Do you dream of playing the piano like the pros? You can sit through countless hours of online videos or read boring books that promise to show you the way, but don’t. Or you can enroll in an online course and learn how to play piano the right way.
If you’re ready to get started, we’ve compiled a list of the best options on the web. They all feature piano lessons for beginners and are taught by experienced pianists.
Quick Look: Best Beginner Piano Courses
- Piano Lessons for Absolute Beginners by Udemy
- The Ultimate Piano Chords Course – for Piano and Keyboard by Udemy
- Piano Lessons: Teach Yourself to Play by LinkedIn Learning
- Learn Piano in 30 Days by PGN Piano
- Pianoforall – Incredible New Way To Learn Piano and Keyboard by Udemy
What Makes a Piano Course Great?
Not all beginner piano classes are created equal, and you want to make sure you’re getting the best value for your time and money. So, here are some key characteristics to look for when scoping out your options.
1. Led by an Experienced Pianist
The instructor doesn’t have to be a Broadway pianist, but they should have several years of experience playing piano under their belt. It’s also helpful if they have teaching experience and can easily teach you the mechanics in a way that’s easy to understand.
Read reviews from past and current students to get a feel for the instructor’s teaching style. Also, refer to their biography for more insight into their career as a pianist.
2. Self-Paced
No need to rush through lessons without understanding what’s being taught. You’ll be confused and overwhelmed, which doesn’t create a pleasant learning experience.
So you want a course that’s self-paced and allows you to work through the lessons when it’s convenient. Dedicating your full attention to the material and reviewing challenging concepts as often as needed is the best way to get the most from the course.
3. Offers Supplementary Resources
Does the instructor provide demonstrations? Are there individual assignments that require you to put your new-found skills to work? How about quizzes and tests to demonstrate your proficiency in the material?
In addition to the video lectures, these supplementary resources will help you develop exceptional piano playing skills.
Our Top Picks
The piano courses for beginners we selected are taught by reputable and experienced instructors. They are also self-paced and offer supplementary resources to give you a holistic learning experience.
Below, you will find our top picks. We’ve also included a description and price point for each course to help you make an informed decision.
The Best Piano Lessons for Beginners
Ready to hit the keys? Consider these classes to master the basics of learning piano.
1. Piano Lessons For Absolute Beginners by Udemy
- Who it’s for: Beginners
- Price: Free
Learn how to play piano from scratch with this free course from Udemy. The course covers piano notes on the keyboard and music staff, along with basic chords and scales.
It is comprised of 24 lectures condensed into 1 hour of on-demand video, 2 articles and 13 downloadable resources that are accessible right away the moment you enroll.
The class is led by Mantius Cazaubon, a pianist, musician, and music artist. He has more than 20 years of experience playing piano and is the Amazon bestselling author of several piano lessons and music theory books.
2. The Ultimate Piano Chords Course – for Piano and Keyboard by Udemy
- Who it’s for: Beginners
- Price: $11.99 – On Sale
Worried that learning to play the piano is too hard? The Ultimate Piano Chords Course – for Piano & Keyboard simplifies the process by teaching you a fun-filled approach that helps you master the basics quickly. The course covers chords, rhythms, various playing techniques and so much more.
Included in the enrollment fee is full lifetime access to 90 lectures jam-packed into 6 hours of on-demand video, 21 articles, and 26 downloadable resources. You will also receive a certificate of completion when you finish the course.
Instructor Arthur Bird is a piano teacher, professional musician and session player. He’s taught piano for over 10 years and is a highly-rated Udemy instructor of 4 courses.
3. Piano Lessons: Teach Yourself to Play by LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com)
- Who it’s for: Beginners
- Price: Included with the monthly membership
Piano Lessons: Teach Yourself to Play introduces the fundamentals needed to become a stellar piano player. Not only will you learn the proper techniques for playing the piano, but you’ll also discover best practices to implement when sitting at the piano, positioning your hands, reading notes and rhythms and playing chords.
The class begins with a primer on the basics of piano playing, followed by a lesson on melodic intervals. Other core concepts covered include harmony, rhythms, intervals, music theory, progression, and triplets.
Enrollment is included with the $29.99 monthly LinkedIn membership. Or you can grab a free seat by registering for a 1-month trial.
4. Learn Piano in 30 Days by PGN Piano
- Who it’s for: Beginners
- Price: Free
If you’re crunched for time, this popular course you how to play the piano in just 30 days. It is offered by PGN Piano, one of the largest piano tutorial channels on YouTube.
Learn Piano in 30 days is broken down into 9 modules:
- Introducing the Piano
- Scales and Octaves
- Chord Basics
- Chord Mastery
- Combining Like a Pro
- Learn a New Song Per Day
- Play By Ear
- Compose Songs (Bonus Module)
- How to Read Sheet Music (Bonus Module)
Course material is delivered through video lectures. Each module also includes an activity to test your knowledge of the content shared in the lessons.
There’s no cost to enroll, and you can go from a novice to an intermediate piano player by completing this course.
Facilitator Mark De Heide is an instructor at Quality Piano Lessons.
5. Pianoforall – Incredible New Way To Learn Piano and Keyboard by Udemy
- Who it’s for: Beginners
- Price: $26.99 – On Sale
Pianoforall – Incredible New Way To Learn Piano and Keyboard is another ideal option if you want to learn to master the basics of playing the piano fast. A Udemy bestseller and popular choice amongst newbies, this class will soar you to an intermediate level piano player in just weeks.
When you enroll, you will have instant access to 362 lectures jam-packed into 10 hours of on-demand video. The course also includes 184 downloadable resources to help you grasp the material presented in the lessons.
You should commit to practicing playing the piano at least 20 minutes a day before enrolling.
Choose the Right Piano Course for You
Don’t waste your time and money on a class that doesn’t suit you. Consider one of our recommended piano beginner courses to get started.
We’ve included classes for every budget – some are free, and others are paid. Enroll in the free options if money’s tight or you’re not quite ready to fully commit to learning piano. And move on to paid courses once you complete the freebies.
Want to expand your search? When narrowing down your options, confirm the classes are taught by experienced pianists with teaching experience. The courses should also be self-paced and include supplementary resources to ensure you acquire the foundational knowledge you need to become a capable pianist.
