Tiny Instrument: Learn Piano
Music Theory, Scales & Chords
Free · In-App Purchases
Learn music by playing it.
Tiny Instrument is a keyboard-first way to learn music theory, train your ear, and practice scales, chords, and songs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Instead of treating theory like a textbook, it turns learning into something hands-on: play notes on the keyboard, hear how they sound, build chords and scales, train your ear, and explore ideas as you go.
Start with the basics of notes, rhythm, intervals, scales, and chords. Then grow into keys, harmony, progressions, modes, and composition. Tiny Instrument keeps the experience light and musical with guided lessons, playful warm-ups, open-ended exploration, ear training, and beginner-friendly practice tools.
Why Tiny Instrument feels different:
- Learn theory through the keyboard, not away from it
- Reinforce concepts with ear training and practice in the same app
- Explore musical ideas through playful exercises and warm-ups
- Sketch chord progressions and first song ideas in Compose
- Use Aria, an optional learning companion, on supported Apple Intelligence devices
- Keep learning across iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- Connect a MIDI keyboard for a more instrument-like experience
Tiny Instrument includes:
- Guided music theory lessons
- Ear training levels
- Play & Explore exercises
- Practice for scales, chords, songs, and MIDI
- Beginner-friendly composition tools
- Focus sessions for intentional practice
- Music Library concept browsing
- Spotlight search and other Apple-platform integrations
The app is free to download and includes a genuine free tier you can keep using: Intro lessons, Keyboard basics, the Scales chapter, starter ear training in every stage, the first Play & Explore group, core practice tools, and Aria on supported Apple Intelligence devices.
When you want more, additional chapters and tools are unlocked with one-time purchases. That includes deeper theory chapters, expanded practice and ear training, extra Play & Explore groups, and the Composition path. No subscription required.
Whether you are starting from your very first keypress or filling in theory gaps as a self-taught player, Tiny Instrument is designed to make learning music feel more playful, connected, and alive.
Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
more Practice that rewards you.
Every session now earns XP, and you level up as you go. New achievement badges celebrate your milestones, from your very first chord to a well-rounded week of practice, and fresh daily and weekly challenges give you something to aim for. Your progress is tracked across Lessons, Ear Training, Scales, Chords, and Two-Hand Drills, so every kind of practice counts.
Share it with friends. Opt in to Game Center for friends leaderboards, and your badges become Game Center achievements too. Friends only, with an age check, and entirely optional.
See it before you play it. Every practice setup now shows a live keyboard at the top that plays through exactly what you have set up, following your key, scale type, chord, play mode, voicing, and left-hand drone as you change them, with each hand shown in its own color.
Keep your momentum. Finish a lesson and start a focus session in one tap to stay in the zone. Your Journal now tracks Two-Hand Drills as a focus area, so you always know what to work on next.
New in Two-Hand Drills: the Contrary Scale exercise now plays both hands through the same scale in opposite directions by default, with an option to switch to an exact mirror.
Plus a long list of fixes and polish.
Thanks for playing.
2.6.0 7 Jul
Real sheet music, everywhere.
This is our biggest notation update yet — the staff now reads like the real thing, and your scores go anywhere.
REAL NOTATION ON THE STAFF
Proper stems, chord stacking, and accidentals that follow the key signature. It finally looks like sheet music.
CHORD NAMES & ROMAN NUMERALS ABOVE THE STAFF
In Play mode, every chord in a progression is labeled above the bar — chord symbols (with slash-bass inversions) and, when a key is set, roman numerals in your key. New settings let you choose the roman-numeral style and turn each label on or off.
NOTE NAMES ON THE NOTE
Show note names right on the staff — beside, above, or inside the notehead.
OPEN & SHARE MUSICXML
Import .musicxml, .xml, and .mxl scores as Compositions, and export your Compositions back to MusicXML. Tiny Instrument now round-trips with MuseScore, Sibelius, Dorico, and Logic.
