| Most piano students receive some ear training at their | | | | very worthwhile. |
| piano lessons, but it is done away from the instrument. | | | | Sit down and create original music spontaneously. |
| Unfortunately this theoretical training has very little | | | | Take a break from practicing and play for fun! Play a |
| practical use for learning how to play piano by ear. To | | | | memorized piece or create an improvisation. The ear |
| take music making to an advanced level, musicians | | | | will continue to develop whenever the printed score is |
| need to be able to play what they hear in their heads | | | | put away! |
| at the piano, and without looking at the keys! | | | | Test your ear with a friend. |
| Often, players want to learn how to play piano by ear, | | | | Turn away from the piano and have someone play a |
| but they don't know where to start. Here are some | | | | note. Try to play the exact note played. |
| ways musicians can practice so that they will know | | | | Develop an aural image of the note's pitch in your |
| how to play piano by ear: | | | | head. Keep practicing this exercise, trying to reach for |
| Play with other musicians as often as possible. | | | | the note as it is heard. Slowly, this will become |
| Making music with others encourages new ways of | | | | instinctual with practice. This is very useful for playing |
| playing and listening to music. Playing from printed | | | | large leaps accurately. If a player can find the correct |
| scores or lead sheets is usually necessary, but in a | | | | notes without looking at the keys, their playing will be |
| group everyone has to learn to listen to the other | | | | much more secure. |
| players. Slowly, the brain's analytic hold on music | | | | Participate in group sessions. |
| making lets go, and the ear will take over. | | | | Many musicians hold open sessions and welcome |
| Practice familiar pieces with eyes closed. | | | | players to join in. This is intimidating for some players. If |
| Musicians need to let go of the need to watch printed | | | | this is new, they can start by just listening in. |
| music if they are going to play piano by ear. It takes | | | | Experienced players will often help other players, and |
| practice, but once a piece can can be played through | | | | are available for private lessons. For the best lessons |
| with eyes closed, new ways of playing are | | | | to learn how to play piano by ear, find a teacher that |
| discovered. There will be an extra layer of security | | | | will teach by example - jamming - without using printed |
| when performing: an aural image of the piece will drive | | | | scores. |
| the performance. | | | | To learn to play by ear, a musician needs to practice |
| Play along with recorded music without using a score. | | | | ear training at the piano so that the ear takes over. |
| Play a recording of an easy tune and play along. At | | | | As a players becomes more comfortable playing |
| first finding notes will be difficult, and can feel strange. | | | | piano by ear, new musical worlds open up! Their |
| Slowly, more of the notes will be found. This will take | | | | playing becomes easier, more enjoyable, and all |
| at at least six months to see big improvements, but is | | | | aspects of their musicianship improve. |