How to Set Up Chord Nebula and Connect a MIDI Keyboard

Chord Nebula is a browser-based piano chord trainer that requires a MIDI keyboard (or a MIDI-capable app on your phone) before you can play. To get started: connect your MIDI device to your computer, select it from the device list on the Chord Nebula page, press Continue, then choose your genre, scale, key, and level on the setup screen. Levels 1–3 are free; levels 4–8 require a one-time purchase from the setup screen.

What You Need Before Starting

• A MIDI keyboard connected to your computer, or a MIDI-capable app running on your phone.
• A browser open to Chord Nebula.
• No account is mentioned as required to reach the setup screen — the page only asks you to connect a device and press Continue. (Note: the site does include a mailing-list signup, but that is separate from gameplay.)

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Connect your MIDI keyboard

Plug your MIDI keyboard into your computer. If you're using a phone instead, launch a MIDI-capable app that can send MIDI data.

2. Select the device

On the Chord Nebula start screen, your connected device appears in a list. Select it from that list.

Expected result: Chord Nebula recognizes your device as the input source.

3. Press Continue

After selecting your device, press Continue. This moves you from the device screen into the setup screen.

4. Choose your genre and scale

On the setup screen, pick your favorite genre. The genre determines which chord progressions you get and which scales they are drawn from:

The scale selection follows from the genre you choose.

5. Pick your key

Select the key you want to practice in.

6. Pick your level

Levels 1–3 are free and cover scale notes and basic chords. Levels 4–8 add note ordering, root-in-bass voicings, seventh chords, and more — these unlock with a one-time purchase from the setup screen.

7. Start playing

Notes and chords fall from the top of the play area. Play the note or chord shown — all its notes at once on your MIDI keyboard — before it reaches the bottom. Match it in time and it pops; let it reach the bottom and you lose a life. Run out of lives and the game ends.

What Happens as You Play

• Note names appear on the orb at first, then drop away once you are scoring, leaving the chord name and its scale degree.
• The pace picks up as your score climbs.
• The game teaches in the order music is built: the notes of a key, then the chords built on those notes, then the common progressions those chords make in real genres.

Common Setup Issues

• No device in the list: Make sure the keyboard is connected and powered before loading the page, then check the list again.
• Phone instead of keyboard: You need a MIDI-capable app — a standard phone keyboard won't send MIDI data.
• Can't get past the device screen: You must select a device from the list before Continue will move you forward.
• Want to restart: There is a Reset Progress option on the main screen.

Quick Reference