Hi MacMan, and welcome to the forum. Your question is interesting for me, because I grew up with lessons and learned by reading music the whole time. However years later when attending a church, I heard a woman play better than I have ever heard in my life...and she never had a lesson. I guess she basically could read the top note by then, but with all her chording and runs, she literally was all over the keyboard. Whereas I was say...reading a whole note and holding 4 counts, she would use that "holding" time to do a "Bass, chord, chord type thing or run or anything....it was amazing. I was so impressed with how she could make everything sound really difficult and "filled-in", as opposed to my playing of classical by reading exactly as written. And yes, while I wanted to play like her, she wanted to play like me. Anyway, I spent much of my time for the next several years learning from her how to play by ear, and learning the "normal" chord progression to "most" pieces/songs, and how to accompany someone whos singing, without music, just by knowing the key. I returned to playing nothing but classical, and couldn't believe how strange it was, and difficult somewhat to play reading exactly what was written. I think it is much more difficult to "READ" music, than to play by ear as you have to do what is written, not just wing it with how you feel. However before learning to play without music, I thought the reverse.
I don't think there is necessarily a "FAST" way to learn to read music. It's like anything else....the more you practice and become familiar with the notes on the keyboard in relationship to their location on the staff the easier it will be. Kind of like tieing your shoe. Probably when you first learned how to do this you had to look at what your hands were doing in order to make sure you were doing it properly, but after a while, you could tie your shoes with your eyes shut....and even better example would be typing. At first you have to practicing learning where the keys are, memorizing home row (asdf jkl;), and it's hard not to look at the keyboard....but after typing the word "and" or "the" enough times.....you don't even have to look and your typing speed increases. It's exactly the same with reading music. The more you you do it, the more you feel comfortable with it and it just becomes second nature.....your fingers/hands just kinda know where to go, its automatic.
You mentioned that you became "too impatient" reading music before. I think it's important to ask yourself WHY you became impatient. Was it taking too long? Were you bored with what you were playing? Did you have difficulty understanding what was being taught each week? Were you bored because you were moving at a pace which did not allow you to progress quickly enough (losing interest)? I think if you can recognize WHY you became impatient, you can possibly take steps to ensure that not happening now. Say for instance you were having difficulty understanding the material as it was being taught, by explaining that to your teacher they may be able to try a different teaching technique that may work better for you. If you were practicing with songs you couldn't stand playing, (Mary had a Little lamb) and were 14 years old...that's understandable.
Other than than, I don't feel there is a "magic" way to learn how to read music. But the more you practice, the easier it definately becomes. I don't know anyone who can play the Rach 3 by ear!!!! I have to admit I'm jealous.....think I'd have enough trouble even with the music
Don't give up, it does take time and patience...but it does come, and gets easier all the time. I wish you best of luck!
S
Topic: anyone learn by ear?