How to Play Piano By EarGet started learning how to play piano by ear today! Here is a mini guide for beginner pianists to learn how to play piano without sheet music.
To play piano by ear means to pick out pieces that you know or have heard, without reading sheet music. Playing your own compositions and improvising are also wonderful ways to create music and play by ear. So how do you learn to play by ear?Just because it looks so easy, doesn't mean it comes without some effort and work! Some people just seem to naturally learn easily to play by ear, and others have to work harder. But as with everything else- it takes practice to make perfect!
The trick is to start simple. Pick a very easy piece that you know very well- let's say “Hot cross buns". Too easy? Pick anything you like, but do start with something very simple-otherwise you might just give up. Or pick you favorite song. Listen several times, then play back and forth as you pick out the melody of the song one little bit at a time. Pick any key on the piano, start to find the notes to the song. Mistakes are allowed! Make as many mistakes as you need- you will actually learn to find your way around the keys of the piano better if you "fiddle around" a bit. It also helps to hum along as you play. Once you have found the piece, play it several times so you learn it well. You can play only one hand- often the right for the melody, or both, or take turns. It gives you some extra practice. Adding accompaniment: The melody needs some accompaniment, right? OK. Find the note that finished your piece, the very last note. Does it sound as if that is the end of the piece? This note is called the Tonic. This is in most cases the first note in the scale your little piece is made from. We will call this note I (1). Now count up from this note being 1, the next up is 2 and so on. Find the IV (4th) and the V (5th) note. Please note: If your melody had some black keys in it, then you might have to alter the bass notes to a black key right next to it too. Listen to what sounds best. With your left hand play the first note (I) with your fifth finger (your pinkie), your fourth note (IV) with your 2nd finger, and your fifth note (V) with your first finger (your thumb). Practice playing them one at a time. Now the fun part! Play the melody you learned with your right hand. Test the bass-notes you learned with your left hand- one at a time- together with the melody. See together with which melody notes they fit best. Keep the left hand notes longer, but listen to where you have to change. This is called ear-training, and you are now playing piano by ear! Continue to play piano by ear and pick out other songs (or make up your own!) that you like, but remember to choose very simple songs at first. The I, IV, V formula works for many, many songs and you could also play piano chords this way; just build the bass note with a third and a fifth to a chord in root position. Easy songs to pick out and play by ear:
Other Resources:Hear and Play Piano has a really great piano course to teach you to play piano by ear, you can see for yourself here: Learn To Play Piano By Ear Return from Play Piano By Ear to How To Play The Piano
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