Do you play Piano by ear?

I might be able to play by ear if I tried. I am more of a music person. On the other hand, I haven't actually played since 1996. But lately I really miss it. I wanted to get a keyboard for Christmas, but that isn't going to happen. I have thought about putting one on my credit card, but I don't really want to get more in debt.

I took lessons for ...something like 10 years. (Started in grade 1, ended in high school.) After stopping, it took a while for me to sit down at a piano again (long story), but once I did, I found both my sight reading and "playing by ear" improved dramatically. Actually, the single best thing I probably ever did (before university) to improve my playing by ear *and* my theory was to write some piano/keyboard arrangements for a group I was involved with years ago. They had nothing but chords, pretty much, and used acoustic guitar almost exclusively. My "education" had been pretty one-sided and having to actually learn the chords - or learn them better, anyway - went a long way toward improving my playing. Thanks for the thread! ~Sara

I'm sorry - I don't have any helpful hints. I took piano lessons in college but my professor focused way too much on theory and I never played anything. I can read music though from the piano & voice lessons I took. My brother on the other hand only plays by ear. He is really really good at the piano but he can't rid any music at all. He tried lessons but so many teachers quit because they couldn't teach him.

I wish I could. I'm one that needs to read the notes. My dad and sister could both play by ear.

I also play by ear. I play in a band and I learn the songs by listening to the them on CD. So, that's my suggestion, try picking out chords and notes by listening to the music.

no sorry i dont play piano..

I also do it, I listen to some musics in my computer then play it in the piano.