Playing Piano

How To Play Piano – The Fun Way!   by Martin Algra

The Piano is a beautiful solo instrument that can be played by anyone of almost any age and if played correctly, can give an immense amount of pleasure to both the player and to anybody listening.

The problem for most people who want to learn to play piano, is the thought that they don’t have the necessary skill, talent, dedication or ability to start. To some degree this is probably true, but in my opinion the main reason why most people fail to start or persevere is because they are not motivated or inspired to learn.

Learning to play Piano Or any other instrument, without doubt, requires that the student is prepared to dedicate sufficient time to learn and practise. This however, should not be viewed as a chore but as a pleasure, necessary to achieve the end result. In other words it should be considered Fun.

The thought of playing endless exercises, scales and learning musical notation of songs that you may never have heard of is not motivational and is likely to put of all but the most hardy of students, especially kids, as they tend to have a short attention span.

Children and adults alike enjoy instant gratification, which can be achieved when they learn to play piano with the right type of instruction and motivation. For instance learning to play a few simple notes or cords that sound familiar will give immediate gratification and encouragement to want to learn more, compared to learning a set of scales or meaningless musical notation.

I am not suggesting that it is not necessary to learn musical notation or scales, quite the contrary, as this is absolutely necessary to future progression with any instrument, but initially it is far better to gain the students interest and provide stimulation by getting them involved from the start with making actual music.

Learning to play piano or keyboard by ear in the beginning is a great way of learning and in my experience can be of great benefit to students in later years. The keyboard player in a band that I used to play in was a great sight reader, but without written music could not play any meaningful music as he could not hear or feel the music. If you learn to play by ear this becomes a natural thing and you are able to hear what notes or chords should be played next.

It is quite common for printed music to be inaccurate, showing wrong notes or chords, but if you have initially learned to play piano by ear you will instantly know this is wrong and be able to correct the mistake.

If you are interested in Learning to play piano the Fun Way I recommend you check out at http://Learntoplaypiano4fun.com/ or you can visit my review site at http://Learn-to-play-piano-4-fun.blogspot.com/

About the Author

Martin retired after forty years as an Independent Financial Advisor and part time musician. Married with two grown up children and a granddaughter he moved to France from the UK in 2005.
PIANOMAGIC: Play Piano By Ear – Part One

UltraSound – Music for the Unborn Child $5.96 While many hospitals across the country send new mums and babes home equipped with discs of classical music to soothe and gently stimulate babies’ tender minds, Ultrasound brings together a delightfully well-rounded set specifically chosen for those still in the womb. Expectant moms will appreciate the effects of the mellow strains of Bach’s Suite No. 3, the delicate playfulness of Tchaikovsky’s “…

Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box $3.61 Baby Einstein, Playtime Music Box, a Concert for Little Ears Audio CD….

Play Piano in a Flash! Full Video Set DVD $42.99 For about the cost of 2 piano lessons, this video (both VHS and DVD formats are available) will provide readers with years of musical enjoyment. If truth be known, there is another way to learn how to play piano rather than going to weekly lessons and spending thousands of dollars in the process. The secret is learning to play the way the pros play. Learning to play in that style is enormously s…

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition $11.32 A music theory book that hits the high note This updated and expanded edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition includes: -A brand-new CD -A …

How to Play Popular Piano in 10 Easy Lessons: The Fastest, Easiest Way to Learn to Play from Sheet Music or by Ear $8.49 This no-frills, no-drills method will have you playing simple tunes within 30 minutes – even if you don’t know one note from another. The secret? Learning the basic chords and how to adapt them. With lots of clearly illustrated chord examples, keyboard di…

Mel Bay Play Jazz, Blues, & Rock Piano by Ear, Book One $12.35 This comprehensive introduction to jazz, blues, and rock piano will offer easy-to-understand explanations of music theory, and guide you step by step as you develop your skills. Above all, Piano by Ear will help you to explore and develop your ability to improvise. Rather than focus on written notation, you ll learn to express yourself at the piano by relying on your ear and on your own creative i…

