This is specifically aimed at those who want to play piano, but is applicable to any instrument. [call to sign up for a free online ear bootcamp at end: https://www.pianopicnic.com/earbootcamp] I’d like to introduce you to the idea of ‘active listening’ and why it’s so important to practise. Many people who jump into learning by ear and many who teach it–will start with ear-training to recognise intervals or chord functions. That's not the beginning... it's a sure way to confuse people who have not yet turned their ears on properly. Let me start by asking you a simple question… When was the last time you listened to a piece of music with your eyes closed? Blocking out distractions and inviting no other mediums to crowd your senses: putting on your favourite record, sitting comfortably somewhere quiet, closing your eyes and just listening… Like most people, you probably can’t remember the last time you did this. For many, consumption of music is either as an accompaniment to visual media, or a soundtrack we play in the background while we multi-task. THE ART OF LISTENING Most of the time we are doing what is called passive listening: music is secondary to whatever activity we are primarily engaged in. Seldom do we engage in listening as the primary activity. This sort of listening is intensive and active–the kind of listening that pays off in learning and understanding. Active listening in music is similar to active listening in conversation. Hearing doesn’t guarantee listening, we have to put some effort in. Active listening can be a doorway to a deeper musical understanding; it focuses our mind on aspects we often wouldn’t otherwise notice. It also helps with the skill of learning to play music by ear, a term that simply means to actively listen and translate what you’ve observed onto your instrument.
Learning to play songs by ear on the piano is my absolute preferred way to learn a piece. Not only does it mean I don't have to track down sheet music each time, but I can make my own arrangement of the piece based on what stands out to me in the recording. Another advantage is that I learn the piece from the inside out, rather than what it looks like on a page - this makes it easier for me to memorise how it goes.
If you would like to know more about what it takes to START learning songs on the piano (or any instrument) come to my ear bootcamp, it starts tomorrow. It consists of 5 daily video coachings, email lessons, takeaway PDF, some performances of songs I've learned by ear and a competition to win piano lessons. It's free, and it is completely online. Sign up here if you are interested and thank you for reading: https://www.pianopicnic.com/earbootcamp
Submitted January 06, 2019 at 11:00AM by sleuthveronica https://www.reddit.com/r/Learnmusic/comments/ad5sf0/step_1_to_playing_music_by_ear_switching_from/?utm_source=ifttt