---
slug: do-i-need-a-midi-keyboard
question: Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use Anything Piano?
category: keyboards-and-input
related:
  - connect-a-bluetooth-piano-keyboard
  - what-is-anything-piano
lastUpdated: 2026-10-08
grounding:
  - app/learning-app/copy/account.ts (settings-input-device)
  - app/learning-app/copy/platform.ts (permissions.microphone)
  - app/learning-app/modules/audio-stream/
---

# Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use Anything Piano?

No. Anything Piano works with an acoustic piano, a digital piano or a MIDI keyboard. Without a MIDI connection, the app listens through your iPhone or iPad microphone to hear which notes you play, so you don't need a cable or any extra gear. A MIDI keyboard works too, connected over Bluetooth or USB.

## Practice on an acoustic or digital piano

Allow microphone access when Anything Piano asks for it, set your iPhone or iPad on the music stand, and start a song. The app detects your notes as you play and shows right and wrong notes on the piano roll in real time. A quiet room helps it hear you clearly.

## Practice with a MIDI keyboard

A MIDI keyboard sends your notes straight to the app, so detection doesn't depend on the room. To connect one, go to **Profile**, tap the gear, then tap **Note detection device** and choose your keyboard under **Detect my playing with**. A Bluetooth MIDI keyboard can be paired from the same screen; see [How do I connect a Bluetooth piano keyboard?](/help/connect-a-bluetooth-piano-keyboard) for the steps.

## Which one to choose

Use whatever piano you already have. The microphone is the simplest start, and every practice tool, Wait mode included, works with it. If your digital piano or keyboard has MIDI over Bluetooth or USB, connecting it gives the most precise note detection.