Back to Blog
Practice Tips2 min read

Performance Mode vs Waiting Mode: Which to Use Today

Two grading modes, one piece — when each one helps you learn faster.

Two grading modes, one piece. The trick is knowing which to use today — and switching between them at the right moment.

Performance mode — when you can stumble through

WAIT off, song plays end-to-end. Every note is graded in real time and you get a coaching report at the end. Best when:

  • You've heard the piece before
  • You can fumble through both hands at slow speed
  • You want to track accuracy + streak across multiple takes
    • Performance mode
    Performance mode

    Waiting mode — when the piece is brand new

    Tap the WAIT clock icon. The song pauses at every note until you play the correct key. The next note pulses on the staff and the matching key glows on the on-screen piano. Best when:

  • You're sight-reading for the first time
  • You're learning a tricky middle section
  • You want to feel where each note lives without time pressure
    • Waiting mode
    Waiting mode

    The "learn → perform" loop

    Most pieces benefit from both. The pattern:

  • Run Waiting mode end-to-end once or twice. No timing pressure, just figure out which keys go where.
  • Run Performance mode at 75–80% speed. Get a baseline grade.
  • Use the coaching modal's "loop the worst measures" button to drill the rough patches.
  • Run Performance mode at full speed when accuracy hits ~90%.

    • Switching mid-song

    You can flip between modes at any time. The badge updates and a toast confirms the switch ("Performance mode → Waiting mode") so you never lose your place. The playhead stays put.

    ---

    Pick a mode, play, switch when it stops helping. Try it on any song or see the full setup guide.

    Ready to start playing?

    Put what you've learned into practice with thousands of simplified songs.

    Browse Songs