February 13th, 2009 by Lisa | 13 Comments »
Should I learn how to read music or learn to play by ear?
There are many ways to learn how to play the piano. I am going to tell you about the 3 most common ways to learn piano, so you can choose the method that fits your goals and fits your personality. The top three ways to learn piano are:
- Reading Music
- Playing by Ear
- Playing by Chords
Playing by Ear, is an approach that is most popular with those who want to play the piano but either cannot read music, or by choice, don’t want to read music. Playing by ear requires developing good memorization skills, pitch training, and knowledge of chord theory and chord voicings.
Learning to Play by Chords is for those who want the freedom to create music on their own by improvising with chords, chord progressions and chord voicings. Playing by chords is appealing to those who are explorers and are natural risk takers.
Learning how to read music is by far the most popular option and encompasses about 90% of the piano playing community. This is the most popular method of learning because you can play any song by reading the music even if you have never heard it, resulting in learning how to play many types of music.
I admire pianists who fall into each of these categories. Each type of pianist has a specific goal and even specific personalities.
For example, someone who can play by chords and can improvise on the spot tend to love playing for others. They are the life of the party kind of person. Chord players are also found playing in a band.
Those who play by ear are adventurous, are risk takers and tend to have a list of memorized songs to play on the spot whenever there is a piano present. Advanced ear students can also recreate a song that they recently heard fairly quickly.
Pianists who read music tend to be those who are more conservative, like to know they are doing things right by following sheet music, and appreciate challenge. People who read music tends to own a good collection of a variety of music books from pop to classical, and hymns to jazz. People who read music tend to play for personal enrichment, become church, school or community pianists, and even piano teachers. People who read music are also part of the concert pianists and classical musicians.
So, before choosing a piano lesson program, evaluate your goals as a pianist and choose a method that would fill those goals and fit your personality. Choosing the approach that fits you best will end in success.
I am 68. I am trying to learn piano (I have a keyboard) reading music, but I would like to learn also to play by chords because it is a complement, and I believe that learning chords is also important.
Hi Vicente,
I totally agree with you… learning chords, and also learning to play by ear definitely compliments reading music. Reading music serves as a foundation to all of the other methods of learning.
If you can read music, learning chords is going to be a much easier task. Likewise, if you know chord theory, reading music will also be easier.
However, trying to learn both at the same time can be a little tricky, so choose one, then add the other.
That doesn’t mean you have to master one before adding the other, but give yourself time to get a good feel of the piano with one method of learning before adding another method of learning.
Hope this helps!
Lisa:
.
Vicente if you want to play by chords go to the
yellow session title chords. This session show
how to play chords.
Brunilda Davila
I am 63 years old with a key board. I’ve alway wanted to learn how to read music and play the piano.
Hi,
What I’m looking for is a refresher course. It has been 20 or more years since I played, and my husband bought me a Yahama keyboard.
Donna
Lisa
I am 58 years old and am singing in church choir for the last 45 years. Although I am familiar with the staff notation could never play any instrument. I can sight read the notations. I wish to learn playing piano. Hope the lessons provided by you will fullfill my ambition.
regards
Korah Abraham
Good Teaching
Hi I am 73 years young and i can read notes and I know chords. What i want is a piano course that will teach me how to play by ear. I have tried many online courses with no sucess. Will your course help me play by ear? I have been playing the piano off and on for the the last fifty years. Regards Tony
Hi I am 19 and I love to learn how to play the piano… And learning by reading fits my personality. Thanks Ms. Lisa!!
I am 52, enjoyed the first 5 lessons and signed up for the lifetime as I am serious about learning to play…Would love to play by ear as well as learn chords…
Diane:
I am 51 and I enjoyed the First 5 Lessons Like you
and signed up for the lifetime as I am serious
about learning the play. I play by ear for a long time
One day I felt that Is time to learn to read music
Now I am reading music and I am very satisfy for
everything that I learn so far. Lisa is an excellent
teacher and she will guide you step by step.
Enjoy your journey and Good Luck.
Brunilda
.
Thank you for the categories of pianist, I could only but I could not know which part am. but i see I am still far and I have seen the need to read music. thank you because you have helped me to see the next step I am supposed to take
I’ve enjoyed the four lessons that came through. I write lyrics to country and gospel and haven’t a clue how to write music. I can guess how I want a song put together but I can’t read music, and know nothing about music structure. Yet I’ve always wated to learn the piano. And at 64, here I am trying to learn. Lisa you’ve helped me a lot and I want to learn a lot more. Dianne