How to make falling-note piano videos.
Get your piece in as notes, pick a look, and export. LumaKeys does all three in one app on your Mac.
Here's the whole workflow step by step, plus the export settings for YouTube, TikTok, Reels and Shorts.
The whole workflow in 38 seconds.
Step by step.
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Get the piece in
Import a MIDI file, record it with your MIDI keyboard or computer keys, or transcribe a piano recording. Transcription runs on your Mac.
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Clean it up
Open the piano roll and fix what bothers you: a wrong note, a late chord, uneven timing. Much faster than playing the whole piece again.
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Pick a look
Start from one of the 12 looks, then change materials, colors, particles and background until it fits the piece. The piece keeps its look for next time.
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Choose the format
Desktop (16:9) for YouTube, Mobile (9:16) for TikTok, Reels and Shorts. Then 1080p or 4K, 30 or 60 fps.
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Export
Export the full piece or just a section, with a start delay and fades if you want them. Need both formats? Add each to the queue and they render one after another.
Export settings by platform.
| Posting to | Format | Resolution | Frame rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Desktop (16:9) | 4K on Pro, or 1080p | 60 fps |
| TikTok, Reels, Shorts | Mobile (9:16) | 4K on Pro, or 1080p | 60 fps |
Free exports 1080p with a small watermark. Pro exports up to 4K without it, $69 for a limited time, then $99, no subscription.
Tips for short videos.
Export a section, not the whole piece. Start it a few seconds before the part you would rewind for.
Turn on "Crop to used keys". The keyboard zooms to the range the piece uses, so the notes get wider in the tall frame.
Add a short fade in and out so the clip doesn't start or stop hard. Want your real piano in the video? Export with your own recording as the sound.
Questions & answers.
Everything the app exports: piano visualizer for Mac.
What do I need to make a falling-note piano video?
A Mac and LumaKeys. A MIDI keyboard helps if you want to play the piece yourself, but you can also import a MIDI file or transcribe a piano recording.
How do YouTubers like Rousseau make their piano videos?
The notes come from MIDI: the performance is recorded or imported as MIDI and rendered as falling notes with glow and particles over a keyboard. In LumaKeys you bring in the MIDI, pick a look and export.
Can I make these videos for free?
Yes. LumaKeys Free exports 1080p videos in 16:9 and 9:16 with a small watermark. Pro removes the watermark and adds 4K.
Which settings should I use for TikTok, Reels and Shorts?
Mobile (9:16) at 60 fps, 4K if you have Pro, and a section of the piece instead of the whole thing.
Do I need a MIDI keyboard?
No. Import a MIDI file, play with your computer keys, or transcribe a piano recording.
Can I use the sound of my real piano?
Yes. Attach your audio or video recording to the piece, line it up with the notes, and export with your recording as the sound. If you transcribed that recording in LumaKeys, it is already in sync.
What music can I post?
Your own music, and your own performances of pieces in the public domain, which covers most classical music. Film scores and pop songs are under copyright, so platforms may mute or claim the audio.
Start your piano journey today.
macOS 12 or later · On an Intel version?
Pro is $69 for a limited time, then $99. See all Pro features.