The main difference between Pianoforall and Flowkey is that Pianoforall is a comprehensive, one-time purchase course focused on a chord-based methodology to teach you how to play by ear and improvise, while Flowkey is a subscription-based app that uses interactive technology and a vast song library to teach you specific songs and fundamental skills.

What is Pianoforall and What is Flowkey?

Pianoforall is a complete piano course designed by instructor Robin Hall, delivered as a series of downloadable e-books that contain embedded video and audio lessons. Its core teaching philosophy revolves around learning chords and rhythms first, allowing students to start playing popular-sounding music almost immediately. This approach aims to build a strong foundation in understanding the structure of music, which facilitates playing by ear, improvisation, and composition. The entire course is available for a single, one-time payment, granting lifetime access to all materials and future updates without any recurring fees.

Flowkey, in contrast, is a modern, app-based learning platform available on web browsers, tablets, and smartphones. It operates on a subscription model, offering monthly or yearly access to its features. Flowkey’s primary strength is its massive, constantly updated library of songs across various genres and difficulty levels. It uses interactive technology, connecting to your digital piano via MIDI or using your device’s microphone to provide real-time feedback on your playing. It guides you through songs note by note, with features like ‘Wait Mode,’ which pauses the music until you play the correct note, making it an excellent tool for visual learners who are motivated by learning to play their favorite songs.

Key differences between Pianoforall and Flowkey

1. Core Methodology: Pianoforall teaches a chord-based, ‘play by ear’ method, focusing on rhythms and improvisation from the start. Flowkey primarily teaches through note recognition and sight-reading within the context of specific songs.
2. Payment Structure: Pianoforall is a one-time purchase for lifetime access to the entire course. Flowkey is a recurring subscription service, requiring ongoing monthly or annual payments to maintain full access.
3. Platform and Delivery: Pianoforall consists of downloadable e-books with embedded video/audio that you own and can use offline permanently. Flowkey is a web and mobile application that requires an active internet connection for most features and is accessed through their platform.
4. Interactive Feedback: Flowkey offers real-time feedback by listening to your playing via microphone or a MIDI connection, correcting you as you go. Pianoforall’s interactivity comes from its embedded media, but it does not ‘listen’ or provide automated feedback on your performance.
5. Learning Focus: The primary goal of Pianoforall is to teach you the underlying structure of music so you can play any song, improvise, and compose. The primary goal of Flowkey is to teach you how to play specific songs from its extensive library.
6. Content Library: Flowkey’s main asset is its huge, ever-growing library of popular and classical songs. Pianoforall’s content is a finite, structured curriculum of 10 books covering different styles like blues, jazz, and pop.
7. Offline Accessibility: Once downloaded, Pianoforall is 100% accessible offline. Flowkey requires an internet connection to browse the song library and access most features, although premium users can save a limited number of lessons for offline use.
8. Improvisation and Composition: Pianoforall places a very strong emphasis on teaching students how to improvise and create their own music from the very beginning. This is not a primary focus for Flowkey, which is more geared toward accurate song replication.
9. Ideal Learner: Pianoforall is ideal for adult learners who want to understand music theory practically and sound like a pro quickly. Flowkey appeals to learners of all ages who are motivated by a game-like interface and the goal of playing specific, recognizable tunes.

More info at Pianoforall

Key similarities between Pianoforall and Flowkey

1. Beginner-Friendly: Both platforms are exceptionally well-suited for absolute beginners, providing a structured path to start learning the piano from scratch.
2. Use of Video Instruction: A core component of both courses is high-quality video. Pianoforall uses embedded videos of the instructor playing, while Flowkey uses overhead video of a real pianist synchronized with the sheet music.
3. Focus on Popular Music: Neither program restricts students to classical music. Both heavily feature lessons and songs from pop, rock, and other contemporary genres to keep learning engaging.
4. Self-Paced Learning: Both Pianoforall and Flowkey allow students to learn entirely at their own pace, revisiting lessons or songs as many times as needed without the pressure of a live instructor.
5. Digital Format: Both are modern, digital solutions to piano education, eliminating the need for physical books or in-person lessons and making learning accessible from home.
6. Compatibility with Digital Pianos: While usable with acoustic pianos, both platforms are optimized for use with digital pianos and MIDI keyboards, which is essential for Flowkey’s feedback feature.
7. Provide Foundational Skills: Despite their different approaches, both courses ultimately teach fundamental skills such as note names, keyboard geography, and basic posture and hand position.

