Synthesia product review - Awesome way to learn piano pieces!

[@kevingold1091]

It does record songs now. The feature was added in early 2021.

[@davesax11]

I had stayed away from Synthesia because I thought it was trivial using the falling bars. But then I learned you can show the sheet music as well - and access midi and musicxml files tool. I hunted up a midi version of a Musescore /pdf I was struggling with (Cedar Walton's Fantasy in D) and finally I was making progress!! Thank you thank you thank you and as well to a commenter on Christine's post.

[@PianoManChuck]

I'm sure you're not the only one with these thoughts - thank you for clarifying and perhaps persuading others based on your own experience.

[@PianoSpiceRackwithJim]

I’m thinking of adding this to my KZbin channel. Good points thank you

[@bismarkklu-day4394]

​@@PianoManChuck Thank you for taking the time to make this video.Please with what app do you make the midi files?

[@davivify]

I believe MuseScore will allow you to export to a number of formats including MIDI. If that helps.

[@barryward7633]

I have just brought this software , so begins the journey for this 70 year old man who does repairs for keyboard players but cannot play to save himself, thanks for the review Chuck.

[@Cjash45]

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to piano and was trying to figure out how people use Synthesia. It was surprisingly difficult to find a demo like this. Thanks!

[@Nova-Vita.2024]

I've been at my own house 5 hours earlier, when I posted the previous comment. As a pet sitter I'm doing sleep overs at clients' house, so my keyboard was at their house (Go-KEYS 61) to practice some chords, during my pet sitting. I've followed your instructions, connected the KB, did the set up, as you described, and I'm enjoying my heart out for the past 2 hours, thanks to your great video!! Thanks a lot!! Have a blessed day & week ahead!!

[@wanderdutts4584]

Loved this. I had a piano a few years ago. I struggled to read and play and couldn't seem to get further. This looks really good to get you into it, then get into reading music.

[@SofiaKavvadia]

at first it was just a program... in the last few years it turned out to be a great investment! I really love it!

[@PianoManChuck]

Great to hear!

[@Nova-Vita.2024]

AWESOME!! AWESOME!! AWESOME!! I am SUPER excited to start. Thank you SO MUCH for a very comprehensive yet, easy to understand review. All the best!!

[@Romanplaystation]

Learning the piano kinda terrifies me, but software like this gives me hope. I used to be pretty badass at Guitar Hero. 😍

[@ferrumequus88]

I followed your recommendation and I am pleased to say you are right. I bought the application and I have improved my piano playing greatly. I even bought a KORG Pe 700 to justify my improved playing. Thanks for the video.

[@PianoManChuck]

That's great to hear!!! Thanks for sharing that.

[@ferrumequus88]

@@PianoManChuck You are welcome :)

[@SuperLittleTyke]

I was so impressed with the free/trial version I purchased the unlock code yesterday and now have the full version. I also created a MIDI file with notation software. Just a few bars of a difficult passage. I copied the .mid file to the PC on which I installed Synthesia. Synthesia helped enormously to find the correct keys on the piano. The piece in question has 6 flats and as I'm a lousy sight reader I was getting frustrated. But with Synthesia I learned 4 bars in no time.

[@PianoManChuck]

That's awesome! Its so much easier to see what's going on (bars falling onto the proper keys) rather than reading music notation and translating that in your mind into what Synthesia is doing.

[@1091Floyd21]

Hi, if it's okay I have a question for you. Let's say I have a recording of a little piece of piano playing; is it possible to use synthesia to convert that recording (once in midi form) so that I can visualise it, and from there learn to play it?

[@SuperLittleTyke]

@@1091Floyd21 Once you have a MIDI file of the piece you should be able to do want you want with it. Several months ago I created a small piano piece using Finale Notepad (sadly discontinued), saved it as a MIDI file, then managed to import it into Synthesia. On reflection, after using Synthesia for a few weeks off and on, I found the GUI frustrating to use. It would be much easier to use with standard Windows controls and just reserve the graphics for playing (notes dropping down etc).

[@davidhill5015]

Just bought my first keyboard and this video was very helpful. Thanks

[@PianoManChuck]

Enjoy!

[@MTBIKEXC]

I finally got around to trying this out and it looks like a great learning tool. I didn't even know my Yamaha keyboard could connect to my Mac but it does using a USB to PRINTER cable I had from an old printer I used to have prior to getting a wireless printer. I actually think I'll play longer and get much more accurate than I do playing by myself. Also, it says it can take any midi file which is awesome and best yet, it was only $29. SO GLAD YOU SUGGESTED THIS! Even though I'm a total beginner, I find your channel very helpful and interesting! THANKS! Brad.

