Play Piano By Ear

This is the very last episode I will publish on this podcast! But not to worry - I have been working on creating a new podcast called Melodies with Morgan where I will upload weekly episodes every Monday. Join me on the continued music journey at Melodies with Morgan! I’m so super stoked to go “all-in” and share many of the same concepts and piano techniques on this new podcast!

It wasn’t all clear and laid out when I learned piano chords. This episode goes through my journey (and what I learned the somewhat hard way) of figuring out piano chords.

I loved making this episode! I’m answering three specific questions a personal friend of mine asked! I apply the answers to a vocal perspective as well as playing piano by ear.

When playing by ear, it can be easy to start with the typical approach (sounding out the melody.) Here’s some insights on what you should really start with as well as some examples at the piano. Near the end, I explain a method to create any major scale even if you only know how to play piano chords.

Let’s turn piano theory, inside out, backwards, and upside down! This episode will give an overview of piano theory from a new perspective!

Here’s a golden method to master piano chords! Listen to this episode to find out the practice strategy that I give to all my students when they are first learning piano chords. This is a holistic approach, and we use the entire piano.

Wouldn’t it be great if three was a way to practice, incrementally, a musical improv? (Can you even practice “improv” or playing by ear?) In this episode, I teach you how to do that!

OF ANY EPISODE, LISTEN TO THIS ONE! A lot of you have requested that I include piano examples in my podcast. This episode is it! It’s a piano lesson on how to play any song in any key. I literally walk you through the steps and practice exercises to take the first step in understanding this seemingly “impossible” skill. There is a very tangible way to learn to play by ear, and this episode outlines and demystifies the thought process behind that!

I use Finale and GarageBand to write digital sheet music. Here’s some great tips with getting started (and things I wish someone else would have walked me through when I was first learning these programs.)

Hear what I’m up to this summer, ways you can take lessons with me in June 2022, and a behind the scenes scoop on running a business!

Recently I taught a student how to compose a song. This episode takes you through that whole process along with us!

The title says it all. :) I’m exited to share some life updates as well as offer 4 keys to keeping a song flowing when you make it up on the spot. Stay till the end for a fun student story.

This episode covers sooooo many fun things!!! What is the I, IV, V progression? Why is it played so often before a song? Where does the “one, four, five” come from anyway? And some cool bonuses: what does God have to say about harmony? What is a minor diminished chord? How does the minor diminished chord relate to the V7 chord? And lots of examples on the piano with a song composed on the spot.

I’ll be playing through some favorite chord progressions (dramatic/happy/calm) and using the piano to describe how chords sound different depending how you play them.

In this episode I tell you what to google to find great piano chord charts. I also explain ways to begin playing the chord charts on the piano.

As playing-by-ear musicians, we often come up with fun little tunes in our head. This episode describes how to take one of those tunes and figure out the rhythm. Listen til the end to hear a clear, easy example! (It starts with a harder one!!)

This episode describes how I would practice - by ear and also with my piano books. There’s a great way you can use each technique to lead into the other. Guidelines give opportunity for creativity! Learn effective ways to enhance your practice time!

Personally, this is my favorite topic to explore when it comes to the piano! I didn’t learn about the circle of 5ths until after 5 years of piano lessons. Once I learned it, it was like a lightbulb went on in my head! Chords made sense, and I could play any song in any key by ear! This episode explores the amazing connection of the circle of 5ths - there are circles within circles! I so wish this concept was taught in every introductory piano book!

Ever wonder what goes on inside someone’s brain when they’re playing by ear? Here, I’ll take you on a little tour through my mind as I play a song by ear and I’ll explain each segment of the song at the piano.

This episode is basically a free piano lesson on playing your first chord inversion. There’s 3 ways to play the same chord!! I’m at my piano and will be playing along so you can hear the notes!