Is Tonebase right for me?
I signed up for the two week trial a few days ago, and am wondering if I should continue. I haven't played regularly for many, many years, and at my highest point was probably a somewhat advanced beginner, or beginning intermediate player. I do have a Master's Degree in music, so I know quite a lot, but am primarily a vocalist and conductor. I can play some slower to moderate tempo songs in easier keys, but am generally hesitant in my playing and very inaccurate. So I'm looking for a program that will help me pick up from where I am and give good guidance on what to practice and how to consistently improve. Honestly, is Tonebase what I'm looking for, and should I continue with it?
12 replies
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I think you would have a better experience with Key-Notes.com I have both tonebase and Key-notes and I like both for different reasons good luck 🍀
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Hello Perry, there's a lot in Tonebase that could help you.. You probably have a good understanding of theory already from your MM, so that would be a huge help in learning to play better. There's no substitute for practice, and if you commited yourself to a regular regimen of practice, targeting specific skills and pieces, you would find lots of Tonebase material providing insights and information on developing some of the technical skills needed to implement your theoretical knowledge, e.g. such as the best fingering and motions to use for playing arpeggios for particular chords.
If I were a singer (and how I wish I could sing!) I'd most want to be able to accompany myself on the piano, starting by getting common chords to be more or less automatic under my fingertips, and then perhaps some scales, so I could gracefully get from Note A to Note B without having to do a lot of specific score reading. You would find a good amount to work with in Tonebase in that regard. Also if you were working on a particular piece, you may find some Tonebase sessions on that particular piece. Many of the pieces favored by advanced beginners are featured in Tonebase sessions. If you go through the Tonebase process of determining your "Level" as a pianist, you'd then get a recommended list of sessions appropriate to your Level.
For me one of the best things about Tonebase is that it provides a community of musicians to interact with, which I don't have in my personal environment at home or work. I get ideas, encouragement and inspiration from my Tonebase friends, especially when I hear them play in our community concerts or in their separate individual postings. It motivates me to work on my own projects, so that I will have something to post as well!
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I have been on tonebase for over 2 years now and keep being amazed at their contents. The amount of information, lessons, streams and masterclass are vast and diverse. I am at about the same level as you and found the content to be very useful. It covers so many topics that are very applicable to someone like me. I am amateur so I would think it will be even more helpful to you. The teachers on the sites are truly special and professional. There are so many ways to learn. People here are super supportive. I love the basic and repertoire lessons, forum, community concerts, streaming, and 2 weeks intensive. I have not found other sites with so much high-quality content. It took me a while to explore all the content though. You should try finding out your level and look at the suggested lessons and repertoires. It may be a good way to start. If you are working on certain repertoires now, search for lessons or past forum or start a new one to ask for help. Hope this helps.
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The most effective and comprehensive app I've found for becoming more proficient in sight reading is PianoMarvel.com.
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I'd say (based on my personal experience here) it will depend on your time and physical as well as mental availability. If you really want to do this, if you are committed to a goal such as being able to play early intermediate level piano pieces well by this time next year, if you are an adult who wishes to learn at your pace by watching, reflecting on and adapting lessons to your needs rather than spend time with a local teacher who might or might not guide you as you need, and finally if you are ready to put at least half an hour into it everday, Tonebase has a lot to offer you. That is what I did. The precise technical expertise and musical thinking you will find on this platform transmitted by incredibly good teachers is rather rare.
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You will get a lot out of tonebase. There are absolutely world Class pianists - who give lessons. I have never been to music school or even visited a conservatory. You already have a substantial amount of background. After joining tonebase a couple of years ago and starting at the lowest possible level I am happy to say that my playing frequency is at least once a day for an hour or so., am also playing pieces or (trying to play )pieces that I would have run away from after looking at the score a few years ago. Somehow seeing a few lessons and hearing the beautiful explanations made me download the score of a piano concerto ( 25 pages long ) and am playing several pages at a stretch. So yes this platform is absolutely amazing. I started with Ben Laude's introduction and then did a few more lessons -all very very good. You could try out a month and check it out. I got a lifetime membership as it was clear that I would be here a lot :-) . Good luck.
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Hi Peter
What level are you on
I've just started level 1
Joined March 2025