To have just spent three hours working out 'Let It Go' on piano?

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

That's three hours I'll never get back. Oh well...guilty pleasures!

[Devora]

YABU. I could have sent you the sheet music if only you'd asked.

[ICanSeeTheSun]

I think it's amazing that you can work it out to play it without sheet music.

[MiloSimpson]

Are you me?? I spent 3 hrs last night playing different 'tunes' by ear .. working them out. Its frustrating but incredibly fun and rewarding.

[stillenacht1]

I spent an hour working out chords on ukulele to "Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor" today Happy times

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

I can read music, but can't get close enough while playing. That bloody twiddly bit has battered my head! Can you play it, Devora?

[ElephantsNeverForgive]

DSIS used to work out Pop songs on a penny Whistle, I can't do it at all.

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

Bangor? We sing Bang Her! And yep. Really rewarding! What's your 'Guilty Pleasure' to play on piano Milo?

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

Elephants I do a mint version of 'love machine' on the accordion!

[MiloSimpson]

I'm embarrassed to admit this but... Mika, Happy Ending (not hard but I love the track anyway as it's just fun) + I'm loving classical pieces.

I can read music but originally played by ear and frankly find it easier - although longer. Are you mentally shattered now or still on a high because you've finished learning it?

[teacher54321]

Highlight of my day was a frozen singathon with 120 hyperactive KS2 children! We raised the roof, and apparently the headmistress could hear us in her office on the other side of the school...!

[DrSeuss]

Debora, please can I have the piano part for DS? Thanks

[LornaGoon]

I worked out most of Simon and Garfunkel's back catalogue on the trebble recorder when I was a kid.Very niche.Oh how the cold winter nights used to fly by.

[greenbananas]

Yanbu. Why are you even asking? Would you be asking if it was reasonable to spend the equivalent amount of time watching miss marple or whatever?

I can't read a note of music, but can play most ordinary tunes (pop songs etc) by ear if I spend a bit of time working them out. It feels good to be able to play the piano. It's a skill worth having, I think.

You don't need us to validate your sense of achievement, but well done anyway!

[MiloSimpson]

I loved playing the recorder, treble and the other larger one! Flipping loved it. I'm guessing my neighbours probably wouldn't love it if I purchased one now though!

[greenbananas]

Teacher, what is it about that frozen song? It seems to have captured children's imaginations in a way that is way beyond the musical merits of the song.

I know a number of children who can sing the whole thing, with intonation and gestures, all the way through note perfect. I am not a big fan of Disney, but am well impressed at the success of that song!

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

at Miss Marple...I'm afraid it's Prisoner Cell Block H in our house!

I worked out the Tweenies theme years ago...bassline and all!

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

Speaking of "Let it Go"...has anyone seen [[http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JfMBcIVU6Rw&feature=k This]] I WET myself!

[greenbananas]

Ha! Now that you can play the Tweenies tune, I bet your children will want you to play everything on Cbeebies!

My favourite is Little Charley Bear - very fiddly bassline (cos I have butterfingers) and some great chords in the middle - try it, it's fun!

[ShelaghTurner]

I'm not a fan of Disney at all, but even I have to admit that the film and especially that song is bloody amazing. I can't stop singing it, never mind the kids and I detest Disney. Our year 1s sang it at the summer fair, was fab, they all love it so much.

[playftseforme]

V talented . I on the other hand cheated and bought the music!

[morchoxplz]

My nemesis was Abbas Slipping through my Fingers on piano. Many wasted hours playing by ear. Can do a lovely All Creatures Great and Small theme and a nice Feed the Birds. Aaaaah :-)

[VolDEmortIsOnMyLaminateList]

Isir I'm PS so have a very sensitive ear IYSWIM...I sometimes play the melody, but if I'm singing I don't bother. Chords etc I sort of break them up. I copied the LIG intro but varied the verses etc...part of the fun!

[teacher54321]

I also cheated and bought the music. And the DVD. And the cd. I am a frozen addict.

I am also too lazy to work things out on the piano unless I absolutely have to-I play the piano for HOURS everyday and teach songs all the time-I'm a sight reader rather than a brilliant player-by-earer so it's much quicker for me to have the notes in front of me!

[greenbananas]

Isitmylibraarybook, I start by working out the vague 'shape' of the song, with octaves in the base (cos I am butterfingered) and fat chords with my right hand (I think in 'guitar chords, even though I don't play the guitar) and then I fill in the detail afterwards. But each to their own...

There is probably no right or wrong way to play by ear. Although I have often wished I could have proper lessons from a master.