| > | | | | Ascending:- the black key to the right of the A |
| | | | key, is a semi-tone higher in pitch and is known as the |
| The "play by ear" pianist is often hampered by a lack | | | | A-sharp note. The black key to the right of the |
| of knowledge about the construction and progression | | | | C key, is a semi-tone higher in pitch and is |
| of piano chords. Tips on how to go about learning to | | | | known as the C-sharp note. The same principle |
| play piano chords in all twelve different pitched keys in | | | | applies to D, F and G. Descending: The black key to |
| western music. | | | | the left of the B key, is a semi-tone lower in |
| Overeager to learn to play the piano, play by | | | | pitch and is known as the B-flat note, meaning that this |
| ear pianists often tend to discard the importance of | | | | note/key has 2 names i.e. B-flat and/or A-sharp. Which |
| learning the fundamental basics first, and instead, they | | | | ever of the two names you wish to call it is right. The |
| get involved in learning to play piano chords | | | | black key to the left of the A key, is a |
| prematurely. This often results in a person falling victim | | | | semi-tone lower in pitch and is known as the |
| to the three chords playing style, whereby one | | | | A-flat note, meaning that this note/key has 2 |
| learns to play only the three primary chords of a | | | | names i.e. A-flat and/or G-sharp. Which ever of the |
| specific pitched key, never to proceed beyond that | | | | two names you wish to call it is right. The same |
| point. In western music, piano chords are the fuel | | | | principle applies to G, E and D. Start on the A note/key |
| required by the piano in order to fire on all cylinders. A | | | | counting it as 1 and proceed up by semi-tone to the |
| person who is serious in becoming a skillful pianist | | | | count of twelve, gives you the twelve different pitched |
| should strive from the very beginning to learn to play | | | | tones on the piano, also known as the: Chromatic |
| the piano in all twelve different pitched keys, using at | | | | scale. |
| least twelve different piano chords in each. If maybe | | | | Tips: |
| you the reader are a beginner "play by ear" student, | | | | *Use masking tape and a marker to label each key |
| then do not be intimidated by this. Following the correct | | | | with its note name. Once you are familiar with the note |
| method in learning how to play piano chords by ear, | | | | names, the masking tape can be peeled off without |
| makes it easier than you can imagine. Just in case you | | | | leaving residue. |
| are wondering if the ability to play piano chords by ear | | | | *Learn the names and arrangement of the 7 natural |
| requires learning the notes of each piano chord by | | | | notes/keys, ascending and descending. |
| heart, the answer is a definite: NO! Remembering the | | | | *Learn the repeating octaves e.g. A-B-C-D-E-F-G-[A], |
| progression of piano chords, comes automatically with | | | | or: C-D-E-F-G-A-B-[C] or: G-A-B-C-D-E —F-[G]- |
| frequent practice. Familiarizing oneself thoroughly with | | | | etc. ascending and descending. |
| the fundamental basics, not only enables one to | | | | *Learn the names and the functions of the 5 modifiers |
| construct required piano chords, but it also contributes | | | | i.e. sharps — raising notes by a semi-tone |
| towards one’s senses becoming able to detect | | | | ascending and flats- lowering notes by a semi-tone |
| as to when to use which piano chord. Contrary to the | | | | descending. |
| pianist playing by instruction, i.e. from sheet music | | | | Practice tips: |
| notation, the play by ear pianist, is totally | | | | * Practice frequently! |
| dependant on his/her auditive perception, hence | | | | * Practice playing the different chromatic scales |
| knowledge about the fundamental basics is | | | | ascending and descending, without making any |
| indispensable. | | | | mistakes e.g. the chromatic scale of C: [C, C-sharp, |
| Question: How should one start learning to play piano | | | | D, D-sharp, E, F, F-sharp, G, G-sharp, A, A-sharp, B, [C]. |
| chords by ear? | | | | Descending: [C, B, B-flat, A, A-flat, G, G-flat, F, E, |
| Answer: Start off by familiarizing yourself with the | | | | E-flat, D, D-flat, [C] |
| layout of the piano keyboard.Learning the piano | | | | *Play an octave ascending and descending, while |
| keyboard:The piano is designed to deliver twelve | | | | humming each note that you play. |
| different pitched tones, each of which is named after | | | | *Sound the natural notes individually ascending and |
| an alphabetical letter. The 88 notes/keys on the | | | | descending while humming it or singing: DO, RE, ME, |
| keyboard, are arranged from left to right in a set | | | | FA, SO, LA, TI, DO, —TI, LA, SO, FA, ME, RE, |
| pattern, ascending in pitch and divided into repeating | | | | DO- over an over again, until you are able to sing or |
| groups (octaves) of twelve notes. Starting ascending | | | | hum the pitch correctly of each note that you |
| from left to right, the first 7 white notes/keys are | | | | randomly select. |
| known as the 7 natural notes i.e. A-B-C-D-E-F-G-[A] | | | | *Having removed the labeled names, sound notes |
| and when sounded ascending individually they give the | | | | randomly on the keyboard, calling their names. |
| familiar sound of: DO, RE, ME, FA, SO, LA, TI, [DO]. In | | | | Be on the lookout for more tips on basics with regard |
| between the 7 naturals are 5 black keys, known as: | | | | to learning how to play piano chords by ear, as |
| modifiers. Here’s how to identify their names: | | | | unfortunately it is to much to cover all of it in this article. |