Do you ever watch musicians in jazz clubs? Piano players are the most awesome to behold. They seem to just pick up and play songs they have never heard before that night. Many individuals can do this. No matter their instrument, they can listen to a song once and play it without hesitation and error free. The rest of us need music, carefully written keys, notes and time signatures as a guide. Perhaps we have neglected our own improvisational education. This article is to aid others in avoiding the same mistakes.
It is possible to learn the piano by playing by ear, although it is not a common method. To learn piano is to learn to read music simultaneously, is the most common method. This is a talent honed by many years of practice, reading music, listening, and imitating that most professional musicians can play by ear, no matter how they originally learned to play. For some individuals, playing by ear in an inborn talent and gift that come to them naturally, for instance, Mozart composed and played many complicated compositions as a child before he ever saw sheet music.
Do not fool yourself into thinking you would not need to learn to read music to activate this talent within yourself. Nothing is further than the truth. If you want to be a good musician, perhaps even going professional this is a necessary skill. You have access to every great piece of music ever written when you can read music. There is no need to hear it to be able to play it. You improve your overall musicianship, when you learn to read music and play the piano as you gain better hand to eye coordination. When you learn to play the piano by reading music, you will recognize the notes, and this will give you an idea of what the music sounds like. When you read music, you unconsciously learn to play by ear. While you concentrate on learning to play by ear, you are able to translate a piece of written music, as you need to.
Reading music is an essential while generally beginning piano instruction includes learning to read music. You have all the basics required to learn to play by ear. For the majority without a good understanding of music theory and good techniques learning to play by ear can be difficult. Invest some of your time in practicing your positions and scales. These techniques should be part of every practice session as they build good habits while training your ear. With practice we all gain skills.
After reaching intermediate level, you may wish to search for a skilled teacher with a talent for teaching the art of playing by ear. This helps you to revise your abilities. You can learn the tricks of listening that aid you in picking out the chord progressions that form the basis of any piano work. Generally, this skill accompanies regular music-related teachings.
No matter your reason for wanting to play, it is best to be able to read music and play by ear. It is never too late to begin training yourself in either technique. You will find that there are computer-based courses online that teach these musical skills. Begin today, start learning and enjoy yourself as you learn.
While this article mainly focuses on playing an instrument without sheet music ("by ear"), there are rules here that will be beneficial to all types of players.
Tip #1: Understand how music works
One of the biggest myths is that you don't have to understand music to play by ear. You just play. That is the furthest from the truth.
While there are a lot of "gifted" and talented musicians out there that have no idea what they are playing (...they just play by "listening"), this is not the way you want to be. At least if you can help it.
Believe it or not, understanding how scales are formed and how they create chords and progressions is one of the most important things you can learn.
(By the way, major scales are a series of seven unique notes played one after the other. They are the basis of what we call "major keys" and everything is based on them. Chords, on the other hand, are three or more notes played at the same time. These are the combined sounds you hear in songs. And chord progressions are no more than chords going from one to the other --- a series of chords played one after the other).
Scales basically create chords. Chords create progressions. And progressions ultimately create the songs you hear! Understanding "how" and "why" is the difference between an average musician and a professional musician.
Tip #2: Master the patterns rather than memorizing stuff
I always get asked, "How do you memorize thousands of songs?"
The answer is I don't. I understand patterns.
A couple dozen songs may follow the same exact patterns --- so to a regular person, they think I know 36 songs but all I'm doing is playing the same pattern. Yes, the song may be in a different key (there are 12 keys but once you understand scales and patterns, you can instantly play ONE song in all TWELVE keys very easily). The song may have a different melody, but at the end of the day, it will almost always share the same chords and patterns as many other songs.
Tip #3: Learn to listen
Playing by ear is not reserved for geniuses. It's all about listening.
Do you hear tones going up? or down? Does a chord sound happy (perhaps it's a major chord) or sad and serious (minor chord). Maybe it's a scary sound... spooky (diminished chord). How about a blues feel... very soulful-like (dominant chord).
See? All these chords have feelings attached to them. Those that play seamlessly what they hear and feel have simply learned how to unlock their ears.
Tip #4: Become a pro at recognizing intervals
"Intervals," in music, are distances between notes. As simple as that.
There are very small intervals out there like unison, seconds, and thirds and there are larger ones like fifths, sixths, and sevenths. These intervals actually help to name the chords that we play. When you say the name, "major chord," you're actually referring to a particular interval in that chord that gives the chord its main sound quality. The same applies to minor and other chords.
There are different kinds of intervals: melodic and harmonic.
Melodic intervals are distances between single notes, played one after the other. Like "melodies."
Harmonic intervals are distances between notes played at the same time (i.e. - "chords").
Songs contain both melody and harmony so becoming a pro at recognizing both types of intervals allow you to hear the stuff songs are made of! And if you can do that, then it's just a matter of putting this interval with that interval and you get chords and progressions.
Tip #5: Practice and get some real-world experience
You can study, study, study all you want but it won't do you any good if you don't put what you learn into action. Of course, this sounds a little cliche but it's the truth.
Practice doesn't make perfect.
Perfect practice makes perfect. Make sure to practice the right stuff. I've learned in music (and practically in life) that:
1) You can do things right
2) You can do the right things
There's a difference. You can do things right... the WRONG things, right. Focus on the right things and do THEM right and you'll get better, fast. My blog gives you a lot of things to practice (scales, modes, chords, progressions, harmonization techniques, etc.).
In the area of speed and finger independence, Hanon are great exercises. Focus on the right things and do them as best as you can, and you can't go wrong.
Well, there you have it! My five personal tips to getting started the right way. Follow them and you will succeed!
Both Kevin Sinclair & Jermaine Griggs are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kevin Sinclair has sinced written about articles on various topics from self improvement and motivation, Personal Development Plan and Ezines And Newsletters. Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of , a site that provides information and articles for musicians at all stages of their development.. Kevin Sinclair's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.
Jermaine Griggs has sinced written about articles on various topics from Music. Jermaine Griggs is the founder of and the author of the best-selling, "Secrets to Playing Piano By Ear" home study course. If you want to. Jermaine Griggs's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.