How to Play Melodies by Ear with More the 5 Notes?

by C.

Hi,

How do you know which notes make up the melody?

You knew to use the notes c,d, and e in your tutorial, but what if you don't know the notes of the melody, or what the chords are?

Do you decide to play it in the key of C, because it's easierr, find the melody in this key, with the appropriate chord progression, and then change the key when you think you have the song?

Thanks for the great site.

C.

Playing Melodies by Ear with Chords in the Left Hand

by Connor
(UK)

Hi, how can I learn to play melodies on piano by ear?

I have written some lyrics and I have the chords in my left hand.

Now I'd like to play the melody with my right hand. How shall I do it?

Thanks Connor

How to fit chords to a melody?

by Que
(Chicago,IL)

I wanted to learn how to match the melody notes to the appropriate chords. Chords that have a different note other than the note included in that chord. For example, if you have a C major chord that matches with F as a root note (CEG/F instead of CEG/C).

Looking for book--How To Play Piano by EAR!

by Douglas A Grendahl
(Port Townsend, WA)

David, today I watched your video on "how to play piano by ear" and was totally amazed at how well you teach. I wish I lived close by, I would hire you for lessons.

Anyway, can you recommend a book that deals with this subject and teaches it well? Maybe you have one. I've searched amazon.com, looked inside some of them but am at a loss. I sure hope you can help me. Maybe someone here on this forum knows of such a book. Please let me know. Thanks!

Playing by ear

by Shanon
(Malaysia)

I know about piano and I had completed my piano grade 8 in royal school of music.
However, I think it's not sufficient. Well, like many I just play by reading music sheets.

I wanted to learn to be able to play by ear. The melodic part is always easier but most of the time I just couldn't figure out the left hand accompaniment.

If I had i play the piano with the common 3 tone chords accompaniment I feel it is rather boring. Many told me that I'm too old to train to play by ear. is it true?

How do I create more varieties with the left hand accompaniment?
Thanx

Best without music sheet

by A.Shine
(Georgetown)

Hi David,

I am a play by ear ever since I was a little. My parents sent me to PBE music class which I have completed only up to the first grade. I started playing songs without refering to sheets at all.

I hear a particular song of my interest repeatedly and then I start playing. But sometimes I find it boredom using the same rhythm of chord, and also I find it difficult to read notes from the music sheet and play.

I have been trained in such way that I hear and I play. I would like to ask for your help on this and how can I improve my left hand. I would really appreciate your guidance.
Thank you in advance,David.

Three chords and the truth - Corrections

by Paul
(Germany)

Kudos - 'Three Chords and the truth' is a great article on what I think is the most important aspect of basic musicianship.

However, it contains some mistakes that will confuse beginner students. In both 'Jingle Bells' and 'One Love' you're introducing the subdominant in bar 7 where the melody clearly asks for the tonic.

Specifically, you're harmonizing an E melody note on the strong first beat with an F Major chord. Even in Jazz, you would avoid this. In 'Happy Birthday' you're introducing the dominant in bar 7 two beats early. The E and C melody notes on the first two beats are a 6th and a 4th when played against a G Major chord, which is harmonically weak. I don't think that works, does it?

Looking forward to your reply!

Best wishes
Paul

Figuring Missing Parts of a Song by Ear

by Curtis
(Milwaukee, WI, USA)

Hey David,

If a person has part of a songs music sheet. For example only the intro, 1st and some of the 2nd verse but it missing the chorus and other parts, is there a easy way to figure out the notes to the rest of the song?