Features of Pianoforall vs Flowkey

1. Core Learning Methodology: Pianoforall utilizes a chord-first approach, teaching students rhythmic patterns and chord progressions to facilitate playing by ear and improvisation. In contrast, Flowkey employs a song-based, note-recognition approach, focusing on teaching students to read sheet music and accurately replicate specific songs.
2. Feedback System: Pianoforall provides no automated feedback; students must self-assess their playing by listening to the embedded audio/video examples. Flowkey offers an advanced interactive feedback system, using a device’s microphone or a MIDI connection to listen to the user’s playing and provide real-time correction.
3. Content Library: Pianoforall’s content is a finite, structured curriculum of 10 e-books covering fundamental skills and various musical styles. Flowkey’s main feature is a vast, ever-expanding library of thousands of individual song tutorials across a wide array of genres and difficulty levels.
4. Cost Structure: Pianoforall is available for a single, one-time purchase that grants lifetime ownership and access to all materials and future updates. Flowkey operates on a recurring subscription model, requiring ongoing monthly or annual payments to maintain access to its premium features.
5. Platform & Delivery: Pianoforall is delivered as a set of downloadable e-books (PDFs) with embedded media, which can be used entirely offline. Flowkey is a cloud-based service accessed via a web browser or dedicated mobile/tablet apps, requiring an internet connection for most functions.
6. Focus on Creativity: Pianoforall places a heavy emphasis on fostering creativity, with dedicated lessons on improvisation, composition, and creating your own melodies. Flowkey’s primary focus is on accurate reproduction of existing musical pieces, with less emphasis on creative skills.
7. User Interface: The Pianoforall interface is the layout of its PDF e-books—functional and straightforward but static. The Flowkey interface is a modern, dynamic, and interactive app with animated elements, progress tracking, and a polished, game-like design.
8. Learning Path: Pianoforall presents a highly structured, linear learning path where each of the 10 books builds upon the knowledge of the previous one. Flowkey offers both structured introductory courses and a non-linear, library-based approach where users can freely choose any song they wish to learn at any time.

Link to Pianoforall home

Pros of Pianoforall Over Flowkey

1. Superior Cost-Effectiveness: Pianoforall is offered for a single, one-time payment that grants lifetime access. This is significantly more economical over time compared to Flowkey’s recurring monthly or annual subscription fees, which can become costly for long-term learners.
2. Focus on Musical Understanding and Creativity: The curriculum is fundamentally designed to teach you the ‘why’ behind the music. By focusing on chords, rhythms, and patterns, it equips students with the skills to play by ear, improvise, and even compose their own pieces, fostering a deeper musical intuition.
3. Complete Offline Accessibility: Once the e-books and associated media are downloaded, the entire course is available offline. This provides unparalleled flexibility, allowing students to learn anywhere, anytime, without dependence on an internet connection.
4. Rapid Progression to Sounding ‘Good’: The chord-based method allows beginners to play rhythmically complex and full-sounding music very quickly. This can be highly motivating compared to the slower, note-by-note approach of learning simple melodies.
5. Comprehensive, Structured Curriculum: Pianoforall is a complete, self-contained course that takes a student from an absolute beginner to an advanced level in a logical, step-by-step progression through its ten distinct books, each building upon the last.
6. Teaches Stylistic Versatility: The course dedicates entire sections to specific genres like Blues, Jazz, Ballads, and Ragtime. It teaches the unique rhythms, chord voicings, and techniques characteristic of each style, creating a more well-rounded musician.
7. Lifetime Ownership and Updates: The one-time purchase not only gives you the course materials to keep forever but also includes any future updates and additions to the curriculum at no extra charge.

Cons of Pianoforall Compared to Flowkey

1. No Interactive Feedback Mechanism: Pianoforall does not use a microphone or MIDI connection to listen to your playing. This means it cannot provide real-time correction for wrong notes or timing errors, requiring the student to be more diligent in self-assessment.
2. Dated User Interface: The course is delivered via downloadable PDF e-books. While highly functional, this format lacks the modern, sleek, and gamified interface of an app like Flowkey, which some users may find less engaging.
3. Limited Built-In Song Library: While it teaches you the skills to play thousands of songs, it does not provide a searchable, built-in library of popular song tutorials. Students must apply the learned concepts to find and play songs on their own.
4. Less Emphasis on Traditional Sight-Reading: The core methodology prioritizes chords and playing by ear. While sight-reading is addressed, it is not the primary focus, which may be a disadvantage for students whose main goal is to become proficient classical sight-readers.
5. Requires Greater Self-Discipline: Without the app guiding you note-by-note or tracking your progress, the onus is on the student to stay motivated, practice consistently, and actively apply the lessons from the books.
6. No Dedicated Mobile App: The e-book format is best suited for a computer or tablet screen. It lacks the convenience and optimized user experience of a dedicated smartphone app for learning on the go.