Playing It by Ear $12.43 Playing It by Ear

Play Piano by Ear $17.55 It is no secret that the majority of piano owners, in addition to playing classical music, would also like to play popular standards and pop songs, just like the piano player in a bar or cocktail lounge does, improvising and going from one tune to another

Improve Your Piano Playing $8.59 Improve Your Piano Playing

Beethoven’s Piano-playing $18.95 Beethoven’s Piano-playing

Playing It By Ear $7.99 American historian by day and Canadian jazz musician and playwright by night, Clyde R. Forsberg Jr. has also written five original ‘jazz-musicals.’ Originally, the idea was for a history professor who played jazz to use the stage to convey a message of some historical importance, augmented by music, as an experiment to see whether the theatre was not a better medium than the classroom. There is no doubting the important fact that the public cast their vote . . . and quite decidedly in the affirmative, despite it all. Playing It By Ear: The Jazz-Theatre of Clyde R. Forsberg Jr. explores such public events and social issues as the Canadian ice storm of 1998 and the urban-rural divide, Louis Armstrong’s ‘Black and Blue’ and the relationship between racism and domestic abuse, the death-rattle of patriarchal authority evident at family holiday gatherings, the penis and vagina as twin taboos, and what Forsberg’s seven-year trek along the Silk Road (2003’2010) in search of self understanding and renewal would cost him’but also reward him for venturing outside of the box.

Playing by Ear $12.48 "Playing by Ear" tells the story of John Conrad, a man who has so idealized his wife Emma that he has destroyed his ability to relate to the wider world and the mortal women who inhabit it. Deranged by her sudden departure, he sets out–although he doesn’t seem to realize it–to find someone equally worthy of worship. Living and working and buying too many CDs in suburban Chicago, John careens from reality to fantasy, rarely capable of a chaste thought, searching for a way to redeem himself and for the one song that explains it all.

Pianists & Piano Playing in the Twentieth Century $26.25 Pianists & Piano Playing in the Twentieth Century

EAKEN PIANO TRIO: PLAYING WITH FIRE $13.65 EAKEN PIANO TRIO: PLAYING WITH FIRE

DVD : PLAYING BANJO BY EAR & LEARNING TH $25.32 DVD : PLAYING BANJO BY EAR & LEARNING TH

Piano by Ear, Book One: Play Jazz, Blues, Rock [With CD] $21.98 This comprehensive introduction to jazz, blues, and rock piano will offer easy-to-understand explanations of music theory, and guide you step by step as you develop your skills. Above all, Piano by Ear will help you to explore and develop your ability to improvise. Rather than focus on written notation, youUll learn to express yourself at the piano by relying on your ear and on your own creative instincts. Book One is designed for students who are brand-new to playing music by ear and improvising. Only basic piano technique and basic music-reading skills are needed. YouUll want to have a CD player with headphones at your keyboardQa portable CD player will do the job

All about Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Keyboard [With CD] $18.98 Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn interesting tid-bits on piano makes and models, care and maintenance, other keyboard instruments, and other fun stuff about the piano. This fun-filled, easy-to-use guide includes: * An introduction to pianos and keyboard instruments * Step-by-step music reading instruction * How to play by ear and improvise * Background on various styles of music, including dozens of favorite songs * Performing tips. Over 40 popular songs, including: All My Loving (The Beatles) * Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John) * Fur Elise (Beethoven) * Imagine (John Lennon) * Linus and Lucy (Vince Guaraldi) * Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) * Your Cheatin’ Heart (Hank Williams) * and more. The CD includes 70 tracks for demo and play-along.

