Simple virtual piano that constantly runs in the background?

[kmo]

I have a MIDI keyboard permanently hooked up to a new iMac that I use for everyday purposes (email, word processing, etc.). I want to be able to reach over and play the keyboard at anytime without having to start up a program. (For example, to figure out a song that comes on the radio)

The sounds can be simple, but I need it to be light on processing power, unobtrusive, and automatically start when I start the computer. I'm thinking something that sits in the menu bar would be ideal, but I'm open to other suggestions of how to approach this.

Any ideas?

[Pitch Black]

I keep a melodica handy for this purpose. Always on. Never crashes.

[11olsen]

search for a smart piano plugin with standalone version. but i think you getting problems if you start a daw with asio wwithout closing it before

[Hertz SM]

A cheap sound module (i.e. Nano Piano; Alesis) and a midi splitter should provide what you want.

[3phase]

4 front has a nice free piano plug

[Tarekith]

I can't think of anything easier than setting up Garageband to launch when you turn on your computer. It even automatically opens with a piano instrument all set up and ready to go. Free too, since you have a Mac already.

[3phase]

or you can use midipipe to access the dsl music device