In the digital age, learning to play a musical instrument has become more accessible than ever before. With a plethora of learning apps available, Yousician stands out as an interactive and game-like platform that offers an engaging way to learn piano and other instruments. In this Yousician piano review.
Yousician is not just limited to piano lessons; it also offers tutorials for various other instruments like ukulele, guitar, bass, and singing. The app incorporates a unique approach to music education, combining game-like elements, interactive features, and an appealing design to keep users motivated. Founded in 2014 by Mikko Kaipainen and Chris Thür, Yousician quickly gained popularity in the music education industry.
Yousician Pricing:
As a membership-based app, Yousician offers two subscription plans: Yousician Premium for one instrument and Premium+ for all instruments. Users can opt for monthly or annual payments, and the app provides a Free 7-day trial to test its features before committing to a subscription.
How To Start:
To begin using Yousician, users need to create an account and download the app on their preferred device. Once installed, they can select their instrument (in this case, piano) and choose between using an acoustic or digital piano. For electronic keyboards, a USB or MIDI cable can be connected for seamless integration.
How Does Yousician Work?
Dashboard:
Upon launching the app, users are greeted with a user-friendly dashboard that presents three main categories: Songs, Learn, and Challenges. Additionally, Guided Lessons are available to provide structured learning experiences.
Guided Lessons:
In Guided Lessons, users can set their practice time (Quick, Casual, Intense) and choose between Classical or Pop styles. These step-by-step lessons cover tones, chords, rhythm, and music theory in an interactive manner. The app tracks users’ performance and provides instant feedback, automatically adjusting subsequent lessons based on progress.
Songs:
The song library in Yousician boasts an extensive collection divided into various categories such as Classical Solo Piano, Pop Stars, Jazz It Up, and more. Each song is broken down into multiple lessons, allowing users to practice and master different sections before playing the entire piece.
Learn:
Under the Learn category, two sub-sections are available: Mission and Workouts. Mission provides nine levels with video tutorials to reinforce concepts learned in Guided Lessons, while Workouts offer tools for improving technique, scales, chords, sight-reading, and ear training.
Challenges:
For those seeking a competitive element, Yousician offers Challenges, where users can compete against others of the same level or friends. Participants play the same song, and their performances are evaluated and compared.
Who Is Yousician Best For?
Yousician’s game-like interface and easy-to-follow tutorials make it an ideal choice for children and teens. The enhanced and colored notation can be particularly helpful for visual learners and beginners, keeping them motivated and engaged. However, even adult hobby pianists who enjoy playing songs and learning the basics will find Yousician appealing.
Pros And Cons:
Pros:
- Background sounds with singing create an immersive playing experience.
- High audio quality enhances the overall learning experience.
- Combining game-like elements with classical notation keeps users motivated.
- Visual help with enhanced and colored notation is beneficial for beginners.
- Offers lessons for multiple instruments.
- Provides flexible pricing plans to suit different needs.
Cons:
- Lack of fingering and dynamics in the sheets.
- No option for printable materials.
- The software does not accurately recognize note lengths.
- The colorful interface might discourage some adult users.
- Inability to view the entire sheet during practice.
Best Yousician Alternatives:
Flowkey: Another popular choice for beginners, Flowkey offers hand visualization on the virtual keyboard to aid in proper finger placement. Its wait mode is similar to Yousician’s practice mode.
Skoove: Comparable to Flowkey, Skoove offers the advantage of showing the played notes on the sheet. However, it is not compatible with Android devices.
Playground Session: A more mature-looking alternative to Yousician, Playground Session offers downloadable software and guided lessons led by skilled instructors.
Piano Marvel: Ideal for those interested in classical music, Piano Marvel boasts an extensive library and rich functionality, but its sound quality may not be on par with Yousician.
Pianoforall: A one-time paid course for beginners, Pianoforall offers video lessons, an e-book, and play-along tracks, making it a cost-effective option for learning songs across different genres.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Yousician presents a compelling learning platform, offering an interactive and game-like approach to music education. Its combination of engaging features, interactive lessons, and vast song library make it an excellent choice for children, teens, and hobby pianists. While it may lack certain advanced features, Yousician’s overall performance and user-friendly interface earn it a commendable rating of 82%.
Whether you choose Yousician or explore its alternatives, the most important aspect is to find an app that aligns with your learning style and musical aspirations.