[@PianoManChuck]

+TopShots - Thanks for the awesome comment, Brad!!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

That was a really interesting video, thanks. I had heard of Synthesia several years ago, but never looked into it as it seemed more of a toy than serious software. But now the Internet is here and especially KZbin, and KZbin enables people to demonstrate stuff. Watching and listening is often far more informative than reading text. You see, one fundamental mistake I made when I first rejected Synthesia as a contender was that I hadn't realised that the falling notes STOP until you play the right notes. Anyway, this video has fired up my enthusiasm once again to try and resurrect my piano playing which has lapsed for some time. And when Chuck said the price (the video is from 2016, so prices may be different now), I was sold. Hopefully, the software is still available in 2020 and for Windows 7, which is what I use today.

[@thesubgenius1676]

Surprisingly Synthesia works much better on my android tablet than on my PC. I have a pretty good gaming computer but there's always a latency. It's really frustrating. I just bought cable to plug a Yamaha keyboard to Huawei tablet and it works like a charme. No latency at all!! Zero! I've downloaded a bunch of midi files (music from video games and songs from the 80's) and it's really great. You can put your midi files anywhere you want on your tablet and then show Synthesia where your songs are in the options. Let's say you put a song that has many music instruments but you only want to play a specific one, you can hide and or mute all other instruments and only pick the one you want. Finding midi songs is super easy. The best site I found is called bitmidi dot com. They take half a second to download, no questions asked.

[@RichardJoeLeonn]

How much is this?

[@saravinseven]

Fantastic review PianoManChuck. Just acquired the Synythesia game and was a bit lost, but you made my day. Best Regards Shaun.

[@vr_gamers8116]

Great review , I agree 100%, Synthesia is a great piece of software for a beginner like myself, I'm having lots of fun with it.. Keep these great videos coming Chuck.. Thanks. Subbed. A+

[@RobbieRobski]

I actually bought this last year but only just go around to installing it. Thanks for doing this video. You answered a lot of questions I was having.

[@daanthijssen1748]

Can you tell us your experience with Synthesia?

[@Magromancer]

I’m going to be getting this software when I buy my first piano in a few months, I’m planning on buying the Williams Allegro 3 Digital Piano, I believe that’ll work as it has a MIDI port so all I’d need to do is buy a MIDI to USB 2.0 Cable and I’ll be good to go, first song I’m going to learn? River Flows In You 😂

[@Rivodtadin]

I really like your explanations, you make things appear easy to learn. salutation from a moroccan

[@ODWALLA123]

Excellent, Chuck.

[@Maynardjones100]

I came for the review, stayed for the puppy

[@sakurarelaxation9509]

Nice Sharing My Friend！ Good Day my friend！ God bless you！

[@mimihoneywaong8782]

Thank you, it makes want to try this out.

[@danieltheteacher]

Thank you, Chuck. I think I'll finally learn to play the piano. My shopping list: Synthesia Keyboard Laptop 10 minute Sand timer Hmm.. Too bad that I can't play the keyboard in bed. :)

[@jps99]

Bought it, LOVE it!

[@easontiger749]

You convinced me to get this software. thanks.

[@purrpaws7863]

Awesome, in-depth review, thank you so much!!

[@MVi8]

Cool dog on your wallpaper 10/10

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks - that's when she was 6 months old, she's about 9 years old now and still a great old gal!

[@MVi8]

@@PianoManChuck hope this old gal keep enjoying your piano for years and years !!

[@MyKeysToMusic]

Excellent review/tutorial Chuck

[@mitulp.mandalia6123]

Nice explaination. Thank you Sir.

[@AlainGlico]

Very nice video! Thanks a lot 😀

[@1091Floyd21]

Does anyone know how (or if it's possible) to convert a recording of, lets say, piano playing (after it has been converted to MIDI) into visualised form in synthesia? How come there's no tutorial of how to do that online? Isn't that what people really want to do?

[@sickflow_makes]

Great review sir, I played Rocksmith which is a similar concept except with a guitar This has me considering getting and learning a piano.

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

Hi! Great video. Can you use this software as part if your daw, ie to visualize your midi recordings in the daw as it is so much better than a pianoroll. Of course you cannot edit but you could immediately see what you had recorded and add other corresponding takes over it. Any way to integrate ie into Logic? Or do you need to export your midi files seperately?

