I've noticed lately, that I can't find sheet music or midis for some songs I really want to play. I can't read sheet music in the first place, but would try if that's what it took to play the song. I have just been learning songs from putting the midi on my keyboard and looking at the notes.

So I saw some people on youtube that have played these songs i wanna play, and they just played by ear. I'm a beginner, so I was wondering what I can do to get there. I imagine it may take years of practice... i'm thinking maybe I should get a teacher and/or take a long time listening to these songs and try to figure each note out. Any ideas? Sorry if this is an annoying question. I wanna learn how to play a song for someone :)

It takes practice, as you can imagine. I don't know about getting a teacher for teaching you how to play by ear; I would suggest trying to learn it yourself. Try looking into buying Smartmusic 10 (www.smartmusic.com). If you play an instrument and have a computer microphone, just plug your microphone in. There is an "Ear Trainer" in this program where it only shows the first note, and you have to play the rest. I would also look into listening to intervals.

playing by ear isn't exactly hard to do...i played by ear for years until recently...

basically, you just listen reallie hard for the first few chords and try to find the key signature and you go from there...you kinda make up your own notes as you go along...

also, i think playing by ear gives you a chance to develop your own style (helpful for composing)...following sheet music does give you some influences when you try to find your style, but playing by ear will give you more originality...it kinda gives you a chance to be creative with the song...make up your own harmonies...without being bound to the score, you're given more creative license

but yeah, it does take lots of practice...i probably practice around 3+ hours a day (at least when i'm not bogged down by stupid homework)

play by ear...you sure they didn't just memorize the song so they don't need shet music or somethin?
but yeah to play by ear actually isn't something impossible...jsut about anyone could theoretically play by ear if you give them long enough to tinker aorund with the notes n stuff...but god i wish i had perfect pitch...phooey XD i'm not one of the lucky...1 in a million XD

Some have it easier than others.

Most, unfortuantely have to work harder than others. *points to self*

I find that playing by ear depends on the music being played. If the music is slow and/or has a single instrument, it's more easier to play by ear and determine the notes.

Yeah, I was lucky enough to have been born with Relative Pitch, so playing by eay isn't so hard since hearing the notes then kind of visualizing them (which ever the key, usually tends to be different Lol) comes a little natural. But you can train yourself to 'play by ear'. It's quite possible, just takes determination. . .

For me it is near impossible to play by ear , as Sondagger said 'some have it easier than others". I suggest just learning how to read music in the end it will make your life easier, thats my opinion anyways. Heres a tip on sheet music reading for treble clef the lines are from bottom to top Every Good Boy Does Fine (E,G,B,D,F) and the spaces from bottom to top spell FACE. Hope that Helps.

Yar, having a good relative pitch willl help. Is abt theory and listening, once u have the structure, it will be much easier to play by ear.

I can play by ear when I hear a song a few times and then play a note on the piano, using that note as a guide of where to go.

But of course it has to be an easy song.

Thanks a lot for your replies everyone. I haven't had much time to practice, but I will fairly soon. I ended up finding sheet music to one of the songs, now i just need to learn how to read :heh: ..From the little time that i spent trying to figure the notes out by ear, I would agree it's harder when there is more than one instrument playing. I also don't know the notes on the keyboard that well by sound, so it takes a long time for me to find the notes. That all just takes determination like some of you have said. Thanks again!

This website might help:
http://www.good-ear.com/