Learn to play piano with interactive lessons

FAQ About Playing Piano

• What are piano chords?

  Learning how to play piano chords is one of the fundamental parts of playing piano. Simply put, piano chords are usually made up of three notes, including the root note that gives the chord its name. When playing a chord on a piano, you press all notes together at the same time. A triad is a chord consisting of three notes. We can also make a distinction between major and minor chords. A good way to distinguish between minor and major chords is by listening to how they sound: Major piano chords sound happy and bright, whereas minor piano chords sound sadder. You can read more about piano chords and how to learn to play chords on our blog.

• How to play piano with both hands?

  Navigating the piano keyboard using both hands can be a challenge when you’re just starting to learn how to play piano. Start practicing only with one hand. If you’re familiar with some of the minor or major scales on a piano, try playing one with your left or right hand and then the other hand. Once you’ve got the hang of it, add the other hand. You can also practice playing songs the same way: Play the song first with one hand and then the other. This way you’ll get familiar with the song and get a better idea of what each hand is supposed to be doing. Read more about learning how to play piano in our blog post.

• Should I use a piano or a keyboard?

  Both MIDI keyboards and acoustic pianos are great for learning with Yousician. All you need is your instrument and a device with a microphone that you can use to run Yousician. You can also use a MIDI connection to plug your instrument into a USB port. Yousician is available for your laptop or desktop computer as well as Android or iOS mobile devices. However, we recommend using a 61-key instrument whether you are using a digital keyboard or an acoustic piano. In case you would like to invest in a great beginner keyboard, check out our keyboard buying guide where we tell you what to look for in a keyboard or a digital piano. The guide also includes some recommendations for great beginner-friendly keyboards and digital pianos.

• What songs should I play?

  The Yousician song library contains an impressive list of popular and fun piano songs to learn and practice playing. Whether you’re a fan of pop, rock, classical music, or something else, we’ve got you covered. We’ve also listed 20 great songs to play on the piano. Not only are these songs fun to play on the piano, but they’re also beginner-friendly and great additions to your repertoire of songs to play. Play classical music or rock out to your favorite tunes while learning the piano!

• Do I need to know music theory or how to read sheet music?

  Luckily for all piano beginners, you don’t need to know how to read sheet music to start playing with Yousician. Yousician offers three different notation styles for the piano: enhanced, colored, and sheet. Depending on your skill level, you can choose a simpler or more detailed view when playing with Yousician. The Knowledge theme in Yousician teaches you how to read sheet music and helps you expand your knowledge of music theory and vocabulary. You may also use our blog post about music terminologyto learn more.

• Are piano apps a good way to learn how to play?

  Although traditional lessons by an in-person teacher are a good way to learn to play piano, piano apps like Yousician offer you freedom like never before. By following video lessons by real professional piano instructors, you get to learn and practice your piano-playing skills. Play the piano with interactive lessons and piano exercises at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. Want to learn on the go? Yousician works on your mobile device as well, so you can learn piano wherever you are. Learning to play the piano has never been easier.