[@PianoManChuck]

I'm just a reviewer (this review is over 6 years old)! You need to ask the manufacturer at www.synthesiagame.com

[@alteregothehi-qs5774]

@@PianoManChuck thank you Chuck! I tried it in Logic but so far I did not succeed. I have to think it through midi wise. And - thank you - I‘ll contact the procucers. Again, many thanks!

[@IdealViking]

Thanks for explaining this software. You did great!

[@newnewchannel]

Thank you of this video

[@gogreengameon2146]

Does anyone know of a program that will do similar, but also show what the ideal fingers are to use on each key. I know Piano Vision on Meta Quest 3 can do this automatically with your own MIDI songs, and I presume it uses a proper algorithm to tell you the proper fingers/positions to use. Any help would be MASSIVELY appreciated. I'm such a novice. Many thanks.

[@LoveAman333]

Vow ❤❤❤great many thanks 2 u... Can we change the Bg color of synthesia (which is light black by default) Into any color? Pls help bro❤❤❤

[@josephcampo4545]

Hi! I see you have the octaves and scales on your video. I have an unlocked version, but it doesn't seem to include scales...how can I get them?

[@honestmicky]

Excellent video Chuck, thank you, much appreciated : )

[@buuzzsawtouchedme194]

+PianoManChuck, I was looking for a piece of synthesizer software (or app) that I could use for my Keyboard, then I come across your video (I miss read it as synthesizer), and clearly it wasn't what I wanted (or at least to begin with) then I was impressed at how cool this software is. An if anyone is going to convince me to buy it, it's you. An I don't want to sound all soft and mushy, but you have this whole "I wouldn't hurt a fly" vibe to you (by the way that's a good thing).

[@PianoManChuck]

Thanks for that awesome comment - much appreciated!

[@thaddeus1519]

Great review. Thanks! I’m absolute beginner new. Just bought a piano. Do you think it would be more efficient to not turn on the paper music display so I can just focus more on learning movement and acquiring the mechanical ability? With programs like this. I’m struggling to see the value in sheet music.

[@bigbrainisaac2407]

Well imagine this: You have a piano, and someone says "hey, can you play this song". There are two options. You can go "fine give me like half an hour so i can copy off this app" or you can read the sheet music and do it in a couple minutes

[@lshwadchuck5643]

​@@bigbrainisaac2407right, so ten years instead of half an hour. But maybe with actual musicality. I'm with you.

[@bigbrainisaac2407]

@lshwadchuck5643 it doesn't take ten years to learn sheet music though?

[@PanikAttack45]

How do you connect the pc to the keyboard to practice? Also is synthesia free? Does midi work with it?

[@eminemhc5763]

You can connect it through usb cable It's not free , summer sale is going on so I think this is a good time to buy Free version is available with very little features where you can test it before buying Yeah midi does work

[@AbsoulteBaller]

Thank you for sharing!!! great!, I was wondering, does Synthesia has chords library?

[@koonmung4167]

BTW, the support for Synthesia is FANTASTICALLY PROMPT.

[@DoomDilemma]

Yooo that Software looks great cant wait to get a midi panio to pratice midis i want to play

[@nexus-6392]

If you're an amateur as I am (just using Synthesia for fun, practicing and learning songs), then I strongly recommend to to connect your piano keyboard on an android or apple tablet and use the Synthesia app than plugging it on a PC using WIndows. Why? I tried both and there's A LOT of latency on PC. I tried many things and never been able to get rid of that latency. It was really frustrating. And I have a pretty good PC with an i9 9900k CPU.. It doesn't matter.. There was still latency. I then plugged the Yamaha keyboard on a $250 huawei tablet and BOOM! It works great! No latency at all.

[@GeneMaarkr]

The $29 sale price is well worth it... as a beginning piano student at 60, I need easy tools to learn to read and play. Are you going to offer any of your midi files for people to download and play?

[@adiamairi3231]

great video, please i will like to know if using a sound card with the synthesia keyboard connection to your laptop is compulsory... can it work effectively without a soundcard?

[@themusicianzainreacts8976]

Thanks man

[@phildoctor2461]

This is really great! Thank you for sharing.

[@ekasusilo]

Hi Chuck, really appreciate the detail review about Synthesia! I am on a Mac and would like to ask one question. While I am learning with Synthesia, what would be the recommended tool/way of recording my play, so that I can review it later on and play it back with Synthesia?

[@arvindpadhiar3544]

very nice explanation, want to know, I have Casio LK 270 keyboard, how can i plat with software? I am a beginner. thank you.

