Piano by Pictures Review: A Professional Pianist's Take (2024)

As a professional pianist and piano teacher years, I'm always interested to explore new methods and approaches to learning piano.

Piano by Pictures by Gospel on the Go caught my eye with its promise of fast and easy learning using visual images instead of sheet music. I decided to test it out. Here's my detailed review as an experienced pianist and music educator.

What is Piano by Pictures by Gospel on The Go?

Piano by Pictures is an online piano course designed by Dr. Ryan Kelly. Rather than using standard musical notation, this course employs pictogram-style visuals to indicate which keys to press on the piano.

The idea is that pictorial representations make it easier for beginners to learn quickly, sidestepping the hurdle of traditional sheet music reading.

Ryan Kelly

Dr. Kelly suggests that one of the primary reasons people give up on learning piano is the difficulty of reading sheet music—a view I share, having observed the struggle with my own students over the years.

By focusing on simplified pictorial notation, Piano by Pictures offers an accessible entry point into piano, promising a faster, less intimidating learning process.

In addition to this visual notation, the course includes video lessons, supplemental eBooks, downloadable resources, and the option to receive printed tutorial books by mail at a low cost.

This provides a comprehensive toolkit that allows users to learn the course’s method effectively, regardless of prior experience.

Piano by Pictures Course Content Review

As an experienced pianist and instructor, I looked carefully at the structure, content quality, and overall educational value of the course.

Here's an overview of what Piano by Pictures includes:

Notation Guide

This is a quick reference showing the Piano by Pictures imagery and how it corresponds to the piano keys. Simple and straight-forward.

Beginner Video Lessons

These videos walk you through songs step-by-step, explaining which pictograms match which keys. Lessons range from nursery rhymes to folk and pop songs. Production quality is decent.

Supplementary Downloads

The course includes downloadable PDFs expanding on the core lessons, such as chord charts and rhythm exercises. These are better quality than I expected with some good starter information.

Song Library

Over 50 beginner-level songs are included using the Piano by Pictures notation. Genres focus on church hymns, Christmas carols, and traditional folk/children's songs.

Piano by Pictures Book

Optional printed tutorial book that recapitulates the course content. More of a companion resource than essential course material. The book seems great for a free bonus, something I'd pay for standalone.

Instructor & Community Support

Dr. Kelly and his team provide robust support through email and live chat, responding to questions and offering assistance promptly. Additionally, the course includes access to live classes and a community Facebook group where students can connect, share tips, and gain inspiration from fellow learners. This supportive community is a notable highlight.

Does Piano by Pictures Work as Advertised?

Piano by Pictures advertises that you can "learn piano in minutes" and see results instantly even with no experience. As a professional pianist, this naturally made me skeptical. But I wanted to truly put it to the test.

Once my printed books arrived, I decided to try learning “Jingle Bells” using the pictorial notation. The visuals were immediately intuitive, and I quickly understood how beginners might find this approach far less daunting than traditional sheet music.

One of my initial questions was about the rhythm: “How do students know how long each note should be held?”

At first, this seemed like a flaw. However, I soon realized this was actually a strength of the program. Many beginners become bogged down by rhythm when learning to read sheet music, which can be a stumbling block.

But with Piano by Pictures, if the student knows the tune well enough, they can rely on memory to capture the rhythm naturally.

To test my theory, I introduced the method to one of my beginner students. As expected, the student was able to play through “Jingle Bells” within about 10 minutes—exactly as advertised by Dr. Kelly.

This experience reinforced my belief that Piano by Pictures is an effective starting point for beginners who want to learn songs they’re already familiar with.

In short, Piano by Pictures offers a solid foundation for beginners, making it easier to learn songs quickly, even for those with minimal or no prior musical experience.

Piano by Pictures Course Review: Pros and Cons

Based on exploring the full Piano by Pictures course, here are some pros and cons I noticed as an experienced pianist and teacher:

Pros

• Beginner-Friendly: The step-by-step approach makes it easy for novices to pick up the basics and gain confidence.

• Visual Learning Style: Bypassing traditional sheet music makes the learning process less intimidating.

• Fast Song Learning: The method allows users to start playing songs quickly, often within minutes.

• Video Lessons: The addition of video guidance enhances the learning experience for visual learners.

• Affordable: Compared to traditional piano lessons, the course is reasonably priced.

• Strong Community Support: The course’s community and staff provide helpful, accessible support.

• Early Success: Quick wins help create excitement, encouraging students to keep going.

Cons

• Not for Aspiring Professionals: Piano by Pictures is designed for casual learners. It won’t prepare you for advanced studies or professional-level playing. If you dream of performing with an orchestra or becoming a concert pianist, this isn’t the program for you. You’ll need a professional instructor and years of dedicated practice.

That said, I’d recommend Piano by Pictures for most casual learners who want a fun, accessible way to play piano.

Who Is Piano by Pictures Best Suited For?

While Piano by Pictures has some inherent limitations, I think it could serve some key beginner audiences:

• Absolute Beginners: It’s perfect for those who want to learn a few simple tunes quickly.

• Young Children: The approach is gentle enough for young beginners.

• Adults: It’s suitable for adults who’ve always wanted to dabble in piano but aren’t ready for formal lessons.

• Struggling with Sheet Music: If you find traditional notation challenging, this course offers an alternative path.

• Christians: Dr. Kelly and his team emphasize their faith in the course, and many of the included songs are popular in Christian congregations.

• Senior Citizens: The program is popular with older learners who are picking up piano for the first time, as I noticed in the community forum.

For these groups, Piano by Pictures could offer a way to enjoy playing some beginning songs without getting bogged down in music theory.

However, students hoping to progress beyond early intermediate level would likely outgrow it quickly. Advanced pianists wouldn't get any value from the course.

Is it a Better alternative to Traditional Methods?

Piano by Pictures is an excellent resource for those looking to play songs they love on the piano. It offers a much easier entry point than traditional methods, and most students will find success on their first try.

While it’s not the pathway to becoming a professional musician, it’s ideal for casual learners looking to learn in a relaxed, enjoyable way.

Final Verdict: Should You Try Piano by Pictures?

The decision ultimately depends on your goals. If you’re aspiring to become a professional pianist, this course won’t meet your needs. In that case, I recommend finding a dedicated teacher and preparing for a long journey of practice.

However, if you simply want to play the songs you love for fun, this program is a fantastic choice. For newcomers, I’d recommend starting with the Free Gift offer, which includes three printed books and a 30-day trial of community access.

Thank you for reading, and happy playing until next time!