Can Everyone Develop a Talent for Playing Piano By Ear?

[QuantumTheory]

When I was young, I never played a piano before. My mom played beetoven, and I was able to play most of it without playing a piano before. I was able to play any tune, (zelda theme, the anthem) 'by ear', meaning I can figure out the notes without reading the music.

Is this anything to cherish? Can everyone do this?

 

[marlon]

When I was young, I never played a piano before. My mom played beetoven, and I was able to play most of it without playing a piano before. I was able to play any tune, (zelda theme, the anthem) 'by ear', meaning I can figure out the notes without reading the music.

What pieces of Beethoven could you play from the first time ?

Beware that you might be playing them all wrong, but you THINK you are doing it correctly. Has a real professional ever judged you ?

Is this anything to cherish?

No, because you are NOT gifted at playing the piano, you only think you are.

Sorry

Can everyone do this?

Yes, everyone can suck at playing the piano.
I would conclude by saying : nil nove sub sole


regards and a happy newyear

marlon

 

[QuantumTheory]

What pieces of Beethoven could you play from the first time ?
Beware that you might be playing them all wrong, but you THINK you are doing it correctly. Has a real professional ever judged you ?
No, because you are NOT gifted at playing the piano, you only think you are.
Sorry
Yes, everyone can suck at playing the piano.
I would conclude by saying : nil nove sub sole
regards and a happy newyear
marlon

Not everyone can repeat songs by hear. Yes, I am doing them correctly.

 

[marlon]

Not everyone can repeat songs by hear.

Well if you give me this answer, than why asking the questions in your first post ?

Yes, I am doing them correctly.

How do you know ? Who judged you ?


marlon

PS : you did not answer my question : what pieces of Beethoven do you play ?

 

[QuantumTheory]

Nice guy..

 

[Maxwell]

If you are indeed playing Beethoven songs by ear, then yes, you are talented. And yes, you should certainly foster and cherish that talent.

 

[QuantumTheory]

Thank you maxwell, I will continue practicing.

I have an 'ear' for many songs.

 

[marlon]

Nice guy..

Thanks, i know...

So how 'bout givin' a nice guy some answers hmm ?

In case you already forgot the question : What Beethoven pieces do you play ?

marlon

 

[marlon]

If you are indeed playing Beethoven songs by ear, then yes, you are talented.

This is true but shouldn't we be a bit more critical for this "new Maurizio Pollini" ? He does not even know what pieces he is playing. How is he certain that he is actually playing Beethoven ?

regards
marlon

 

[QuantumTheory]

Not sure of the name. I think, beethovens sympany.

one of them

 

[Maxwell]

This is true but shouldn't we be a bit more critical for this "new Maurizio Pollini" ? He does not even know what pieces he is playing. How is he certain that he is actually playing Beethoven ?
regards
marlon

Well, realistically he's probably not able to play entire Beethoven pieces without any formal training. Perhaps he's had some indirect training through his mother, or something like that.

Anyway, I'm not hiring him to play any gigs, so I'm not really worried if he can or can't play like he says he can. I just figured I'd answer his question theoretically.

 

[marlon]

I just figured I'd answer his question theoretically.

Great answer.

Thanks for responding to my remark

regards
marlon

 

[Evo]

Why don't you record yourself playing then play it against a professional recording and see how the two compare?

If you enjoy it, then do it.

 

[moose]

Well it all depends, if you are playing the right notes, are you playing ALL the notes that are present at any given time? Also, are you playing slower than the song or just at the same tempo? Try to find out which song you played and what part of it.EDIT:

Why don't you record yourself playing then play it against a professional recording and see how the two compare?

If you enjoy it, then do it.

Yes, that's what I was thinking as well, since it would explain my above questions.

EDIT2: I'm asking which song, because some songs are easy to play (such as moonlight sonata).

 

[QuantumTheory]

Forget it, ok. I have more important things to do than worry about whato ther people think about me. I know I'm talented, that's all that matters.