LEARN TO READ SHEET MUSIC
A new foundation-first reading track teaches the staff from the ground up — staff geography, note values, and rhythm — with tap-to-play examples. Plus a new Chord Voicings chapter.
A REBUILT METRONOME
Redesigned from the ground up — now with an Apple Watch companion so you can keep time on your wrist.
MORE WAYS TO LEARN
A movable-scale lesson, a redesigned Circle of Fifths, 23 new Related Concept links, and a sticky scale in Play.
FAMILY SHARING
Buy any pack once and everyone in your Apple Family gets it.
Plus an octave-numbering setting (Scientific or Yamaha/Logic), melody playback that pauses and resumes, and dozens of smaller fixes.
2.5.0 4 Jul
Tiny Instrument now scales to your text size.
Turn up Larger Text and the whole app follows: lessons, Play, Practice, Compose, Listen, menus, and labels all grow together for comfortable, accessible reading.
Set your size in Settings, under Accessibility, Text Size. On iPhone and iPad it can follow your device's Larger Text setting or use a size you pick just for Tiny Instrument. On Mac, where there is no system text-size slider, the control lives right in the app.
We tuned it to stay usable at every size, so the on-screen keyboard, staff, and toolbars stay clear and tappable as the text grows.
New Keyboard Themes let you restyle the on-screen keyboard. Classic and Midnight are free, and a one-time Keyboard Themes purchase unlocks ten more finishes named after Apple colors, including a Rainbow theme that gives every note its own color. Pick yours in Settings.
New effects bring the keyboard to life. A free Border Effect lets the window edge glow as you play, and per-key press effects trace, flash, sparkle, or splash under your fingers. Turn them on in Settings.
You can also fine-tune how the keyboard and staff read. Show note names above the keys or right on the keys, switch key highlights between a full-key tint and a slim bottom strip, and place staff note names beside each note or inside it. Set them in Settings.
Thanks for playing.
2.4.0 24 Jun
Introducing Chord Lab: press one key, hear a full chord.
Pick from Major, Minor, Suspended, or Diminished and tap any key on the keyboard to play that chord instantly. The four base chord types and a bass voice are free to use forever.
Unlock the Chord Lab pack to go deeper: stack extensions (6, m7, Major 7th, 9) to build richer chords — major 7ths, minor 7ths, dominant 7ths, sixths and ninths — turn on Key Mode to let the app choose the right in-key chord automatically as you play, walk through inversions for smooth voice-leading, and map your hardware controller's pads to the chord buttons via MIDI-learn.
Also new: Two-Hand Drills, a practice mode for hand coordination. Work a scale over a bass drone, parallel and contrary scales, chords with a walking bass, and arpeggios split across both hands, all generated from any key. Practice each hand on its own, then together, and earn bronze, silver, and gold tiers as your accuracy and tempo improve. Drill your way: repeat a set number of times, practice for a few minutes, or ramp the tempo up to a target. Set your MIDI keyboard's range and each drill fits the keys you have.
The Compose progression editor got a big upgrade too. Build a progression by playing it: tap the new Listen button, play chords on your MIDI keyboard, and each chord is detected and added automatically, with a live preview of the one you are holding. Pick chords from an interactive circle of fifths, and every chord is now color-coded by quality across the editor, Play, and Chord Lab.
Thanks for playing. Tell us what you want to practice next.
2.3.0 16 Jun
Play mode learned music theory, and the staff now plays along with you.
Pick a key in Play and the keyboard highlights that key's scale while the chords you play are named and spelled in it. The staff now reads like real notation, and its ghost notes turn green as you play the right note. A strip of the key's chords sits above the keys, so you can light up each chord, step through its inversions, or load a whole progression to play through.
