Where or how can I learn to "Play By Ear" with a Piano or Keyboard?

Question

I previously have played the piano using sheet music, but have had problems trying to make my own music. Does anybody know if there is and where I can find any information on how to "play by ear" or by memory?

Answer 1

For the most part it's instinctive. But you can get the ball rolling by trying to figure out the first note of what you want to play. That becomes your starting point and you can figure out whether it goes higher or lower from there for the most part. Once you have a rough idea of the melody of something you can work in chords and other notes that complement it so you can eventually play the whole song. Sometimes while playing I hit a note by accident that for whatever reason strikes me as familiar and from there figure out whatever song it belongs to. It takes a good amount of trial and error. Also playing with your iPod, CD player, whatever, nearby helps so you can listen and then try to replicate the first note you hear or another part of it.

Answer 2

Suzuki method.

Dr. Suzuki lived in Japan and had a unique way of teaching.

Until a certain level, his students didn't read music (its a tad difficult to learn mozart concertos by ear). they learned by ear. and memorized absolutely everything.

at least thats how they do it now.

some people have perfect pitch. they're the people that can hear a note and name it.

Answer 3

I have a hard time believing that you were ever able to read music if you want to learn how to play by ear.  I don't think you ever LEARNED BASIC THEORY AND HARMONY... if you had, the you could easily have made up your own songs.

You have to know something about music before you play by ear or from memory.

GET A TEACHER and learn correctly and learn TECHNIQUE which is what playing piano is all about it... you need the BASICS if you ever hope to be any good at playing the piano.. and I don't think you ever learned the BASICS.