboard? Both the app and the keyboard play their own sounds whether plugged in or not.

[@nishantsingal]

I wanna know if Playground Sessions is good. Everyone says its the best place to learn piano. Is that true?

[@CharlesCleyn]

Hi Nishant, I'm not exactly sure but I will make a playground sessions video soon, so keep an eye out for one on my channel

[@SwaggCii]

yes! I have this same question because I'm trying to figure out a good software to use as well for piano

[@AAKhanivore]

Charles Cleyn i would love to see a playground sessions review too. I’m looking to start my first app and will wait for your review before starting one. Thanks!

[@teetran2399]

I think playground session is okay. The app on IPad is terrible can even recognized my keyboard. But it is good for children try to learn or even adult. The cons with it is lack of music theory but also has a couple of exercise like Hanon, and you can change the bmp of the song as you like. Still Playground session is lack of video tutorial it is hard for people with visual learning like me.

[@drorrejwan6346]

Playground Session is not good, its old, doesnt teach much, and I recommend against it.

[@oliviamarie1553]

Hi Charles, can you make the keyboard go away and go full screen with the sheet music? I find there's too much to look at.....the fingers, the moving keyboard, the colours on the keys. It's distracting from learning the sheet music!

[@swayam-devraj]

As a beginner I've been searching comparisons and everything all over Web between flowkey, piano, simply piano and perfect piano... I just made my mind for flowkey and was gonna subscribe to it tomorrow but reading the comments like a guy just said 'flowkey is for intermediate players'... And now I'm back to my confusion zone Should I subscribe to flowkey as a beginner? A reply would help.. Thanks. Edit: and I just completed the whole video right now.. Do you sing as well? Coz your voice seems really soothing 💜

[@john20grgaming51]

I will crack it maybe😏

[@England1984]

Can it be be connected via a laptop instead of a table for midi connection?

[@alitajvidi5610]

Great review, thank you

[@helenlouiseshaar5918]

I took organ lesson 40years ago, need to brush up , I just need for MIDI key board

[@babyblue7798]

what keyboard are you using? can you please share the model and make? thanks

[@OnlineMD]

Can I import a MIDI file and learn to play it on Flowkey? Would appreciate info! I'd be running it on Windows 10

[@yramhossoo8586]

The end part was funny. Great tuts

[@myjapaneseplaylist]

Flowkey is actually good. I am an absolute beginner. You can check out my videos for references on how am I progressing. I started this first of July. ❤️❤️❤️

[@shirleyanngilbreath4353]

I'm interested in playing favorites like beauty and the beast and a whole new world.

[@p3rrypm]

This review is misleading! Just because it dumps you into the song library does not mean it’s built around that. Courses are where people should begin period! It shows you plenty in there and the one big thing it does, that most other apps don’t do, is show you how the song fingering moves in real time... Many apps just give you the finger numbers and then put them in as a crutch system, but that’s a broken tool, as most of the students get stuck on this and never learn the right way to read the music! Flow key does not have this problem.

[@CountArtorias]

This app is great but I wish it had more pieces, there are several game and anime pieces that I wish I could learn.

[@mybestselamvideoselamvideo126]

Hi Thank you and I am only interested to learn classic music and for now which one will be to teach me reading basic to advance pls advice thank you.

[@rayoperator2699]

I think if you finally learned a song that you like, you will start to feel it and know by memory of how it should sounds. So the metronome is actually not necessary. The fact that you can learn chunks of a song is the best way to teach, so thumbs up for that.

[@CharlesCleyn]

it’s true that you can learn the song with feeling and be okay without a metronome but if it’s good to be comfortable with learning to ply in time

[@KarlaRojas-bt3dl]

Hi!! I liked your video. I also checked the one in which you give your honest opinion about yousician. I am looking for an online piano course.Please recommend one. I want to learn to read the notes and play. I only know Flowkey and Simply piano. I know them because I’ve seen adds. However, I not sure of they are worthy. If you highly recommend flowkey or any other let me know. Do you give lessons?

[@CharlesCleyn]

Hi Liam, thanks for watching. Do you have any experience with playing piano? Maybe I can see if flowkey or yousician is better for you or if it's another option but just studying free youtube videos and doing your own learning.

[@KarlaRojas-bt3dl]

Charles Cleyn Hi, thanks for your answer. I am learning using the John Thompson method. I finished book 1 and I learned by myself.

[@Tanmay-xz9vn]

Its not worth it. So many songs are vanishing lately which I started learning and when you ask the support they just say we don't have the license anymore.

[@alixverplanck7832]

What type of piano do we need to use with this site?

[@iminyourhouse.]

