I took piano lessons for a few years in High School. Before then I played only by ear. My teacher concentrated mostly on music theory. He told me once that he could follow most singers and play only the I, IV, and V7 chords. For the most part this will work with most songs. It may not sound exactly like the music you are trying to copy but it will provide some background to the melody notes you are playing in your right hand.

I will play mostly by ear but now like to have the music (fake books mostly) in front of me to keep me in my place and provide the right chords.

You can play by ear if you can tell when you press a note if it is wrong and if it is higher or lower than the note you wanted. After a while you will get a feel for the intervals between the notes and just know where the next note will be.

Best thing to do is to start doing it now. Like they say: "The best time to plant a tree is last year. The second best time is now."

Good luck,
- Brian


[This message has been edited by MagicUser (edited 11-28-2002).]