Playing With the Light $15.98 Luke and Daniel Brindley (not a Bible study group) bring power pop back in all its glory with a driving nine-song compact disc cleverly entitled Playing with the Light. All of the material is written by Luke Brindley with Daniel co-writing four titles that remind one of those excellent days when Sutherland Brothers & Quiver and McGuinness Flint tried to bring substantial sounds to the airwaves. “Slow Burn” is one that came from Luke’s pen alone, though it plays like what “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” could have been had Pat Benatar not abandoned the new wave for her successful hard rock. No relation to folk supergroup Bryndle, the Brindley Brothers take those Gavin Sutherland sensibilities across the disc, “Supernova” going back to the theme of “Slow Burn,” only with more angst. “The Crazy One” slides into the speakers with a crafty elegance and it is too bad the lyrics are so printed to small on the inside back cover. These guys have something to say and one must stretch the ear or look for a magnifying glass to get with the program. The keyboards reverberate on “The Crazy One” and the groove is compact and neat, just as it is on “Harder, Easier, Better.” “Evergreen” has an absolutely delicious guitar line, like Neil Young’s “Alabama” or “Cinnamon Girl” sweetened up for a new audience.Kurt Cobain never got to be this happy, and the production techniques utilized by the brothers and co-producer Jared Bartlett are effective — nice backwards music on the final track, “Breakdown” — a good case in point. “Roman Candle” has that British pop sound so many adore, and these fellows have the voices to pull off the caper. Playing with the Light is an extraordinary find for fans of melodic rock, one with staying power. Makes you want to seek out Luke Brindley’s previous releases. ~ Joe Viglione, Rovi Performers: Daniel Brindley – Fender Rhodes, Piano, Organ, Vocals; Harry Evans – Percussion, Drums; Kevin McIntyre – Bass; Luke Brindley – Bass, Vocals, Guitar; Paul Barber – Bass

Great Pianists on Piano Playing $12.44 Great pianists discuss topics ranging from piano technique and musical development to becoming a virtuoso. Included are Busoni’s “Important Details in Piano Study,” Rachmaninoff’s “Essentials of Artistic Playing,” Paderewski’s “Breadth in Musical Art,” an

School of Advanced Piano Playing $16.99 (Piano Technique). By Rafael Joseffy. For piano solo. Piano Method. 132 pages. G. Schirmer #ED158. Published by G. Schirmer

The ABC of Piano Playing: Book 2 $10.95 By Boris Berlin. For Piano. The ABC of Piano Playing. Early Elementary. Book. 40 pages. Published by The Frederick Harris Music Company

The ABC of Piano Playing: Book 1 $10.95 By Boris Berlin. For Piano. The ABC of Piano Playing. Early Elementary. Book. 48 pages. Published by The Frederick Harris Music Company

The ABC of Piano Playing: Book 3 $10.95 By Boris Berlin. For Piano. The ABC of Piano Playing. Elementary. Book. 40 pages. Published by The Frederick Harris Music Company

On Piano Playing $119.65 Points out common errors pianists make, shows the correct way to play basic technical patterns, and gives exercises for improving coordination, strength, and flexibility.

Playing Piano $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever.

Ultimate Piano Playing $28.98 Have you hit a wall in your piano playing for enjoyment or as a career? Then "Ultimate Piano Playing: The Wave Method for Effortless Technique and Beautiful Tone" is for you The Wave Method is an approach inspired by the 19th century practices of producing a stunningly rich, ‘golden tone’ from the piano. You will replace the tension, frustration and struggle that plagues many pianists and replace it with a renewed ease, power and concentration. Piano playing will be so enjoyable you will never want to leave In depth description of the Wave Method principle which highlights the aspects that influence our tone ranging from the mechanics of the piano to the physics of how we use our body are followed by a step by step tutorial with detailed photographs. This book is a MUST for all students, professionals and hobbyists You will unlock an incredible world of artistic, physical and spiritual benefits and your piano will SING

Playing Jazz Piano $9.63 For an aspiring jazz instrumentalist, playing piano is one of the most important skills for developing a jazz vocabulary. Bob Mintzer is a renowned jazz composer, arranger, saxophonist, pianist, bandleader, educator and member of the group, the Yellowjack

Ryuichi Sakamoto : Playing The Piano $18.2 Ryuichi Sakamoto’s legions of fans will have a new special 2-CD package to savor on September 28th (Decca Label Group): the two albums, playing the piano and out of noise, present a wide-ranging view into the world of this composer, musician, producer, ac

121 Fills for Gospel & Country Piano [With CD] $19.95 How do I learn new licks? How does the number system work? How can I memorize the scales? These are some of the questions asked by many country and gospel pianists, yet unanswered by traditional music lessons. These topics and more are covered in the straight forward, easy to understand book. Authored by one of gospel music”s most recorded pianists, this book and CD is designed for easy use by both music readers and by those who solely play by ear. Here in one collection are 121 different fills that you can use to spice up your playing and help get you started down the paths of new musical possibilities.

