To play the piano by ear: doesn't that seem like a dream? It is such an enviable skill to be able to listen to a song and to be able to play it afterwards so easily! When you watch someone play the piano by ear, it is very impressive.
However, this can also be misleading.
You think that it's effortless, and that it's just a gift that the particular musician has.
The truth is that it isn't - it is a skill that takes a lot of listing and playing, and paying attention, before you eventually master it.
Why Is It So Easy for Some People? One reason why it can seem so hard to play piano in this way is because of the way most people are taught.
In general, you'll learn how to read music first and to play songs through this music.
This is why, when the music is taken away, you could find it very hard to just play by ear.
Don't be discouraged - this is the same for pretty much everyone in the beginning.
Understanding Chords But the real thing that makes people successful at playing by ear is that they take the time to study chords and different progressions.
Once you start to learn more about the different kinds of chords and what they sound like, playing by ear becomes a lot more natural.
Of course, you'll start off with easier songs but you'll eventually be able to play more and more complicated songs.
Summary Thought it is true that learning to play the piano by ear does seem easier for some than others, but the truth is that it is still something that has to be learned.
You shouldn't just sit there being jealous of people who can already do it.
Instead, put your time into taking the effort to listen and play as much as possible!