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How to transcribe what you hear from the CD to your keyboard

Tip #1

Practice listening to songs each day. Over time you will be able to hear the patterns and PREDICT which chord will come next.

Tip #2

The first thing is to hear where the base note is moving throughout the song.

Tip #3

listen for the different types of chords associated with that base note. Remember the same chords are used over and over again in many songs.

Tip #4

Imitate what you hear on your keyboard. This is the only way you will effectively learn how to play by ear.

"How to Play any song by "EAR"

Playing songs by ear is not as difficult as you think. This is the most challenging aspect of playing gospel music or any type of music. Playing by ear can be learned systematically almost like a formula. Most beginners do not know that songs have patterns. For example, in the key of C a song base line will start on the C then to the E then to the F. That same pattern is found in about 98% of your songs. The only thing that changes is the melody of song. The melody is what makes all songs sound different. The base note which is normally played in the left hand and the chord which is in the right hand in most cases will remain the same in 98% of songs with just a slight alteration. Learning songs by ear can be fun.

The Pitfalls of not Understanding What you are playing

Many musicians can only play gospel music by sheet music, FAKE books, or from other seasoned musicians showing them note by note. There is nothing wrong with sheet music or having someone teaching you a gospel song. The downfall of this is that it handicaps many musicians. They do not understand the concepts behind what they are playing. Some musicians play a popular gospel song but are not able to play a congregational song by EAR or even a simple hymnal. Knowing and understanding these concepts will allow you to apply them to other songs. Chords in songs usually progress using the same common patterns.

"Eventually you will be able to listen to a CD in your car or house and call out the base and chord before playing it on the piano or organ."
May God bless you,

James A Barnes, PRESIDENT