I was at the piano picking out melodies by ear by the time I was 3 years old. How did I do that? I have no idea ... I just loved to do it, spent LOTS of time at the piano, could pick out the "sour" notes from the "right" ones quite easily.

Later, that natural "ear" was developed and enhanced though years of classical training. Those lessons have proved so valuable - gave me good physical technique, effective practice habits, a workable knowledge of music theory PLUS the ability to sight read. I've applied what I learned on piano to every other instrument I've wanted to learn to play.

As a teacher, a lot of people have asked me over the years to show them how to "play by ear". But no-one ever "taught" me how to do that; it really stumped me at first how to go about "teaching" someone else! BUt I eventually worked out a "method".

First, I give them basic ear training - starting very simply, with matching tones (Play a note, listen VERY carefully and sing it back) and clapping back simple rhythms. This develops the ability to notice when pitches are "higher" or "lower" or perfectly matched, to "feel" a steady beat.

ONce they can match tones accurately, we move on to arranging those pitches into scales, intervals and chords. I have them practice technique (scales, chords, arpeggios) in all 12 major and minor keys (eventually!) to give them a working knowledge of the "building blocks" of music PLUS "great fingers", strong hands - and sometimes, even the ability to hear where the key changes within a piece of music too.

I do melody-playbacks with them, starting very simply with only the first three notes of the scale (I tell them the key first, play a very short 3-note melody, and have them play back what they heard - without watching me play it first of course!). Eventually, students can do this with more complicated melodies using all notes of the scale, and beyond the octave too. Then, it's fairly simple to figure out any song they want to play.

In the meantime, I show them basic chord progressions, starting with I and V, then adding IV, II, VI, and the 7th chords. I show them how chords and progressions are used in their favourite songs, starting with the simplest - and they eventually learn to recognize the sound of the different chords and progressions. A

After that, they're well on their way .... I just help them with any specific details if they get stumped figuring out the songs they want to play.

Even the best "ear" is not infallible, especially when it comes to figuring out complicated riffs and jazz harmonies performed at lightening speed! So if you want to learn someone else's composition as accurately as possible, my best advice is to read the music to correct / complement / complete what you've figured out by ear. A well-trained ear easily picks out the errors and typos commonly found in printed music, and a well-trained eye finds the "mistakes" even the "best" and most musical of ears inevitably make.