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#1304763 11/13/09 01:22 PM
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I've just recently started teaching myself piano, so I can't play by ear yet. Therefore I was hoping someone who can play by ear, can tell me what notes this guy is playing? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ImgCKvOXCU

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you'd be better off on jazz, non-classic forum where playing by ear is a must. Classical pianists not necessary have that skill...

p.s.
this song is very simple, listen to it and try and error, you'll get it. Otherwise you'll never learn it.

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Like the title says, it's a new song - maybe it didn't even have a name yet when the guy played it. The introduction starts with an A minor chord, then F major, then G major. Near the beginning of the verse, there's also a C major chord in there. I hope you'll be able to work it out from there.

Playing by ear is a good skill for anybody, classical, jazz, pop, whatever. In pop music like the guy is playing, then playing by ear is the common everyday way of doing things - but just because classical players use books a lot, doesn't mean we don't work on playing by ear too.


(I'm a piano teacher.)
david_a #1304845 11/13/09 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by david_a

Playing by ear is a good skill for anybody, classical, jazz, pop, whatever. In pop music like the guy is playing, then playing by ear is the common everyday way of doing things - but just because classical players use books a lot, doesn't mean we don't work on playing by ear too.


that would ideal but is it the case? Main reason is probably it's almost not possible playing by ear complicated piano pieces
exactly so that skill is neglected.

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In order to play by ear, you must first have the song memorized in your head how it sounds. Without that you'll never get it.

I would first learn to play familiar tunes by ear, like Happy Birthday, Christmas carols, folk tunes, etc. You'll have to sing as you do it, too, so you can feel if the notes gets higher or lower, and if it's a large leap or a step. You can physically feel it when you sing, whereas just trying to match the notes you hear in your head will be total guess work. As you get better at this skill, of course, then you can bypass the singing part.

You've first got to be able to crawl before you can run, though.


private piano/voice teacher FT

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Morodiene #1304873 11/13/09 04:03 PM
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the goal is more or less like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ciFTP_KRy4

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Yes the guy in the initial video is doing the equivalent of more or less strumming a guitar... though I'd do that to if I could actually sing wink

And yes LOL we should all strive to play like Mozart... that would be something, wouldn't it!


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Originally Posted by tremens, delirium
Originally Posted by david_a

Playing by ear is a good skill for anybody, classical, jazz, pop, whatever. In pop music like the guy is playing, then playing by ear is the common everyday way of doing things - but just because classical players use books a lot, doesn't mean we don't work on playing by ear too.


that would ideal but is it the case? Main reason is probably it's almost not possible playing by ear complicated piano pieces
exactly so that skill is neglected.
So, play things by ear that are not so complicated. Whatever works for each person.


(I'm a piano teacher.)
david_a #1305067 11/13/09 08:30 PM
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I find it a lot easier to play Classical pieces by ear, specifically baroque stuff written for Harpsichord like The Well Tempered Clavier, the patterns in those pieces make them great places to start.
I'd suggest getting the complete Well Tempered Clavier books 1 & 2 (J.S. Bach) on CD, and also the music scores. Make sure it's played on Piano and not Harpsi. because the note is always clearer.
Start off with the first prelude from Book 1 in C, listen to it while at the Piano, start off with trial and error and eventually you will get the notes. Carry on this way and chose the slower pieces at first, then progress to faster ones! Another reason this is a good place to start is as it's Harpsi. music there are virtually no chords, so that cuts out at least one complication.

Oh and don't actually look at the scores until you've got what you think the piece is in your head, then check to see if you were right!

Good luck!

- Al.


Bach: Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor BWV 542, Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565
Beethoven: Moonlight Sonata: 3. Presto Agitato Op. 27/2
Chopin: Scherzo No. 2 in B Flat Minor Op. 32, Ballade #1 in G Minor Op. 23/2
Liszt: La Campanella S.140/3, Grand Galop Chromatique S.219
Rachmaninov: Preludes Op. 23

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