40 Sheet Music Bestsellers — Country Hits: Piano/Vocal/Guitar $13.16 Used – This collection contains 40 well-known favorites, from all-time classics to today’s hottest hits. Due to their popularity and their playability on piano, these songs rank among the top-selling sheet music titles in their genre. Whether you seek skill-building practice material or just the sheer fun of playing great songs that you could never quite figure out by ear, this collection guarantees a lifetime of enjoyment. Titles: Amazed (Lonestar) * American Honey (Lady Antebellum) * Anyway (M

40 Sheet Music Bestsellers — Country Hits: Piano/Vocal/Guitar $13.49 New – This collection contains 40 well-known favorites, from all-time classics to today’s hottest hits. Due to their popularity and their playability on piano, these songs rank among the top-selling sheet music titles in their genre. Whether you seek skill-building practice material or just the sheer fun of playing great songs that you could never quite figure out by ear, this collection guarantees a lifetime of enjoyment. Titles: Amazed (Lonestar) * American Honey (Lady Antebellum) * Anyway (Ma

40 Sheet Music Bestsellers — Country Hits: Piano/Vocal/Guitar $13.98 New – This collection contains 40 well-known favorites, from all-time classics to today’s hottest hits. Due to their popularity and their playability on piano, these songs rank among the top-selling sheet music titles in their genre. Whether you seek skill-building practice material or just the sheer fun of playing great songs that you could never quite figure out by ear, this collection guarantees a lifetime of enjoyment. Titles: Amazed (Lonestar) * American Honey (Lady Antebellum) * Anyway (Ma

40 Sheet Music Bestsellers — Country Hits: Piano/Vocal/Guitar $17.78 Used – This collection contains 40 well-known favorites, from all-time classics to today’s hottest hits. Due to their popularity and their playability on piano, these songs rank among the top-selling sheet music titles in their genre. Whether you seek skill-building practice material or just the sheer fun of playing great songs that you could never quite figure out by ear, this collection guarantees a lifetime of enjoyment. Titles: Amazed (Lonestar) * American Honey (Lady Antebellum) * Anyway (M

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner By Fred Gwynne, Illustrated by Fred Gwynne $4.99 <P>A gorilla war? Car pools? Playing the piano by ear? It’s no wonder a little girl is confused by some of the strange things she overhears her mommy and daddy saying. With his hilarious wordplay and zany illustrations, Fred Gwynne keeps children of all ages in stitches!

Alejandro Santoyo – Elevation CD $14.25 Alejandro Santoyo is a World-Class Pianist and Composer, born in Southbend, Indiana, USA. He has lived in the US, Europe, and Latin America. He began playing the piano by ear and composing when he …

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book 3 $6.95 This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 3 introduces ”overlapping pedal”; new time signatures 3/8 and 6/8; and the primary triads in Major and Minor keys. Concepts include: passing one under two and one under three; playing major scales in contrary motion; the chromatic scale; the minor scale. For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 3 include: Classic Themes * Composition * Duet * Ear Training * Ensemble * Fun * Hymn * Merry Christmas * Merry Christmas Ensemble * Musical Concepts * Notespeller * Patriotic Solo * Recital * Repertoire * Sight Reading * Technic * Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet Book.