[@highercallingmusic9240]

Hey Chuck thanks for the video.. Do you know how to get the extended keyboard view on Free play mode?

[@blessedhands1384]

Where did you get the song , pls let me how those but in sons show up

[@MLochMusic]

Hi Chuck. Would you make a Synthesia file to order for myself? Of curse we would agree a fee

[@kwixotic]

I've seen this used by someone who had an acoustic piano along with an iPad. My question then is can the Synthesia import MIDI files? I believe it can so can mp3 files become converted into MIDI files which would then be available to the Synthesia? I ask because even with the 150 songs featured with the pay version, I'm interested in more sophisticated jazz renditions that appear on You Tube.

[@DuyNguyen-lo2mm]

thank you for sharing. Do you know if I could get Roland fp10 to work with this software? The Roland support bluetooth MIDI. Thank you

[@SmilayBros]

This dude is wholesome asf.

[@butchstich]

Thanks Chuck .. Best Synthesia Tutorial I've found ... would you know any way of changing the key for a downloaded midi sequence song ... as I play in a cover band and many of the live versions of a song are tuned 1/2 step down ... as a beginner it will help me a lot

[@PianoManChuck]

That's a great suggestion that you should bring up with the Synthesia folks. In the meantime, learn it in the key your MIDI file is in, then when you play it live, use the Transpose key on your piano keyboard to change it 1/2 step down (most digital pianos have a Transpose key).... so you're essentially playing it in the key you learn it in, but it comes out sounding 1/2 step lower.

[@butchstich]

Thanks so much for the tip I will explore that feature ... this helps a lot ... really enjoy your channel

[@aniaphotouk]

Super helpful video, thank you :)

[@EVENSOAMEN]

Work like a charm!!

[@Ericavolio]

Hello! Thank you very much for this video! I just have one question: do I need to have internet to practice/access something in Synthesia? Because I live in cruise ship and 1 hour of internet here is crazy expensive! 😅 Thank you!

[@PianoManChuck]

No internet connection needed - all you need are the MIDI file(s) you want to play/practice/access.

[@James-ym9sk]

Hello, would you be able to do a tutorial for the title La Bulle by Chilly Gonzales also please? Thanks in advance.

[@Kommentar_Roboter]

thanks mate!

[@acoustic4037]

Chuck I learned a song on yousician with a guitar. Play that 10 or 20 times. 10 seconds later I could not play any of it because I was dependent on seeing the tablature on the screen. I know of many pianist who cannot play a piano without sheet music. How do you learn in such a way that you can play anything you want without having any written music?

[@PianoManChuck]

This should explain it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKqqpYKagaqXnZY

[@spclouisville390]

How Do You Do Falling Notes?

[@epreme0215]

ayee i'm in the same position as you. i have been looking forever to find how to do falling notes on freeplay but i can't find out.

[@spclouisville390]

@@epreme0215 Ye

[@visiontranscend60]

Ok thanks but how,do,we know when holds are a sustain or sostuendo pedal?

[@winstonthepooh9388]

do you NEED a midi keyboard for it to work? i know that it would be much easier with the finger sensoring i guess and all but can it just listen to the keys? is it required is what im saying.

[@nexus-6392]

It doesn't have to be a "midi keyboard". Almost all keyboards come with a midi port behind em. Before buying one, just read the specs and make sure there's a USB-B connection behhind it. You will have to u se a USB type B cable to connect it to your device.

[@antoniop9413]

I've got some professional piano solo midi files I brought from Yamaha musicsoft but unfortunately it doesn't separate the left and right hand . All green notes for both parts . Not sure why

[@PianoManChuck]

Standard MIDI files - like what you bought from Yamaha (or even those I sell) - do NOT have left/right piano parts. Since those are specific only to the Synthesia program, only the MIDI files you purchase directly from Synthesia will do that.

[@antoniop9413]

@@PianoManChuck ok thanks for the info , cheers

[@PianoPoet481]

Is it possible to use a VST Piano?

[@joeyxl3456]

Thanks for this man. This is a good video.

[@diiegopc]

There used to be as an android app game just like this but I don't find it! Someone remember? This was like 10 years ago

[@oussamafr6123]

Please can you tell me how can record the midi song on synthesia with high quality

[@JonnyDarcko]

Thank you!

[@huntsmen805]

if i buy this product, does it only apply to my one device? can it be installed at other device as well?

