An important note here from your Pianoman:-

Playing "by ear" has been my business, my hobby and an absolute joy to have taught others to do also.
Older people excel because they have so many well known tunes locked away in their heads; The great standards from the 40's, 50's through to the present day, where now, only the occasional "gem" catches everyone's ear.

But even if you can't hum a tune properly - playing by ear is still a snap.
Some kids can do it easily.
Most of them aren't all that familiar with anything other than one or two nursery rhymes. But really, all that's needed to develop this most enjoyable playing style is one of your favorite tunes.

Simple?   Yes!
A Secret?   Yes - that too...

If you can poke around with one finger and find just a couple of notes from say a folk song or Christmas Carol... give me a few weeks and you'd know how to play the rest of it.
Best of all, what you discover can be applied to other songs. As a result you become a better player and ultimately, a better musician, having learned to play by ear.

The Big Secret that your average Piano Teacher never discovered. It's called "IMPROVISING"...

And why do so many "certificated" Music teachers who come to me, emerge from their First Lesson with a dazed expression?
It's because Ol' Pianoman had them try something ( like the song heard on this page*. ) They are asked to play "by Ear" - using just One Finger each hand... any song they wish to perform.
And most Piano Teachers can't handle it !!!

So unless you're living somewhere near the studio of those few experienced professionals who can themselves do it, you can forget about learning what YOU need to know about how to play "by ear"... PROPERLY.

Which is why Pianoman commends these publications to you.

Playing piano should be Fun... and for those eager for insight into some of the world's "best kept Secrets" - Music Books like these give you the answers.