Learning piano? Try this smart MIDI keyboard that shows you exactly where you put your fingers, on sale for $280

Macworld TL;DR: Learn piano with a light-up MIDI keyboard that plugs into GarageBand and Logic Pro, now $279.99 (reg. $399.99). Learning piano usually means pulling out a full-size…

Macworld TL;DR: Learn piano with a light-up MIDI keyboard that plugs into GarageBand and Logic Pro, now $279.99 (reg. $399.99). Learning piano usually means pulling out a full-size keyboard and trying to follow along to old video tutorials. If you’d rather have the keys show you, try the PopuPiano Smart Portable 29-Key MIDI Keyboard, Chord Pad and Speaker Bundle. This portable keyboard lights up each note you need to play and teaches lessons through a free app.

On a Mac, it also works as a MIDI controller. Right now the whole kit is $279.99 (reg. $399.99). To help you build muscle memory along with basic piano skills, each of the 29 keys lights up to mark the next note you have to play. Gamified note drills in the PopuMusic app teach you the basics of music theory, and you’ll also get access to more than 100 song accompaniments that give you something to play along with.

Keys are 7/8 the width of standard piano keys, and 127 levels of pressure sensitivity mean you can modulate your volume just by pressing a key lighter or harder. If you want to make music on your Mac, PopuPiano connects to GarageBand and Logic Pro over USB-C or Bluetooth 5.0, so you can use it as a MIDI controller for your own recordings.

At 1.43 pounds with a six-hour battery, it’s light enough to carry in a bag, so you can practice or record song ideas wherever you are. This bundle also includes a Chord Pad that plays full harmonies with a single tap, so you can accompany yourself without working out every chord by hand. You’ll also get a PopuSound speaker with sustain pedal support, so you can play out loud without plugging into a computer.

A carrying bag and charging cable come in the box too. Learn piano and record your own music with one portable keyboard. Get the PopuPiano Smart Portable 29-Key MIDI Keyboard, Chord Pad and Speaker Bundle for $279.99 (reg. $399.99). PopuPiano Smart Portable 29-Key MIDI Keyboard, Chord Pad and Speaker BundleSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.