flowkey review

Flowkey is built around songs. Each piece shows a video of a pianist's hands above scrolling sheet music, so you can see and read the part at the same time, and arrangements are written by professional pianists for every level. The library holds over 1,500 songs from classical to pop. The practice tools are the reason to choose it: Wait Mode listens and pauses until you play the right note, slow motion lowers the tempo, the loop function repeats a tricky bar and you can practice each hand alone. Step-by-step courses cover music theory, chords and sheet music for those who want more than songs. Flowkey says over 15 million people have learned with it, and it partners with Yamaha, giving three months of Premium to buyers of qualifying Yamaha instruments in regions that include the United States. Its weak spots for this list are US price transparency and a less guided path for young children.

Who it is for

Adults who want to learn songs they love at their own pace.

Price

Free to try; flowkey Premium (see vendor pricing, USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Over 1,500 songs in every genre and skill level
• Wait Mode listens and waits for you to hit the right notes
• Video of an expert pianist and sheet music on the same screen
• Slow motion, loop function and separate right and left hand practice
• Courses on music theory, chords and reading sheet music

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Clear split screen of hands and notation
• Strength: Practice tools make hard passages manageable
• Strength: New Yamaha customers in participating regions get 3 months of Premium free
• Weakness: Prices were not shown in USD to us
• Weakness: Less structured for children than Hoffman Academy
• Weakness: Most of the library needs Premium

Key facts

• Songs: Over 1,500
• Users: Over 15 million people, per flowkey
• Free version: Yes, try for free
• Partner: Yamaha, 3 months Premium with qualifying instruments
• Practice tools: Wait Mode, slow motion, loop, select a hand

Where it ranks

flowkey is No. 3 in our Best Online Piano Lessons verdict.