OK, so this photo is of a pretty OLD MIDI setup, but I’m a sucker for nostalgia!
In this post, I’ll show you how to hook up your electronic piano or keyboard to your computer and begin taking advantage of the fabulous technology known as MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface).
There will actually be very little video about the actual hookup, since that part is very simple. In fact, here’s what you need:
- A MIDI-enabled piano or keyboard (look for the MIDI In, Out and Thru connections on the back)
- A computer with an available USB port
- A USB-MIDI interface, like the E-Mu Xmidi 1X1 V3 USB MIDI Interface found at Amazon (about $25)
And here’s what to do:
- Plug the interface into your computer and let your computer automatically install the drivers. If it does NOT, you may need to use the CD included with your MIDI interface, or simply download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website
- Using a MIDI cable (available online or from your local music store), or simply using the interface itself (like the E-Mu), connect the MIDI OUT port from your keyboard to the MIDI IN port on the interface
- Using another MIDI cable, or the interface itself, connect the MIDI IN port from your keyboard to the MIDI OUT port on the interface
That’s it!
This video goes a little more detail on all this:
Now comes the REALLY fun part!
You can now use your keyboard to enter music into notation programs like Finale NotePad, AND you can record performances – NOT the audio, but the actual performance as MIDI events (also known as sequencing) using a free tool like Anvil Studio.
Check out this video for all the details:
[jwplayer sources=”{ file:’https://s3.amazonaws.com/pianofast/midi-part2-480.mp4′, label:’480p’ },{ file:’https://s3.amazonaws.com/pianofast/midi-part2-720.mp4′, label:’720p HD’ }”]
I hope this blog post and these videos gave you just enough information to be dangerous with your computer and electronic piano or keyboard! Once you get the hang of MIDI and begin using these software tools, you’ll find a whole new world of musical creativity and fun, literally at your fingertips.
So, jump in, play around, and explore the amazing, musical world of MIDI!
AND…
Please leave a comment if you enjoyed this post, have any questions, or might like me to put together a more formal course on the subject. Thanks!
I’ve had Finale Notepad for yrs. More recent to have a midi keyboard.
Thank you for these instructions for creating notation from my keyboard!
Jan
My pleasure, Jan. It’s a LOT of fun once you get things setup. I could just play with it for hours!
Hey Bill,
Great info on connecting my keyboard to my Laptop via a MIDI connection.
I am definitely interested in your new project.
I just wish there was more than 24 hours in a day. I need more time to practice and learn about technology and the piano.
Have a happy holiday.
Glad you liked it, Gene! I’m in testing mode right now on my project, so I’ll keep you posted. Happy Holidays to you, too!
Hi Bill
I have had a couple of attempts to learn to play the piano over the years, but never got very far, mainly because, as a hardware/software engineer running my own companies, I never had enough time to spare. Now that I am semi-retired, and have a bit more time available, I would like make another effort.
I have felt for a long time that it ought to be possible to create an interactive on-line musical training system, to teach the basics of reading music and playing a melody with with the right hand, whilst creating a simple chord accompaniment with the left hand.
If this is the kind of course which you have in mind, I would be very interested in signing up.
Regards
Jim Reid
Thanks for your comments, Jim. Yeah, I’m trying to narrow down the necessary piano skills to those 20% that make 80% of the difference, you know? That varies for different playing methods, but things like reading notes and playing chords quickly come to mind.
I’ve got lots of ideas, so I’ll let you know when I get into testing mode 🙂
Bill
Hi Bill,
Thank You for this video on midi and how to use it. I would like to do this eventually but I’m most interested in getting a video piano lesson of songs of my choosing like you did with Yellow Submarine for me. I got a lot out of that. I would also like to communicate with you by email to get your response on my queries. For Christmas I would like to do The Vince Guaraldi songs from Charlie Brown Christmas. Oh Christmas Tree and Christmas Time Is Here.
Sincerely,
Lee Clarke
Hey Lee,
I just (FINALLY!) replied to your email, so check that out.
I did a lesson on Christmas Time Is Here last year – all the details are here: https://pianochordsfast.com/christmastimeishere.html
I’m just about to release a Lead Sheet Breakdown on Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Haven’t gotten to Oh Christmas Tree yet, but that would definitely be a great one, maybe even for this Christmas, if I can get it done 🙂
Thanks for your support and trust in me.
Happy Holidays!
Bill