Synthesia

Interactive piano practice

Synthesia turns piano practice into a visual, interactive exercise. Notes appear as falling blocks, showing when and where to play, while traditional sheet music is also available for learners moving towards standard notation. It suits beginners who need clear guidance, as well as more experienced players who want structured practice with a digital piano or keyboard.

How it works

The app can pause a piece until the correct key is played, making it easier to work through difficult passages at your own pace. Finger-number hints help with hand position, and practice feedback tracks performance as you play. A compatible MIDI keyboard provides a more natural playing surface than a phone or tablet touchscreen and lets Synthesia respond to real keystrokes.

Content and hardware support

Synthesia supports MIDI files, so users are not limited to a fixed set of lessons or songs. That flexibility is useful for players who already have material they want to learn. Support for lighted keyboards adds visual guidance for compatible setups, although configuring MIDI channels and multiple tracks may take some time for new users.

Grade and audience

With a B grade based on its 3.81 rating from 91,099 reviews, Synthesia is a solid choice rather than an automatic fit for every learner. Its strongest use case is piano practice built around visual timing, MIDI hardware and gradual skill-building. It is published by Synthesia LLC in Music & Audio and has recorded 10,000,000+ installs.