Simply, formerly JoyTunes, is a privately held company that develops mobile applications for learning creative hobbies, including music, drawing, and other creative skills. Its apps offer step-by-step instruction with real-time feedback, supporting self-paced learning from home. Simply’s mission is to make creative hobbies simple and fun for all, enabling people around the world and of all ages to develop hobbies in a simple, engaging way. Simply was founded as JoyTunes and initially focused on building music education apps for piano and recorder learners. It developed a world leading proprietary interactive note-recognition engine called MusicSense, which provides learners with real-time feedback. This engine powers several of the company’s musical apps and supports acoustic instruments such as piano, guitar, and voice. In July 2022, JoyTunes rebranded as Simply to better reflect its broader focus on creative hobbies, including drawing. The new brand name aligns with its flagship products, including Simply Piano, Simply Guitar, Simply Tune, Simply Sing, and Simply Draw.

Apps

Simply develops a suite of subscription-based mobile applications focused on creative skill-building through guided and interactive learning. Each app includes features such as AI-based feedback, curated song and drawing libraries, and structured courses for beginners. The apps are designed to be accessible to a wide range of users, and each offers a free trial period for learners to explore the content and functionality.

Simply Piano

Simply Piano is a subscription-based mobile application (iOS and Android) designed to teach users of all ages how to play the piano through interactive lessons, real-time feedback, and a library of songs adapted to different skill levels. The app supports both acoustic and digital keyboards and has received multiple recognitions from Apple and Google, including App of the Day, Editor’s Choice, and the Parents' Choice Award. In 2024, Simply announced that learners who complete courses in the app would be eligible to earn the Trinity College London (TCL) certificate, a globally recognized accreditation for foundational musical proficiency.

Simply Piano for Apple Vision Pro (XR)

In December 2024, Simply launched Simply Piano for Apple Vision Pro, marking its entry into Augmented Reality. The fully-free app introduced the first of its kind virtual keyboard, enabling Vision Pro users to play without a piano or keyboard. The Simply Piano logo was featured during Apple’s Vision Pro launch presentation at WWDC 2023, highlighting its early adoption of the platform.

Simply Guitar

Simply Guitar is a subscription-based mobile application (iOS and Android) that offers step-by-step guitar tutorials for beginner guitar players and beyond. The tutorials cover chords, strumming, riffs, and complete songs, with video lessons and a library of songs adapted to different playing levels. The app also includes a huge library of songs adapted to different levels of ability and tailored to people who want to just jam and play their favorite songs.

Simply Draw

Simply Draw is a subscription-based mobile application (iOS) that teaches users how to draw realistic drawings through guided, step-by-step tutorials. The app breaks down illustrations into simple sequences and offers video lessons on sketching characters, objects, and scenes using pencil and paper. It is designed for both children and adults, with proprietary features that include AI-based feedback and personalized tips to support skill development and creative confidence.

Simply Tune

Simply Tune is a fully-free companion app that helps learners and players tune their string instruments quickly and accurately using visual and audio guidance.

Simply Sing

Simply Sing is a mobile application (iOS and Android) that helps anyone who loves to sing feel more confident through real-time, guided feedback. Using proprietary vocal analysis, each song is adjusted to the singer’s voice type, allowing them to sing without straining and follow live cues through challenging sections. The app includes a game-like experience with points, tips, and levels that support ongoing progress, making singing more accessible and enjoyable.

Technology

Simply’s proprietary MusicSense technology enables its music apps to detect notes in real time and provide personalized feedback to learners. The technology supports acoustic and digital instruments and adapts to the user’s tempo and skill level. Simply has also developed a proprietary AI-based visual recognition engine that offers personalized feedback on beginner-to-capable level drawings.

Funding and Investors

Simply has raised a total of $97 million in venture capital funding to date. Early funding rounds included: * $7M from angel investors and seed VCs * Angel investors included Dana Messina (former CEO of Steinway Musical Instruments) * $5 million Series A in August 2014, led by Aleph VC with participation from Formation 8 and Genesis Partners In 2019, Simply announced that it raised $25 million in a round led by Tel Aviv-based venture capital firm Qumra Capital and later that year raised $50 million from Google Ventures (GV), Qualcomm Ventures and Hearst Ventures. The company has raised $97 million to date.

Social Impact

As part of its broader mission to make the pursuit of creativity simple and fun for all, Simply supports social impact initiatives that harness the power of music for healing. One such initiative is the Sheba Music Room, named Harmony, launched in collaboration with Sheba Medical Center’s rehabilitation hospital. Since its launch in April 2024, the music room has been integrated into the hospital's therapeutic offering. It operates five days a week and offers rehabilitation patients lessons in piano, guitar and drums, as well as a full recording studio, music therapy and group sessions with professional teachers from the Jerusalem Music Academy.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Joytunes Software companies of Israel Companies based in Tel Aviv Musical training software Software companies established in 2010