Piano University vs Traditional Lessons: Best for Adults?

You’re here because you want to learn to play the piano.

But between work, kids, and all the other things you need to accomplish in a day, fitting one more thing into your life feels impossible.

Aside from the time it takes to learn to play an instrument …

• Weekly lessons feel hard to commit to.
• Practicing feels inconsistent.
• Progress feels slower than expected.

Regardless of where you’re at on your piano journey, sometimes you crave a more flexible way to learn that doesn’t include piecing together random YouTube videos.

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Who This Post is For

This post is for you if you are a(n):

• Busy adult with limited time.
• Complete beginner with no idea where to start.
• Intermediate player who feels stuck.
• Adult who wants to enjoy playing – not just follow sheet music.
• Someone who needs extra motivation to practice.

Quick Overview: Two Different Paths

When it comes to learning to play the piano, you have options for how to begin. Let’s take a closer look at the two basic paths available.

Private lessons are the first and the second, which include a variety of different online lessons.

Traditional Piano Lessons

Private piano lessons generally include a student and a qualified teacher.

There are also options for group classes today, which might be fun if you love learning with others in large groups.

But for the purposes of this post, I am referring to individual piano lessons.

These lessons are structured and include immediate feedback on your playing.

Individual lessons generally involve weekly lessons at the home of your local piano teacher, a separate piano studio, or, for a lucky few, the comfort of your home.

One of the biggest benefits of having a real teacher is that you can individualize your goals and work towards improvement with a professional.

Traditional teachers do tend to be very focused on classical music, although this is changing over time.

Piano University (Super Simple Piano)

Among the many online piano courses, the Become a Piano Superhuman course by Zach Evans stands out for its engaging, self-paced instruction that blends contemporary and traditional methods.

This initial course covers basic note reading, piano technique, and even basic ear training.

Zach’s teaching style is contemporary and engaging.

He emphasizes the importance of consistent practice and works hard to teach information in a way that helps you feel accomplished as you work through the course.

This course allows you to learn at your own pace.

The course combines traditional teaching methods with contemporary music styles, offering a balance between foundational skills and modern playing techniques.

This course gives you a solid foundation in the basics and includes little snippets of more advanced skills, such as ear training and proper technique.

Traditional Lessons: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Individualized feedback
• Accountability
• Personalized goal setting
• Strong foundational skills
• Mentorship
• Performance experience – teachers often offer regular recital opportunities

Cons

• Fixed weekly time commitment
• Less flexibility for busy schedules
• Teacher disappointment when you can’t fit a practice session in the previous week and you struggle through what you were supposed to have mastered
• Progress tied to lesson pacing (less weekly practice = less progress)
• Often focused heavily on reading sheet music
• Individual lessons often cost between $40 and $ 100 per lesson, depending on where you live.

Piano University: A Different Approach

Zach created Piano University for adult learners who have the lifelong dream of learning to play the piano.

He realizes that most adults don’t want to play music designed for kindergarteners.

They want to play music that makes them feel accomplished from the very beginning of their learning.

He recognizes the fact that adults lead busy lives, and he does an exceptional job of breaking learning into very small chunks.

This well-designed online program combines elements of several concepts crucial to learning the instrument:

• Technique
• Playing by ear
• Chords and patterns
• Real music (pop/modern styles)

Why Piano University Works for Busy Adults

Let’s explore a few of the more compelling reasons to ditch private lessons in favor of the Piano University program.

Learn on Your Own Schedule

No fixed lesson times means less stress in your learning.

If you have a busy week with no practice time, no worries!

Practice when you can and get right back to it next week.

Interactive Learning (Not Just Watching Videos)

​Throughout his programs, Zach provides extra learning materials to encourage you to take your learning off the screen.

He provides you with technical drills and other “homework” to reinforce concepts introduced throughout the course.

Unlike the classical method of learning, this course feels guided without feeling restricted.

Focus on Playing, Not Just Reading

With traditional methods of learning the piano, it can feel as if your playing is completely limited to the notes on the page.

There’s little room for improvisation or making your mark on the music you’re playing.

But Piano University incorporates elements of musicality that encourage you to express yourself at the keys.

You’ll be learning chords, looking for patterns, and improving your ear, all with the goal of sounding “good” faster.

Built-In Motivation (Underrated but Powerful)

Throughout each of his courses, Zach provides so much encouragement and motivation to keep going.

I’m on his email list and look forward to the inspiration he provides with each one I read.

He will often feature other players and how they’ve incorporated various tactics to improve their skills at the keys.

It’s further proof that his method works!

Works for Beginners and Players Who Feel Stuck

Whether you’re a beginner or are simply feeling stuck in your playing, this program is for you.

As a beginner, the course gives you a roadmap for learning.

And if you’re an intermediate player who’s never felt confident enough to improve, this course helps you build other skills to reach a higher level of musicianship.

In other words, the program fills gaps that you may have from other learning methods.

