Flowkey Review – The Definitive Review
If you are searching for an effective online piano course, you are going to enjoy this review.
I suggest you take a look at what Flowkey has to offer.
You will find Flowkey very user-friendly and fun.
In this review, I will show you in details everything you need to know about this piano program.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in:
Flowkey Review Summary
Product: Flowkey
Description: This is a complete online piano program developed by a professional music educational team based in Berlin, Germany. The entire program is English-based, more suited for English speakers, and includes curriculum for piano students of all levels.
Price: $9.99 ~ 19.99 per month
Best for: Beginners and Intermediate students
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Recommended: Yes and No…
Table of Content
Simple, Easy-to-Use Learning Platform
Sometimes we get overwhelmed by online piano learning sites, not necessarily because there are too much materials, but mainly because the sites are poorly designed.
That’s totally not the case here.
The first thing I noticed about Flowkey is how nice their site looks.
It’s very neatly designed that gives you a very fresh feeling.
The platform looks very simple and user-friendly:
The fact that the learning site is simple and easy-to-use does not mean the content and curriculum are inadequate – far from it!
Flowkey has a great curriculum and rich content for students of all levels.
Now, let’s get back to how easy it is to use the platform.
First, Choose Your Level…
Once you get on the site, the first thing you do is choose your level on the very top. Simple enough.
After you choose your level, you choose the genre or style of music you are interested in.
At Flowkey, there are a variety of genres and styles of piano music you can choose to start with – pop, classical, film, video game music, R & B, Jazz, Rock, etc.
You can even choose the music according to moods – happy, melancholy, energetic, romantic, mellow, and many others.
The categories are very well-divided that make it easy for the user to choose.
Songs or Lessons…That is the Question!
After you have chosen your level and genre, you are almost ready to start your lessons.
You will get a big list of the most-popular songs you can scroll down on to pick your songs.
For people who don’t like to start with a formal curriculum, this is a good place to start.
However, if you’re more of an old-fashioned student like me who needs a well-structured and more focused curriculum, Flowkey’s got you covered as well.
Flowkey has a variety of piano courses you can choose from that takes you step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson in the area of piano playing you would like to improve in.
Impressed?
I haven’t enough shown you the best parts of Flowkey.
Awesome Features for You to Learn Piano
Now, I want to show you in detail what the lessons are like, and you are going to love it!
I always loved the piano and have tried several online piano courses.
But I’ve noticed one problem for the video lessons for piano – it’s hard to see what keys the teacher is playing, because the finger movement are just too subtle and fast.
When I was going through the video lessons on Flowkey, I saw a feature that I’ve always wanted to see from an online piano course:
You see the exact notes that the teachers are playing on the screen – all the keys being played are highlighted with color.
I really appreciate this.
Flowkey has done a good job fulfilling a need for online piano students.
Also, you can see the basic structure of the lesson – you get to see visually how the song is being played and the interactive virtual sheet music at the bottom.
This is just one of the many user-friendly features for the Flowkey lessons.
There are so much more.
Slow motion
If the song is too fast for you in the beginning, you can select slow motion to practice the song.
The video and virtual sheet music will slow down simultaneously without any audible distortion.
The more I look at it, the more I love it at Flowkey!
Loop function
You can highlight a section of the music to practice as a loop for as many times are you want until you totally master it. This is pretty basic feature of online piano courses.
The best is yet to come.
Select a Hand
If you’re like me and feel that the piano can be too complicated, too many keys being played at the same time, don’t worry, they really break things down for you at Flowkey.
Not only can you select slow motion, you can also select which hand to focus on. The hand that you selected with be highlighted for you to better learned the piece with separate hands.
From my experience with learning the piano, practicing with separate hands is extremely important if you want to master the piece. This feature is definitely great for students to build a solid foundation for playing the piano.
Wait Mode
This is my favorite feature at Flowkey – the Wait Mode!
As the name suggests, the video and virtual music will wait for you to play each note.
You don’t even have to connect your computer to a midi. Flowkey will detect each note you’re playing and give you feedback along the way.
So when I say they break things down for you, they really break it down to the last bit.
How better can it get?
So…How Much Does it Cost?
One of the best things about online piano courses is saving big bucks on piano lessons.
If you’re busy like me and don’t have too much extra money to spend on music lessons, consider giving Flowkey a try. The price is most affordable and only a tiny fraction of traditional piano lessons.
If you love the piano like me but never really have a chance to develop the skill, I suggest you invest in yourself with a great program like this.
If you’re worried about the price, let me tell you, the price cannot get lower than this. If you found one that’s cheaper, I suggest you check the quality of the course.
At last, we have a higher success rate if we pay a price for learning.
Trust me, if it’s free or dirt cheap, you will not benefit a fit from it, because you will not appreciate it and will just treat it like crap. That’s just human nature!
