This may seem a strange place to place this message but after placing elsewhere on this forum and on other forums, I still have not received an answer.

I have just come to keyboards after retiring from drumming after many years. As I am registered blind (although I do have some sight) I cannot read music due to its size.

I see there are quite a few 'learn to play by ear' courses out there now and I was wondering if anyone has experience of these etc?

Looking forward to your replies and thanks.

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Runedog

Runedog,

I believe it takes more than site to play by ear. I have played saxophone for forty + years. Guese I'v played in every sh.. house in Baltimore at one time or other and never had a lesson. When I took up the horn I was 22 years old and never expected to play in front of anybody much less make any money.
I just love the sax. As it turned out I've played along side some of the best.I was inducted into the Baltimore musicians Hall of Fame in 2005.

I have always dabeled with the keyboard , I had a Dx7 when they first came out. I had a drum mechine and various moduals but never expected to play out. About five years ago I picked up a used psr 8000 and began working the nurseing home circute. I am now the proud owner of two TYROS 2'S,doing 15 or so jobs a week plus, every Thursday at a water front Tiki bar.

Getting back to your original question. My youngest son ( one of four) wanted to play the saxaphone so bad. He took lessons in school was in the school band and was a good reader but as soon as the sheet music was gone he could not play a note. I worked with him tirelessly but he just could't get it. So I think anyone can learn to play music but it takes a special gift to play by ear.

Regards,

Jim

Hi Jim, I adore sax and tried to learn this via a teacher about twelve years back. Sadly, I picked the wrong teacher who was a master of all trades but wasn't excellent at none He promised to provide me with enlarged music BUT this never appeared so, not in the position to find another good teacher, I shelved the sax

Anyway, maybe you are right about the playing by ear thing but I have met plenty of 'dots' people who are so robotic and completely lost without their sheets.

Again, thanks for your input.

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Runedog

Hi Runedog,

I can play either way , but unless I memorized a song , I need the music.

However that is just me.

Here is a suggestion, forget about trying to either read music or play by ear , play what your heart wants you to play.

If you do that , it will sound perfect.

Sometimes you just have to forget all you have been told by teachers . and masters and just let your soul play the music.

My mom was almost blind before she passed , so I know all to well what you are going through , but music can take you places you have never been , and you will see far more than those without music in there heart and soul.

So , just play your heart , play your soul , play perfect !

Gary

Hi Runedog

You mention regular music is too small for you. Have you checked out any of the many EZ play books by Hal Leonard? The notes are huge and even have the letter names written in them.

Otherwise, I believe anyone can learn how to play by ear if they know what some might call the secret.

The simple answer is, is if you can sing it or hear it in your head, your fingers will go to those notes, IF, you do not interupt your thinking with things like, what is the next key, what fingering should I use, etc, etc. That will throw the monkey wrench in this and people think they can't play be ear.

If a person learns at least the most important chords, at least, like the 3 primary chords, the secondary chords and something of their relationship and maybe even a few scales, then if you know that almost all songs start on the I chord and that the melody notes almost always start on the 1st, 3rd or 5th of that chord, giving you a starting point, and if you go with that, even if by trial and error, and then playing along singing or hearing the melody in your head and listenting to when it sounds like you need to change to a different chord and then realizing most of the time the melody note will fit one or two of the main chords and testing it out on the fly, then anyone will be able to play by ear. As long as they remember how the song goes

If anyone has an interest in this or other things related to playing keyboard, piano or organ, I am currently teaching long distance by phone, and am starting a student probably next week using a webcam.

Best
Scott http://www.ScottLMusic.com

>>Have you checked out any of the many EZ play books by Hal Leonard?<<

Wow, thanks Scott, no I haven't looked into this guy. But, I will straight away; I appreciate your help

Thanks again

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Runedog

Also thought I'd mention that I am able to teach internationally using a free software download called Skype. This cost's as little as 2 cents a minute to use this service internationally. And is free within the US for audio or webcam service.

If interested in finding out about Skype here is the link:

http://www.skype.com/



[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 10-28-2007).]

Hope that helps. Also, thought I'd mention that the same technique for playing by ear will allow anyone to be able to read music, even if they think they can't.

I live in the UK: Can I email you off BBS regarding this?

Many thanks

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Runedog

Here is the link to Hal Leonard EZ play music. They are lead sheets just like used in fake books, except they are very large notes.
http://www.halleonard.com/search_items.jsp?keywords=EZ+play&catcode=00&type=product

Runedog

My email address is

scott_langholff@yahoo.com

Appreciated Scott, will email you

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Runedog

Hi Scott L

Thanks for info on E-Z play books. I'm wondering if you know if the music in that format has chord symbols?? I went to the site but could not determine that from the sample.

Thanks
Don P

Yes, they use chord symbols and rather large at that. I prefer this kind of lead sheet any day over those small flyspecs that some nerd decided was the way to do it.

They use a simplified chord system. The main chord is in a box above the staff. Alternate, or the origina chords are sometimes listed above the simplified chords, or where no boxed chord is shown.

It is well to note that sometimes they don't have the right chords and or skip other chords. Not much different than most fake books anyway really, but in a little different way.

Also in response to some questions I've been receiving for those that would like to do long distance lessons but would prefer to use the telephone, PennyTalk is a great service.

PennyTalk is the prepaid calling card service that gives you big savings on calls around the world. With great low international rates starting at 2� per minute to over 250 countries and just 1� per minute in the U.S.
http://www.pennytalk.com/

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 10-28-2007).]

I used to play by ear but my hair kept getting messed up during shows, and the splitting headaches were just too much!

Bet you were all ears.

Taike

Finally, a GOOD reason to use the PSR keyboard!