Play By Ear-Improvise-Transpose-Music Theory-Listen

A.Play by ear

C D E F G A B C D E F G A B C

123456789 10 11 12 13 14 15

1=8 2=9 3=10 4=11 5=12 Write out the G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb scale with their scale numbers.

Mary Had A Little Lamb 3212333-222-355-3212333-22321

Twinkle, Twinkle 1155665-4433221-:||Fine||: 5544332-:||DCal fine

London Bridge 5-654345-234-345-5-654345-2-5-31-

Three Blind Mice 321-321-5-443-5-443-||:58-87678-55-:||58887678-55-43-2-1

Happy Birthday 556587—556598—55 12 10 8 7 6---11 11 10 8 9 8---

Yankee Doodle 889 10 8 10 9 5 8 8 9 10 8---7---8 8 9 10 11 10 9 8 7 5 6 7 8 8

Star Spangled 531358—10 9 8 3 #4 5—55 10-987—6788531:||

10 10 11 12 12—11 10 9 10 11 11—11 10-9 8 7-6 7 8 3 #4 5—558887666 9 11 10 9 88 7—558—9 10 11 12—8 9 10—11 9 8—

Now play each one without looking at the sheet.

Start in key of G, D, A, F, Bb, Eb, (Remember to start on proper scale number in that key).

B.Listen

CD’s from the library

Borrow CD’s from friends

Listen to MP3’s from internet or other source

Find old tape and record collections

Explore FM Public Radio

88.1, 88.3, 89.9, 90.1, 90.5, 91.1, 91.5, 93.9, 96.3 (In the Long Island area)

C.Compose short pieces for your instrument in various keys and meters.

Make up pieces in your head or on your instrument and write them down on staff paper.

D.Improvise ( make up variations) on familiar tunes.

Play along with the radio or CD’s and make up your own part .

Harmonize along with the radio, CD, or other music.

E. Go on the Internet and look up everything on your instrument, its history, players, construction, vendors, prices, brands, etc.

F. Do the same for other instruments, music history periods, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and Modern or Contemporary.

G. Get together with a student near your ability and play duets from an easy duet book.

H. Find a beginner on your instrument and give him private lessons.

I. Always fool around musically with your instrument. Have fun. Memorize licks, tunes, patterns, and try to play them in other keys.

J. Play often, long, and have lots of fun.

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Back to top Go To next page To Previous Page Last revised: January 2004 Copyright: John Martindale 2004 Mill Street Madison, IN 47250 Contact: promusic@i-2000.com