Chord Drills: frequently asked questions
Chord Drills is a free practice tool for chords, scales and sight reading with a MIDI keyboard. Here are the answers to the questions people ask most.
Is it really free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no ads and no tracking. If you like it, you can say thanks with the “Buy me a coffee” button, but you never have to.
What do I need?
A MIDI keyboard (USB or Bluetooth) and a computer with Chrome or Edge. The drills read your playing through Web MIDI, which these browsers support. Safari, and with it every browser on an iPhone or iPad, does not support Web MIDI.
Does it work on a phone or tablet?
Only partly. The page loads, but on most phones and tablets the browser has no Web MIDI, so the drills cannot hear your keyboard. A computer works best.
Can I use it without a MIDI keyboard?
You can browse the learning section (chords, scales, notation) without one. The drills need a MIDI keyboard, because the app checks the notes you press.
Does it teach me to play the piano?
No. It is a drill tool, not a course. It makes chords, scales and note reading faster and more automatic. Use it next to lessons, a method book or a course.
Does it have sound?
The app can play the notes you press as a simple piano sound. It is switched off by default, and a volume control at the top right turns it on. There is also a metronome with a click, a beep, a hi-hat and a few grooves (jazz, bossa nova, rock, funk and hip-hop).
Which languages does it speak?
English, German and Spanish. You can switch the language at the bottom of the page.
What happens to my data?
Your settings and high scores stay in your browser. Nothing you play is sent to a server. The page is hosted on GitHub Pages, which technically logs visitors' IP addresses. Details are in the privacy policy.
Where do I start?
Pick what you want to practise: random chords, ii–V–I in all keys, scales, sight reading or chord inversions.