There is a myth out there that “real” piano players can just take off on any piece of music and play it, without knowing it, and without practicing it.
Let me tell you a secret…
…there’s really only 4 types of piano players.
1) traditional players who are bound by sheet music and can play nothing without it.
2) chord players who are really good at chords, chord progressions and playing from chord charts.
3) Naturally gifted, “play 100% by ear” types.
and finally…
4) A hybrid of 2 and 3. Which are Layer Method students.
Now let’s get really honest here:
The 100% play it by ear types are very rare. In fact, I only know 1. They can go up to any piano, hear a song for the first time and then play it. They are not normal.
So give yourself a little slack if you are mad you can’t do this. Most can’t and I argue it’s impossible to teach, although lot’s of people try to.
I actually had a conversation about this with one of the best piano players I know. He plays at our church and can literally play anything. He’s awesome! During our conversation I showed him a little ditty I had played the other day and he said this:
“Wow, that’s really cool. I will have to go home and practice that to get it, but I will totally play that in the future.”
I said, “Practice?, you mean you can’t just instantly play that?”
He said, “lol… no. I need to practice most songs before I can really get the hang of it.”
I was astounded.
But come to find out this is the truth for 99% of the “really good players”.
So why is this important?
Here’s why.
It frees you up to be okay with becoming a hybrid player of piano player type #2 and piano player type #3.
The really good players do the exact same things to learn songs that the Layer Method students do. Sure, they may get there quicker, but who cares, it’s not like theres a finishing line to worry about.
It’s the journey!
So…
…When you are ready (which should be now) you can get on board with the Layer Method that teaches you the skills to become a great “HYBRID” player.
And if you have the traditional teaching skills from years of lessons, then I will show you how to use those skills to explode your level of playing, and probably ditch sheet music all together.
This week is all about fresh starts.
Here’s where you get your fresh start at playing the piano:
