Pianote and Piano Marvel Review - Learning Piano Online as an Adult

Summary

In this video, an adult piano learner shares their journey of using various online platforms to improve their skills. The video reviews platforms like Playground Sessions, Piano Marvel, and Piano, discussing the pros and cons of each, including their focus on sheet music, music theory, and creative play. The creator reflects on how each platform shaped their understanding of music and helped them progress from a beginner to a more confident player. The video offers valuable insights for adult learners, emphasizing the importance of understanding music theory and finding a learning method that suits one's personal goals.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is an adult piano learner who has used multiple online platforms and shares their experiences to help others make informed choices.
• 🎮 The speaker’s initial goal was to play video game music like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger, and to learn how to read sheet music.
• 🎹 There are two main types of piano learning platforms: app-based (which tracks your playing) and video-based (focused on theory and lessons).
• 🎶 The speaker’s first experience was with Playground Sessions, but they stopped using it due to its focus on finger numbering, which hindered learning to read sheet music.
• 🔄 The speaker then switched to Piano Marvel, which helped with reading sheet music and offered some technique-based lessons, but felt it lacked a deeper understanding of music theory.
• 🎓 Piano Marvel's main issue was that it expected users to have a teacher to fully understand the theory behind the music, leading to feelings of self-doubt.
• 🎥 After researching other platforms, the speaker joined Piano, a video-based platform focused on teaching music theory, chord progressions, and creative expression rather than just song repetition.
• 💡 Piano’s approach made the speaker more confident in improvisation and understanding the structure of music, not just learning songs.
• 📚 Piano offers lessons from enthusiastic teachers, with an emphasis on music theory and understanding why music is put together the way it is.
• 🎵 While Piano’s supplementary content felt like basic YouTube tutorials, the main method was in-depth, and the platform excels in teaching music theory and encouraging creative play.
• 👥 Piano’s community is active, with responsive teachers and students, fostering an environment of interaction and support.
• 📉 After completing the method, the speaker felt that the remaining material did not offer enough depth for the price, especially compared to the structured method offered at the start.

Q & A

What was your main goal when you started learning piano as an adult?

My main goal was to learn to play video game music, specifically from series like Final Fantasy and Chrono Trigger. I also wanted to feel more confident reading sheet music and improve my overall piano skills.

Why did you choose to start with Playground Sessions?

I chose Playground Sessions because it’s a well-known platform with clear instructional videos and feedback. It seemed like a good place to begin, especially for beginners, as it offers a structured learning environment.

What did you like about Playground Sessions, and what did you find limiting?

Playground Sessions was polished and provided helpful feedback, which made it easier for me to track progress. However, I found the finger numbering on sheet music to be distracting and felt it hindered my ability to learn actual music reading and theory.

Why did you decide to move on from Playground Sessions?

I decided to move on because the platform didn’t align with my goal of understanding music theory and reading sheet music. The method relied too heavily on finger numbering and playing along, which didn’t help me develop deeper musical knowledge.

What were the strengths of Piano Marvel that made you stick with it for several months?

Piano Marvel had a very well-structured learning path, with a clear focus on reading sheet music and building technique. I appreciated its systematic approach, which helped me make steady progress over several months.

What limitations did you encounter with Piano Marvel?

The main limitation was that Piano Marvel didn’t provide enough in-depth music theory. It often felt like the platform expected you to have a teacher, and it didn’t offer much beyond the basic structure for learning songs and technique.

What did you find particularly useful about the Piano (Muzora) platform?

Piano (Muzora) was great for teaching me the 'why' behind the music. The platform focused on music theory, chord progressions, and gave me the ability to play creatively, which boosted my confidence and understanding of music.

What made you leave the Piano (Muzora) platform after finishing the core content?

After completing the core lessons, I found the additional courses to be too basic or not as relevant to my learning needs. The content didn’t offer enough new material or advanced concepts to keep me engaged or continue my progress.

What is your advice for adult learners who are overwhelmed by the number of piano learning platforms available?

My advice is to start with a platform that provides structured lessons and feedback, such as Playground Sessions or Piano Marvel. Once you’re comfortable with the basics, seek platforms that teach you music theory and creative expression. It’s okay to switch platforms as your learning style and needs evolve.

How did your learning experience change as you progressed through these platforms?

As I advanced, I shifted from simply learning songs to understanding the underlying theory behind the music. Initially, I relied on platforms that gave immediate feedback, but over time, I wanted to understand how music worked and how to apply that knowledge creatively.