Learning to play an instrument is something that I’ve been wanting to let my children do for a while, but the cost has always held me back. A few months ago, my husband and I decided that buying a keyboard would be a good idea, as it is very economical, but I didn’t know if we were going to get a live teacher or try some lessons online. As a Schoolhouse Review Crew member, HomeSchoolPiano generously let our family try the HomeSchoolPiano – Complete Set of Books with a lifetime subscription for my family, which means we can come back to it again and again for each of my kids!
How the HomeSchoolPiano Works
Although the graphic above just discusses 3 books, the program actually comes with 4 lesson books, including accompanying streaming video for each of them. The books are divided into 6 units, and each unit has a lesson on technique, rhythm, ear training, reading, song, and improvisation.
The entire program is expected to take about 18+ months for someone to complete in full.
HomeSchoolPiano Books
The first book is CorePiano, which has 30 lessons in all and a printable book to teach the complete and total beginner essential information about playing the piano. The printable book that goes with is has copies of the same worksheets that the instructor, Willie Myette, uses during the video lessons.
Book 1 teaches students to read music, create music, and to improvise. Students get to practice and play 6 original songs, and there are graded quizzes along the way.
Book 2 is meant to be completed immediately after Book 1 and builds upon those skills. This is the level that someone with a bit of previous experience might want to start off at, especially if they have some experience already with technique, improvisation, rhythm, reading music, and playing songs.
Book 3 helps students to create piano arrangements! This is a great way to apply all of those previously learned skills to really get to continue as a well-rounded pianist.
Our Experience with HomeSchoolPiano
We set up our new keyboard in my bedroom so that the pesky little brothers would be less likely to mess with it. I put a bar stool next to it so that the laptop could be propped up there for my 9 year old daughter to do her lessons.
For the lessons, she starts by watching the video. She takes out the corresponding sheets that I preprinted (the printable book that goes with the level she is working at) as he is explaining them and follows along with that and the video. Then, if prompted, she practices while he is doing the instruction. Once the lesson is over, she practices what she has learned.
I’ll probably wait at least a few months to start my 7 year old on the program, as I think it will be great for him once we get settled into a more rigorous homeschooling routine in the fall. I plan to include it in his curriculum 3 times a week, one lesson each time.
My daughter is completing the CorePiano book now as she has been working on it for a few weeks. On average, she’s been watching 3 videos per week. We could have breezed by it very quickly, but I’ve encouraged her to take a slow and steady pace so that she really understands the information. This works well into our schedule, too, as the lessons are only a few minutes long each. This is also the perfect pace for us this summer so she can enjoy it without going at a rigorous pace.
After each lesson, she always wants to practice a lot, so she’s getting in about 15-30 minutes of playing a day, even on the days that she isn’t completing a lesson. She has been showing off what she’s learned to me and to my husband since she started! It looks like the amount of time she’ll be working on the program will increase once she moves on to Book 1. By then, she will have much more experience with the program and I know she won’t mind the extra effort.
This program has given her a lot of confidence to play a new instrument that she had no previous experience with. I like that it is covering some core essential information that I wish I’d gotten when I learned to play the piano years ago. I was never really taught how to read music. Instead, my instructors always taught me basically just the one to one correspondence of what was on the music to what was on the piano, but not the hows and whys behind it or how to read unfamiliar music that I’d never played before. I love that Willie made such a thorough and complete course!
I like Willie’s instructional style. He is friendly, precise, and fun to watch. The information presented is complete and answer so many questions that beginners and experienced players alike might not have thought to ask.
The lessons show his piano on the screen the whole time, and you can see him talking to you as well. As he plays, you watch his fingers on the real piano. He also shows sheets (often sheet music) that can be found in the printable book so that students can see the information, hear it explained, and be able to practice with it during the lesson and after.
Is HomeSchoolPiano Worth the Cost?
I absolutely belive this program is well worth the cost. For just $299, all of my kids can learn to play, and we never have to leave home. I love that there is grading worked right into the program. Also, who can beat unlimited online access? It even tracks where you are in the program, so you don’t have to scratch your head wondering where you left off.
The printable workbooks/sheet music are great, the style of the video lessons really works, and the lessons are short enough that they can easily squeeze into even the busiest of days.
Most importantly, my daughter loves HomeSchoolPiano. The program makes her feel good! She may only be on the CorePiano level, but she has already gained tons of confidence and can’t wait to keep going. I can’t wait to see her move on through the program!
Emily says
This is so cool! I would love for my girls to learn piano.
Katie Harding says
I hadn’t heard of this before but this idea is pretty amazing! My son just did a violin camp this summer and he loved learning an instrument so I’m totally digging this idea, would be great for a Christmas or birthday gift!
Katie Harding recently posted…Mom Favorites Guest Blogger Series
kandersonjazz says
From all of us at Jazzedge, we thank you for your unbiased review. Hope you enjoy the lessons!