From Beginner To Expert, Take Your Piano Skills To The Next Level With These 7 Online Piano Classes

Online piano courses have revolutionized the way people learn to play piano and keyboard. With the rise of platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and YouTube, aspiring musicians now have access to structured, affordable, and flexible learning options from the comfort of their own homes. These courses cater to all skill levels—whether you’re a complete beginner, an intermediate player, or someone returning to the instrument after years away.

One of the biggest advantages of online piano courses is their self-paced structure. Learners can progress at their own speed, revisit difficult lessons, and schedule practice sessions around their personal lives. This is especially valuable for adult learners or those with busy work and family commitments. Many courses also include downloadable resources like sheet music, chord charts, and play-along tracks, which enhance the learning experience.

Popular courses such as Pianoforall, Learn Piano from Scratch by Martin Cohen, or The Piano Masterclass by Skillet Academy offer a mix of video instruction, theory, and hands-on practice. Some focus on traditional methods like sight-reading and classical repertoire, while others emphasize chord-based playing, improvisation, and ear training.

However, online courses aren’t without limitations. The lack of real-time feedback can make it harder to correct mistakes or develop proper technique. To overcome this, some learners supplement online lessons with occasional live instruction or use video submissions in feedback-driven platforms like Flowkey or Playground Sessions.

In short, online piano courses offer an accessible, low-cost entry point for musical education. They’re ideal for beginners looking to test the waters or intermediate players aiming to sharpen specific skills. With dedication and the right course, learning piano online can be both highly effective and deeply rewarding.

Here are the 7 best online piano courses available:

1. Pianoforall – Incredible New Way to Learn Piano & Keyboard

Pianoforall, taught by Robin Hall, is a chord‑first, play‑by‑ear piano course that promises quick, tangible results—designed to take beginners to an intermediate level in months, not years. It includes 38½ hours of video across 426 lectures, plus 10 structured PDF eBooks—offering lifetime access and a single low fee.

Main Strengths

1. Fast, Enjoyable Progression
The course adopts a “play first, ask questions later” philosophy, getting students to play real songs and chord patterns early on. By focusing on chords and rhythm from the start, learners feel capable and motivated—echoed by many reviews praising how 20‑minute daily sessions yield rapid improvement.

2. Comprehensive Genre Coverage
Across its 10 modules, Pianoforall covers rhythm-style pop, blues, rock, jazz, ballad playing, improvisation, even some classical. This breadth allows learners to explore multiple styles without jumping between different courses.

3. Excellent Value
Priced around $49 (often $20 on sale), it’s far more affordable than traditional lessons or subscription platforms. One-time payment with lifetime access offers tremendous value, particularly for self‑motivated learners.

Main Weaknesses

1. Lacks Interactivity & Feedback
The delivery is very old‑school—video plus PDF—without interactive tools or progress tracking. Beginners risk forming bad habits, because there’s no real-time feedback .

2. Theory & Sight-Reading are Secondary
The emphasis on chord and rhythm-based learning means foundational skills like note-reading and theory are only addressed later—and only lightly. For those aiming to play classical or complex repertoire, this could be a limitation.

3. Outdated Interface & Structure
Reviewers find the lesson structure confusing—lesson order isn’t clearly segmented into levels—and the lack of modern interface features (progress markers, interactive sections) can make navigation tedious.

Community Feedback

Reddit users echo these mixed reviews:

“PianoForAll is great for casual dabbling and learning a few tunes; it’ll do the job. But if you’re genuinely committed to mastering the piano… just won’t cut it.”

Another noted:

“It’s actually been a lot of fun! It’s mostly based on rhythm playing and I think it’s helping me stay focused. I still need a teacher, but for now it’s helping me get something done nearly every day.”

These comments reflect a consensus: Pianoforall is excellent for beginners or casual players seeking fast, enjoyable progress—but less ideal for those pursuing deep mastery.

Who Is It For?

Ideal for:

Adult beginners wanting to play songs quickly, especially in pop, blues, and jazz styles.

