How to Use Michord: A Step-by-Step Beginner's Guide

How to use Michord? Michord is a desktop app that turns the notes you play on a MIDI keyboard into instant grand staff notation, chord symbols, and functional analysis. Setup and first use take a few minutes and require no technical knowledge.

In this guide you will learn to:

• Download, sign in, and open Michord for the first time
• Start playing with a MIDI keyboard or the on-screen keyboard
• Read notation, chord symbols, functional analysis, and role colors

How do you download and install Michord?

To install Michord, go to michord.com and download the version for your operating system. A .dmg file is offered for Mac and an .exe for Windows.

Installation steps:

1. Download: Click "Download for Mac" or "Download for Windows" on the homepage.
2. Open: On Mac, open the .dmg and drag the app to Applications; on Windows, run the .exe installer.
3. Launch: Open the Michord app.

The Mac version is notarized by Apple, so it installs directly. On Windows, if you see "Windows protected your PC" on first launch, continue with More info → Run anyway; this is a normal SmartScreen warning shown for new apps.

How do you sign in to Michord?

You sign in to Michord with an email and password. If you are new, create an account under the Sign Up tab by entering your email, choosing a password, and accepting the terms checkbox.

Sign-in is required to verify your entitlement (free or subscription). Once signed in, your session is stored on the device, so you do not re-enter your password each time. Chord recognition, the chord engine, and piano sound all run locally on your computer; your music is not sent to the cloud. Internet is only needed for sign-in and subscription checks.

If you forget your password, the Forgot Password link on the sign-in panel emails you a reset message. Creating an account is free and asks for no credit card; the moment you sign in, you have at least the free plan. So you can start trying the app without any payment.

How do you connect a MIDI keyboard to Michord?

When you connect your MIDI keyboard by USB or Bluetooth, Michord detects it automatically. From the device selector at the top, you can leave "All devices" or pick a specific keyboard.

If you do not have a MIDI keyboard, there are two alternatives:

• On-screen keyboard: Use "Show Virtual Keyboard" to play the on-screen piano with your mouse.
• Computer keyboard: Play notes with A, W, S, E, D, F… and change octave with Z and X.

Michord supports several MIDI inputs at once, which helps when working with multiple devices or in a classroom. When you press a key, the sound reflects on screen with no lag. MIDI is a standard protocol that lets electronic instruments talk to a computer (MIDI standard); Michord reads this data and turns it into meaningful notation.

What do you see on the Michord screen?

When you play a chord, Michord shows four pieces of information at once. The top half of the screen makes your notes readable, and the bottom half colors the roles on the piano.

What you see:

• Grand staff: Your notes appear live on treble and bass clef, splitting automatically around middle C.
• Chord symbol: The chord name, such as Cmaj7, G7, or Am, is written in large type.
• Functional analysis: The chord's degree in the key is shown as a Roman numeral.
• Role colors: The piano keys are colored by root, third, fifth, seventh, and tension tones.

Together, these four layers let you understand every chord both by ear and by sight. Note names also appear above the on-screen piano.

Here is a concrete example: press C, E, G, and B at the same time, and Michord writes those four notes on the grand staff, shows Cmaj7 as the chord symbol, marks it as the I degree in the key of C major, and colors C as the root and E as the third on the piano. If you also want to learn to work chords out by hand, see our guide to identifying piano chords.

How does key selection and functional analysis work?

Functional analysis tells you which degree a chord is within a key, using a Roman numeral. In Michord, the key selector at the top controls this.

There are two ways to use it:

1. Auto (Key: Auto): Michord estimates the key from the notes you play and analyzes accordingly.
2. Fixed key: If you pick a specific key (for example C major), all chords are analyzed against that key.

For example, select C major and play a G major chord, and Michord shows it as the V degree (dominant). Play the same chord in the key of G major and it becomes the I degree (tonic). So you see the chord's function in the music, not just its isolated name.

The key selector is especially useful when analyzing a piece. Once you set the piece's key, each chord's job in that key (tonic, subdominant, dominant) appears instantly, which helps you hear why chord progressions sound the way they do. If you are just starting, leaving it on Auto is the most practical choice.

How do you use chord progressions and Harmony Mode?

Michord includes a built-in chord progressions library. Open the progressions button at the top to see sequences grouped by genre, transposed to the key you choose.

Harmony Mode holds the notes you play on screen as if sustained, so you can study a chord and read its parts comfortably. This mode is handy for playing single notes quickly to see how a chord is built. The Sound on/off and "Panic / Clear" buttons clear stuck notes and let you turn the real grand piano sound off whenever you want.

The chord progressions library is especially valuable for teachers and students. When you pick and play a typical sequence for a genre, you see both how the notes connect and each chord's function in the key on the same screen. The Michord interface offers 8 languages, and full-screen mode suits presentations or lessons. Because all these tools sit in one window, you never get lost in menus while playing.

What is in the free plan, and what unlocks with a subscription?

Michord offers a permanent free plan, with advanced features unlocked by a subscription. The table below compares the two.

The subscription costs USD 2.99 per month or USD 14.99 per year, with the yearly plan offering better value. You can start a subscription inside the app and cancel anytime.

Common Mistakes

When getting started with Michord, these points are most often missed:

• Ignoring the key selector: If the analysis differs from what you expect, check whether the key is on Auto or fixed.
• Not selecting the MIDI device: With multiple inputs, make sure the right keyboard is selected.
• Not knowing the on-screen keyboard: With no physical keyboard, "Show Virtual Keyboard" or the computer keys are always ready.
• Stuck notes: If sound does not stop, the "Panic / Clear" button resets all notes.

Conclusion

How to use Michord is simple at its core: download, sign in, play. In short:

• Download the app from michord.com and sign in with your email.
• Start playing with a MIDI keyboard, the on-screen keyboard, or your computer keys.
• Read the grand staff, chord symbols, functional analysis, and role colors at once.
• Manage the analysis with the key selector, and practice with chord progressions.

The fastest way to learn to read chords is to see what you play in real time. Michord gives this feedback to beginners and to teachers who want visual support in a lesson. For more music theory guides, browse the Michord blog, or try the app free.

FAQ

Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use Michord?

No. If you do not have a MIDI keyboard, you can use the built-in on-screen keyboard or your computer keys (A, W, S, E, D).

Is Michord free?

Michord has a permanent free plan that shows note names on the keys and real piano sound. Grand staff, chord symbols, and analysis are part of the subscription.

Which operating systems does Michord run on?

Michord is a desktop app that runs on Apple Silicon Mac and Windows 10/11.

Does Michord need an internet connection?

Internet is only needed for sign-in and subscription checks; chord recognition and the engine run locally on your device.

How do I see a chord's function in the key in Michord?

Pick a key from the top key selector or leave it on Auto; when you play a chord, the functional analysis appears as a Roman numeral.