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Virtual Electric Piano

Play a free virtual electric piano online with FM synthesis reproducing the bell-like Rhodesmark tone — sustain, harmonics, and that 70s soul vibe.

Keyboard: A=C4 · S=D4 · D=E4 · F=F4 · G=G4 · H=A4 · J=B4 · K=C5
Ready to record

Captures live performance audio with zero latency. Export as .wav (DAWs & universal playback) or .webm (MPV player & web).

The Electric Piano — Soul, Jazz, and FM Synthesis

The electric piano family includes the Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer EP-200, Hohner Clavinet, and Yamaha CP-70 — all electromechanical instruments producing sound via strings, reeds, or tines vibrating above magnetic pickups, principles shared with the electric guitar. The resulting amplified tone blends sustained resonance with a bell-like attack, characteristic of countless classic jazz, soul, funk, and pop recordings.

Our FM Synthesis Approach

Real Rhodes electric pianos produce a fundamental + subtle 14th harmonic 'bell' from the tine pickup. FM synthesis captures this naturally using a carrier sine + modulator sine at a 2:1 ratio, with the modulator amplitude scaled by carrier frequency — exactly as used in the Yamaha DX7 for the iconic "E.PIANO 1" patch popularized by Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea in the 1980s.

Classic Songs Featuring Electric Piano

The Rhodes electric piano stars in Steely Dan's "Peg", Herbie Hancock's "Chameleon" and "Cantaloupe Island", Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are", Ray Charles' "What'd I Say", and countless soul hits by Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin. Practice these classics on our virtual electric piano to master the bell-like sustained lines central to the genre.

Acoustic Piano
Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Chord Library

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our virtual instruments, practice tools, and music theory workspace.

How does the virtual electric piano work?

Our virtual electric piano uses FM synthesis — a sine carrier modulated by a 2x modulator — to reproduce the signature Rhodes/Wurlitzer tone of classic electric pianos from the 1970s.

How is it different from a regular piano?

Acoustic pianos strike strings with hammers (sharp attack + woody decay).

Electric pianos use a tine struck by a hammer that vibrates above a pickup — producing a softer, bell-like sustained tone with the distinctive 'tine' attack. Our virtual electric piano merges these two zones via FM synthesis.

Is this a Rhodes or a Wurlitzer?

The default tone is closer to a Fender Rhodes electric piano — soft, sustained, with that signature warm FM timbre.

Future updates will add selectable EP models including Wurlitzer 200A and Hohner Clavinet.

Can I use my computer keyboard?

Yes — the keyboard mappings are identical to our virtual piano: A-S-D-F-G-H-J-K for white keys C4-C5, W-E-T-Y-U for sharps between.

Can I record my playing?

Yes — Record captures audio output to a downloadable .

webm file.

What is the Rhodes Electric Piano?

Invented by Harold Rhodes in the 1940s and popularized by Fender in the 1960s, the Rhodes uses a metal tine struck by a felt hammer, vibrating above a magnetic pickup similar to an electric guitar's.

The result: a sweet, sustained, bell-like tone beloved in jazz, soul, and fusion.

How is the Wurlitzer different from the Rhodes?

The Wurlitzer EP-200 uses a flat reed struck by a hammer instead of a tine.

The reed generates a darker, more percussive, slightly overdriven tone. Real Rudies from the 70s typically cost $2,000-$5,000 today.

Why does the electric piano have FM content?

The tine/pickup combo on a Rhodes produces a clear fundamental plus a 'bell' tone (around the 14.

7 harmonic). FM synthesis via carrier+modulator (at 2:1 ratio) reproduces this crash and decay envelope — the classic John Chowning FM synthesis technique licensed for the Yamaha DX7 used heavily in the 1980s for electric piano patches.