Pros of Flowkey Over Pianoforall

1. Instantaneous Interactive Feedback: Flowkey’s standout feature is its ability to listen to your playing via MIDI or microphone and provide real-time feedback. It highlights correct and incorrect notes, which is exceptionally effective for improving accuracy and timing.
2. Vast and Current Song Library: The platform offers a massive, continuously expanding library with thousands of songs across nearly every genre, from classical masterpieces to the latest pop hits. This keeps learning fresh and highly motivating.
3. Modern and Engaging Interface: Flowkey’s app is beautifully designed, intuitive, and user-friendly. Its game-like elements, progress tracking, and clean visual layout make the learning experience enjoyable and compelling.
4. Flexible Learning Tools: Features like ‘Wait Mode,’ which pauses the music until you play the correct note, and the ability to slow down the tempo or practice with one hand at a time, provide a customized and supportive learning environment.
5. Strong Emphasis on Note Reading: By synchronizing a moving cursor on the sheet music with a video of the performance, Flowkey naturally strengthens a student’s note recognition and sight-reading skills in a practical, song-based context.
6. Seamless Multi-Platform Experience: The service is available as a polished app on smartphones and tablets (iOS/Android) as well as through a web browser, with progress synced across all devices for ultimate convenience.
7. Excellent for Visual Learners: The combination of scrolling sheet music, an animated keyboard, and an overhead video of a professional’s hands playing the piece caters perfectly to those who learn best by watching and mimicking.
8. Structured Foundational Courses: Beyond its song library, Flowkey provides a series of structured courses covering music theory, sight-reading, scales, and chords, offering a guided path for beginners to learn the fundamentals.

Cons of Flowkey Compared to Pianoforall

1. Recurring Subscription Cost: The primary drawback is the subscription model. Over months and years, the cumulative cost of Flowkey will far exceed the one-time purchase price of Pianoforall, making it a more expensive long-term option.
2. Limited Emphasis on Improvisation: Flowkey excels at teaching you how to replicate existing songs accurately but does not focus on teaching the theory and techniques needed to improvise, create your own melodies, or play by ear.
3. Potential for ‘App-Dependence’: Learners can become reliant on the visual aids and note-for-note guidance. This can make it challenging to transition to playing from traditional sheet music or to figure out a song without the app’s

hand, and makes it difficult to play without the app’s visual cues.

4. Internet Dependency: To access the full song library and most core features, a stable internet connection is required. This limits its usability in offline environments, unlike Pianoforall, which is fully functional offline once downloaded.
5. Less Comprehensive Genre Deep Dives: While its library is vast, Flowkey teaches songs on an individual basis. It doesn’t have dedicated, in-depth modules like Pianoforall that are designed to teach the fundamental rhythms, voicings, and improvisational techniques of specific genres like blues or jazz.

Situations when Pianoforall is Better than Flowkey

1. You are on a strict budget: If you prefer a single, affordable, one-time payment for a lifetime of access, Pianoforall is the clear winner. It eliminates the financial pressure of a recurring subscription, making it a more economical choice for long-term learning.
2. Your primary goal is to improvise and compose: Pianoforall is built from the ground up to teach you the language of music through chords and rhythms. This methodology is specifically designed to empower you to create your own music, improvise over chord progressions, and understand music on a structural level.
3. You want to play in a band or accompany singers: The chord-based skills taught in Pianoforall are directly applicable to real-world performance scenarios. You will learn how to read chord charts, create your own arrangements, and play accompaniment in various styles, which is essential for collaborative musicians.
4. You need reliable offline access: If you have an inconsistent internet connection or wish to practice while traveling or in locations without Wi-Fi, Pianoforall is the superior option. Once downloaded, the entire course is available on your device at any time.
5. You are an adult learner who wants to sound professional quickly: The course is tailored to help students play full, rich-sounding arrangements almost immediately. This can be incredibly motivating for adults who want to move beyond simple melodies and play music that sounds impressive in a short amount of time.
6. You want to understand the ‘why’ behind the music: If you are more interested in learning music theory in a practical, applicable way rather than just replicating notes on a page, Pianoforall’s approach provides a deeper understanding of how songs are constructed.
7. You prefer a structured, book-like curriculum: For learners who appreciate a linear, progressive learning path laid out in distinct chapters (books), Pianoforall’s format is ideal. It guides you from one concept to the next in a logical and comprehensive sequence.