Also in this update:
- Add a bass to any chord to build slash chords like C/E, carried everywhere the chord is used
- Choose how notes are spelled, with Follow Key, Sharps, or Flats
- The note display now names the chord you are holding, slash chords included
- A redesigned Play layout with card style key and chord pickers, plus scale degrees and fingering on highlights
- A new free Songbook lesson chapter on turning a chord chart into real practice
Thanks for playing. Tell us what you want to practice next.
2.2.0 12 Jun
Version 2.0 is a major update that turns Tiny Instrument into a complete music learning companion.
Music Theory — Learn by Playing
A full theory curriculum is now built into the app: 9 chapters and 38 lessons covering everything from notes and the keyboard to modes and advanced harmony. Every concept is introduced hands-on — you play before it's explained.
Ear Training
Three stages and 15 progressive levels for training your ear: single note identification, interval recognition, and melody recall. Includes both Practice and timed Challenge modes.
Practice Mode
Dedicated practice for scales, chord progressions, and your own MIDI files. Notes fall toward the keyboard Synthesia-style — step through at your own pace or keep the notes falling and play in real time.
Compose
A full piano roll editor for sketching musical ideas. Draw notes, record from a MIDI keyboard, arrange sections, and generate chord voicings. Includes a 4-chapter composition curriculum.
Focus Sessions
Set an intention before you practice: pick an activity, choose a duration, and get a coaching tip from Aria. A live countdown ring tracks your time and shows in the Dynamic Island and Lock Screen.
Aria
An optional AI learning companion (requires Apple Intelligence) that answers questions in context, recommends lessons, plays examples, and saves progressions — available across every mode.
Plus
Chord Explorer, Scale Degree reference, Music Library, Spotlight Search support, expanded MIDI keyboard controls, and a redesigned ear training and compose UI throughout.
2.1.1 9 Jun
In this version of Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard we added:
– Updated app icon
– Added Tahoe support
– Minor UI adjustments
1.10.0 15/09/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Audio engine now automatically restarts when returning from background
– Improved background playback with support for built-in system controls
– Category-based image generation for Now Playing display
– Improved staff note positioning, including sharps and naturals on correct vertical levels
– Fixed incorrect staff interval from E to F
– Wider staff support
– Fixed MIDI loading fallback for moved/deleted files
– New toast message system with optional icons
– Improved MIDI metadata handling and display
– Respects Command Center pause/play state and now properly resumes
– Performance and stability improvements
– Extended iPad support
1.9.0 15/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Settings screen now split into clear sections for easier navigation
– Toast messages for imports and user feedback
– Automatically plays newly imported soundfonts
– Improved MIDI and SF2 file import from Files and other apps
– Instrument picker now avoids previews when already playing a midi file
– Fixed positioning of note staff across treble and bass clefs
– Fixed rotated note alignment issues
– General performance improvements and bug fixes
1.8.0 13/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Fixed issue with default SF2 library not loading
1.7.1 12/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Added support for voluntary donations via In-App Purchase
– Introduced categories for SoundFont instruments
– Support for SF2 soundfonts directly from downloads
– Fixed issue where SF2 files failed to import on iOS
– Improved instrument list animations and structure
– Added icons to MIDI instrument categories
– Improved instrument import behavior and migration
– Respects App Store policy with legal disclaimers for tips
1.7.0 12/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Added welcome sheet to introduce core UI features like MIDI library, instruments, and timeline
– New in-app rating prompt with feedback fallback
– Moved library picker and controls into toolbar
– Consolidated instrument picker, settings, and scale reference into a new menu
– Added context menu actions for MIDI files (play, inspect, delete)
– Improved file details view for imported and recorded MIDI
– Enhanced playback engine and error handling for unsupported files
– Added track selection with color indicators for better visual mapping
– Improved support for iOS 26 (including glass background effects and previews)
– Added full-screen rating overlay with App Store integration
– Improved MIDI recording UI and controls
