Piano By Ear

Welcome to our latest course on ‘How To Play Piano By Ear.

Learning the techniques outlined in this course will open up a world of new opportunities for you.

Each lesson builds on the previous one, so by the end of it, you’ll be well on your way to not only playing the piano by ear … but playing your favorite songs as well.

Take the guesswork out of playing by ear by identifying the elements of music.

As a quick summary, elements of music include:

  • Instruments – strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, synthesizer
  • Style – baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary, jazz, rock, heavy metal
  • Tempo – slow, moderate, fast
  • Tonality – major, minor, modal, chromatic, jazz, pentatonic
  • Time Signatures – Simple: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 or compound 6/8, 9/8, 12/8
  • Pitch range – bass, tenor, alto, soprano

Structure refers to how a piece of music creates unity.

  • Binary (AB) – two contrasting sections, similar to a question and an answer
  • Ternary (ABA) – similar to Binary, but there is a return of the A section, similar to a musical sandwich.
  • Rondo (ABACA) – an extension of ternary form with an extra contrasting (C) section.
  • Theme and Variations – a piece of (simple) music is presented, and then it is re-sounded in different ways (for example, different time signature, tonality, speed, accompaniment)
  • Art songs are composed by trained musicians and combine lyrics and melody
    Strophic – different lyrics are set to the same musical melody
    Modified Strophic – lyrics are set to music that may be slightly altered to suit the lyrics
    Through Composed – lyrics are set to music that may change with each verse
  • Verse/Chorus – a typical pop song is comprised of verses that use the same melody and are contrasted with a chorus. For interest and further contrast, a bridge (or musical interlude) may also be included.

The lyrics make it easier to find the beat.

It’s essential to ensure that the rhythm is always even and steady on top of the beat.

If you have a metronome, this will make the process easier. You can download free metronome apps on your phone.

If you can get a copy of the lyrics, it may be helpful for you to map out the rhythm on top of the lyrics.

If you aren’t already familiar with the piece, listen to it a few times and try to clap out the rhythm at the same time while reading the lyrics.

This may take some time and more than a few tries.

That’s ok. It’s part of the process.

Just keep at it!

When the rhythm is established, it becomes easier to find the melody.

Try to always begin in C major or if the piece is set in a minor key, work from A little as they eliminate the extra sharps and flats.

This will take some time and some trial and error.

It will help if you practice singing intervals to accurately judge melodic intervals and write notes above lyrics.

Now’s the time to put it all together. Use your right hand to sound the melody while the left hand provides harmonic (and rhythmic) support.

Don’t forget to keep a steady beat.

If you wish to download the files to your desktop, simply right click the link below and select ‘save as’

Then select the location you wish to save the files to (either your DESKTOP or MY DOCUMENTS e.t.c.)

Once finished, simply unzip the files (PC use Winzip, MAC use Stuffit) and your files will be there.

All written material can be opened as a PDF.

All video files can be opened with VLC Media Player.

Select your download option below …