Hello all,

I just joined piano forum; and this is the first time I post anything in the piano forum.

When I was younger, I took piano lessons for 7 years and learned how to play by note. However, I never have been able to play piano by ear. I was even asked by the church youth choir many years ago to play for them, along with playing for church services. I did not feel I had the competency to play, especially by ear.

I recently have been reviewing many play piano by ear courses online. I am so confused as to what instructional program I should order; because they are so many to select from. I am not sure which one is the best?

I have narrowed it down to a few, which are the following:

1. Piano Magic
2. David Higginson Professional Chord System
3. Gospel-Chords by Creative Music

I have tried other programs such as Hear and Play, Nate Bosch Piano System, and Piano Patterns by David Sprunger.

I found that Hear and Play is very difficult to learn how to play the advanced gospel songs by ear. I found that Nate Bosch Piano System is too basic; and the Piano Pattern is not very thorough in teaching how to play by ear.

Since I feel that I am an intermediate player, I would like to have program that goes beyond basic piano playing to more of an intermediate level and beyond for learning to play by ear in all keys not just in the key of C.

I have always felt that some are born with a natural gift to be able to play any song by ear they hear from the radio and play it exactly like the recording. However, I do know that it is possible to learn this technique if shown the right way to do it.

Therefore, if anybody can help me select an instructional method or piano course that you have used to learn how to play by ear and been successful? It be good to provide input on your experiences that you have had with any of the programs I have mentioned or any other programs not listed.

I am looking forward to playing piano for a choir, church setting, party gathering, or a band in the near future, if the occassion arises.

Thank you,
Chaz

Hi Chaz,

You may want to check this site out by Greg Howlett. He offers over 30 hours of DVD instruction for church pianists. I know there is a course in there on playing by ear.

He also has some free material to use, some of which deals with playing by ear. I'm going to be using it myself, since I am new to piano as well

Have you checked out this one?: www.LearnPianoWithRosa.com

Hello Peytonator,

Thank you for the suggestion to check out Greg Howlett website. I went there and I found it very informative to see all the previews. I might consider ordering some of his lessons. It looks like he covers everything you need to know - improvisation, playing by ear, theory, and accompaniment.

Let me know if you order anything and how is it working for you?

Thanks,
Chaz

Hello Eissa,

Thank you for responding to my question and concern.

I did check out the Learning with Rosa website. It seems very interesting and covers a lot of material.

Have you tried this program and been successful?


Thank you,
Chaz