Any

[@suntzu6122]

Dumb question: Do these apps have to be plugged into my keyboard? Or do they listen to what Im playing with a mic or something?

[@CharlesCleyn]

You can do both :)

[@bangelta]

thanks for the video - would flowkey work with a controller keyboard though windows ?

[@tonymckeown1314]

good review. thanks.

[@caiofbpa]

Hey Charles, thanks for the videos. I'm an absolute beginner and picking an app is hard when you don't know what you're looking for. From the videos I've watched and from the trials I've done, it's clear to me that Flowkey is for an intermediate player that wants to expand their repertoire and learn new songs and techniques. For a beginner like me, it's important to be taken by the hand, so I'm between Simply Piano and Yousician. Could you compare them? Simply Piano seems too simple, but Yousician seems to be very annoying with the tempo (that ball moving is distracting and the tempo actually changes during the music which is very weird). I wonder which one of those apps offers a more comprehensive piano learning experience overall. Thanks!

[@CharlesCleyn]

Hi Caio, thanks for watching. I've been using simply piano for the last couple weeks and I plan to do a simply piano vs yousician review so keep an eye out. So far I enjoy it and perhaps it could be the right app for you! I think as a beginner it's important to really like the app you're working with because you don't want any barriers in the way of your learning. If so then it's like having a really bad teacher in person.

[@amberleewoodhouse5817]

Piano Marvel is better for beginners I think

[@misschanandlerbong05]

I don't have flowkey code.. I can't pay. Somebody please screenrecord "Jelly Roll Morton - The Crave " tutorial and send it to me

[@vimalrajrm]

Which modi controller your are using in this video

[@klaramelamedmusicchannel6184]

Thank you for video! Tell me, please, can I put my own partiture inn flowkey? I want to make own musical course and to use this program for making exercises for course. Thank you.

[@nanniekvanmulligen8930]

Got a simply piano add on this

[@CharlesCleyn]

They’re on to us

[@alixverplanck7832]

I would like to learn but I have no idea of what kind of piano I should take?

[@Toogoodtobetrue458]

The flowkey app works well with a keyboard or piano that has midi function - so you can connect the app to the keyboard/piano. You can go with an acoustic piano but I would advise Against that because the mic may not pick up the sounds correctly which leads to frustration.

[@SantaRosaGal]

I just started using flowkey, as a mid/late beginner in piano. I started with Piano Marvel and am trying to decide between them. I find flowkey much more relaxing to use and easier to navigate. But I found it really frustrating trying to learn songs with no fingering in the sheet music. I kept wanting to grab a pencil and make notes for myself like you can with an actual paper music book. I like that Piano Marvel uses actual sheet music with the fingering, but I found the method and technique lessons really boring and hard to navigate. The silly graphic of a trophy cabinet is ridiculous. I want to know what the lessons are without having to click on them. I'm thinking maybe start with flowkey and shift to Piano Marvel.

[@BodyRocker9]

For the fingering cant you just look at the hands of the person playing

[@jigglybandito9505]

@@BodyRocker9 exactly

[@MrKDubya21]

How did u connect your digital piano to your phone? Is this done through Bluetooth?

[@CharlesCleyn]

it also doesn’t need a connection with your phone mic. It can pick up the sound of the notes.

[@MrKDubya21]

@@CharlesCleyn so it will just automatically hear the notes without any type of connection as long as the app is open

[@CharlesCleyn]

You got it. Better to have the connectors though. So I recommend it.

[@suescraftsinpicton]

I can't " hear " anything on the app, no volume at all

[@weiweihe4124]

Where can I buy the membership lifetime? Is this option not anymore?

[@gred808]

Great review, thanks for taking the time to make it concise and informative.

[@CharlesCleyn]

You're welcome, hope your piano journey goes well

[@Chiranjeevi57]

flowkey course are free yeah paid ?

[@macieleliane17]

Não tem traduçao para o português?

[@kenchy318]

If I want to learn classical music only, is this a good app, or there is something better.

[@Twitchte]

That's what I want to know as well

[@MaiNguyen-ue9sy]

@Charlescleyn May I ask ? I didn’t see the price for “life time” in the flowkey?

[@st8kout961]

Price varies, especially around a holiday, but at the moment it's $299. Look for when it changes; memorial day, July 4th, Christmas, etc. Same for Playground Sessions.

[@carlcan5104]

How is the song selection compare to others? Thanks

[@sarahRA86]

Do you think you really get to grips with theory and reading music with the app?