I heard my mom playing beehoven, so i was able to play most of the song by hear. She also taught me some of it.

I"m able to play any song by hear, with only the white keys. I can do some songs by hear using the black ones. (i.e beehoven)

I can play any song (except really complex ones) with no training.

 

[marlon]

Not sure of the name. I think, beethovens sympany.
one of them

Ii is quite impossible to play Beethoven's symphonies on piano. Especially if you had no training because these pieces of music are very complicated.

marlon

 

[moose]

Ii is quite impossible to play Beethoven's symphonies on piano. Especially if you had no training because these pieces of music are very complicated.
marlon

Yeah, that's my point too. If you are JUST playing the "main" keys which you hear, than you are not truly playing it. Some are just awfully complicated...

 

[Cyrus]

(Zelda theme, the anthem)

Sorry, I wouldn't exactly call playing that 'talent.' Playing Beethoven is one thing, playing it 'correctly' is entirely another. You may know the notes, but a true professional will have the timing correct to a T. If you can do that, which I HIGHLY doubt, then yes, you are GOOD. This is why classical music weeds out the good from the great. In something like Jazz you can afford to make slip ups and not affect the piece. In classical music, one slip up and your playing a different note from the rest of the entire orchestra, who are playing the note you should be playing. And timing is CRITICAL .

 

[QuantumTheory]

Ii is quite impossible to play Beethoven's symphonies on piano. Especially if you had no training because these pieces of music are very complicated.
marlon

I was listening to my mom play a little bit and picked up by ear what she played. I'm just learning. It's kind of fun.

 

[marlon]

Forget it, ok. I have more important things to do than worry about whato ther people think about me.

Then, why bring it up ? Clearly you had the time to do that

I know I'm talented, that's all that matters.

Beethoven also used to speak these words, so maybe you have a chance here. What is your repertoire ?

I heard my mom playing beehoven,

Great reference

so i was able to play most of the song by hear.

I don't get this implication

She also taught me some of it.

Before or after you played it from one hearing only ?

I can do some songs by hear using the black ones. (i.e beehoven)

So you play Beethoven only using crosses and si-b molls...This must sound like true perfection. Let's just be glad that Beethoven has been dead for almost 200 years now.

regards
marlon

 

[Chi Meson]

QT:

As a fellow pianist, I feel that you have an advantage in that you might have, or you might be able to develop, "perfect pitch." This is a desireable natural ability to determine exactly what note is beig played. You either have it or you don't. I do not. So consequently, even though I can hear the piece of music in my head, I cannot figure out (without labored trial and error) which notes to hit on the keyboard.

I had one friend in college who was just like that. He played guitar. He could pick up any guitar, strum it once (open), and tweak all six pegs in about five seconds to put all strings in perfect tune. While I knew him he had been a member of five different bands, totally different styles from jazz to hardcore punk.

So, its a natural talent to take advantage of. Use it for your own enjoyment; or practice a bit and entertain friends at parties; or practice a lot and be a serious musician.

 

[Cyrus]

Dan Dan Dan Dunnnnnnnnnnnn...Dan Dan Dan Dunnnnnnnnnnn...

 

[QuantumTheory]

QT:

As a fellow pianist, I feel that you have an advantage in that you might have, or you might be able to develop, "perfect pitch." This is a desireable natural ability to determine exactly what note is beig played. You either have it or you don't. I do not. So consequently, even though I can hear the piece of music in my head, I cannot figure out (without labored trial and error) which notes to hit on the keyboard.

I had one friend in college who was just like that. He played guitar. He could pick up any guitar, strum it once (open), and tweak all six pegs in about five seconds to put all strings in perfect tune. While I knew him he had been a member of five different bands, totally different styles from jazz to hardcore punk.

So, its a natural talent to take advantage of. Use it for your own enjoyment; or practice a bit and entertain friends at parties; or practice a lot and be a serious musician.