If you have desired to learn the piano for the longest time, give Flowkey a try. And you can try it out for free.
What I Don’t like about Flowkey
For every review I make, I try to look at both the positive and negative sides to make this a balanced review.
However, it’s going to hard for this one, because I love almost everything about Flowkey.
It’s easy to use, very user-friendly, awesome features, very extensive curriculum, cool web design, and on and on.
I guess if I have to come up with something negative, the only one I can think of is the lack of a real teacher to give you personal feedback.
If that is something you are looking for – more personal instruction, I suggest you check out my review on another awesome piano course – Popular Piano by Hugh Sung.
My Final Conclusion
I can’t help but give Flowkey one of the highest ratings I have ever given on an online piano course.
If you are looking for an online piano course that is going to give you the best user-experience, I highly suggest you try Flowkey. You can try it for free right now!
I think user-experience is extremely important, because if you like what you see, you are going to stick with it. You will have faith in the program and, in the end, you are going to be most effective in your piano learning.
If you have any questions or anything you would like to discuss, comment below and I’ll be happy to discuss with you.
Your pal,
Rex
I have to say, I just love the name of your site. It’s very funny and different.
I read a review yesterday that has a lot of the same points you made. I think it was this one: https://instrumentalglobal.com/flowkey-review/
They mention most of the points you said like the site layout etc being really nice and amount of songs you can learn etc. It seems to have a lot of songs that always get updated and seem to be easy to follow (once you know the basics)
However, the lessons that Flowkey offer; would I be able to learn piano with Flowkey or would I need to get lessons as well? Instrumental Global’s review said they are quiet basic and I don’t want to go ahead and spend my money on something that I can’t even play.
One major con they also mentioned but you didn’t was the price? Do you think it’s really good value? I think I need to try it to really know for myself.
I did come across one course called “Piano for All’ that offers a one off fee, but I don’t think it offers the same quality as Flowkey. Have you heard of Piano for all? If you have, which would you recommend? Flowkey or Piano For All?
I have been searching and trying a lot of sites/services/apps, with Piano/Keyboard lessons-and-songs – for my children age 12.
Flowkey has a lot to offer.
Like a few others, IT LACKS ensemble / orcestra-sounds … the “depth and rhytm” that this addition gives, is for me and my children important.
Without other instruments, the Piano-lessons inside Flowkey, becomes rather boring and “much the same … notes being played in a different way” …
I know it sounds silly – but, my children (and I) really miss for instance the “depth inside each song/melody”, that for instance Simply-Piano offers!!
(You don’t seem to notice that “lack”)
Indeed Jan.
It looks like Mr. rex didn’t notice a lot of other “lacks”, and this makes me strongly puzzled regarding how “unbiased” this review can be.
What about the scarce curriculum, not even listed in the correct execution order?
What about the impossibility to even just read, let’s forget print, the whole sheet? How are you hoping to become able to read a proper printed sheet?
What about monitoring errors in the note duration? Will it capture?
and I could go on…
It definitely has an extremely appealing interface (likely the best) but, under the hood, will it be the one which will make me improve the most in a given amount of time?
Will it give me the best foundation?
I’m (maybe now was) an absolute (and mature) beginner, and before to choose I tried almost all the currently available apps. Each of them has pros and cons, but Flowkey is amongst the ones I stopped using earlier, when I assessed its potential benefit to my journey.
Maybe (likely) it’s just me…
Lucio,
Thanks for your comments! I’m sure like any other programs, this one can be improved as well.
I really like the interface because it’s very user-friendly. But, if you don’t like it, there surely are a lot of other choices.
Whatever works best for you, Man!
Rex
Rex,
Thank you for putting so much work into your reviews. I first saw an ad on Facebook for another online piano lesson app. And then I was directed to this review by you.
My whole life I have been interested in playing music of which I did for a few years back in the mid 70s and 80s in a weekend band. Had a lot of fun playing bass guitar but I never really learned how to read music. Over the past two years I have started to learn piano, but I’m not real happy with the program I’m working with. Because I’m 64 years old I’m not really interested in all the theory and information I should have learned years ago. I just want to learn how to play songs for myself and for my family. I really enjoy singing and one question that I have, is there a difference in the way a person needs to learn the piano if they’re just playing rhythm and some fill in licks on the right hand between vocals? That is really what I’m looking for in lessons.
Thank you again and I look forward to your response.
Tom
Tom,
Sorry for this late reply! I’m on a singing tour in the US. I think you are looking for a contemporary approach to playing the piano. My top recommendation is Jermaine Griggs piano program.
Classical training trains you to learn to play by note, whereas contemporary training teaches you to play by chords.
Rex
It really hurts your credibility if you push Flowkey so hard on your site and than slab a big fat afiliate link (http://www.flowkey.com/?utm_campaign=aff_bathroomsinging&utm_source=website&utm_medium=general) on it… can’t take any of your reviews serious now 🙁
Rainer,
Thanks for your critique on my reviews! I recommend Flowkey because I like it the most out of all the piano programs I have looked at. I became an affiliate, of course, and I take no shame in that.