[@CharlesCleyn]

you can yes but it comes down to your self-discipline

[@beanslover5871]

I have a question does it charge for an year or you pay monthly

[@iluum1954]

If you choose monthly you pay every month which ismore expensive and if you pick yearly you pay every year

[@st8kout961]

No matter what plan, the Lifetime will always be the best 'bang for the buck.' You'd be surprised how fast a year goes by for the Annual option, (which is the 2nd best way).

[@hkschannel5826]

Is Piano Marvel not a better option?

[@Gabriel17_GAMING]

The payment is sicure?

[@CindyFily]

Aww man. I know things like these will most likely cost money. I was just expecting for it to have way more free features than simply piano. I know how to play the piano well, I've learned many song. The thing is, I don't know how to read music fluently, I have to write the letters, I thought this could help me, since simply piano didn't helped me. I'm not obsessed with pianos, which is why I don't find paying 20 dollars benefiting for one month. I do love playing songs that I really enjoy though.

[@st8kout961]

The only way to learn to read music is to practice. Just sit down at a keyboard with sheet music and with enough effort, your brain will see a note and your fingers will go to the right key. You're brain will stop thinking, "Oh, that's an A note, so I'll hit the A key." It WILL become automatic eventually. In beginner's school band practice, the teacher would stop every now and then and ask you what note you're playing. They know how just seeing a note on sheet music will make you play a certain note, without even thinking what note it is. (As you advance you won't have a problem naming a note.) I'm using a different program, and they start you off with numbered keys and fingers, so you'll use the correct fingering. I found I had to turn off that option so that I'll learn the name of the note instead of 'playing by numbers.'

[@CindyFily]

@@st8kout961 Yeah, I suppose that would be the only way. When I bought my keyboard a long time ago, it did come with a book. I suppose i gotten take a look at that. I just really liked how interactive piano learning apps work. But if I want to make my future piano songs easier to learn, I really should start knowing how to read music. Thanks.

[@user-hx9ll2ik5m]

Does Flowkey help people learn how to read sheet music?

[@NoahHoi]

Yes, it does.

[@helenlouiseshaar5918]

My keyboard is MIDI, I need a book on how to play, change music around 🤔💀🌹🕶️

[@zeacolley2398]

Can you please do a review of playground sessions?

[@CharlesCleyn]

Planning on looking into playground sessions soon, thanks for the suggestion

[@sallyzheng770]

The problem is I don't know which finger I should use.

[@CharlesCleyn]

use them all!

[@yxb_21]

Thanks

[@CharlesCleyn]

you're welcome, glad to help

[@yiyujia9042]

can flowkey lifetime subscription be used in mobile app as well? Is the lifetime subscription only for web app?

[@Fliegenpilz_Pilz]

You can use it on all devices.

[@fortaleza1960]

I was wondering which app you recommend for classical piano; I have played a long time ago. I would like an app that can correct my mistakes for instance.

[@bluebull399]

Day 1: Play the middle C quavers and rests after me. Day 2:Bumble bee. This will happen, right?

[@kikikat-cu9cy]

😊

[@Bccbb2013]

Flowkey or simply piano?

[@CharlesCleyn]

Would it be helpful if I did a review of that for you?

[@jigglybandito9505]

Most most keyboards have a metronome so it doesn’t matterx

[@LoreCay]

"Flowkey tá sem limites" kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[@dobwalls]

Thanks for the review it hits the spot on Flowkey. Just got my keyboard last week, complete oldie beginner. Thought I would try it out whilst waiting for my Piano Stool to be delivered. Signed up (dont like committing a years subscription just for a trial) and spent the afternoon trying their courses. For me not having any knowledge I agree that things are pushed along too fast. More variable speeds would be better. Also still playing left hand when you want to hear only right hand. Found the whole thing too impersonal so cancelled this morning. Onward and upwards.

[@daniellisy7161]

Got it for thee months for free with the simple beginners EZ-220 for my daughter. Decided to give it a shot as well. Never played piano, can't ever read notes. But initial impression, it a decent tool for me. That said over 300$ for a licence is too much for me.

[@jiacky259]

I was looking at perfect from the start, then he clicked. OMG

[@CharlesCleyn]

A great song!

[@N1ck11]

The best way is to take a private teacher i think, thats what i did.

[@HarrySatchelWhatsThatSmell]

Who the fuck in their right mind would use a piano learning app on their phone? Jezus

[@dtoillion]

SwapFiets spotted

[@chubbyBunny94]

No! Just get Synthesia

[@CharlesCleyn]

What’s that?

[@simpson6700]

alright, the pricing is all i had to see. i couldn't even find it on my own, because the site is utter trash.

[@CharlesCleyn]

ya it’s not very user friendly when it comes to finding the pricing