AIBU to wonder if my 15-year-old has an unusual ear for music?

I can’t read music, but I could pick out a tune one-fingered on the piano.

I can play the piano from sheet music (not to the best standard, but ok) and can sing in tune quite well (including from sheet music), but I cannot really do this. It would take me a few goes to pick out a tune on the piano.

It's a completely separate thing to being able to read music imho. I took grade 8 piano but no way I could hear something and then play it. I had to learn the piece with the music in front of me. My brother and daughter though can do it easily. Natural musical ability versus ability to decode written music.

I learned to read music to play clarinet, but I was only ever average at reading sheet music, because I avoided it as much as possible. What I did enjoy was playing by ear, just for my own amusement. I can pick out melodies on the piano, as well, with no formal training, as well as the flute and hammered dulcimer. I can add in harmonies on the dulcimer, my current preferred instrument. I don't think it's particularly unusual to be able to play by ear, but it definitely comes more easily to some people than to others.

Did she pick it out with one hand so just the tune?

Or be able to harmonise and play two hands together.

I can pick a tune out on any instrument (except the harmonica just can't get my head around that)

It's not particularly unusual if you are a little bit musical to be able to pick out a tune.

If she can add in harmonies with the other hand that's a lot more unusual.

If she has perfect pitch. Ie can sing a particular note without hearing it then that is very unusual.

I'd able to pick out a tune on a piano, I think if you can read music and play another instrument it's fairly straightforward, the notes are just next to each other.

I played the clarinet at school but could never master the piano or any string instruments. My dad could play keyboard by ear, I could do the same with the clarinet, also I wouldn’t say I’m a great singer. People who can do things naturally and easily don’t see it as anything special. Ask her if she fancies singing or piano lessons?

I taught myself to crochet during lockdown and create throws, bags, all made with what’s going off in my head. I think it’s easy and that anyone can do it, but I’ve been told this isn’t the case, it’s also been recommended that I open an Etsy shop, I may just do that. Currently I create for friends and family, and I give them away for free, 😝

I can also do this and 'have a good ear' - not sure it really means much though in the grand scheme of things. When I have learned instruments, particularly as a child, it made learning an instrument or learning the music easier but there is a lot more supplement and training needed to genuinely develop musically. I wouldn't say I was ever an exceptionally talented musician at the instruments I did pursue, bang average in fact.

I would expect most people who have some reasonable experience of an instrument or scales and their sounds to be able to do this to at least some degree.

If you play one instrument and or sing (even choir) I expect you can tinker on a piano.

I'm not that musical and I can do this. I think if you can play an instrument it's not that difficult. I think my DS1 is musical as he can hear a song once or twice and remember the tune, recognise it and place it. He always beats me at 80s and 90s quizzes!