Many people here or on other website wanted to play music by ear, but we need to define by ear. Playing by ear is transcribing what you hear on radio, CD, Mp3,...... but in order to understand the concept you first have to understand the pattern. Now Bear with me with this, but a good way to play by ear is to play by sheet music. You might ask why sheet music the reason I say sheet music because it teaches you the patterns. It teaches the timing. It teaches you to become more adaptable in music. You can learn more songs to play in church. Lastly, you can build your ear to hear the songs to understand the arrangement. Now there are some books I reccomend to get to start building your sight reading and ear. Also Churches look at musicians who knows how to read sheet music too.
I was leary of this book but when I play it I was surprise and it does work
1. GOSPEL PIANO
Hal Leonard Keyboard Style Series
Series: keyboard instruction
Medium: Softcover with CD
Author: Kurt Cowling
This comprehensive book/CD pack provides you with the tools you need to play in a variety of authentic gospel styles, through a study of rhythmic devices, grooves, melodic and harmonic techniques, and formal design. The accompanying CD features over 90 tracks, including piano examples as well as the full gospel band to help capture the true flavor of the style.
2. GOSPEL KEYBOARD STYLES
A Complete Guide to Harmony, Rhythm and Melody in Authentic Gospel Style
Series: Piano
Publisher: Harrison Music Education Systems
Composer: Mark Harrison
This book digs into the authentic gospel stylings associated with great artists such as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. The first part of the book deals with the 3/4 or Slow Gospel style (used in the song “Amazing Grace,” for example), showing the harmonic techniques needed to create the real gospel sound on the piano. The second part focuses on the 4/4 or Fast Gospel style, where gospel harmonies are combined with up-tempo rhythms and syncopations to create exciting results (such as in Paul Simon's song “Gone at Last”). The techniques covered in this book will help you lead your congregation at the piano, and will inject new ideas into your rock, R&B and funk playing.
3.
PICTURE CHORD ENCYCLOPEDIA FOR KEYBOARD
Photos, Diagrams and Music Notation for Over 1,600 Keyboard Chords
Series: keyboard instruction
Author: Various Authors
Weighing in at nearly 400 pages, the Picture Chord Encyclopedia is the most comprehensive keyboard resource ever! It includes easy-to-see photos, easy-to-read chord diagrams and treble and bass clef notation for over 1,600 keyboard chords, plus basic chord theory, a chord symbol chart, and more! Also available in a 9″ x 12″ Edition (00290528, ISBN 0-634-03290-9).
4. Wow Gospel, Wow Hymm, and Wow Comtemporary book also don't forget the WoW CD With it.
Hope this help