Budget-conscious learners who prefer one-time payment over recurring subscriptions.

Self-motivated individuals ready to supplement with other resources.

Less ideal for:

Children or learners needing structured, interactive guidance.

Aspiring classical pianists or advanced students wanting strong sight-reading and theory foundations.

People who benefit from real-time feedback and accountability.

Final Verdict

Pianoforall is a dynamic, chord-heavy crash course to the piano—a welcome alternative to dry, traditional methods. It shines in delivering quick enjoyment and broad style exposure, all at great value. But it’s not an all-in-one solution. Serious learners should follow up with theory-based instruction, sight-reading practice, or live lessons.

Rating Summary:

Aspect Score
Fast Progress & Motivation ★★★★☆
Genre Variety ★★★★★
Value for Money ★★★★★
Interactivity & Support ★★☆☆☆
Theory & Sight-Reading ★★☆☆☆

If you’re eager to dive in and make music feel real from day one—and don’t mind filling in the gaps later—Pianoforall offers a compelling and affordable starting point for your piano journey.

2. Learn Piano or Keyboard from Scratch – Complete Piano Course

Martin Cohen’s flagship Udemy course is a comprehensive beginner-to-intermediate piano program, offering a well-rounded musical journey. With a stellar 4.7-star rating from over 5,000 learners and more than 45,000 students enrolled, it’s consistently praised for its clarity and breadth.

Main Strengths

1. All-in-One, Structured Curriculum
This course delivers six thematic sections—scales, chords, playing by ear, reading music, and improvisation—totaling over 25 hours of content. Learners appreciate its logical progression, with practice songs and play-along band tracks enhancing retention.

2. Rich Supplementary Materials
Martin includes two robust eBooks: a 110-page guide on all scales and chords with fingerings, and an 84-page manual on theory and notation. These clickable PDFs are excellent for quick reference and offline review.

3. Emphasis on Playing and Ear Training
A standout feature is the dedicated “playing by ear” section, teaching students to derive chords and melodies just by listening. Play-along files allow learners to experience music within a band context, making practice engaging.

4. Instructor Credentials & Ongoing Updates
Martin Cohen brings 25 years of teaching experience, a background in physics and computer science, and active involvement in jazz and blues bands. Reviews note his attentiveness to feedback and frequent course enhancements

Main Weaknesses

1. Pace May Seem Slow for Some
While many appreciate the careful progression, a minority of learners feel parts are overly detailed and slow-moving. Those aiming to advance faster might find patience wears thin.

2. Lacks Interactivity
Like many Udemy offerings, this is a video-and-PDF course without live tutorials, feedback loops, or assignments reviewed by the instructor. Self-discipline is essential to stay on track—no automation or structure beyond lecture formats.

3. Basic Digital Interface
There’s no built-in progress tracker, quizzes, or prompt-based elements. Navigation through lengthy lectures and supplementary PDFs may feel clunky for learners used to more interactive, modern platforms.

Community Feedback

Redditors value the course as a solid Udemy standout:

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Martin Cohen course. Took 2 months to go thru it slowly and still refer to his references daily.”

Another echoed:

“Martin Cohen’s course on Udemy is also very good. If you want to buy these courses on Udemy you can better wait till they have a discount…”

These sentiments highlight the course’s enduring utility as both a learning tool and reference guide.

Who Is It For?

Best suited to

Absolute beginners seeking a comprehensive yet manageable introduction.

Learners motivated by structured yet flexible self-paced study.

Those looking to build practical skills—scales, chords, further ear training, and reading.

Less ideal for

Advanced students pursuing classical mastery or high-level performance readiness.

Learners needing teacher guidance, tailored feedback, or interactive coursework.

Those who prefer gamified or quiz-heavy learning platforms.

Final Verdict

Martin Cohen’s Learn Piano or Keyboard from Scratch is a standout comprehensive course for beginners. It blends solid music theory, ear training, and hands-on play-along components, all backed by detailed eBooks and clear instruction. Its methodical pace and lack of interactive elements suit self-driven learners who appreciate depth and consistency. If you’re starting your piano journey and are ready to commit daily practice, this course is an investment that pays dividends in musical confidence and skill.

