John N.
Not the Songs You Want to Play
After retiring last year, I finally pursued my longtime dream of learning piano and chose Piano In 21 Days because it promised a modern, no-fluff approach — and I hoped it would help me play the songs I loved in a way that sounded musical and true to the original. I spent about 2 hours a day, six days a week, working through the full course over four months — except for a couple of weeks I missed due to illness and a family emergency. Jacques does a good job teaching chords, progressions, inversions, and the basics of music theory. I now understand how to build and move between chords, which is valuable. But the course falls short on one major promise: learning to improvise songs so they sound musical and recognizable. By Day 17, I realized that real improvisation — creating a melody that fits a chord progression, has rhythm, and sounds like a song — is far more complex than the course prepares you for. It felt like being handed a few ingredients and told to cook a gourmet meal with no recipe. I learned improvisation techniques, but they are not enough to help me play the songs I want to play. And that’s a big letdown. Also worth noting: Many of the 5-star reviews online are from people who never finished the course, and most of the YouTube testimonials are several years old. The course gives you a decent foundation in chords, but if your goal is to actually sound like you're playing songs, you will end up disappointed. I came away with useful skills — but not the musical result I was truly aiming for.
Response from Piano In 21 DaysMay 20, 2025
Hi John, Thank you for such a thoughtful and honest review. First off, I really admire the dedication you put into the course — two hours a day, six days a week is no small commitment, and I appreciate you giving it your full effort. I’m glad you found value in the foundational skills like chords, progressions, and music theory. That’s exactly what Piano In 21 Days is designed to deliver — a fast, practical path into playing real music without years of traditional lessons. That said, I completely understand your frustration around improvisation and making your playing sound more like actual songs. For many students, the main course is enough to feel confident and musical at the piano. But for those who want to take it further — especially into melody, improvisation, and more expressive playing — that’s where the Melody & Ear Training In 21 Days course comes in. It’s designed to build on the core program and help with exactly the kind of playing you’re after. I genuinely appreciate your feedback. While the main course gives you the tools, I agree that learning to “cook the gourmet meal,” as you put it, sometimes takes more guidance — and that’s what the next step is there for. Thanks again, and I wish you the best on your continued piano journey. – Jacques