Playing with a MIDI keyboard

You can play the on-screen piano with a physical MIDI keyboard or controller (for example an Akai MPK mini). Your playing shows up on the on-screen keys and plays through your speakers — exactly as if you were clicking the keys.

Connecting

1. Plug your MIDI keyboard into your computer (USB or a MIDI interface).
2. Open a concept that shows the piano, such as Notes & the Keyboard.
3. In the control bar just above the keys, click Connect MIDI.
4. Your browser may ask for permission to use MIDI devices — choose Allow.

Once connected, the bar shows your device's name (e.g. "MPK mini"). Hover the ⓘ information icon for details about the connection and what's supported. Play a key and the matching on-screen key lights up.

Click Disconnect MIDI to stop, or just unplug the device.

What works

• Notes — every key you press plays and highlights on screen.
• Chords — hold as many keys as you like; they all sound together.
• Velocity — how hard you play changes how loud each note is.
• Sustain pedal — hold the pedal and notes keep ringing after you lift your fingers. (The on-screen key stops glowing when you release it, even while the sound continues — just like a real piano.)
• Pitch bend — the pitch-bend wheel bends the sounding notes up or down.

Knobs, faders, the mod wheel and drum pads' extra controls aren't mapped to anything yet.

Notes outside the on-screen range

The on-screen piano shows a full 88 keys (A0–C8). If your controller is shifted to a very high or very low octave, those notes still play, but there may be no on-screen key to light up. Shift back toward the middle to see every note highlighted.

Troubleshooting

• No "Connect MIDI" button? Your browser may not support Web MIDI. Chrome, Edge, and recent Safari and Firefox do; try one of those.
• "Permission denied"? Click Connect MIDI again and choose Allow, or check your browser's site permissions.
• Device not listed? Make sure it's plugged in and recognised by your operating system, then click Connect MIDI again. Devices you plug in afterwards are picked up automatically.
• A stuck note? Disconnect and reconnect — this releases any held notes.

Don't have a MIDI keyboard?

You don't need one. Play with your mouse, with touch (several fingers at once works), or with your computer keyboard. See Playing the keyboard for all the ways to play.