I try to be as honest as I can in my reviews, because people are not stupid. If you think having a top recommended product hurts my credibility, you don’t have to read my posts. It’s for people who are seeking information and opinions on music products for them to make their own purchasing decisions.
Wish you all the best in your music pursuit,
Rex
I was considering flowkey. One concern I have is. Since the pianists hands are shown. I get into a habit of cheating by looking at what key it is. So I’m not really learning to play. Im only memorizing keys and playing it back. Is that a concern? Or is that how I’m going to learn?
Previous experience is synthesia on YouTube and copying tutorials. With no theory behind anything
Joe,
Looking at the keyboard while you play is not a sin, especially if you are a beginner. It is actually encouraged by some piano schools. I have to look at the keyboard when I play as well.
Rex
Hello,
I am looking to purchase an electric piano, beginner, very small condo, that has a quality feel and sound, interactive. What would you recommend?
Thank you,
Rita
Rita,
Sorry, that is not my expertise.
Rex
Hello Rex,
I’ve been reading a few review sites and studying a list of half a dozen or so piano apps. Am leaning towards flowkey, but had a feature question. I have noticed this feature elsewhere, talked about explicitly with some piano app product youtube videos. The feature is the ability to have a separate account or profile for two different players in your household. Becuase I want to use the app along with my seven-year-old son, and his needs and interests will be quite different from my own.
Do you if/how flowkey accomodates this?
Thanks -Rob
Rob,
I don’t think they can customize progress and interest for 2 different users.
Rex
Dear Rex,
Thank you very much for all your reviews regarding the learning piano apps.
After reading several reviews, watching videos and trying a few of the apps in the trial offers, I decided Flowkey to be the one that fits my current needs as a beginner.
I would like to mention that Yamaha and Flowkey have engaged in a promotion that grants three months of free Premium Flowkey when you purchase a new Yamaha Piano. I believe it might be available to other makers, but I am not sure. Therefore, I was able to get the three months Premium access with a new piano.
I trust my decision and appreciate your input regarding the apps.
All the best and thank you,
Eduardo
Eduardo,
Thanks for your wonderful comment and input! Best wishes to your piano training!
Rex
Hi Rex,
Sorry I have to disagree with you. I have tried both Flowkey and Playground Sessions and I hate Flowkey. Why? 1. The choppy poor interface. The constant need to take your hand off the keyboard and click to advance or repeat parts of a song drives me absolutely nuts. I also dislike the way they feed you only one or two bars of the song at a time so you can’t see ahead. It is ironic they call it Flowkey when it doesn’t flow smoothly at all. The courses are out of order and jump too abruptly from beginner to intermediate. I received three free months when I bought my Yamaha piano. I will not be renewing the subscription. I subscribed to and I am still testing Playground Sessions. So far it is much easier to use and more fun than Flowkey.
Bernie
Bernie,
That’s interesting! I didn’t have that problem when I was using it. Go with whatever works best for you!
Best of luck to your piano learning!
Rex
i totally agree! got flowkey free with my yamaha 645 and didnt like it at all.
Hi Rex,
Thanks a lot for this complete review.
I wanted to ask if you have tried Piano Marvel and if so, what do you think about it to learn piano and gain a solid foundation.
Thanks!
Alberto
Alberto,
Sorry, I haven’t tried Piano Marvel yet.
Rex
piano marvel is fun for beginners….
Linda,
Thanks for your recommendation!
We all have our preferences. You just have choose what works for you.
Rex
Their interactive course software doesn’t function too well at times, sometimes failing to recognise notes played. Also I would add that you cannot use headphones when using the interactive parts of the course as the software relies on recognising sound waves from the keyboard. But generally a very good course especially for students new to piano.
Ian,
Thanks for your input! I think the environment you’re in and the devices you use while practicing on Flowkey also makes a difference to the overall user experience.
Rex
I have taken lessons for nine years. Hated all the classical music, plus, if I don’t have the music, I can’t play by ear. I want to be able to sit at a piano and just play for my enjoyment. Any recommendations?
Blenda,
Check out Jermaine Griggs’s courses. It is great training for playing by ear.
Rex
Having tried both Flowkey and then Playground, I found Playground a lot better as a beginner.
I was having a lot of fun learning with Flowkey until I got to intermediate and then the difficulty jumped off a cliff, to where I just wasn’t able to progress beyond a point even after about 20 practice hours on a single lesson with no improvement (or maybe that’s my clue piano isn’t for me). Playground, at least, is ramping the difficulty at a less insane rate for me. I do agree the quality of instruction in Playground seems lacking in comparison.
Paul,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us! These are great comparison info between the two courses.
Rex