Playing by ear or self-teaching

[G.W.K]

Just wondering because I self-teach myself the piano and play by ear due to my lack of skill reading sheet music.

I recently taught myself how to play "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" from The Piano by Michael Nyman by ear in 2 days. My greatest achievement...

But what do you do? Do any of these methods work with you or do use traditional methods and get taught by a teacher?

G.W.K

[hyrst]

I wish I could play well by ear - but I foget things too quickly 

I had a teacher, learnt the traditional way growing up.  I have a teacher now, but really get little from my teacher except accountability and consistency.  I am a good sight-reader but wish I could develop my ear and my memorisation more. 

Congrats on your achievement

[concerto_love]

i choose both... 

[etcetra]

I think the ability to play by ear is something you develop, just like how you develop as a classical musician.  You get better by it the more you do it.  I am mainly a jazz person, so i transcribe all the time.  It used to be really hard to transcribe things, but right now I am able to transcribe films scores and big band charts.. But that came with years and years of doing it.

[G.W.K]

I wish I could play well by ear - but I foget things too quickly

Congrats on your achievement

Thank you!

Just keep practising and eventually you'll get better. Practise makes perfect! 

G.W.K