The article is devoted to the study of the possibilities of augmented reality (AR) mobile applications in acquiring piano skills. The study presents concept of the online course "Piano for Beginners" with the implementation in the educational practices of mobile applications: Flowkey -- Learn Piano; Simply Piano; Skoove: Learn to Play Piano and AR applications: AR Pianist - 3D Piano Concerts and Music Everywhere. Course testing was conducted among novice pianists - 47 university students in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China in the period from January to July 2021. Students' subjective attitudes toward their learning experiences and personal learning progress in acquiring piano skills were studied. 89% of students confirmed a high level of progress in mastering musical terminology literacy, 83% of students showed skills in reading sheet music and working independently with musical material. 70% of students showed basic performance skills of playing the piano, allowing them to perform a musical work competently, 90% of students showed technical skills of a pianist. The study results may be of interest to practicing piano teachers who are in search of innovative opportunities to modernize pedagogical practice.