Meet Your Teacher

Hi. I’m Robin Hall, the creator and teacher behind Pianoforall.

I’ve been teaching piano for over 30 years and created Pianoforall in 2006. Since then, more than 500,000 students around the world have used the course.

I grew up in my father’s piano shop and have been around pianos and piano teaching for most of my life. Over the years I’ve found that adults enjoy learning much more when they can start by actually playing something.

That’s the basic idea behind Pianoforall. You start with simple chords, rhythms and songs, and learn much of it by ear. Reading and theory are then introduced gradually as you progress.

I think it’s a much more natural and enjoyable way to learn piano.

How the lessons work

You learn in small, carefully crafted steps, with each lesson building naturally on what you’ve already learned. The videos are short and the explanations straightforward. Your progress is saved, so you can stop and come back whenever you like.

We start with simple chords and rhythms, but each exercise adds something new. Gradually you build up a collection of skills, patterns and techniques that you can use in all kinds of music. The important thing is that you’re not just learning individual songs — you’re learning skills that you can apply to any song. The aim is to get you to the stage where you can sit down at a piano, work out the chords and rhythms by ear, and simply play.

Related Guide: How Pianoforall Works →

The Classics By Ear courses use the same approach, taking you gradually through pieces by Satie, Bach and Beethoven, learning by ear first with the written music there to help you as you progress.

What influences the way I teach

As well as teaching piano, I’m a cartoonist, painter and therapist.

I’ve published two books on cartooning. The first, The Cartoonist’s Workbook, includes a back-cover quote from Charles Schulz (Creator of Snoopy): “The approach of this new book is one of the best I have ever seen.”

I think my background in art has influenced the way I teach piano. I like to explain things visually and find simple ways to make them easier to understand and remember.

My work as a therapist has also made me very interested in how we learn, particularly the importance of staying relaxed and focused. I’ve included some simple mindfulness ideas in the courses to help with this.

The Piano Lounge Community

Learning piano online doesn’t mean you have to learn completely on your own.

The Piano Lounge is a friendly community of Pianoforall students from around the world. You can ask questions, get help, share your progress or simply chat with other people who enjoy learning and playing piano.

I’m part of the community too, so I can answer questions and help if you get stuck.

And if you’d like to know what other students think of Pianoforall, you can read reviews from beginners and returning players from all over the world.

Check out student reviews here →

Try Pianoforall Free

If you’re new to Pianoforall, this is a good place to start. You can try some free lessons, download the Mindful Notes ebook and get access to The Piano Lounge.

You don’t need to enter any card details and there’s no obligation to buy anything. Just sit down at your piano and give it a try.

And if you’ve tried learning piano before and given up, don’t worry. A lot of Pianoforall students have been in exactly the same position. You’re never too old to start again.

If you have any questions, you can always email me at

robin@pianoforall.com

I read every message and reply personally.