Lend Me Your Ears
Learning and science
ear training
SHOW HN2026
565points
171comments
#39of 4,366 in 2026
Top 1%of 2026 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
28 positive, 29 neutral or asking, 7 mixed, 20 critical, out of 84 comments about the project. Thread score +0.14.
Idea: 16 for, 2 againstDesign: 2 for, 9 againstExecution: 2 for, 9 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Good tool for ear training, feels like a musician's practice aid
From 2 comments
As someone who practices music 2 to 3 hours a day. I love this. I think people are coming at it as if it were a video game or designed to be a "portfolio project" but as a…
polarbearballs on HNClean project, well done. As a classically trained pianist, I'll say the following commentary regarding this thread: there are many ways to learn to "play the piano" and no one…
mjg2 on HN
Clean, simple design
From 2 comments
Clean project, well done. As a classically trained pianist, I'll say the following commentary regarding this thread: there are many ways to learn to "play the piano" and no one…
mjg2 on HNVery cool! Love the simplicity of this. Built a similar mode in Midiano (also a midi webapp, but focused on playing MIDI files). But this is much cleaner for a quick exercise.…
Bewelge on HN
Objections
Melodies grow too long and turn into a memory test
From 2 comments
I like the game up until 7 or 8 notes, but it keeps adding note. I couldn't find a setting to freeze the difficulty where it's comfortable and where the melody can still be…
GistNoesis on HNGreat technical demo, but the usability feels unpolished. So here's a little bit of feedback of trying this out on a piano: Just because my piano has 88 keys doesn't mean they…
w-m on HN
No sound on iPhone for some users
From 2 comments
Don’t seem to get any sound on iPhone 16 even after clicking :(
hooloovoo_zoo on HNOn iPhone, no sound.
KolmogorovComp on HN
MIDI note-off triggers duplicate input on some controllers
From 1 comment
Just a quick compatibility issue: for some reason, my midi board triggers a key input both when I press it down, and when I let it go. I'm assuming that it might just be…
catapart on HN
Replaying whole melody after one mistake is frustrating
From 1 comment
Great technical demo, but the usability feels unpolished. So here's a little bit of feedback of trying this out on a piano: Just because my piano has 88 keys doesn't mean they…
w-m on HN
Requests
Freeze difficulty level or cap note count
From 1 comment
I like the game up until 7 or 8 notes, but it keeps adding note. I couldn't find a setting to freeze the difficulty where it's comfortable and where the melody can still be…
GistNoesis on HN
Ability to play with computer keyboard mapping
From 2 comments
It be nice if you mapped the keys to the user keyboard kinda like ableton, for people who dont have a midi controller handy White Keys: The keys from ‘A’ to ‘L’ on your keyboard…
ladidahh on HNVery nice, always wanted something like this. Liked: Sheet/No shit split Would like: - Ability to play with PC keyboard, other apps already have some type of interface to type…
TZubiri on HN
Microphone or pitch detection input
From 2 comments
Nice! Would love to use it. I don't have a midi piano. Wondering if it is easy for you to support my inputs using microphone. I think there will be several noobs like me with the…
niyazpk on HNFun app! One of the things I wish it had if it can record the ambient notes and match it (like one of those guitar tuner apps). Playing by ear is something I've done all my life…
anishgupta on HN
Adjustable playback tempo
From 1 comment
Love this!! One improvement that would help me a lot is to control the playback speed. My brain needs to start a bit slower as some of the sequences are fairly fast for my brain…
ElijahLynn on HN
Non-blocking experimentation on keyboard before submitting
From 1 comment
It's a very cool little game! One suggestion: could you make it so you can noodle around on the keyboard without submitting the answer and then once you've worked it out, have a…
allenu on HN
Questions
Is there a modern app or AI way to ease initial piano learning
From 1 comment
Just bought a digital piano as New Year present to myself. So far I am doing single-note-a-time melodies from my child's practice book and so far enjoying my slow progress, but I…
nopurpose on HN
Alternatives named
Simon electronic toy
From 1 comment
Hey I like yours as well! They're both different though. Your app is more focused on the ability to reproduce specific pieces. Mine's based on the old electronic toy Simon -…
vunderba on HN
keybykey.app
From 1 comment
Funny, I posted my (less cool) version of this exact idea last week: https://keybykey.app
reassess_blind on HN
Midiano
From 1 comment
Very cool! Love the simplicity of this. Built a similar mode in Midiano (also a midi webapp, but focused on playing MIDI files). But this is much cleaner for a quick exercise.…
Bewelge on HN
Synthesia
From 1 comment
Thanks Bewelge! I took a look at Midiano - it's very polished! Were you inspired by Synthesia? I know it has a combination of falling note + sheet notation as well~…
vunderba on HN
Yousician
From 1 comment
Very nice, always wanted something like this. Liked: Sheet/No shit split Would like: - Ability to play with PC keyboard, other apps already have some type of interface to type…
TZubiri on HN
Piano Adventures Player app
From 1 comment
That's good question. While I think my app might help with your ability to pick out notes - it's not going to assist with stuff like proper pianistic ergonomics, fingering, etc.…
vunderba on HN