Thanks so much. It's nice to have a positive comment. I never said I was an expert, and I did take piano lessons (ALONG TIME AGO, WHEN I WAS 7) While most people it takes along time to play a song by trial and error, I can do it quickly, even without playing it before or reading the music!

There are 2 ways to play songs. The simple way (i.e white keys) or very complex with chords. It would be very difficult to play very complex songs by hear, very, very, very few people can do this.

All I was saying is thta do I have a talent because I can do this.

I think so.

I did take piano lessons for several weeks, but I could never cordinate my left hand with my right, needless to say, it was difficult!

I LOVE classical music, I listen to it all the time! It is so beautiful! (I'm 17)

Yes, I think i have good pitch as well. In any song, its easy for me as well to figure out the higher and lower notes (on each note)

 

[Cyrus]

Im sorry QT, this girl is 3 and cleans your clock!

http://www.wimp.com/child/

Awww, she's so cute. I want to sqeeze her until she explodes.

 

[QuantumTheory]

Sorry, I wouldn't exactly call playing that 'talent.' Playing Beethoven is one thing, playing it 'correctly' is entirely another. You may know the notes, but a true professional will have the timing correct to a T. If you can do that, which I HIGHLY doubt, then yes, you are GOOD. This is why classical music weeds out the good from the great. In something like Jazz you can afford to make slip ups and not affect the piece. In classical music, one slip up and your playing a different note from the rest of the entire orchestra, who are playing the note you should be playing. And timing is CRITICAL .

No, I cannot play the whole beehoven songs with all the chords. I cannot play any songs (except some of the beehoven ones I've memorized) with any chords. What I'm tryng to say is I can pick up on songs easily, and reproduce them effortly with no cords, with no trial and error.

My timing is very good as well.

 

[marlon]

Dan Dan Dan Dunnnnnnnnnnnn...Dan Dan Dan Dunnnnnnnnnnn...

As QT will certainly agree on, it's

SOL SOL SOL MI... FA FA FA RE...


marlon

 

[QuantumTheory]

Im sorry QT, this girl is 3 and cleans your clock!
http://www.wimp.com/child/
Awww, she's so cute. I want to sqeeze her until she explodes.

Hmm, I don't care. Thanks though, that japanese is helpful (even though i undertsand most of it, i am learning japanese , want to become a linquistic possibly)

 

[Cyrus]

No, I cannot play the whole beehoven songs with all the chords.

then you can't play the song. You can play part of the song. There is a big difference. I am sure she can teach you english and jappense too, smart little girl!

 

[marlon]

(even though i undertsand most of it,

WOW, a linguistic prodigy as well...



marlon

 

[marlon]

(I'm 17)

I think that says it all.

I am off...i don't have time for this because i am working on my 10th symphony. It will be finished in about 2 minutes...How good am I ?


marlon

 

[Maxwell]

I think that says it all.
I am off...i don't have time for this because i am working on my 10th symphony. It will be finished in about 2 minutes...How good am I ?

marlon

LOL! Well, it all depends on how old you are...

 

[Cyrus]

You call that crap a symphony?

 

[QuantumTheory]

あなたは、不躾者ですよ。。
Oh, I can't speak japanese on this forum, polite or impolite. Yet people can speak latin here and not in get in trouble. Please warn me again for being so nice. I do appreciate the (2) kind comments I got. To everyone else, SEE YA. Go study physics or something and stop spending and wasting your life away on a forum. i have better things to do than spend time on a forum with rude people. (Even my mom agrees here. You aren't rude? Most of you are, sorry.)

 

[Chi Meson]

I LOVE classical music, I listen to it all the time! It is so beautiful!

Learn to read music, including all the little marks. You have to know how to interprest the trills, rounds, appogiatura, grace notes, etc. There are many progressive books out there (books that get progressively more difficult with each piece), one specifically is "The Joy of Beethoven." This book includes (ahem) several symphonic themes; not the entire symphonies of course, but an "arrangement" for piano of some of the movements within the symphonies.