Situations when Flowkey is Better than Pianoforall

1. You are motivated by learning specific, popular songs: If your main desire is to play your favorite songs from the radio, movies, or classical repertoire, Flowkey’s enormous and constantly updated song library is its greatest strength and the perfect tool for this goal.
2. You need immediate feedback to correct mistakes: For learners who struggle with self-assessment, Flowkey’s interactive feedback is invaluable. The ‘Wait Mode’ and note-recognition technology ensure you are playing the right notes and rhythms, building accuracy from the very start.
3. You are a visual learner who benefits from a modern app interface: Flowkey’s polished, intuitive, and gamified app experience is highly engaging. The combination of scrolling sheet music, an animated keyboard, and video demonstrations is perfect for those who learn best by watching and doing.
4. Your main objective is to improve sight-reading: By constantly presenting songs in sheet music format and synchronizing them with the audio and video, Flowkey provides constant practice that naturally strengthens your ability to read music.
5. You are teaching a child or teenager: The app’s game-like feel, progress tracking, and library of popular music make it an exceptionally engaging and effective tool for younger learners who are accustomed to interactive digital experiences.
6. You value the convenience of a multi-platform app: If you want the flexibility to practice on a tablet, switch to your laptop, and check a lesson on your phone, Flowkey’s seamless cross-platform syncing provides a superior and more convenient user experience.

Long-Term Skill Development and Musical Independence

The choice between these programs affects the skills you develop for playing piano long after you stop using them. Your ability to play independently is shaped by the method you follow from the start.

Skill Retention from Pianoforall

Pianoforall is built to give you lasting musical abilities. The course teaches you the building blocks of songs, like chords and rhythms, which you can use for any piece of music. These are skills that stay with you.

This method means you are not tied to the course material forever. After completing the books, you have the knowledge to find a song’s chords online and play it your own way. You can create your own music without needing a specific video tutorial for every new song.

Skill Retention from Flowkey

Flowkey is very effective for building muscle memory for the songs inside its library. You can become very proficient at playing those specific pieces exactly as they are shown in the app. This gives a great sense of accomplishment.

A possible downside is that a student might grow to depend on the app’s visual aids. Moving from the app’s scrolling notes and video guides to a static page of sheet music can be a difficult adjustment. Some may find it hard to play without the app’s direct help.

Transitioning to Independent Playing

A person who finishes Pianoforall can move to independent playing by using their knowledge of chords. They can take a simple lead sheet and add their own style and rhythm. Their musical path is focused on interpretation and making the music their own.

A person who uses Flowkey for a long time moves to independent playing by getting better at sight-reading. They need to practice reading standard sheet music without the app’s help. Their path is focused on accurately playing music as it was written by others.

Approach to Music Theory and Application

The way each program teaches music theory directly influences how you think about and play music. One program mixes theory with practical playing, while the other keeps it as a separate subject.

Pianoforall’s Integrated Theory

In Pianoforall, music theory is a hands-on tool, not a separate lesson. It is built into the playing exercises from the beginning. You learn a concept and then immediately apply it.

For example, a lesson will introduce a new chord. The very next step is to use that chord in a musical rhythm. This approach links the idea of the chord directly to the sound it makes, which helps you remember it.

Flowkey’s Segmented Theory

Flowkey presents music theory in dedicated courses that are apart from the song library. These lessons explain scales, chords, and how to read music in a more conventional way. They are clearly organized and easy to find.

The theory lessons are valuable. But, the knowledge from them is not always required when you play a song from the library. The main activity is copying the notes, and the theory can feel like an extra part of the program.

Practical Outcomes of Each Approach

The Pianoforall student learns to hear and identify chord patterns in music. They start to think about songs based on their harmonic foundation. This is a very useful skill for playing by ear.

The Flowkey student becomes skilled at reading notes on a staff and locating them on the keyboard. They tend to think about music as a series of individual notes in a specific order. This is a very useful skill for playing classical music accurately.

FAQs

Can I use these programs with an acoustic piano?

