Can’t find your answer? Email us at support@museflow.ai. We’re also always looking for feedback! If you have any comments or suggestions, please visit our survey.
Currently this iteration of MuseFlow requires you to have:
- A computer - Mac or PC. The newer the better.
- A “plug and play” midi keyboard or controller with the appropriate cable to connect to your computer.
- A browser other than Safari, preferably Chrome.
Later iterations will lower the barrier to entry with key features including audio recognition so you won’t have to connect your keyboard to your device, and turning MuseFlow into an downloadable application so it’s compatible with iOS and other mobile devices.
A MIDI keyboard should be available at any local music shop or electronics shop such as Best Buy or Walmart. You can also buy them online at Amazon or elsewhere. These are the ones we recommend:
- 25 Keys: $46.99 - Nektar SE25 USB MIDI Keyboard
- 61 Keys: $99.99 - Nektar SE61 - USB MIDI Controller Keyboard
- 88 Keys: $229.00 - Alesis Q88 MKII
We recommend the 25 key keyboard if you’re wanting to just try out MuseFlow. It will allow you to progress up to the end of Unit 1 of the curriculum.
Both the 61 and 88 key keyboards are great if you’re interested in committing to piano education and progressing past Unit 1 of the curriculum.
Note: If you notice that the cable your keyboard comes with does not match a port on your computer, you will need to buy a separate MIDI cord that will properly connect the keyboard to your computer.
These are the ones we recommend based on popular types of computers:
- USB-b to USB-c : Good for Mac’s 2015 to present
- USB-b to USB-a: Good for most PC’s and Pre-2015 Mac’s
Note: This is the cable that most digital keyboards come with, so be sure to compare to the what keyboard you have/are going to buy to make sure this purchase isn’t redundant.
If you need any help deciding on the right cord to buy, please reach out to our stellar support team at support@museflow.ai with the type of keyboard and computer you have and we’d be happy to help you make the right selection.
However, we are quickly working towards a version of Muse Flow that functions through audio recognition alone, so stay tuned!
Sight reading is the ability to play or perform music that you, the musician, have not seen before. Most music teaching curriculums teach you to read music through repetitive practice of the same song over and over again. Once that song is mastered, you move on and learn a new one. While this is helpful in learning a single piece, once you move to a new song, you must begin the same process again, often leading to frustration and even boredom.
MuseFlow flips this process on its head by teaching you the building blocks of music before you start to learn songs. We do this by giving you music you’ve never seen before, and that never repeats, to teach you how to read music at first sight. Only then do you apply this knowledge to learning songs. You learn repertoire (songs) faster without the frustration of feeling like you’re learning how to play all over again every time you move on to a brand new song. An increase in sight-reading ability has been shown to make learning new songs more fun which will make you want to keep going. Mastering new songs will be a breeze, and you’ll quickly build confidence in your knowledge and understanding of music.
The short answer is yes, you do need one.
A MIDI keyboard is any keyboard that connects directly to your computer through a USB cable and sends MIDI data to whatever program you are using. The current iteration of MuseFlow requires a MIDI compatible keyboard in order to accurately track your progress and adjust your lessons in real-time. The MIDI keyboard tells our program whether or not you hit the correct key for the note, if you hit it at the correct time, if you held it long enough, and a whole range of other important information. The curriculum then makes adjustments based on this information. Every adjustment is geared towards your specific learning progress, in order to keep the lesson equal parts challenging and interesting so you stay in flow state throughout.
However, we are quickly working towards a version of MuseFlow that functions through audio recognition alone, so stay tuned!
During sign up, you’ll be guided through the process of connecting and setting up your MIDI keyboard. If you have any questions, you can also reach out to support@museflow.ai. Here’s a quick guide to the process of setting up your MIDI keyboard:
1. You’ll be asked to connect your MIDI keyboard to your computer.
2. If MuseFlow recognizes that your keyboard is connected, it’ll automatically route you to the next page.
3. If MuseFlow doesn’t recognize that your keyboard is connected but you plugged it in, refresh the page.
4. In the next step, you’ll be asked if your keyboard has built-in speakers or not. Either works with MuseFlow, just select the one relevant to your keyboard.
Once you’ve finished selecting, MuseFlow takes care of the rest! It will personalize your experience and you will be all set to begin learning and playing.
First of all, we are so excited that you want to play with us and would love to make that happen!
While our current iteration is only usable with a MIDI compatible “plug and play” keyboard and a computer, we’re committed to the goal of democratizing the process of learning music. Please reach out to us at support@museflow.ai and let us know that you need help with the purchase of any equipment and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Not right now. There are latency issues with music education apps, MIDI, and web browsers and we can’t account for them for our prototype unfortunately. But we know this is an issue, and are currently working on it. With our next version of MuseFlow we should have this fixed.
We insist! We are constantly working hard to make MuseFlow the best experience it can be for our users. We would love to hear from you about how we’re doing. Take our survey here or shoot us an email at info@museflow.ai with any thoughts or questions you have.
Absolutely! MuseFlow is meant to meet you where you’re at. If you already have experience playing piano, you can try out a few different levels until you find the one that best challenges your current skill level.
Not yet, but we will. MuseFlow’s unique approach to learning is applicable to any instrument. As we continue to grow, we look forward to offering our revolutionary curriculum for all common instruments.
We’re just getting started! We have so much more in store, so be sure to keep checking back in with us. Here are a few goodies we are planning to add as we continue to build MuseFlow:
A Repertoire Library - While our initial curriculum teaches you how to sight read never before seen music, our repertoire library will teach you how to actually learn some of your favorite songs while in flow state. You can free play without guidance, or use our Repertoire Tool to expedite the learning process. As you learn a new song, MuseFlow will adjust the tempo and complexity of the music itself based on your performance. It will break down each song into phrases and have you repeat the phrase until you know it well enough that you are ready to move onto the next one. Once you’ve made your way through the song, we’ll put it all together and voila! You’ll be playing your favorite tunes in no time.
A Theory Library - Knowing how and why music works is an integral part to playing more advanced music. Within the MuseFlow Theory Library, we’ll provide videos that give you an in-depth understanding of theory concepts and explain specific techniques in greater detail. This library will also house specific exercises for ear training, chords and scales, and rhythm drills, each designed to increase your music fluency.
A Community Center - Learning is more fun when you’re doing it with other people. While the nature of learning music can feel like a solitary activity, MuseFlow plans to create a community hub through our app that allows you to connect with your peers in digital and in-person settings. Set goals and trade tips and tricks with people who are learning at the same level as you.
Have a suggestion? Other features you’d like to see? Let us know! We are always looking for feedback to make our product the best it can be. Take our survey here or shoot us an email at info@museflow.ai with any thoughts, suggestions, or questions you have. Let’s make music together!
