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by telesilla
1696 days ago
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I struggle with learning pieces by heart. It's my greatest regret that I need sheet music to enjoy the piano, some 40 years later since lessons began in typical classical format. My sight reading is impeccable. Any advice welcome. |
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I started piano lessons 9 years ago when I was 27. I had a background in marching band where we were not allowed to carry sheet music with us on the field for 4 years in college
I think that experience with marching band really forced me to develop my ear and learn to memorize music. Also I was terrible at reading music so I used my ear (which also wasn't that good) to fill in the gaps.
Eventually I became proficient enough at this that I could just listen to the other saxophone players and play what they were playing. I didn't know anything about keys, chords, intervals, or anything. I just played what I heard because I had no other choice.
Perhaps putting yourself in similar situations would be helpful. For example, I'm now a keyboard player in a band and I have to be able to learn a song that I've never heard at a moment's notice. That kind of pressure would force anybody to develop their ear because sheet music is just not as useful in that kind of setting.