Yes, both programs can be used with an acoustic piano, though the experience differs. For Pianoforall, since it consists of e-books with video and audio, you only need to place your device (laptop or tablet) on the piano’s music stand to follow along. The experience is identical to using a digital piano. For Flowkey, you can use an acoustic piano by enabling its microphone mode, where the app listens to your playing through your device’s microphone. While functional, this method can be less precise than a MIDI connection and may be affected by ambient noise. You will not get the benefit of the more accurate note detection that comes with a direct digital connection.

Which program is better for learning classical music?

Flowkey is generally the better option for individuals whose primary goal is to play specific classical pieces. Its extensive library contains a large collection of classical music, arranged by difficulty, and its note-for-note guidance is ideal for accurately reproducing these complex compositions. Pianoforall, while not focused on classical repertoire, does teach you how to read sheet music and includes a book on ‘Advanced Blues & Fake Stride’ and ‘Taming the Classics’ that shows you how to apply its chord-based knowledge to classical pieces. It teaches the structure behind the music, which is a different but also valuable approach to the genre.

How long does it take to complete the Pianoforall course?

The time it takes to complete the Pianoforall course is entirely dependent on the individual’s practice schedule and pace. Because it is a self-directed program, there is no set timeline. An average student practicing consistently for 20-30 minutes a day might work through the core material of the ten books in several months, potentially between four to eight months. However, the course is designed to be a long-term resource, with advanced topics and styles that students can return to and work on for years as their skills progress, making its true ‘completion’ time flexible.

Do I need any prior music knowledge for either program?

No, neither Pianoforall nor Flowkey requires any prior musical knowledge or experience. Both platforms are designed from the ground up to accommodate absolute beginners. Pianoforall starts with teaching the keyboard layout and basic chords in a way that allows you to play something that sounds musical very quickly. Flowkey offers introductory courses that cover the absolute basics, such as identifying notes, understanding rhythm, and proper hand posture, before you begin tackling the songs in its library. Both provide a complete starting point for anyone new to the piano.

Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?

Both platforms offer a satisfaction guarantee. Pianoforall provides a 30-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If you purchase the course and decide it is not the right fit for you within that period, you can request a full refund. Flowkey also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for its Premium subscriptions. This allows new users to try the full features of the app and decide if the subscription model and teaching style work for them before committing financially, providing a risk-free trial period for both options.

How are updates handled for each platform?

Updates are handled very differently between the two. With Pianoforall, the one-time purchase price includes free lifetime updates. When the instructor, Robin Hall, adds new material or improves the existing e-books, you receive access to the new versions at no additional cost. Flowkey, as a subscription-based app, is updated continuously. These updates happen automatically and include additions to the song library, improvements to the app’s interface, new features, and bug fixes. These regular updates are a core part of the ongoing subscription service.

Which platform offers better support if I get stuck?

Both platforms provide customer support, but in different forms. Pianoforall offers unlimited email support directly from the instructor, Robin Hall. This allows for personalized feedback and answers to specific questions about the course material, which can be very valuable. Flowkey has a comprehensive in-app help section and a support team that can be reached via email to assist with technical issues, account questions, or navigation of the app. The choice of which is ‘better’ depends on whether you prefer personalized instructional support or standard technical customer service.

Does Pianoforall teach proper hand technique and posture?

Pianoforall addresses fundamental techniques, including posture and hand position, primarily through its introductory videos. The instructor demonstrates how to sit at the piano, the correct curvature of the hands, and efficient finger movements. However, its primary focus is on chords, rhythm, and application rather than on classical technique exercises like scales or arpeggios in a traditional sense. While it provides the necessary foundation, it does not have dedicated, repetitive technical drills to the same extent that a more traditional or classical method might emphasize.

Pianoforall vs Flowkey Summary

Ultimately, the decision in the Pianoforall vs Flowkey comparison rests entirely on your personal learning style and musical goals. The ‘better’ program is the one that aligns with what you want to achieve at the piano.

Pianoforall is the definitive choice for the self-motivated adult learner who wants to understand the structure of music, play by ear, and improvise. If your goal is to play in a band, accompany a singer, or compose your own music, and you prefer a single, affordable payment for a lifetime resource, its chord-based methodology is unparalleled. It builds a foundation of musical independence that serves you long after you have completed the books.

Flowkey, on the other hand, is the ideal platform for the learner motivated by playing specific, recognizable songs in a modern, interactive environment. It is exceptionally well-suited for visual learners, children, and anyone who benefits from real-time feedback and a game-like progression. If your primary desire is to accurately play your favorite pop or classical pieces and you value a polished user experience, Flowkey’s massive library and engaging app are the superior tools for the job.

Pianoforall vs Flowkey Summary Table