Playing by ear....

I have created a checklist that gives song suggestions as well as layers - 5 finger melodies, tonic and dominant harmonies, I/IV/V7 chord harmonies. You can also add LH variations (chords, waltz patterns, arpeggios, octaves, etc.).

If you are like me, you might not feel super comfortable teaching how to play by ear. I was never formally taught how to play by ear but years of playing hymns at church, I eventually figured it out. Some of my students have a very natural ear while other students will cry when I make them play by ear.

When I teach a reluctant student, I start with singing the song and ask them to join me if they are comfortable. Then we sing it again while moving our hands higher and lower as we sing higher and lower pitches. Then we turn to face the piano and move our hands “up” and “down” on the piano while singing the song. Then we start trying to figure it out on the keys.