– Fixed display issues on iPad split view
– General performance improvements and bug fixes
1.6.0 11/06/2025
Tiny Instrument 1.5.0 brings full MIDI recording and editing:
– Added full MIDI recording with timeline playback
– Save recordings directly into your personal library
– New TimelineView with draggable loop regions and beat snapping
– Smooth timeline scrolling with auto-scroll options
– Full zooming support and beat gridlines
– Auto-expanding timeline while recording
– Split keyboard recording to multiple tracks
– Expanded input settings for MIDI track routing
– Keyboard auto-expands to fit recorded note range
– Playback speed, timeline zoom, and settings are now persistent
– Added BPM control directly inside the timeline
– Prompt to save changes before switching files
– New file naming and metadata system
– Significant performance and stability improvements
1.5.0 10/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Added timeline controls for precise scrubbing
– Added loop controls for focused practice
– Fixed MIDI playback stability on pause
– Improved track inactive state indicator
– Reloads engine properly after stop
– Improved keyboard auto expansion without slowdown
– Adjusted first note spacing to better match time signature
– Added instrument preview when selecting sounds
– Support for opening .mid files directly from Downloads
– New keyboard scrolling and temporary auto expansion
– General keyboard performance optimization
– New settings for staff visibility, timeline, and keyboard behavior
– Added import button for MIDI Library directly in toolbar
1.4.1 07/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Major performance improvements for smooth playback and animations
– Optimized MIDI engine for faster rendering
– Improved note positioning on staff
– Improved ledger line rendering for both treble and bass clef
– Pause now correctly freezes at current position without resetting
– New channel/track selection sheet with better layout and resizing
– Dynamic resizing of track selector depending on track count
– Improved support for Files app import and MIDI file handling
– Improved iPad layouts for landscape and keyboard usage
– Various UI adjustments for better dynamic layouts
– Added animated key activation when playing notes
– Meta data icons view added with key signature, time signature and BPM info
– Fixed issue when selecting MIDI files from library reloading playback correctly
– Improved toolbar and sheet designs for a cleaner look
1.3.0 05/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Improved MIDI library with categories for easier organization
– Search your MIDI files directly from the library
– New instrument icons added to MIDI tracks
– Setting to automatically expands the on-screen keyboard based on notes in your MIDI files
– Time signature is now displayed from MIDI file data
– Select left and right hands automatically when piano tracks are detected
– Cleaner playback handling for MIDI files
– Simplified importing of MIDI files directly into your library
– Minor bug fixes and improvements for smoother experience
1.2.0 02/06/2025
Tiny Instrument: MIDI Keyboard updates and fixes:
– Added feedback section and rate app option
– Improved iPad support with more keys on screen
– Default settings improved for first-time users
– Colored staff display now enabled by default
– Improved on-screen keyboard responsiveness
– Fully integrated share feature
– New instruments section added in settings
1.1.0 02/06/2025
Practice that rewards you.
Every session now earns XP, and you level up as you go. New achievement badges celebrate your milestones, from your very first chord to a well-rounded week of practice, and fresh daily and weekly challenges give you something to aim for. Your progress is tracked across Lessons, Ear Training, Scales, Chords, and Two-Hand Drills, so every kind of practice counts.
Share it with friends. Opt in to Game Center for friends leaderboards, and your badges become Game Center achievements too. Friends only, with an age check, and entirely optional.
See it before you play it. Every practice setup now shows a live keyboard at the top that plays through exactly what you have set up, following your key, scale type, chord, play mode, voicing, and left-hand drone as you change them, with each hand shown in its own color.
Keep your momentum. Finish a lesson and start a focus session in one tap to stay in the zone. Your Journal now tracks Two-Hand Drills as a focus area, so you always know what to work on next.
New in Two-Hand Drills: the Contrary Scale exercise now plays both hands through the same scale in opposite directions by default, with an option to switch to an exact mirror.
Plus a long list of fixes and polish.
Thanks for playing.
more Version 2.6.0 7 Jul
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