Learning to play keyboard by ear

[tryingtokeepintune]

Hi. Can anyone give recommendations on books for ds to learn to play the piano/keyboard by ear? Ds has additional needs and has some learning issues. He has been learning for 2 years and picks up tunes easily but struggles to read and play music at the same time. He is significantly delayed both in his expressive and receptive language.

I am not bothered by how far he gets in the grading system but would really like him to enjoy playing. It is also a means of boosting his self esteem and pride in his achievements.

He just moved school and the new teacher, who is lovely, has no experience teaching anyone with ds's issues and suggested I go to a music shop to ask.

There is a Suzuki method/repertoire for the piano. It might be worth having a look?

Eventually, as far as I can see, the method does introduce reading music, but you can get a really long way without having to do so ... and I can't see any reason why he couldn't just continue without learning to read music at all, if that's what he wants and is comfortable with. On the other hand, it might be something that he may be able to approach later, when he doesn't have to worry about the playing so much, and as he develops in other areas.

My DS is using the Suzuki method to learn piano and DD to play violin-she has been playing for nearly 2 yrs without music. It's fabulous way of learning.

Try the British Suzuki Institute website to find a teacher near you-it is heavy on parental involvement but that makes it easier for them to practice IMO-no solitary hours doing scales!

Thanks, will look into it.