Learning to Play Piano by Ear

Think about this... would you like to play the piano without the fuss of dragging your music sheets? Or make music with just humming along with the tune? Have you always wanted to play but your visual senses make it quite impossible? Don’t you know that by simply humming a tune, you could play it the same?

Some musicians, professional in their own art, didn’t start their career through any manuals or instructors. What they did is follow the tone that they hear and play along the beating of the music. No notes, no mentors.

1. Assemble your things. Of course you’ll need a piano or a keyboard, whatever it is that’s available. You have to have at least three available fingers, just in case others have been decapitated or just got lost. Be sure you have a lot of time to practice. Oh, and tune your piano first.

2. Remember that the piano is an instrument that is comprised of 88 keys. Along these are 12 straight notes. The first white key is the A-note, next white note is B, C, D, E, F, G. Then after the last white G-note, the next white note again becomes the A-note, then the repetition begins. This sequence is repeated until the last white note is done for about 7 times. That would include the black notes that represent flats and sharps.

3. The C note is also known as the Home Key. To trace the C note, it is the white key on the left side of two black keys. If you’re still amazed, stare at your piano. You’ll notice that at the middle part is the C-note. Thus, that would be the first major chord.

The thumb of your right hand will serve as number 1 because it is put at the C straddled in the middle. From there, count all keys going to the right. Include the black keys. When you have counted till 5, that would serve as the 2nd note in C chord. Place your middle finger there. From counting to number 5, count till 8, that will be your final note. Put your pinkie on it.

Sound it all together and you’ll hear quite an impressive cycle.

4. Be familiar in using the abovementioned sequence…1,5, 8 counting. You could start with any note, just be sure that when you count, include the flats and sharps. Use these chords as your roots. This will work perfectly if you decided to start on a sharp. You’ll be making a sharp chord by then.

5. If you have time on practicing these easy chords, you’ll finally realize that through counting and attentive listening, you’ll easily get through. For example, if chord number 5 is dropped this will result to a number 4. At that instance you’ll end up with a minor chord. Now, if you’re playing for a C chord, all you have to do is move your finger one key to the left to be able to produce a C minor.

Through the advantage of listening, you’ll be able to distinguish the difference in sound. You’ll be able to spot the slight differences in tune. Not unless you’re deaf.

Pieces of advice:

• Don’t settle your practice just on the middle keys of the piano. There are numerous keys to choose from.

• Don’t limit yourself in using one or two fingers. Through practice, you could use all fingers including both hands.

• Practice.