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Question: The Piano-Does someone have to completely know how to read sheet music to master piano,are there other ways!?
I am a pianist(beginner to advanced) and I wanna know do I have to know how to completely read sheet music in order to master piano,are there other ways to learn to master piano,I play piano by ear and I find myself only playing with my right hand,I don't know why but I am so used to playing with my right hand because I have one of those 61 key keyboards with a key lighting system and I have learned and mastered the following songs
1)Twinkle Twinkle Little Star-I also printed black manuscript paper and wrote the song from the song book that came with the keyboard)
2)Greensleeves-did the same for this song!.
3)Home On The Range-Did the same for this song too)
4)House Of The Rising Sun-that one too
5)Down In The Valley-that one too
6)My Bonnie-that one too
7)Grandfather's clock-yep

I want all the advice on what I should do next!?
The song I am working is called
Swanee River-I have memorized half of the song(just got done practicing!. Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Keep practicing!.

Whether you 'read' or 'play by ear', you MUST

PRACTICE!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is possible to become a fairly good player just from learning by ear!. Actually, the Suzuki method, which is often used with very young children, encourages learning by ear!. But at some point you will need to learn how to read music in order to master more advanced pieces, unless you are some sort of musical genius who can memorize reproduce complex songs in their entirety just by listening to them!. It isn't that hard to learn to read music and I would do it sooner than later!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Just keep working at it, that other hand will join the party when your ready then you'll have twice the fun!. You maybe one of those people who wants to do it on your own without the help of lessons or a guide to help you along!. That's fine as long as it brings music to your ears keep fingering that ivory!.!.!. Sometimes going to watch someone play at a concert, club can be a valuable lesson in and by itself!.

Have funWww@QuestionHome@Com

If you only play with your right hand, you aren't "beginner to advanced", you are a beginner, period!.

also, you haven't 'mastered' any of those songs if you're playing only with your right hand!.

This is a great example of why it's so important to find a good teacher and learn how to read music!.

Go find a teacher and learn how to play properly!. You'll be glad you did!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

of course you do, its not that hard to read notesWww@QuestionHome@Com

Your efforts are admirable, I must say!.

Piano is such a complex instrument and "mastered" is such a broad term!. So is "beginner to advanced"!.

It sounds like you have the desire, and a great deal of it, but don't have the understanding!.

Try the Master Theory series published by Kjos!. There are 6 volumes!. I seldom teach 4,5 and 6, but with all your energy, you may be interested in Harmony and Arranging as well!. This is a self-teaching workbook type of book that you would definitely profit from!.

If anything learn how to chord/vamp it's kind of the alleyway short cut to playing the piano and has it's drawbacks but will give you success and a quick sense of accomplishment!.

There are two books out there, "You Can Teach Yourself Piano by Ear" published by Mel Bay and "How to Play From a Fake Book" published by Hal Leonard these are good for what I think you might want to do!.

I am a classical musician, but have long given up the idea that classical music is the only way to go and using a "Fake Book" is cheating!.

Good luck! You won't regret learning a musical instrument!.


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