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Learn how to play the piano like a pro right from your home computer

Learn how to play the piano like a pro right from your home computer

Vote: (55 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Revel Software

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(55 votes)

Free

Developer

Revel Software

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Records into MP3
  • Built-in metronome function

Cons

  • Poor MIDI sound
  • Can’t export into MIDI

When I first downloaded pianotime, I was pretty skeptical: it doesn't look like much. And at first, my initial impression of the app wasn't very high.

Simple Interface

The app is designed with beginners in mind. The interface is very simple. It has a list of recordings, starting with simple melodies like Auld Lang Syne and eventually working up to more complicated songs like Maple Leaf Rag and Bach's Air on a G String.

The other primary feature of pianotime is its recording mode. The app allows you to record MIDI sequences, with or without a metronome, by hitting notes with the mouse or your computer keyboard.

Unfortunately, the MIDI instrument used by pianotime doesn't sound very good. The high notes sound more like a harpsichord than a piano. Air on a G String as performed by this app does not sound very good.

You can play the piano app with your keyboard, but it feels very awkward, and you only have access to three octaves, not the full range of the piano.

MIDI Interface

I was ready to write the app off, but I needed to try something first. I retrieved my electric piano and connected it to my PC via USB.

Presto!

Pianotime immediately recognized the MIDI interface and just like that, I was playing the notes on my electric piano instead of the clumsy keyboard. This also opened up the full range of the piano.

Since pianotime comes with a metronome and a simple recording device, it can be a very useful app for recording simple compositions and sharing them with your friends. Unfortunately, since the files are saved in MP3, you can't export any MIDI recordings you make into DAW software.

For a free app, pianotime works great. For beginners or amateur enthusiasts, this can be a great way to practice, save your music and share your progress with friends!

Pros

  • Records into MP3
  • Built-in metronome function

Cons

  • Poor MIDI sound
  • Can’t export into MIDI