Are Simply Piano and Flowkey suitable for learning piano without sheet music?

Comparison guide

Learning piano today often involves popular apps like Simply Piano or Flowkey. These solutions are effective for certain profiles, especially those who want to learn to read sheet music and follow a structured method.

But if your goal is different — playing your favorite pieces quickly, without solfège, without sheet music, relying on videos you already use — then these apps are not always the most suitable.

This is precisely the need that Pianity addresses.

Two very different approaches to learning piano

Before comparing tools, it's important to understand that there are two main ways to learn.

The sheet music approach (Simply Piano, Flowkey)

These apps are based on:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "reading sheet music" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "guided progression" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "imposed exercises and pieces" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "structured pedagogical method" } }

They are ideal if:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you like learning academically" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you want to understand musical notation" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you're comfortable with imposed progression" } }

The Synthesia-style visual approach (Pianity)

Other pianists learn differently:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "by following notes falling on screen" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "without reading sheet music" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "directly on pieces they love" } }

This approach, popularized by Synthesia-style videos on YouTube, is extremely widespread... but until now poorly optimized for learning.

👉 Pianity was born to solve this problem.

What exactly is Pianity?

Pianity is not a classic piano app.

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "❌ No sheet music" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "❌ No solfège" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "❌ No theory courses" } }

👉 Pianity is an intelligent learning player, designed to work effectively on existing piano videos, especially YouTube videos with scrolling notes.

Its goal is simple:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "Help you master your favorite pieces faster" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "by breaking down difficult passages" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "by adapting speed" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "and repeating intelligently" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "without ever going through theory" } }

Why YouTube alone is not enough to learn effectively

YouTube is an incredible source of piano content. But its player is not designed for musical learning.

With the classic YouTube player:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "no precise loops" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "no sections" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "approximate speed management" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "no automatic progression" } }

👉 Result: a lot of wasted time and slow progress.

What Pianity's intelligent player does

Targeted loops

Work on a difficult passage continuously, without restarting the video, with a speed adapted to your level.

Section breakdown

A piece is divided into several parts. You can slow down only complex passages and play the rest at normal speed.

Auto Progress

Start slowly, then let Pianity automatically increase the speed to the actual speed of the piece.

Full YouTube compatibility

Paste any YouTube link, even if it's not yet in the library.

Community library

Access hundreds of pieces already cut and optimized by the community.

Collective motivation

See in real time how many pianists are working on the same piece as you.

Comparison: Simply Piano, Flowkey or Pianity?

Criteria
Simply Piano
Flowkey
Pianity
Sheet music reading
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
❌ No
Solfège
✅ Progressive
✅
❌
Visual learning
❌ No
❌ No
✅
YouTube-based
❌ No
❌ No
✅
Freedom to choose pieces
❌ No
❌ No
✅ Total
Smart loops
❌ No
❌ No
✅
Custom sections
❌ No
❌ No
✅
Automatic speed progression
❌ No
❌ No
✅
Designed for self-learners
❌ No
❌ No
✅

Simply Piano

Sheet music reading✅ Yes
Solfège✅ Progressive
Visual learning❌ No
YouTube-based❌ No
Freedom to choose pieces❌ No
Smart loops❌ No
Custom sections❌ No
Automatic speed progression❌ No
Designed for self-learners❌ No

Flowkey

Sheet music reading✅ Yes
Solfège✅
Visual learning❌ No
YouTube-based❌ No
Freedom to choose pieces❌ No
Smart loops❌ No
Custom sections❌ No
Automatic speed progression❌ No
Designed for self-learners❌ No

Pianity

Sheet music reading❌ No
Solfège❌
Visual learning✅
YouTube-based✅
Freedom to choose pieces✅ Total
Smart loops✅
Custom sections✅
Automatic speed progression✅
Designed for self-learners✅

Which solution is right for you?

Simply Piano or Flowkey are suitable if:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you want to learn to read music" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you like guided methods" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you accept imposed progression" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you're comfortable with theory" } }

Pianity is for you if:

  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you learn by watching and playing" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you already use piano videos on YouTube" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you want to play your favorite pieces" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you're blocked by solfège" } }
  • { "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "you want to progress faster, without frustration" } }

Why Pianity works so well for self-learners

🎵

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "You immediately play real pieces" } }

🎯

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "You only work on what blocks you" } }

😌

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "You progress without academic pressure" } }

🚀

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "You stay motivated thanks to quick results" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "👉 Pianity doesn't tell you what to learn." } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "👉 Pianity helps you learn what you already love." } }

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can you learn piano without sheet music?

Yes. Many pianists learn through visual and auditory approach, without ever reading sheet music.

Does Simply Piano allow learning without solfège?

Simply Piano mainly relies on reading sheet music and theoretical progression.

Does Pianity teach music theory?

No. Pianity offers no theory courses. It only optimizes work on existing videos.

Does Pianity work with any piece?

Yes, as long as the piece is available on YouTube.

Is it suitable for adult beginners?

Yes. Pianity is particularly appreciated by self-taught adults and people blocked by school methods.

In summary

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "Simply Piano and Flowkey are excellent method apps" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "Pianity is a free learning tool" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "The approaches are different, not competing" } }

{ "t": 0, "b": { "t": 2, "i": [ { "t": 3 } ], "s": "The right choice depends on your way of learning" } }

If your goal is to quickly master your favorite pieces,

without sheet music, without solfège,

with a tool designed for real practice,

Pianity is a natural and complementary alternative to classic apps.

Try Pianity for free