I ain't got tired yet

[coreydee]

I am relatively new to the site.  However I have been playing for some 10years, although I was just playing, made very little improvement.
  I tried taking lessons at Alamo Music for about 2yrs, and the instructor noticed I wasn't turning pages when I should so fourth and so on and introduced me to someone to develope my ear and I learned more in one night that I did 100 nights in school.  I am trying to read music so I can be a more well rounded musician.  I don't know if there is a formula or something that I am just not getting, but I am not trying to spend a grip for something that probably won't work.  I just need some words of advice and maybe a holy pat on the back or a hug...I record my music every sunday, and I can see the improvement and spirit in my playing, but it's hard to pass on my gift to others when they ask me what chord is that and I have to spell it down instead of saying a "F minor diminished with a touch of Emajor to the 3rd power" [/b]

[DaNatiMaestro]

Hey coreydee..

You sound like me oh about 5 years ago and more recently 2 years ago those were the points in my playing where I had hit a wall in my playing... but I was able to over come them both.

I am "self" taught so I can play by ear but I learned how to read music from my time playing sax when I was in high school.  Learning to read music is much like learning to read anything else.. IT TAKES TIME BUT IT CAN BE DONE.

I would suggest going to your local library and getting some books.. they are free and you can return them to get more... there are plenty of books on theory, chords, progression, runs, scales just about anything dealing with piano playing.  I've learned more this way in a short amount of time then trying to do it on my own.

From those books I'm now able to distinguish and call out chords.

I highly recommend getting "The Jazz Piano Book" and "The Jazz Theory Book" from Mark Levine.. you will not be disappointed and I guarantee it'll take your playing to the next level.. don't know the author so not a shame-less plug.. I just think it's a good book!!

[BBoy]

I always recommend learning some theory.

I would really recommend a book called "Teach Yourself Chords and Progressions" by DR Burt Konowitz. It is not expensive and is a very handy resource.

I praise GOD for your gift of playing by ear, it must really be a blessing to the Body of Christ.

Be Blessed!