Learning piano by ear

[MotherOfClogs]

I'm thinking about piano lessons for my DD

As a child I learned instruments including piano. I wasn't bad (did g7 on two instruments).

In retrospect I feel the way I learned, which I think was pretty standard (basically learned to play from score but with minimal focus on listening to the piece first), isn't what i want for my kids. I feel it would develop more understanding and enjoyment to play known pieces and focus on how to reproduce the phrasing and expression. They should learn to read music as well of course.

Would this approach have a name? I'm starting to look for teachers and don't know what to search for really. It sounds a bit like Suzuki approach but we would t be up for the intensity of an actual Suzuki programme.

In retrospect I feel the way I learned, which I think was pretty standard (basically learned to play from score but with minimal focus on listening to the piece first), isn't what i want for my kids. I feel it would develop more understanding and enjoyment to play known pieces and focus on how to reproduce the phrasing and expression. They should learn to read music as well of course.

just say this to any prospective teachers

Thanks, if possible I'd like to identify a teacher who wants to teach this way in the first place.

I have a child who does everything by ear (and pretends to read the sheet music) for 4 instruments.

It's only been for the latest one that I specifically asked them to avoid all exams and said sheet music was pointless. They were totally happy with the idea.

Do your children already play any instruments? Do you have an idea how good or otherwise their ear is? While it works for a child who has a very good ear, I imagine it could be a disaster for others (I definitely needed sheet music!)

Also not sure if the piano would be the instrument to start with if you're avoiding it. DD has now arranged with her piano teacher to give up all grades and just learn to play but that is after almost 3 years of lessons and not what he normally does. He was the teacher who realised that she pretends to look at the score - and I suspect things will see a dramatic uptick (it's her least favourite study at the moment), so I totally understand where you are coming from.

I think you will probably have to ring round and see - or, if your DC have lessons on another instrument, ask the teacher for recommendations.

Have a look at the simply piano app. Things have moved on from our day.

Where are you based?

My DC learn piano safari which is very different to how I've learnt. It's far more about technique and there are pieces they sight read and then those they play rote - not expected to read the music for these but learn by hearing and watching. I'm not wanting them to do grades so this is a nice way to get them playing a range of songs. If they want to learn something like a song from a film I also ask their teacher to incorporate that into lessons. My aim is for them to be lifelong music lovers and players, not obsessed with grades and worrying about all that entails for year after year until they eventually quit.

Thanks all- sorry I didn't see replies yesterday.

In response to questions, DC is 6 and does not yet play any instruments. I don't think she will have a problem learning to read sheet music as is quite academic - more the opposite, that she will play woodenly from the score rather than listening to the sound she makes (so no I don't think she necessarily has a good ear- I want to develop it!). So yes, she will probably need the score to support her but I'd like her to be lead by thinking about the sound she is aiming for if that makes sense.

I'm thinking piano as you are relatively quickly able to pick out a tune (no fingering to learn etc) and also because I loved playing piano as a teen- it's a very self sufficient instrument.

We are in Oxford. There are massive waiting lists for many extra curricular around here so realistically I'm looking at her starting next year maybe- in the meantime I could let her familiarise herself with it via an app or with my help I guess

Thanks, I had a look at simply piano ( or yousician) - maybe one of these could be good to make a start

Thanks for the tip on piano safari. Indeed it is a good point to ask which schemes teachers use.

Please think carefully about not doing grades at all.I was very clear that I didn't want mine to do grades in anything- and while I still think I was broadly right, there have noon opportunities they have missed out on because they didn't have the bits of paper. If I had my time again, I'd have them do grades as a sort of sideline to a more intuitive approach. I know it's hard to think of them at 18 when they are 6, but it comes round fast, and jobs and coaching and Camp America leader roles often want the certificates. Not saying it's the most important thing- but it's worth thinking about.

Thanks @CurlewKate this is a good point. Presumably if she actually takes to it she could do some but not all grades (eg just grade 5 if she gets that far).

I found it is hard to find a good music teacher these days. However, I can only talk about my experience. Many teachers are only teaching pupils to pass an exam. There is so many teachers out there who are only managing to teach exam pieces. I have spoken to my year 5 DD piano and violin teachers at school. I told them my DD is getting very bored by just practicing exam pieces. My DD can manage to pass with distinction for these ABRSM within 3 months of each grade. However, she only took grade 1 grade 3 grade 5. I am not boasting about how well my DD done, she is Austitic and gifted. I am going to say is, please have a chat with the potential teachers before sending your kid with them. I have 'chatted' to my DD teachers if she could do other things besides from exam pieces. They didn't like the ideas and taught exam pieces and scales in the lessons anyway. I have also came across with some one who found my ideas was offensive too!!!
It ended up, we teach my DD to practice others interesting pieces at home, and ALSO practicing the exam pieces. Then, we will move on to other teachers once she has finished primary school next year.

I think you are talking about playing a well known tune and not actually the kind of piano where you end up playing Bach Inventions or Chopin Etudes? You don't need any lessons or apps for that. You listen to the song until you can hum it out. Try to work out that tune on the right hand. Practice what you worked out until fluent. If you have a electronic keyboard, add some drumbeats to it. Then you can try playing the left hand with a simple chord progression like C Am F G. Many keyboards also have a split mode function to facilitate that. You can also learn a few chord progression and rifts to sing to.

You said you have two instruments at grade 7. I believe you can work this out with your child without paying someone for lessons. (Especially assuming you can also play the piano at some basic level). There are lots and lots of videos on YouTube teaching you this.

My plan is I'll do them when she wants to and if they become useful. I don't see the point of doing grades 1-4 unnecessarily. Tbh even if they are going to give more ucas points or whatever I'd rather dd enjoyed music than got a few more points.

@Diddykong I absolutely agree about UCAS points. But my dd missed out on a brilliant summer job because she didn't have ballet grades. And my ds could have done with music qualifications when he was applying for jobs that were music adjacent. Not a massive deal, I suppose, but I wish I hadn't been quite so purist about exams!