Hi PICsters!

I'm new to the PICLIST, so bear with me...
I'm considering to build a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) master
keyboard using a PIC 16F84 (or other re-programmable PIC device). I foresee
problems with the following issues:

1) I need to develop MIDI send code (which *should* be quite similar to a
serial interface, but is different on baud rate - some 33.1 kbps or so - and
probably on protocol). I already found some good MIDI links in the PICLIST,
but some of you might already have developed MPASM MIDI send code, or at least
can point me in the right direction?

2) I need to scan about 100+ keys, which is going to be tough with a 16F84,
but could be feasible when using two 8-bit shift registers, which results in
16*8=128 keys being scanned when using PORTB as input and e.g. RA0 for driving
the shift regs. Is this a possible approach, or should I go for a 28- or even
40-pin device (are there any re-programmable (Flash or EEPROM) 28- or 40-pin
devices, where I can use one of those inexpensive PIC programmers like Ludi,
NOPPP, COM84, etc.)?

Any help is highly appreciated!
Thanks a lot,
Franz