And to improve your finger speed and coordination, you need need need a book of scales. Simply no getting around this.

 

[Cyrus]

(Even my mom agrees here. You aren't rude? Most of you are, sorry.)

You need to relax and take a joke. Were just giving you a hard time because you keep saying things like "Go study physics or something and stop spending and wasting your life away on a forum. i have better things to do than spend time on a forum with rude people."

 

[Maxwell]

あなたは、不躾者ですよ。。
Oh, I can't speak japanese on this forum, polite or impolite. Yet people can speak latin here and not in get in trouble. Please warn me again for being so nice. I do appreciate the (2) kind comments I got. To everyone else, SEE YA. Go study physics or something and stop spending and wasting your life away on a forum. i have better things to do than spend time on a forum with rude people. (Even my mom agrees here. You aren't rude? Most of you are, sorry.)

崩 堀 猛 唯 悠 庸 粒 涼 猟 累 握 偉 渦 詠 敢 棺 款 閑 幾 棋 欺。。

 

[Sisyphus]

I’m usually more of a lurker on PF, but I’d like to get a few words in. Let me be blunt with you: being able to intuitively play familiar linear melodies is in no way evidence of genius, nor is it even something worthy to boast about on a physics forum. The fact of the matter is, no one in the world, musician or not, will be impressed with the fact that you can play some themes from anyone of Beethoven’s symphonies without relying on sheet music if you don’t display any musicianship. Picking out melodies by ear and playing them on one’s given instrument is in fact, an integral part of being a musician and something that every musician should practice regularly. Someone asking if one’s ability to do this on an intuitive level is a display of talent would be comparable to me creating a thread here on PF telling everyone that I passed my Grade 12 math course, and asking if this says anything about how good of a Physicist I’ll be when I grow up. Music should be something appreciated for its own sake; if you truly want to learn how to play the piano, take lessons and go listen to more music. Thank you.

 

[Knavish]

No kidding. Who cares if you're a prodigy or not? Talent can be earned through practice.

 

[moose]

Listen, picking up on just the main notes of a song isn't anything too special. I for one can do it. I know several people who can as well. One of my friends can remember a song and then write out the music for it for an entire band (he's the drum major of our school band). What would be a real talent is to be able to play the entire song, every single note played, all the chords. You just have a good ear for music (or an extremely bad one).

 

[Jelfish]

In something like Jazz you can afford to make slip ups and not affect the piece. In classical music, one slip up and your playing a different note from the rest of the entire orchestra, who are playing the note you should be playing. And timing is CRITICAL .

Jazz is so incredibly awesome, especially jazz piano (I'm not biased ).

Piano is perhaps the "othello" of instruments. It's one of the easiest to start, but it's also one of the hardest to "master". I've been a pianist for 75% of my life and I still think I'm mediocre, given how long I've played. Being a concert pianist requires more commitment, I think, then (dare I say it?) being a physicist. You've got to be playing hours a day, everyday. If you break for just a few days, your fingers will get lazy and you'll start to slip up. That's not to mention the extreme cut-throat competition. hmm.. maybe it's not that different.

As QT will certainly agree on, it's

SOL SOL SOL MI... FA FA FA RE...


marlon

Technically it's "sol sol sol mé, fa fa fa re"

 

[kant]

When I was young, I never played a piano before. My mom played beetoven, and I was able to play most of it without playing a piano before. I was able to play any tune, (zelda theme, the anthem) 'by ear', meaning I can figure out the notes without reading the music.
Is this anything to cherish? Can everyone do this?

Well, can you do this for all music your heard only once?

 

[QuantumTheory]

Well, can you do this for all music your heard only once?

Yep. But it's not like I can figure out every chord, :).

I still can play it, using the white keys. On tune. The zelda theme is pretty hard to play though..

