Wednesday, September 11th
2024 Piano Lesson Reviews
Piano With Willie
- Priced at $29.97 per month or $299 per year
- Lessons offer one-on one coaching
- Play-along tools
- Video lessons
- Beginner-friendly
- Accessible to anyone with a computer
- Offers sheet music and DLC
- "A+" rating from the BBB
PianoWithWillie, a company owned by the Jazzedge network, emerges as a piano-focused lesson plan that's part of a larger conglomerate renowned for its stellar "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. This network encompasses numerous micro-sites, each covering a different facet of piano education. With a spectrum of piano resources consolidated under one primary platform, students are able to pick out their ideal piano lessons based on their current proficiency and area of interest. PianoWithWillie is particularly tailored to furnish online instruction to students who already have one or more years of piano experience.
Who is Willie?
The teaching methods at PianoWithWillie come with a question: "Who is Willie?" Willie is both the namesake and the instructor of the courses. While the website mentions his Berkeley education, it remains relatively scant on biographical details. An online search showed that Willie has performed across the United States. His educational journey includes significant periods of study in New York and Boston, collaborating with renowned musicians.
Video courses with jazz and rock influence
So, that leaves another question: How does he teach? PianoWithWillie offers courses covering multiple facets of piano proficiency, from accompaniment and improvisation to jazz technique and rock composition, among others. Within this expansive array, there are two fundamental courses that stand as prerequisites for all students: piano essentials and chord essentials. These foundational courses cater to students of varying levels of expertise. In totality, the lessons include over 4,000 individual videos to learn from.
Accessible to anyone with a computer
PianoWithWillie extends an appealing opportunity for students to access personalized one-on-one coaching with Willie through Skype, adding a unique dimension to the learning experience. While the program is already accessible through the internet, making it easy to use for anyone with an internet capable device, you also get access to a fundamental of piano methods: feedback directly from your teacher.
Accurate pricing is hard to find
When checking out the prices, we encountered inconsistencies across the PianoWithWillie website. The actual details of the program pricing changes depending on the section of the website you visit. On the membership page, the cost stands at $29.97 per month or $299 for an annual membership. However, this price changes on other pages. There were also discrepancies on what's actually included for the price. One page states the available video content includes 550 hours of video lessons, while another claims over 700 hours.
No refund policy
Another concerning point about PianoWithWillie is the absence of a refund policy. This implies that whether or not the learning style works for you, you're going to be stuck footing the cost of lessons from this platform. So, if you're looking for security or guarantees, you won't find that here.
Nobody is talking about Willie
During our research, we found that PianoWithWillie's parent company Jazzedge holds an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, in terms of third-party reviews, there isn't much out there. Even on the BBB page for Jazzedge there are zero reviews for the company as a whole. Considering some of the other cons of going with PianoWithWillie, it might be safer to find a site that has a more robust review presence with specific customer feedback.
Missing info causes concern
While the quality of PianoWithWillie's courses had potential, the lack of detailed information presented on the website remains a noticeable problem overall. Although the site hosts numerous testimonials extolling the virtues of the course, their authenticity and impartiality may be subject to scrutiny, given the absence of unfiltered feedback. Plus with no return or refund policy, we question how much the company stands behind its services. Potential students might benefit from exploring alternative online piano courses that provide more transparency.
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Have you always wanted to plunk out a tune for your friends and family? Are you seeking to grow your piano-playing technique, or perhaps to elevate your existing skills to new heights? Maybe you've got a little remorse for neglecting those childhood piano lessons (hey, don't worry, we understand!) and are now yearning to revisit this musical journey.
While some might argue that digital piano lessons (no matter how they're taught) can't replace the in-person quality of piano, we're here to check out all the options for you and tell you what's what. Which sites are worth your time if you're just starting out? Which sites are best for enjoying the music and learning along the way?
Piano Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
Mastery of the piano is a versatile skill, and music is known for being an invaluable pursuit not just for impressing your friends with expert renditions of the Piano Man, but also for helping your mind and body connect with memory skills and the beauty of musical expression. And, it's something you can use surprisingly often.
Whether you want to step in as an accompanist in a school play for your kiddos, regale and entertain guests in your home, find solace and expression through therapeutic musical outlets, or even work towards that dream of taking center stage as a professional performer, your decision to learn piano is one that you'll undoubtedly cherish. As with any pursuit, success hinges on your dedication to practice and your unwavering commitment to the online lessons that will unlock your latent musical prowess, ultimately allowing you to savor the joy of your newfound talent.
For most of us, piano lessons have traditionally been offered in two primary settings: private lessons at home where a seasoned piano professional teaches you theory, performance, and technique from a variety of method books, or at a local studio, fostering a collaborative environment where students frequently showcase their burgeoning talents to their peers. While some students find these settings to be invigorating opportunities for growth, others may feel a certain apprehension, preferring the intimate setting of solitary learning from the comfort of their homes.
In-person piano lessons also carry a hefty financial burden. Learning in your home means paying for the teacher and their travel fees, which can mean you're looking at lessons over $70 an hour. However, in the age of technology, there are new and exciting ways to learn the piano without those long-term financial commitments.
No matter your reason for seeking out piano lessons, there's plenty of places to choose from. As the digital age unfolds, a multitude of online piano lesson options, each ready to cater to your unique musical aspirations, are available to you. There are plenty of different learning styles, but the bottom line is: you can find instruction that's similar in content and methodology to that private teacher feel, and we're going to help you find which ones.
To get you started on your journey through treble and bass clef, to arpeggios, scales, and music technique, we've put together a quick list of key things (pun intended) to help you find the best fit for your new piano lessons. If you're not sure where to start, take a peek at these factors first:
- Cost. Choosing online piano lessons will get you savings every time when compared to traditional in-person lessons. However, not all online courses are created equal. Variations in pricing often correlate with the inclusion of supplementary materials, access to live instructors, and an extensive catalog of songs for learning. So making sure the site has what you need at a reasonable price may help you make a decision.
- Format. The format and teaching methods for piano courses are extremely important. Looking for courses that offer one-on-one feedback or live lessons can really help you take your piano studies from beginner to advanced. On the other hand, some students do much better with a gamified approach. Knowing your learning style and what kind of methods each site uses can help you find the best fit.
- Satisfaction guarantee. While you want to get started with piano ASAP, not all methods and courses will harmonize with your individual learning journey. It's perfectly normal to discover that a particular course may not be the right fit for you. So, keep an eye out for piano courses that offer money-back guarantees or a refund window so you can feel secure with trying out a piano course without committing to long-term fees.
Guided by a love of music and experience with piano, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have reviewed and ranked the top online piano lesson sites out there. Our aim is to give you the proverbial theory book on how to find your way to piano mastery. We hope you find a harmonious and melodic fit, where your musical aspirations can flourish unencumbered.
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