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book 4 $6.95 This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 4 concepts include: tarantellas; eighth note triplets; arpeggiated chords; first and second inversion triads in C; triads in all positions; major scales in parallel motion; two-part writing; seventh chords and inversions of seventh chords; E harmonic minor scale in contrary motion; primary chords in E minor; sixteenth notes; dotted eighth notes; primary chords in B-flat Major and G Minor; repeated-note warm-ups; and harmonic minor scales in parallel motion. For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 4 include: Classic Themes * Duet * Ear Training * Merry Christmas * Musical Concepts * Recital * Repertoire * Sight Reading * Technic * Theory and Top Hits! Solo, Christmas and Duet books.

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book 5 $6.95 This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Lesson Book 5 concepts include the ornaments: long appoggiatura, short appoggiatura, trill and mordent; plus arpeggios; the A Major scale; and the keys of B minor and C minor. Also introduces the playing of minuets, sonatinas, preludes and arias. For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Coordinating supplemental books for Level 5 include: Classic Themes * Ear Training * Merry Christmas * Recital * Repertoire * Theory and Top Hits! Solo.

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course: Lesson Book 6 $6.95 This easy step-by-step method emphasizes correct playing habits and note reading through interval recognition. Level 6 concepts include: a review of major and minor triads; diminished and augmented triads; the diminished seventh chord; a special style of pedaling; the key of F sharp Minor; the E Major scale; the key of C sharp minor; the A flat Major scale; thirty-second notes; and dotted sixteenth notes. This book also contains an important daily scale routine and a dictionary of musical terms. For reinforcement of each principle as it is introduced, supplementary material is carefully coordinated, page for page, at each level of instruction. Correlated supplemental books for Level 6 include: Ear Training * Recital * Theory and Top Hits! Solo.

All About Piano $19.95 A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn interesting tid-bits on piano makes and models, care and maintenance, other keyboard instruments, and other fun stuff about the piano. This fun-filled, easy-to-use guide includes: * An introduction to pianos and keyboard instruments * Step-by-step music reading instruction * How to play by ear and improvise * Background on various styles of music, including dozens of favorite songs * Performing tips. Over 40 popular songs, including: All My Loving (The Beatles) * Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John) * Fur Elise (Beethoven) * Imagine (John Lennon) * Linus and Lucy (Vince Guaraldi) * Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) * Your Cheatin’ Heart (Hank Williams) * and more. The CD includes 70 tracks for demo and play-along.

All About Piano – A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano – BK+CD $19.95 Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn interesting tid-bits on piano makes & models, care and maintenance, other keyboard instruments, and other fun stuff about the piano. This fun-filled, easy-to-use guide includes: An introduction to pianos and keyboard instruments – Step-by-step music reading instruction – How to play by ear and improvise – Background on various styles of music, including dozens of favorite songs – Performing tips. Over 40 popular songs, including: All My Loving (The Beatles) Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John) F r Elise (Beethoven) Imagine (John Lennon) Linus and Lucy (Vince Guaraldi) Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) Your Cheatin’ Heart (Hank Williams) and more. The CD includes 70 tracks for demo and play-along.

All About Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano $19.95 Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn interesting tid-bits on piano makes &

All about Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano $1.77 Used – A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, lear

All about Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano $13.51 New – A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn

All about Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano $5.47 Used – A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, lear

All about Piano: A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano $10.93 New – A Fun and Simple Guide to Playing Piano Have you struggled through tedious lessons and boring instruction books in your desire to learn to play the piano? If you wish there was a fun and engaging way to motivate you in your piano playing quest, then this is it: All About Piano is for you. Whether it’s learning to read music, playing by ear, improvising, or all of the above, this enjoyable guide will help you to finally start playing your favorite songs in many different styles. Plus, learn

Anna Larsen – Beginnings: Bach Well-Tempered Clavier I CD $14.79 Anna was born in March of 2000. She started playing piano by ear when she was three and composing when she was five. She began serious study of the Well Tempered Clavier when she was nine and mad…

Anthony Sapp – Voodoo Show Dogs CD $9.69 Anthony Sapp was born to a musician father so music was always in the house. As a child he took to the piano and was playing popular songs and classical pieces by ear. He played the drums and key…

No Responses so far | Have Your Say!