What is an online gesture synth?

It is a browser instrument that maps hand shapes and movement to chords, melody, tone, or rhythm. Motion runs hand tracking and instrument audio locally in the browser.

Do I need a MIDI keyboard?

No. Use your camera and hand movements, or play the on-screen controls with touch, clicks, or the computer keyboard.

Can I play chords with one hand?

Yes. Chords mode assigns a stable chord to each supported hand shape and keeps it sounding until you release it or press Stop.

Can I practise chord changes against a beat?

Yes. Beat Challenge follows a four-step I–V–IV–V target against the shared groove and gives local target and timing feedback.

Where are the beat controls?

Use the stage beat control or press B. In Chords mode, the Air Dock also provides gesture actions for the beat and fills.

Can I record what I play?

Yes. Cover Studio can combine camera, optional microphone, synth, beat, and overlays into a local take for review and download in supported browsers.

Motion · Playing guide

Gesture Synth Online: Play Chords with Your Hands

Motion is a free browser gesture synth for musicians, students, and curious players. A camera turns clear hand shapes into harmony while Air Melody adds a scale-aware lead. You can also explore the sounds with touch, clicks, or keyboard controls before enabling the camera.

Chord shapes

Start with the simple shapes in Easy mode. Wait for a stable chord label, then use Expressive mode when you want a larger chord palette.

Air Melody

Point one finger and raise or lower the melody hand through the selected scale while the other hand holds the chord bed.

Sound design

Choose a synth sound, then explore filter motion, reverb, and a tempo-synced arpeggiator. Change one setting at a time so you can hear its effect.

Beats included

Add a metronome, drum groove, or 3:2 and 4:3 polyrhythm without leaving the instrument. Keep the pulse simple while learning a new gesture.

Beat Challenge

Follow an I–V–IV–V exercise against the shared beat and read separate target and timing feedback for each confirmed chord change.

Local recording

Capture a camera-and-audio take in Cover Studio, review it, and download it from the browser. Publishing a share link is a separate action that uploads the take.

How to begin

Open Motion: Launch the browser instrument and begin with Chords mode.
Choose a sound: Pick a key, progression, synth tone, beat, or arpeggiator setting.
Enable input: Start the camera and allow access, or use Play without camera and the on-screen controls.
Play the instrument: Hold a clear shape for a chord, then try Air Melody with a pointing hand.
Practise the groove: Start Beat Challenge and follow the on-screen chord target.
Make a take: Open Cover Studio when you want to review or download a local performance.

Tips for playing

Keep a relaxed, easy-to-see shape still briefly when changing chords.
Use headphones when recording a vocal or backing track to reduce speaker spill.
On a phone or tablet, prop the device at hand height and use even light so the full hand stays visible.
Use the same key and scale in Chords and Air Melody so the harmony and lead stay together.

Gesture synth questions

What is an online gesture synth?: It is a browser instrument that maps hand shapes and movement to chords, melody, tone, or rhythm. Motion runs hand tracking and instrument audio locally in the browser.
Do I need a MIDI keyboard?: No. Use your camera and hand movements, or play the on-screen controls with touch, clicks, or the computer keyboard.
Can I play chords with one hand?: Yes. Chords mode assigns a stable chord to each supported hand shape and keeps it sounding until you release it or press Stop.
Can I practise chord changes against a beat?: Yes. Beat Challenge follows a four-step I–V–IV–V target against the shared groove and gives local target and timing feedback.
Where are the beat controls?: Use the stage beat control or press B. In Chords mode, the Air Dock also provides gesture actions for the beat and fills.
Can I record what I play?: Yes. Cover Studio can combine camera, optional microphone, synth, beat, and overlays into a local take for review and download in supported browsers.