Rating Summary
Comprehensive Content ★★★★★
Instructor Expertise & Updates ★★★★★
Practice Materials ★★★★☆
Engagement & Interactivity ★★☆☆☆
Pace & Accessibility ★★★★☆

Bottom line: Ideal for self-motivated beginners craving a complete, long-lasting piano foundation. Just supplement it with live feedback or interactive modules if you need more structure or classroom-style learning—but for most learners, it hits the high notes.

3. The Piano Masterclass: Learn Piano & Keyboard For Beginners

Skillet Academy’s flagship piano course is designed for absolute beginners and offers bite-sized lessons across a wide range of foundational skills. With a 4.8‑star rating from nearly 70 reviews and a current sale price of around $14, the course promises a gentle yet structured introduction to piano in short, five-minute modules.

Main Strengths

1. Bite-Sized, “5-Minutes Piano” Format
The course is structured around short, focused lessons with the “5 Minutes Piano Approach.” This method ensures learners can make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed—ideal for busy people or those who struggle with motivation.

2. Comprehensive Skill Coverage
It covers a wide skill set, from reading sheet music and two-handed coordination to chords, arpeggios, improvisation, octaves, speed techniques, and ear training. You’ll learn major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords, play classic pieces like “Ode to Joy” or “Für Elise,” and build both technical and creative fluency.

3. Multi-Style Learning
Whether you prefer visual notation or learning by ear, this course appeals to varied learning styles. Each concept—whether chord progressions or ear training—is supported with practical, hands-on exercises that encourage both theory and practice.

4. Accessible and Motivating
The micro-lesson format helps learners build habits quickly—completing a short video daily is less intimidating than hour-long lessons. The clear “never feel lost” step-by-step promise speaks directly to beginners finding traditional methods daunting.

Main Weaknesses

1. Limited Depth for Serious Learners
While breadth is a strength, depth is not. Advanced theory and complex repertoire are not covered. Learners aiming for classical mastery or advanced technique may eventually hit a ceiling and need more specialized resources.

2. Minimal Interactivity
Like many Udemy courses, it relies on pre-recorded video with no live feedback or structured quizzes. Students must self-assess and stay disciplined, which can be a challenge if accountability is needed.

3. Production Quality Can Vary
Though generally clear and well-structured, Skillet Academy isn’t a big-name brand. Behind-the-scenes audio (like street noise) or less polished editing may occur occasionally—acceptable at this price point, but noticeable compared to premium courses.

Community Feedback

Feedback on Skillet Academy is limited but positive. One reviewer of their wider offerings noted:

“The content was thorough, clearly presented, and enjoyable… well worth the Humble price.”

While that specific praise refers to their broader course range, it speaks to a consistent level of clarity and value, especially when offered affordably.

Who Is It For?

Best suited to:

Absolute beginners who need a low-pressure, structured introduction.

Busy individuals who prefer quick lessons they can complete daily.

Learners drawn to chord-based, creative tools with fast, practical payoff.

Less ideal for:

Intermediate or advanced students seeking deep theory, classical training, or technical challenges.

Learners needing interactive feedback or assignments managed by instructors.

Those preferring studio-level polish and high-end production values.

Final Verdict

The Piano Masterclass strikes a strong chord for beginners—delivering structured, bite-sized lessons that touch on all key foundational skills. Its multi-style support (reading, ear training, chords) and short lesson format make it motivating and accessible. However, it’s not a comprehensive path to mastery. Serious learners will need more advanced, interactive courses later on.

Rating Summary
Beginner-Friendly Structure ★★★★★
Content Breadth ★★★★☆
Practical Exercises ★★★★☆
Interactivity & Feedback ★★☆☆☆
Production Quality ★★★☆☆

Bottom line: If you’re new to piano and want to build confidence one quick lesson at a time, Skillet Academy offers an affordable, enjoyable entry point. Just be ready to supplement later if you want to progress beyond beginner level.