For those who can play piano without using sheet music, what advice would you
By jbrowsin66
@jbrowsin66 (1321)
United States
1 response
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
16 Feb 07
I can sort of play piano by ear, but not much. I used to sit at the piano for hours and just play songs from the radio. If you have a good ear, you can do it. It just takes awhile to figure out what sounds come from where. But eventually, I figured out which sounds corresponded to which notes on sheet music, and stopped playing by ear at all for the most part.
1 person likes this
@shopster (23)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I believe that those who can play be ear have perfect pitch. Perfect pitch is a trait that is inborn and cannot be acquired. Musicians who may not have perfect pitch (or have at least relative pitch) may eventually be able, with certain limitations, to discern between various notes, but such abilities are limited.
1 person likes this
@hsududette14 (75)
• United States
19 Mar 07
Two things to find when you're playing without sheet music: 1) the melody; and 2) the bass line. Once you have the melody and the bass, everything else is fill in. It helps a great deal when you know what notes make up what chords. It's a lot harder when the chords in the songs aren't the standard major or minor, but most chords in songs are. It helps to go online and listen to MIDI files of the songs. They're downloadable and totally free! It also helps to find sites with guitar tabs... which give you the bass line / chords.
@jbrowsin66 (1321)
• United States
20 Mar 07
Thanks -- I recently bought a home improvisation study course from Yoke Wong online. 6 DVDS (2 hours each) on how to play without sheet music. I love it! You are right, I really have to study my chords more..