 

[moose]

Yep. But it's not like I can figure out every chord, :).
I still can play it, using the white keys. On tune. The zelda theme is pretty hard to play though..

Wait, did you just say zelda is harder to play correctly than beethoven's music?



Do you realize that the people who can play certain songs perfectly need to practice several hours everyday?

Anyway, take some piano classes and get good at it. Just because.

 

[Jelfish]

Wait, did you just say zelda is harder to play correctly than beethoven's music?



Do you realize that the people who can play certain songs perfectly need to practice several hours everyday?

Anyway, take some piano classes and get good at it. Just because.

Agreed - Hard work trumps genius.

 

[rachmaninoff]

'song'

Are there lyrics or words? Is there a vocalist involved? If not, the term "song" does not apply; yet many of you are using that word without discretion. Stop referring to Beethoven symphonies as "songs" - they're not!

 

[QuantumTheory]

Quote: "Listen, picking up on just the main notes of a song isn't anything too
special. I for one can do it. I know several people who can as well.
One of my friends can remember a song and then write out the music for it
for an entire band (he's the drum major of our school band). What would
be a real talent is to be able to play the entire song, every single
note played, all the chords. You just have a good ear for music (or an
extremely bad one)."

Sorry, I can't see past page 3 for some reason, I didn't see your response.

Good , I'm glad you can do it. Of course THAT would be a real talent, but very, very few people can do this!

Thanks, I think I have a good ear for music as well.

I never said I was a child prodiguy, i never said I was a genius, i just asked if it was a talent. You don't seem to think so, and no one else does. Of course, it requires some talent. This is my opinion on this, this is my parents opinions on tihs, my friends, and my grandparents, as well as everyone in real life I know.

In fact, this is why I'm not posting here anymore. I only responded to the nice comment you gave me.

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. In fact, don't use sarcasm either.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

My dad's brother [died when very young] had no training on the piano, but he also had an uncanny ability to play music by ear. People would drive many miles just to hear him perform. He was considered a prodigy, but since the only competitors were beef ranchers and cows in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the word prodigy is suspect, IMO.

 

[Cyrus]

I never said I was a child prodiguy, i never said I was a genius, i just asked if it was a talent. You don't seem to think so, and no one else does. Of course, it requires some talent. This is my opinion on this, this is my parents opinions on tihs, my friends, and my grandparents, as well as everyone in real life I know.

Look, tallent means you have some natural ability at something. So, yes, you do have some built in talent. But what everyone here has been saying is that a lot of people have your natural tallent through practice and time. You asked us if your talent was something to cherish, and we told you no, if you can't handel honest criticism then don't ask questions. Your talented, but not skilled nor proficient.

 

[QuantumTheory]

Look, tallent means you have some natural ability at something. So, yes, you do have some built in talent. But what everyone here has been saying is that a lot of people have your natural tallent through practice and time. You asked us if your talent was something to cherish, and we told you no, if you can't handel honest criticism then don't ask questions. Your talented, but not skilled nor proficient.

What you said, and many others, was NOT critism, nor was it honest. In fact, it wasn't even critism, it was downright arrogant. Sorry. You really do fail to see this?

Thanks for saying I actually have talent this time.

 

[Cyrus]

Sorry, I wouldn't exactly call playing that 'talent.' Playing Beethoven is one thing, playing it 'correctly' is entirely another. You may know the notes, but a true professional will have the timing correct to a T. If you can do that, which I HIGHLY doubt, then yes, you are GOOD. This is why classical music weeds out the good from the great. In something like Jazz you can afford to make slip ups and not affect the piece. In classical music, one slip up and your playing a different note from the rest of the entire orchestra, who are playing the note you should be playing. And timing is CRITICAL .

then you can't play the song. You can play part of the song. There is a big difference.

I was not joking or being arrogant when I said that, I was being honest . If you don't like it, don't ask for others opinons.