Connect a MIDI Keyboard

On iPhone or iPad, connect a USB keyboard using a USB-C or Lightning to USB adapter, or pair a Bluetooth MIDI keyboard through your device's Bluetooth settings before opening the app. On Mac, connect via USB or use Audio MIDI Setup to add a Bluetooth MIDI device. Tiny Instrument detects MIDI input automatically — no extra setup required inside the app.

Tip Bluetooth MIDI can introduce a small amount of latency. For the tightest feel during practice, a wired USB connection is recommended.

Open MIDI Settings and look for the Keyboard Controls section. When a keyboard is connected, the section becomes active and shows the detected device name. If you do not see your device listed, check that the keyboard is powered on and that your adapter or Bluetooth pairing is complete.

Once connected, every note you play on the keyboard sounds through the app's current instrument — the same sampled sound used on the on-screen keyboard. In Practice Mode the keyboard triggers the same note highlighting and chord recognition as tapping the screen, so you can drill chord shapes and progressions with real keys under your fingers.

Your MIDI keyboard works in every mode. In Play Mode it drives the on-screen keyboard in real time. In Compose Mode incoming notes are captured as you record a new part. In Learn Mode you can answer ear-training questions and advance through lesson steps directly from the keyboard, keeping your hands on the keys throughout a session.

In MIDI Settings, the Keyboard Controls section lets you remap three note-based shortcuts — Continue (default C6), Confirm (default E6), and Cancel (default D2) — using the stepper next to each action. These shortcuts advance lesson steps, submit answers, and skip questions without lifting your hands. Compatible controllers (such as Arturia KeyLab models) are recognized automatically and may offer a one-tap setup to apply their factory CC assignments.

Tip The sustain pedal (CC 64) is supported out of the box. Press and hold it while playing to sustain notes just as you would on a real piano.

Use the Learn button next to any transport action — Play, Stop, Loop Toggle, Octave Up/Down, and more — to bind a physical button or pedal on your controller. Press Learn, then press the control on your keyboard, and the mapping is saved instantly. Tiny Instrument detects conflicts automatically if you try to assign the same CC to two different actions.