Learning to play the piano by ear is a fascinating journey that not only enhances your musical abilities but also deepens your connection with music.
This unique skill allows you to interpret and play music without relying on sheet music, offering a more intuitive and expressive way of playing.
Whether you're embarking on your musical journey, advancing your skills, or diving into the world of music for the first time, this guide is your ally. From beginners looking to discover the basics to Fort Wayne residents seeking to enhance their piano skills, I've got you covered with essential tips and techniques to master playing the piano by ear!
Understanding the Basics
Getting Familiar with The Piano
Before you dive into playing by ear, it's crucial to develop a fundamental understanding of the piano.
Familiarize yourself with the layout of the keys, the musical alphabet, the range of sounds, and major and minor chords. Exploring your piano lays a solid foundation for recognizing notes and chords by ear in real songs.
Ear Training: The Core Skill
Ear training is the process of developing your ability to identify pitches, intervals, chords, and rhythms by ear. This skill is incredible because a developed ear will allow you to play songs you hear just by listening to them! It's a common misconception that your "natural ear", whatever that means, is the primary determiner to how good you'll be at learning music by ear. While natural ability exists, the "natural ability" excuse isn't a powerful argument in this case. As a full-time, professional jazz pianist and teacher, I do not have a gifted ear, yet I can listen to songs once and play them accurately. How? Keep reading, and I'll tell you everything I know.
Start by trying to figure out simple melodies like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Mary Had a Little Lamb, or pick a melody from a song you like and try to find a couple of the notes of it on the piano. You can gradually challenge yourself with more complex songs as your listening skills improve.
You could also try a few classic ear training exercises on your own, like trying to sing a pitch you play on the piano and more.
Harmony and Chords
Understanding harmony and how chords are constructed is essential for playing by ear. Most songs are built around chord progressions, and being able to recognize these progressions will help you accompany melodies or even play full songs by ear.
Practice identifying major and minor chords to start, as these are most common in music. In fact, most songs you hear on the radio only have a combination of major and minor chords and only use four of them in total!
The Art of Transcription
Transcribing music by ear involves listening to a piece of music and attempting to play or write down the notes without the aid of sheet music.
Begin with short, simple melodies, focusing on getting the notes and rhythm right. It can often be beneficial to slow down the music with an audio stretch app, on YouTube playback settings, or in a program called a Digital Audio Workstation, known as a DAW.
Learning pop songs by ear requires a lot of practice, and the two main things to learn by ear in any song are the melody and harmony. It's often helpful to start with the melody because it’s easier to figure out than the chords. After you figure out the melody to a short section, the process of figuring out the harmony(chords) can be divided into four steps:
Step 1:
Try to hear the bass notes. This is difficult because we are not used to listening to the lower registers in music. That is why I recommend typing in the song name you choose and adding the words “bass cover” after it. Bass covers are videos where bassists play along with songs, which brings out the bass notes much more. If you can figure out the bass notes through trial and error, that’s a huge step.
Step 2:
Assume the bass note is the root of the chord, meaning the chord will be called whatever letter (note) that the bass is playing. So, if the bass note was G, we know the chord is going to be called G major or G minor, noted as G or Gm. In 95% of the cases, this assumption will be correct. It’s only not correct if the chord is a slash chord, but we won’t discuss that because they only account for 5% of the cases, and they’re a large topic to discuss. Most songs don’t have any slash chords.
Step 3:
You must play a major and minor chord starting from the bass note you identified and listen closely to figure out which one sounds correct in the song you’re trying to learn. In most cases, the wrong chord is obvious, even to a non-musical chicken. So, if the bass note is an A, you must figure out if the chord is an A major or an A minor.
People often associate major chords with sounding happy and minor chords as sad, which can be helpful in ear training. It’s also very helpful to rewind the song and try to play the major and minor chords at the same time. One will sound very wrong when overlayed on top of the recording.
Step 4:
Repeat that process until you’ve figured out all of the chords. Most songs only have four or five different chords that repeat over and over again.
Tips and Tricks for Playing Piano by Ear | Piano Lessons Fort Wayne
Start With Familiar Songs
One of the best ways to practice playing by ear is to start with songs you know well. Since you're already familiar with how the melody goes, you'll find it easier to pick out the notes and chords by ear.
Sing the Melody
Singing the melody or humming along as you try to play can significantly improve your ability to play by ear. This technique helps you internalize the melody, making it easier to translate into playing.
Use Technology
Apps can be a powerful ally in learning to play by ear. There are apps and software designed for ear training and music theory to sharpen your listening skills and understand musical structures!
Break Songs Down
When attempting to learn a piece by ear, break it down into smaller sections. Work on mastering a note or two before moving on to the next. This approach makes the learning process more manageable and less overwhelming.
Practice Regularly
Consistency is key to developing any skill, and playing piano by ear is no exception. Set aside regular practice time and stick to it. Even short, daily practice sessions can lead to significant improvements over time.
Where to Find Piano Lessons Near Me
For those embarking on their musical journey, finding the right piano lessons is crucial. Whether you're in the Fort Wayne area and searching "Piano lessons near me" or “Piano lessons Fort Wayne" to find a local teacher or if you're a novice looking into piano lessons for beginners, there are an abundant amount of resources available. For piano lessons Fort Wayne, consider trying a lesson with myself, Tommy Schilb, to see if it feels right for you!
Conclusion
Learning to play the piano by ear is a rewarding endeavor that opens up a new realm of musical expression. By focusing on ear training, understanding harmony, and practicing regularly, you'll develop the ability to play music intuitively. Remember, whether you're searching “piano lessons near me”, seeking out Piano lessons Fort Wayne, or looking for piano lessons for beginners, the journey of musical discovery is at your fingertips, and it can be heightened by an experienced teacher. Embrace the challenge, and let your ears guide you to a deeper connection with the piano!