The Tag Line is "If you can find it on Google, I can teach it To You".
Those aren't my words, but the words of this new Play By Ear software.
So what do I think about it?
Before You Watch The Video below, I just got to say. My passion and mission is to teach people how to Master The Art of Playing Piano By Ear.
I have nothing against other courses, but if we are going to claim that we can teach people how to play by ear, then let's teach people how to play by ear. If we don't know how to teach people how to play by ear, let's stop telling them that we can. I've personally spoken to so many people; even those on there pension, who have been unfortunately mislead and indirectly taken advantage of. Simply because they were marketed to well.
If you haven't done so already, you can read my article on Illusional Ear Methods. That's simply methods which give people the impression that they are learning how to play piano by ear when they're really not.
Now after you've read my description of Illusional Ear Methods, I want to hear from you. Do you think the method below is Illusional or a Real Piano By Ear Course?
Comment Below (After Video)
If you haven't tried the Any Key Music System yet,
you can get 6 FREE Video Training Videos Here. Click Here
Comment Below
I think this method is Illusional. Playing by Ear is the ability to play what you ear without the need for someone or something to show you what to play.
Two guys set out on a journey; one took the scenic route and the other took the expressway with all the traffic. As faith would have it they both get to their destination. Their stories are similar as to how they got started, how they finish we will judge.
I have both method of playing by ear. I breezed through your volume 1 and 2 because of what I knew from the other but where I am in your volume 3 I wish I had something to look at so I would know if I am right or wrong about what I am hearing.
don’t put the other down to build yourself up. There is room for both of you. If GOD be for us………….
Hi Pauline, thanks for your comment. I definitely understand the context of it from your vantage point. However to address your statement : “..don’t put the other down to build yourself up.”
To tell you the truth, that is the furthest thing from my mind. However what I will say is, when it comes to music methodology; people have to learn how to separate the “Method” from the “Man”. I’ll explain.
A METHOD is only CREATED to GIVE a DESIRED RESULT. Methods do not have feelings or personalities. Methods are simply a way of doing something because it usually leads to a desired result. Therefore people use methods to reach or help people reach a certain result.
A MAN is CREATED to ACHIEVE a DESIRED RESULT. A Man has feelings and a personality and A Man uses Methods to help achieve a desired result.
The challenge I have with your comment is that you may feel I am speaking about the Man, when in fact I am clearly talking about the Method. Now unfortunately sometimes people can take this personally as an attack on an individual, but if we look through this lens, we should see it differently.
If a method claims it can teach you how to play by ear, then people using that method should expect and see that result. That “Copy Me” Method (which is very popular online) may teach you eventually how to play a song, but that’s it. As long as people do not think or are being lead to thinking that they are learning how to play by ear like that, I’m ok. It’s nothing personal, just a Method evaluation. Sorry, I just have a real passion for Piano By Ear being taught correctly. I once heard a quote that states; “The thing that infuriates you the most, is the problem you were created to solve.” – Mike Murdock –
That sums it up right there.
I know you mentioned you,
“breezed through your volume 1 and 2 because of what I knew from the other but where I am in your volume 3 I wish I had something to look at so I would know if I am right or wrong about what I am hearing”
Now on Volume 3, you are currently having to figure out melodies and songs by ear, and then play them in Any Key. I know you said you wish you could see something to know if you were correct, but you don’t need to see anything to know if you are correct. If it doesn’t sound like what you are playing, then it’s not correct. If it does, then you’re correct. Remember, the result you should be expecting from AKMS is one that teaches you to play by ear without the need to see anything.
Now if you are having some challenges with Volume 3, no worries, I’ve seen many people also have the same challenge. However when they told me that, they usually heard me recommend the same thing. After they did what I recommended, they flew through Volume 3. Here it is.
From my 15 years of experience of teaching people this AKMS Method. I would suggest going back and totally completing Volume 2 CD2 and CD3 again. After that, then resume to Volume 3 and try not to rush through it. Make sure you can complete each exercise from beginning to end or it will catch up to you in the higher levels.
Hope that helps.
God Bless
Robert
Hey I was wondering does it only play midi
Hi Joe,
I believe it does, however I don’t really support that type of teaching because it doesn’t teach an individual how to be independent and get real Piano results.
God Bless
Robert
Hi Robert,
As a former software engineer I think the program is pretty nice, but, what does it have to do with playing by ear? There are some great YouTube videos that show the fingering of Wes Montgomery playing some of his chord melodies. Access is free, and the guitarist learns a particular song in one key. Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gc7BQARgSeg. It even shows the keyboard! Even if I could have the software change the song to a different key for me, how am I using ‘my’ ear? In fact, where in this guys software do I learn how to use my ear? When Amazing Grace is being played for the listener there is no mention of intervals, chords being used, chord degrees, etc. The software should be marketed as software that takes midi files and displays the piano keys being played. It is important for the buyer to also beware that you cannot download Oscar Petersen or Chic Coria piano solos from the Internet and use those files. These are not midi formatted files, and most musicians want to learn how those masters play, not from a midi file, which is a computer generated digital file. Big difference!
It’s sad that most people believe that learning any instrument can be done easily and that no work is required. Music is a hearing art, and the ear must be trained. Learning songs are fun. I remember learning the chords for “How much is that doggy in the window?” from my dad when I was 8 or 9. I only needed to use one finger on the guitar to play a C to a G7. I loved it. But that is all I could play. I could create a program that could show you how to move that one finger from the e string to the b string and say you are learning to play by ear, but that would be deceitful. I’m sure the gentleman in the video is not trying to be deceitful and he is a very nice person. Maybe the term playing by ear in his context means playing a song without reading music. Not using your ear to understand what the music is doing, etc. I think you are correct. This is undoubtedly an illusional ear method!
