At the piano
Start playing with PracticeClef.
From opening a score to connecting a keyboard, here is everything you need for a smooth first session.
Choose and open a piece
Open the library, search for a title or composer, then choose Open score. A score can be read and played without any equipment beyond your piano.
- Choose Library in the main navigation.
- Search for a title or composer, or browse the pieces already in view.
- Choose Open score. The score opens in the player.
Connect a digital piano
Connect your digital piano by USB and choose Connect piano when the score is open. Your browser asks before PracticeClef listens for notes.
Connect piano is optional. Live note and pedal feedback need a secure browser with Web MIDI support. Current desktop Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera support it; Safari does not. Every score remains readable when that connection isn’t available.
- Connect the piano directly by USB, or use a compatible USB–MIDI adapter.
- Open a score and choose Connect piano.
- Approve the browser prompt, then choose the piano if more than one input appears.
Follow the score
A score opens in Free mode, where you move through it yourself. Turn on Wait mode when you want the cursor to advance after you play the written notes. If you lose your place, choose Find by playing and hold at least two notes together for about 400 ms; the player moves only after it finds a confident match.
Wait mode checks the written pitches at the cursor. It doesn’t judge tone, fingering, rhythm, or interpretation.
Use the pedals
A three-pedal unit can move backward and forward through the score without taking your hands from the keyboard. The right pedal remains musical sustain; pedal navigation is optional.
Turn on Pedal navigation in the score when you want the left and middle pedals to move through the notation. Turn it off whenever you want all pedals reserved for the instrument.
Questions and answers
Do I need an account?
No. Every piece in the library is free to open and play.
Do I need a digital piano?
No. You can read, play, pan, zoom, and print a score without connecting one. A connection adds live note and pedal feedback.
What does Find by playing do?
It compares a held chord with places in the open score. The player moves only when it finds a confident match.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
You can browse the library and read scores on smaller screens. Live piano input depends on whether the browser and device expose a compatible MIDI connection.
Where do the scores come from?
Scores and source editions retain their credited public-domain or licensed provenance.
Credits
Piano sound uses a reduced web subset of Salamander Grand Piano V3 by Alexander Holm, licensed under CC BY 3.0. The subset was sourced through tonejs-instruments.
Scores and source editions retain their credited public-domain or licensed provenance.