Learning the piano or any variation of it can be a challenging task. There are countless training software options out there to choose from, including Playground Sessions and FlowKey. Both of them are great for beginners, but there are quite a few dissimilarities that make one better than the other for certain pianists.
Playground Sessions and FlowKey are both great piano learning apps. However, if you prefer a guided video tutorial for every step, then Playground Sessions is better. However, FlowKey provides a free alternative that allows you to go at your own pace.
There are quite a few reasons why you might want to pick one over the other. Throughout this article, you’ll learn the following info:
- Differences between the two types of software
- Common questions about them
- Which one you should choose
Should You Get Playground Sessions or FlowKey?
You’ve probably seen Playground Sessions advertised through several multimedia platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. But wherever you came across the program, know that the marketing isn’t all talk; both programs have tons of useful tools to help beginners excel and improve. Even experts can find helpful knowledge.
FlowKey is much more of a “go at your own pace” type of program. You only need a Facebook or Google account to sign in, although you can also make your account through the company if you’d like to. It has thousands of songs to choose from as well as a handful of helpful videos. However, some of the content is locked for premium users only.
Here are the main differences and similarities between these two piano training guides:
- Playground Sessions has a one-on-one training feeling to make you feel like you’re sitting in the same room as the teacher. When you click play, you’ll learn everything as he goes. He’ll even give you time to stop and take notes, etc. On FlowKey, the setting isn’t quite as intimate.
- FlowKey allows you to advance to the next lesson in a linear progression. On the other hand, Playground Sessions has three categories: Rookie, Intermediate, and Advanced. If you prefer to start from the bottom and earn your way to the top, then FlowKey has a better selection for you.
- To get the best out of both of these programs you will need a keyboard with a USB or MIDI out port to hook up to your computer. This will allow your experience to be interactive where you can get feedback and completion scores. If you have an acoustic piano you will need a microphone to connect to the app.
- One of the main similarities is that both programs offer a wide range of free and purchasable songs. This crossover is a welcome surprise for those who enjoy learning all sorts of popular and unknown songs. You can learn everything from Ed Sheeran songs to classical music from centuries ago.
- There’s a lot more to learn on FlowKey for those who are left-handed. In fact, this program offers lessons specifically designed for left-handed people, whereas Playground Sessions hardly goes over it. If you aren’t left-hand dominant then you can skip these lessons on either platform.
- Playground Sessions is easier to keep track of your progress across multiple lessons, whereas FlowKey almost always requires you to learn them in numerical order. You can stop what you’re doing and try out new songs or different experience levels, but it becomes a bit more challenging on FlowKey.
- Another similarity that you might notice is that they both have each category labeled and are easy to cycle through. There’s no guesswork involved, which is very convenient when you’re already trying to learn a new instrument. Check out My Songs, Lessons, and many other tabs shared by each program.
- Both of them are designed with a beginner-friendly mindset. Aside from the categorical layout, they also have helpful guides to assist you through the whole process step-by-step. They both start with an opening video (yes, you can skip it if you want) that shows you what every section is meant to do.
- Playground Sessions has the massive benefit of always having a keyboard at the bottom of the page. You’ll be able to see which key you’re hitting, even if you’re clicking it with your mouse. This makes it much easier for you to learn along with the lessons, progress through the songs, and have fun playing solo music on any menu.
- Playground Sessions and FlowKey both allow you to start at any experience level and advance your playing style. If you are looking for more of a challenge, then why not try out the extensive song library to learn more modern and old songs? There’s something for everyone, making these two programs a must-have.
FAQ
Choosing between two of the best training programs is a bit challenging because they’re both as good as it gets. You’ve read through all of the similarities and differences, but you probably still have a handful of questions before you make your decision.
Here are five of the most commonly asked questions about choosing between the two:
- Do you have to pay for FlowKey and Playground Sessions? Yes, to get the premium content both programs require a monthly fee to use. However, you can get free trials or even access limited features without paying any money. This decision will allow you to get a hands-on feeling for each program to know which one you prefer.
- Should experts try these lessons? Most people don’t think about expert pianists learning through an online program, but you’d be surprised to see how useful it can be. With thousands of songs to choose from, the least you could learn would be a handful of new songs to show off to friends and family.
- Which one is better for beginners? If you’re new, just starting, and don’t have any equipment, then Playground Sessions is the better choice. The bottom keyboard is too good to pass up, and the one-on-one lessons are invaluable. FlowKey is excellent also, but you need a piano to get started.
- How long does it take to learn piano through these programs? It all depends on how much time you can spend each day. It’s often thought that spending two hours per day on the piano is enough to progress through the lessons in a few months. However, they’re always being updated, so you’ll have something new to learn.
- How can you save money on Playground Sessions or FlowKey? Both programs run on a subscription basis, but you can save by purchasing it for a year in advance. The monthly fee is significantly reduced if you pay for 12 months rather than 6, 3, or 1 month ahead of time.
Pricing
| Membership Type | Playground Sessions | Flowkey |
| Monthly | $17.99 | €/$19.99 |
| 6 Monthly | N/A | €/$83.99 |
| Annual | $119.88 | €/$119.99 |
| Lifetime | $289.99 | €/$329.99 |
Conclusion
The next steps would be is to go to each of the sites and have a look around and see which one is for you.
With Flowkey, you can sign up for a free account here (no credit card needed!) You will get access to 8 song tutorials as well as some selected online piano lessons. This will give you a chance to have a look at the way they do things before you decide whether to take it further with them.
With Playground Sessions, you can click here to look around. There is an option for a 7-day free trial which isn’t that easy to find on the site! But you can access it here. Otherwise, you will need your credit card for immediate payment, however, you will be protected with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
As you can see throughout this post, both of these piano tutorial programs are excellent and well worth the investment. When you consider that in-person lessons with a live teacher can cost between $30 – $60 (although virtual in-person lessons via SKYPE/Zoom are just as good and usually more affordable) these programs offer excellent value for money.
Whichever app you choose, neither of them will leave you disappointed, and they both offer easy lessons to cruise right through at your own pace. You’ll be able to enjoy learning a new instrument or honing your skills to get even better.
Here’s a quick recap of the post:
- Both programs run on a monthly subscription basis that allows you to save money with longer payment plans.
- Flowkey has a free account option with limited access to the premium material.
- For best results, both programs need a USB/MIDI connection (digital pianos and keyboards will have these) to connect with PC/Macs/Ipads.
- Playground Session comes with a built-in clickable keyboard.
- They each come with thousands of songs, video lessons, and an easy-to-use menu for beginners.
