Hi, Janet Brown here, and you are reading the Rocket Piano Review, and what I really think of the very famous on-line piano course developed by Ruth Searle. Please keep in mind though, that this is a review, if you are looking for the Rocket Piano website, please click here. Why a review for Rocket Piano? Well, I am a vocalist and I, perhaps like you, have always wanted to learn to play piano, but the idea of driving to countless piano lessons and spending tremendous amounts of money (usually $20-$30 and up) per lesson was just not feasible for me. I needed a piano course that could teach me at my own pace during the times I dictated. In addition, I believe whole-heartedly in the power of music as it pertains to the mind, body and soul. Music when played on instruments or sung develops within a person a deeper understanding for the world around them, but also helps people both young and old develop and grow intellectually. To read more about the benefits of learning the piano, I found a wonderful article in Wikibooks, which I invite you to read here.
When I started researching on-line piano teaching courses, well sure, I found several that seemed great, but sifting through all of them and the not so helpful reviews it was quite honestly a pain. I finally chose Rocket Piano. Therefore I have decided to offer an honest and in-depth review of what I have found to be the Pros and Cons of the program, so that you can make an informed decision for yourself. This is not to say that I am by any means a concert pianist, not even close, merely a beginner. I can say though, from personal experience with this product in the short time since I started, I have learned a great deal about hand position, sharps and flats, reading music, recognizing chords, time signature, and more. Sure, as a life long vocalist, I knew quite a bit about reading music to begin with, but Rocket Piano taught me so much I didn’t know, or rather hadn’t retained!
So, on to the Review… Let me start with a quick overview of what Rocket Piano offers you. I will not get too in-depth with this, because quite honestly, you can find it all on their web-site at www.rocketpiano.com. One thing to mention is that included with the 1st three books, they have added 248 sound files and 57 new video lessons, which I found very helpful and appealing.
The Beginners Book: Exactly that, for the beginner. From the history of the piano, how to sit at the piano, where to position your hands to playing scales chords and arpeggios. This book is designed to teach you all the basics and start you actually playing recognizable classic tunes.
The Intermediate Book: This is when it starts getting really exciting. If you have completed the Beginner Book or are already an Intermediate learner then this is a great next step. The Intermediate Book introduces the learner to dynamics, key signatures and time signatures and more complex rhythms like we hear in jazz and gospel styles of music.
The Advanced Book: This is where you will get into songwriting, sight reading, improvisation, key transposition and more. This book is definitely for the advanced player. By the time you make it here, you should have accomplished a great deal.
Introduction to Jazz Piano Book: This book goes into the history of Jazz, its distinctive rhythms and movements. It teaches the most common Jazz chords and how they are played within different arrangements, which is very important, because Jazz, as many know, can be a very elusive style for many musicians. The book also breaks down Jazz songs for you and how they are played.
Introduction to Gospel Book: Also includes the history of Gospel and Spiritual music. This book teaches fundamental theory including the very important Pentatonic and Blues Scales (talk with any guitar player about how important these scales are). This book will enable teach you to play along with gospel and blues by learning the fundamentals of how these scales are incorporated into your playing.
Included Bonuses:
* The Rocket Piano Metronome Software: Designed using traditional metronome sound and style allows the student to set a click tempo between 40BPM and 208BPM. (This is pretty cool)
* Jayde Musica: A Software learning game which teaches you how to read music in a fun and enjoyable way. (Very Cool for both kids and adults)
* Chordinator: An enjoyable software program that teaches you to read chords of the music staff. (This complements Jayde Musica)
* Advanced Learning Techniques for Piano: This book incorporates mental visualization to help you with your piano skills when you are away from your piano. (great retention tool)
* Perfect Your Pitch Pro: As a vocalist, this is an extremely appealing product for me. “Perfect Your Pitch Pro” is a software tool that trains you to “transcribe” music by recognizing and perfecting your pitch. (multiple – choice listening format)
* Song Pond: 30 Day Free Trial access. An online video instruction program that teaches you step-by-step how to play many of your favorite tunes and taught by professional musicians.
PROS of Rocket Piano:
* You will start off right from the very basics of music theory in an easy to understand step-by-step format that practically anyone can understand. Even if you have prior music or piano knowledge, you are sure to learn more.
* The program is backed by a 60 Day 100%, Money-Back Guarantee.
* This on-line course is extremely affordable. Practically anyone who has the drive and desire to learn to play piano and has a computer can learn to play for $39.95. The product is fully downloadable so there is no shipping. You can visit their website for those details.
* The developers have constructed a comprehensive program taught by professional musicians through visual, audio, video and also fun software (mostly to reinforce retention).
CONS of Rocket Piano:
* If you do not feel comfortable with a downloadable program, the physical product is surely available to you, but at a much steeper price of $199.95 + shipping and handling. 
$199.95 seems like a lot? Well at first it did to me to, but then I considered the 5 years I spent taking my daughter to piano lessons every week at an average of $20/lesson (which is cheap I realize) minus 10 weeks out of the summer, for a grand total of apx $4000.00! So now I feel a little sick, although I wouldn’t trade those lessons for the world, she is a fantastic musician now. The savings Rocket Piano offers really are quite obvious. So I guess you can look at this as a Pro or a Con.
* You do not have a real teacher to ask questions or bounce ideas off of.
* If you are buying this for a young person, you may want to do the program with him/her. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as you will be creating a bond, and both of you will be learning to play piano together. : )
* You are not going to become a concert pianist overnight. This program is not designed to nor does it promise to make you a star. If that is what you are looking for, than this is not for you. What it will give you is a concrete foundation and all the tools you need to learn piano. As with any learning program…the ultimate outcome is up to You. (not really a negative)
In Closing…
Well that finishes up my Review of Rocket Piano. I sincerely hope that I helped you make an informed decision about what to expect when purchasing an on-line piano course. Remember that learning any instrument is absolutely invaluable and that the piano is probably the most well rounded of all. When you have the skill of piano playing at you finger tips you incorporate rhythm, bass, treble (melody) and the ability to either be a soloist or accompanist. Clearly piano is one of the most versatile instruments an individual can learn. To learn more about the program, you can visit the Rocket Piano website clicking here. I have included some more information below that you may or may not find helpful, including how to obtain a Free 6 Part Beginner Course as well as Ruth Searle’s YouTube presentation. Best Wishes to You, until next time…
Happy Piano Playing!
Janet Brown