Learn Piano Chords: A quick lesson on the best way to play piano by ear.

Learning to play the piano takes plenty of practice. Yet, some people play by ear, and have built-in “rhythm.” It is the musicians who play “best” by ear who (often) have the most “creative talent,” but make the poorest of students in terms of traditional music composition, timing, and self-discipline. My personal opinion (as someone who plays by ear and can improvise), is that learning piano chords can be a lot more fulfilling and produce A LOT more music despite LESS technical knowledge, for the person who plays by ear, yet chooses to learn some real chords.

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I took piano lessons from a very small age. I did not like most of my teachers, or the songs I had to learn, I didn’t enjoy reading notes, and I was scolded by piano teachers for playing the songs the way I heard them. Yet, as a partially ambidextrous person (it runs in my family), I don’t think I was always economical in the placement of my fingers. The music was faster in my mind than I could play, I would get revved up, but sometimes hit the wrong notes when I tried to play by ear too quickly.

It wasn’t until I got to college that a music professor helped me with my problem. She showed me how to use my left hand for percussion and my right hand for melody. For my left hand, I’d think “bass,” and for my right hand, I’d think “treble.” When I sit down to play the piano, I always start with my left hand, and whatever rhythm running through me at the time is what I end up “banging” out for the bass section. The melody is my right hand, and it is based on my emotional reaction to the rhythm.

Still, with all this rawness in playing, I highly value and respect the “science” behind music theory. I have memorized many chords and triads, and you should too. When you memorize all your triads, you’ll instantly be able to play in “any key,” regardless of whether or not you “play by ear” at all. If you do this, your confidence will become even stronger when you promote your music.

To you and to your music!

More to come.

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