You’re not going to be the next Wolfgang Mozart or Elton John using the FingerPiano app, but you could happily occupy your digits in an airline terminal waiting for your plane. The 41-key instrument is the best piano app available and a good buy at $1.99.
This miniature keyboard displays color-coded bars above the keys to show you how to play classics such as Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” and favorites including “Happy Birthday to You.” You don’t have to read music to play along. You just need a good ear and quick fingers.
A free version is also available, FingerPiano Lite. The only difference is the number of songs included: the lite version offers six and the full version has 109.
The interface between the tunes and which keys to press is easy to master. Once you catch on you’ll want to play at least one song all the way through.
The keys are a little too small however, especially if you try and play with your thumbs. The FingerPiano app has more keys than other piano apps, but it’s impossible to play two keys that are next to each other at the same time. When I switched to my index fingers it was more accurate.
Sadly, FingerPiano does not record your songs. So it leaves something to be desired on the creative front for those of us who like to make and share music.
Also, you can’t stream your finger down the row of keys, called a glissando, something almost everyone inclines to do after sitting down in front of a real piano.
Try out FingerPiano Lite first and if you like it, you’ll enjoy the paid version’s expanded song library.
