Help

Everything you need to get playing. Can't find an answer? Email us — a real person replies.

Getting started

  • Go to Connect your piano and choose Microphone (any acoustic or digital piano), MIDI / USB (a digital piano plugged into your computer) or No piano (tap the on-screen keys or use your computer keyboard).
  • Pick a song from the song library. Tap Listen first to hear how it goes.
  • Press Start. With Wait for me on, the notes stop until you play the glowing key.

Practice controls

  • Falling notes / Sheet music — switch views from the top bar.
  • Speed — open settings (⚙) and slow the song right down, then build back up.
  • Hands — on two-hand songs, practise the right or left hand alone and let the app play the other.
  • Loop — repeat the song without stopping.
  • Wait for me — turn it off when you're ready to play in time with the music.

Scoring and stars

You earn one star for 60% accuracy, two for 80% and three for 95%. In timed mode, notes you miss count against you; in wait-for-me mode, wrong keys do. Your best score for each song is saved in this browser on this device.

Microphone tips

  • Allow microphone access when your browser asks. If you blocked it, click the padlock or camera icon in the address bar to allow it again.
  • Put the device close to the piano and keep the room quiet. Play one note at a time — the microphone listens for single notes.
  • Use headphones if the app's own sound is being picked up (the app mutes its accompaniment while the mic is on).
  • If notes aren't recognised, check the green level bar under the top bar moves when you play.

MIDI / USB keyboards

  • MIDI works in Chrome, Edge and Opera on desktop and Android. Safari and iPhone/iPad don't support it yet — use the microphone there.
  • Plug the keyboard in before opening a song, then click the USB icon in the top bar if it isn't picked up.
  • Your keyboard makes its own sound; Piano Play just listens to which keys you press.

Computer keyboard

A S D F G H J K play C D E F G A B C, W E T Y U play the black keys, and Z / X move down or up an octave. Space starts and pauses.

Still stuck?

Email hello@nexloft.uk and tell us your device, browser and what happened.