Ready to Explore Piano University? It’s waiting for you here.

Common Questions About Piano University vs Traditional Lessons

When it comes to exploring Piano University vs traditional lessons, I’ve had a few common questions from people.

Will I miss out without a teacher?

Some people really enjoy the relationship built with their piano teachers.

They appreciate the mentorship and find motivation in working through challenges with someone more advanced than they.

But other players crave the freedom to learn and play on their own terms.

They don’t want to have to worry about canceling lessons at the last minute or not having enough practice time to really polish that last section of the piece.

In truth, both traditional lessons and online learning programs are valid ways to learn, but sometimes it comes down to your individual goals and learning style.

Can I really stay consistent on my own?

Yes! And Zach has thought through several ways to help you stay consistent.

One of the main ones is through his regular emails.

I recommend you join his email list because he not only includes helpful hints and tricks, but he also throws in motivational content.

I’m always excited to read his emails when they hit my inbox.

The other way I like to stay consistent in my playing is by using an app called Modacity on my phone.

It tallies up my practice time and streaks, something I find oddly motivating.

Piano University vs Traditional Lessons: Cost Comparison

Zach encourages beginners to start with the Super Simple Piano Course.

This course gives you the foundational skills to move forward with piano.

The course currently sells for just under $1000 and also includes access to his other courses, including:

• Hands Together Domination
• Project Captivate
• Play by Ear Mastery

But when you compare this course to traditional piano lessons, which average $40-100/lesson, with monthly costs of $160-400 and yearly costs of $1,920-4,800, it’s a bargain for lifetime access.

You also have to factor in drive time and gas money for traditional piano lessons, costs you don’t have to worry about with Piano University.

Who Should Choose Which: Piano University vs Traditional Lessons

Choose Traditional Lessons If:

• You want classical training.
• You’re craving individualized feedback on your playing.
• You need in-person accountability.

Choose Piano University If:

• Your schedule is unpredictable.
• You want to learn at your own pace.
• Your goal is to play modern music (pop/rock)
• You want to learn to play piano by ear.
• You’re looking for a fun way to learn to play the piano.

There’s also absolutely nothing stopping you from exploring both options simultaneously.

And some piano teachers have a lot of flexibility or will schedule you on an “as needed” basis.

It’s certainly worth considering whether a combination of methods may be better for you than either method alone.

My Experience with Piano University vs Traditional Lessons

I stumbled across Zach’s YouTube channel a few years ago while looking for ways to improve my ear training.

As a classically trained pianist, I spend much of my time reading music rather than listening to it.

And I had spent years at this point taking lessons from several different teachers.

But I wanted to be able to listen to music and play it on the piano.

Since working through various modules in his Play by Ear Mastery course, I feel much more confident finding melodies and harmonies on the keys.

It’s also improved my memorization and sight-reading skills because I can recognize and correct wrong notes immediately.

And I love his emails because he always has a new insight or inspirational story to motivate my practice sessions.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Path for Your Piano Journey

At the end of the day, there’s no single “right” way to learn piano.

What matters most is finding a method that actually fits your life.

Because if your learning method constantly leaves you feeling stressed, behind, or discouraged, it becomes much harder to stay consistent—and consistency is what really creates progress at the piano.

For some adults, traditional lessons are the perfect fit.

But for many busy adults juggling work, family, and endless responsibilities, flexibility matters just as much as quality instruction.

That’s where programs like Piano University really shine.

Instead of forcing you into a rigid schedule, Zach’s courses allow you to learn in a way that feels encouraging, modern, and manageable.

You can move at your own pace.
Repeat lessons as often as needed.
Practice when your schedule allows.
And build real-world skills that help you actually enjoy sitting down at the piano.

I also love that his approach goes beyond simply reading notes on a page.

You’re learning how music works.
How to recognize patterns.
How to play by ear.
How to sound musical and expressive—not just technically correct.

And honestly?

That’s the kind of learning that keeps adults motivated long term.

Because most adults don’t dream of becoming concert pianists.

They dream of sitting down after a long day and playing the songs they love.
They want music to feel relaxing, creative, and fulfilling—not like another obligation on their calendar.

If that sounds like you, Piano University may be exactly the kind of flexible, encouraging approach you’ve been looking for.

And the best part?

You don’t need a perfect schedule.
You don’t need years of experience.
You don’t need to “be naturally talented.”

You just need a willingness to start.

And you might be surprised by how quickly things begin to click once you find a method that truly works for you.

If you’re looking for more piano inspiration, check out a few of my previous posts:

• Why Most Adults Never Learn to Play Piano by Ear (+Fixes!)
• Can Adults Learn Piano? A Complete Beginner’s Guide
• Beginner Piano Mistakes – And What to do Instead
• 2026 Review of the Best Piano Apps for Adults
• Learn How to Practice Piano in 15 Minutes a Day

And if you’re ready to jump in, click here to explore all the possibilities waiting for you in the Piano University program. Your future self will thank you!