[@ping3488]

Is it possible to record my song and save it in Synthesia Thanks

[@MsLurkMoar]

any advice for a cheap keyboard without a midi connection? i seem to only have a microphone jack on mine :(

[@imaginemarsh3523]

Do you have a URL I can trust. I want to play Pink Floyd "Breathe" and "Comfortably Numb". Thanks

[@nukavfx5362]

Pink floyd = breathe, george floyd = i cant breathe

[@MTBIKEXC]

Great info. Was just looking at it and selected their songs list and only two are free? Rest you have to pay for? Looks perfect, especially the stopping till you hit the right notes. Thanks.

[@PianoManChuck]

+TopShots It comes with 177 built-in free songs! The others on their website are up for purchase.

[@MTBIKEXC]

+PianoManChuck Sweet! Thank you!

[@SuperLittleTyke]

It's this stopping until one plays the right notes that is the genius aspect of this software.

[@symphonyoftheday5519]

Does it have a chord library?

[@moniiqueRC]

I am having a problem while playing the lowest and highest note on the keyboard. computer picks up the model tho but NOT the keys played. Do I need to do set it up in other place than music device input?

[@PianoManChuck]

Please post technical questions at www.synthesiagame.com/support

[@lesaviez-vous1459]

Great video thks !

[@TimE_5150]

Great resource Chuck, I bought it for my niece, it was and still is on sale for $29.00. Let us know what cool things you saw at NAMM when you get the chance. Be well my friend!

[@PianoManChuck]

+Tim E Excellent! I didn't mention the sale price because the sale will likely end many years before this video does (instantly rendering the video out-dated). Glad you mentioned it though, so others can see it!

[@trojanx7723]

Is the a software like this that lets you load a midi file in and it auto teachers u like this ?

[@jump_in_the_cadillac3158]

How do i do it that way?

[@Empare1]

I just got an ad with the same app

[@admilsonmarques]

Awesome! I was trying to figure out what was the software I was seeing all over youtube :P

[@Polkhero]

Pretty neat, great video presentation. Can you print off the score notation for each song? I was looking on their song list and was wondering how accurate some of the piano accompaniments were to popular rock and pop stuff. Can you verify the accuracy to say "You're So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker?

[@Brentvl]

Does a yamaha p125 work with the application ?

[@a_francis818]

Does synthesia have finger hints for each song?

[@PianoManChuck]

No.

[@2phalanges]

i have a song that a youtuber plays and i love his arrangements now can i some how drag that song i download into this software and it will operate normal? or how do i go about doing that? thanks!

[@PianoManChuck]

This player ONLY works with MIDI files. Call the performer and see if s/he has a MIDI file of their performance.

[@divisionconspiracyunificat2555]

I have watched this video several times because I have been looking at getting Synthesia to help speed up learning to play the piano. (I already play the guitar.) Based on watching one of your other videos, I recently purchased the Casio CGP-700; which I love. In recently downloaded the trial version of Synthesai and I have not been able to get Synthesia to work on my CGP-700. My question is, will Synthesia work with the CGP-700. The manual stated that the driver would be downloaded automatically but it wasn't so I went to Casio and downloaded the driver and it still doesn't work. Hopefully either you or one of your viewers can tell me what I am doing wrong. Thanks in advance.

[@rosswarga8240]

Go to Settings and then Music Devices. Under Music Input the Casio should appear and make sure that it is enabled.

[@divisionconspiracyunificat2555]

@@rosswarga8240 Thanks. When I started it the second time, everything came up like it was supposed to and it now works.

[@alpay389]

I have yamaha psr e 443 keyboard. It has 61 keys. Would it work with it?

[@Jeffery99]

Joke R yes it works with any keyboard with a Midi/USB port

[@oussamafr6123]

@@Jeffery99 please can tell how can i record the song of synthesia with high quality? I wish an answer

[@stapler942]

Anyone know the best way to go about getting Synthesia (or a Synthesia-like program) on Linux? I have come across an old one called Linthesia which seems to be based on an earlier source but I haven't tried to build it.

[@marlontolentino294]

Amizeng vidoe bro

[@sambarisaiteja749]

How to upload mp3 into synthesia...?

[@jlowrie33]

What these video games lessons seem to fail to do is show what chords are being played while showing you the notes. You could make way more sense if they were displayed like guitar chords.

[@piotrgrzeszczuk3361]

Is it possible to find a similar free app to this?

[@itaidiamant1693]

how do i transport song to synthesia?

[@jimsanders3465]

why are the bars falling different sizes? some of the bars are small and some are long

[@PianoManChuck]

Length of bar represents the length of time a key is held.