|
|
Notes from The Music Hub
August 24, 2026
|
Notation Errors in Simply Piano
I've been reading a lot of reviews of Simply Piano lately, because of course it pertains to my work.
I'll be frank.
I know that I am asking you to join a comparatively pricey membership with a live teacher when there are cheap apps on the market.
So, I have to try and see what they offer.
Does an app that uses audio technology to detect errors in your playing help you learn piano? Sure, sort of.
I am not willing to spend the money right now to try and get through all the levels to see how far Simply Piano can take you, or exactly what they are teaching about fingering.
So instead, I've been relying on watching YouTube reviews.
While the reviews have been OK, I've been surprised that the reviewers are not addressing the notation in Simply Piano.
In just one video, I saw sloppy notation, such as a measure of 8th notes spilling into the next bar.
Then there are errors like this (I kept these all on the same pitch, but the rhythm is the same as what I saw.)
You might look at this rhythm and ask, "What is wrong with that? There are four beats in that measure."
Yes, there are four beats.
But while it is true that a dotted quarter note equals one-and-a-half beats (in time signatures with a 4 on the bottom), that doesn't mean that it should be used in every circumstance in which a sound lasts for one-and-a-half beats.
The notation above does not clearly indicate the middle of the measure.
The correct notation is this:
This notation shows the dotted quarter/eighth grouping in the first half of the measure (equaling 2 beats) and the two quarter notes in the second half of the measure (equaling 2 beats.)
Why does this matter?
Proper notation is meant to make it easier to read and process the music. Having an imaginary line dividing the measure in half allows the performer to see the music in smaller chunks (In this case, 2 beats at a time instead of 4.)
It reduces confusion and speeds up reading.
It is important for piano students to see proper notation from the beginning so they can learn what it looks like.
Just like we do not teach kids to read using incorrectly spelled words, we should not use improperly notated rhythm to teach music to beginners.
I did a search, and Simply Piano supposedly uses professionally done notation and arrangements. But from a composer's perspective, these do not look professional to me.
I saw two errors in one short video I saw on YouTube (both errors were repeated multiple times in the songs shown.) I can only expect that many more errors can be found throughout Simply Piano's song database.
Someone who does not recognize when notation is poorly written may inadvertently choose AI-written sheet music that is full of other errors which are not immediately noticeable to the untrained eye.
If avoiding AI is important to you, you need to know what proper notation looks like.
Improper notation is one of the first things that gives AI sheet music away.
The tagline of The Music Hub is: We teach music, not songs.
I'm not going to only teach you to put certain fingers on the right keys in the right time.
I don't just teach what. I teach why.
Today's topic is one example: why rhythm is written a certain way and how to identify incorrectly written rhythm.
I believe adults who want to learn the piano want to go deeper than just rote learning.
And that's what I offer here at The Music Hub.
There are 8 days left to join The Music Hub at founding member pricing!
Tuition rates go up 25% September 1!
There are two ways to join:
Option 1: Video Lessons and Group Sessions
($60 USD/mo, $575 USD/yr)
Option 2: Video Lessons, Group Sessions PLUS one (30-minutes) online private lesson each month
($100 USD/mo, $960 USD/yr)
Remember, when you join, your tuition will never go up for as long as you remain an active member!
Tuition rates increase for new members on September 1, so now is the time to join at this lowest, founding-member price!
Simply respond to this email if you have any questions!
Happy Music Making!
Heather Niemi Savage, composer, pianist & educator
Founder of The Music Hub
