Many people later in life regret not playing an instrument. But it’s never too late to learn! Even just learning a few notes on the piano is an excellent place to start.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of making a beautiful noise come from such an elegant instrument as the piano. And the piano is one of the few instruments that requires only a little bit of learning in order to produce music.
So when you first start, remember that you don’t need to stress about mastering the whole instrument or learning to play a whole song right away. Simply learning the piano notes, even if it’s only a few, will allow you to bring this instrument to life and make you want more.
Ready to jumpstart your journey into the world of piano playing? Check out our guide below to find fun games that will help you learn to tickle the ivories like a pro!
8 Online Piano Notes Games
You probably already find yourself playing on your smartphone, tablet, or computer in your free time, so why not brush up on some of your piano skills while you’re at it by trying out some free piano games online?
Below, we’ve listed eight of the best piano games online that you can play anywhere, anytime. And as a bonus, we offer two additional games that don’t require any technology at all! Check out our piano learning games below, and get ready to learn your way around this instrument in no time.
1. The Piano Player
From the site FunBrain.com, this game can be played online and has four levels of difficulty. At the easiest level, you’ll be shown a note on the staff, and you need to choose the correct key on the keyboard. At this level, the keys are labeled. Harder levels remove the labels and add notes beyond the basics. Though this game is geared for kids, it’s helpful for anyone and really simple to use.
2. Zebra Keys Piano Keyboard Trainer
Zebra Keys Piano Keyboard Trainer takes a different approach with its keyboard game. This program highlights a key on the keyboard, and you must choose the letter corresponding to the note. Switching between choosing the letter and choosing the key when using these different programs is a great way to really cement your knowledge.
3. Synthesia
If you’ve ever played the video game Guitar Hero, then you’ll be all set to take on this free piano online game on Youtube called Synesthesia. Mimicking the original video game, the videos feature a set of piano notes that scroll down the screen and fall to their corresponding place on the keyboard. To play along with the song, you match your fingers to the same notes on your own piano, memorizing the piano notes while simultaneously learning a new song at the same time!
You can watch these videos online for free or purchase the program to unlock even more material.
4. Piano Tutor
Piano Tutor is a quick way to give yourself a test on note recognition. You’re scored as you select the notes on the keyboard, and there’s both a visual and audio mode so you can practice hearing the notes also. If you make the wrong selection, the game will show the correct answer, which is helpful for fast learning.
5. NoteCard
NoteCard is a smaller download that has some neat features. You can test yourself on learning to recognize keys on the piano, or on learning piano notes on the staff. You’re scored for your answers and several people can use the program and save their data to their own account. There’s also a testing feature that records your results and allows you to track your progress.
6. Skoove
This piano keys game is great for beginners. Available on tablets, smartphones, and computers, Skoove is an interactive game that features an automated keyboard that shows you the specific notes and where to place your hands for certain songs. One fun aspect of this piano app is that it lets you learn pop tunes and rock hits along the way, rather than just focusing on classical music.
7. Piano Academy
If you’re looking for a great piano game for kids, look no further than Piano Academy. This game starts with introductory lessons that focus on learning the piano keys and their corresponding notes on sheet music. It features animation, video tutorials, and interactive games that help children work their way to more advanced topics like learning chords and playing with both hands.
8. Playground Sessions
When it comes to learning the notes on the keyboard, why not learn from the pros? Music producer Quincy Jones co-created Playground Sessions, a piano learning app that includes video tutorials by famous pianists like Harry Connick Jr. Of course, you start with the basics, like memorizing the keys on the piano and notes on the scale, and then work your way toward music theory, complicated rhythms, music composition, and more.
Piano Notes Games that Don’t Require Technology
If you’re looking to avoid some screen time, experiment with non-digital piano game like the ones below.
Piano Notes Memory Card Game
Don’t have access to a wi-fi connection? No problem. This piano game for beginners doesn’t require any technology at all. You’re likely already familiar with the memory card game in which you lay a set of cards face up, trying to memorize their position, and then turn them face down. One by one, you flip a card over and try to find its match. And this Piano Notes Memory Card Game is no different.
For this version of the game, you’ll have some cards with pictures of a keyboard with certain keys highlighted, while their pairs will have the same notes dictated on a scale. To win this piano keys game, you must pair up the cards with their correct counterpart. It’s easy to get the hang of it, and the best part is that you can play this game on the go without your instrument or any technology at all.
Play by Ear
While there’s a good chance you can find free online piano games that can do this for you, you can always play one-on-one with another student or instructor without using technology. Simply have one person sing or play a specific note and have the other person find and match the note on the piano and identify the correct name for the note. This helps you pinpoint the sounds of each note and encourages you to memorize its name and location on the keyboard.
Sign up for Piano Lessons Today
While playing around with these free piano games online is a great way to introduce yourself to this instrument, studying with a private teacher is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to learn piano. When you sign up for one-on-one sessions with a private tutor, you receive all the tools and guidance you need to master this instrument. Sign up for in-person or online piano lessons with us today to take your music skills to new heights!
Photo by: Simon Blackley
Megan L.