Play Piano By Ear
Beginner Lesson 1

Welcome to the new and improved Play Piano By Ear Super Course. Each lesson will consist of 4 basic parts. I call this the Secret Formula.

  1. Relax & Listen - (entire song)
  2. Note Ear Training - (single note melody)
  3. Chord Ear Training - (harmony)
  4. Song Performance - (hand coordination training)

We will be uploading a new 4-part lesson every other week starting at the beginner level.

This is absolutely the most important part to learning how to play piano by ear. Spend a minimum of 3 days on this part of the lesson before moving on to Note Ear Training.

Click The MP3 Icon Below To Listen

The recording is short, which should allow you to listen to it at least ten times each day.

  • The more you listen, the easier it will be to learn how to play songs on the piano by ear!

The first 12 lessons of Note Ear Training consist of two groups of 5-note melodies that fit with a major chord and it's parallel minor chord. In this lesson the 2 chords are C major and C minor (Cm).

The first 5-note group is: C - D - E - F - G (all white keys)

The second 5-note group is: C - D - Eb - F - G (1 black key)

Starting note: E

Click the MP3 icon below to listen to just the melody.

Your assignment is to write down the notes in the order that they appear. There's no need to use staff paper.

When you're finished, click the sheet music icon below to download the right hand melody in written form.

I will always tell you the the one major and the one minor chord being used in each of the first 12 lessons.

  • Your assignment will be to listen to the difference between the major and minor chord.

Click the MP3 icon below to listen to the left hand chords.

When you're finished listening, click the sheet music icon below to download the left hand chords in written form.

  • Spend a good week switching from the 3-note C major chord to the 3-note C minor chord. This should be fairly easy since there is only a one note difference between the 2 chords.

When you're finished listening, click the sheet music icon below to download the left hand chords and the right hand melody in written form.

If these first 12 songs seem fairly easy, then I've achieved my goal. I did this intentionally so the chord changes would be quick and easy, thereby allowing you to concentrate on what the song sounded like, instead of the performance.