Thanks, Mike
Thanks for your response Mike… You’re right. We know he means well but this approach isn’t one that strengthens the ears.
God Bless
I rather do your method, but I had a problem pain you. I just wanted to use my debit card, but it seems it wanted only PayPal. I tried but totally unsuccessful, just trying to pay through Debit Card?
Hi Willie, send me an email and I’ll provide you another payment option. I look forward to helping you reach your musical goals.
God Bless
Robert
Hey Robert:
I recognize the voice and he has been selling music for quite some time. I bought a couple of his courses, and there is no comparison to the AKMS. I learned some things from his courses as far as theory, but it did nothing for my playing skills by ear. I didn’t even have to watch the video all the way through because that is great marketing for those of us who want to play by ear quickly, WHO DOESN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT MARKETING IS. Great marketing is about all it amounts to. You see it and you play it. You mimic and it keeps you dependent on him to give you more music to mimic. There is no understanding in copying someone period, end of story. I too, think he means well, but does not understand that THERE IS MORE THAN COPYING PLAYING MUSIC to playing by ear. It’s impossible, and what he is explaining is NOT PLAYING BY EAR, but IT IS COPYING WHAT YOU SEE with NO UNDERSTANDING, so you can’t figure out anything.
Thanks for your honest feedback here Tanya.
God Bless
Robert
Hello Everyone,
First I would like to say that I know first hand that Robert’s heart is in the right place, that is to help people DEVELOP an authentic musical voice of their OWN. Mimicking is actual an essential part of the method. This is an essential method that we all have used to acquire language as we have mimicked our parents. Our parents were the language masters and we learned from them by mimicking them. However, they didn’t write down any words for us…we had to use our ears, for multiple hours EVERY day, mimicking them, making mistakes, being gently corrected and redirected, then using what we have learned in a unique and creative way. Now I’m pretty good in English, but I still mimick other people and continue to expand my vocabulary. When I went to Canada, I caught myself saying “washroom” instead of “bathroom.” Lol And I was there for only a week. This is how our brain naturally works since birth. So I certainly do not agree with lighting up piano keys and telling someone to put their hands right here…that’s not a natural way to learn language, and I would not even call that mimicking…that’s straight up copy and paste.
AKMS starts with the “goo goos and gaa gaas” of this language called music, and builds from there, presenting ALL the TOOLS needed to aquire it naturally.
I am proud to say that some time this month I will have been a member for a year. I have acquired so much musical language so far. My hands are catching up with my mind, just like when a babies mouth and tongue get coordinated to say things they have already known for a while. I do play for about 5 hours a day. This time is broken up throughout the day. However, I find myself constantly translating music I hear all day long now when I’m out and about. There has not been a stagnant moment in music for this entire year thanks to Robert’s God inspired method. Honestly I get better every single day…sometime throughout the day. We cannot fail with God!
I greatly enjoy where I am at musicically and will enjoy expanding my musical voice for years to come God willing. Next year at this time…oh boy, it’s going to be deadly. Five years, I might be known out here! If you are a beginner, love the fact that you know how to play Mary Had a little lamb, twelve different ways quickly. If you are more advanced, love the fact that you REALLY understand how to use substitutions…as easy as 145. With AKMS I love the level that I am at, and I see myself learning more each day. There is no need to rush, because I have the rest of my life to improve now that I have really LEARNED and INTERNALIZED how to play!
With AKMS you want to tell everybody about music, because music is made so complicated by the world…when it’s really as easy as 145! I don’t want to leave anyone behind, because everyone should learn music this easily. Robert’s God given passion to teach us music goes above and beyond his business. Robert has been called to teach music like this. If you stumbled upon this site like I did a year ago, know that it’s a God thing! God Bless everyone!
Wow, great words Isaiah. I love the perspective when you said:
“…Mimicking is actual an essential part of the method. This is an essential method that we all have used to acquire language as we have mimicked our parents.”
There you go. AKMS also has a Copy-Me Method.
Keep up the great work and welcome to real world of playing by ear.
God Bless
Robert
This program was NEVER meant to be, and NEVER claimed to be an ear training program. Why you use this program by the author as a comparison to your program makes no sense except to make him look bad by way of misrepresenting his objectives with the program. No where does he say that it is an ear training program. YOU SAY THAT…but it is not true. The author DOES have an ear training program. It’s called “Secrets to Playing Piano by Ear”, and THAT is the program you should be comparing…not this program which is called “Song Tutor”. Of course there would be comments like “where does he even mention ear training”….he doesn’t because he never put this program out to be an ear training program. You are unfairly misrepresenting him to make his program look bad and your program look good. If you have any sense of fairness, then compare AKMS to his expressed ear training program “Secrets to Playing Piano by Ear” and then you won’t look like you’re misleading your audience.
Hi Rian, thanks stopping by. I appreciate your comment. You said:
“You are unfairly misrepresenting him to make his program look bad and your program look good.
Well let’s establish something. As I mentioned on another response, when it comes to music methodology; we have to learn how to separate the “Method” from the “PERSON”. I’ll explain. A METHOD is only CREATED to GIVE a DESIRED RESULT. Methods do not have feelings or personalities. Methods are simply a way of doing something because it usually leads to a desired result. Therefore people use methods to reach or help other people reach a certain result.
A MAN is CREATED to ACHIEVE a DESIRED RESULT. A Man has feelings and a personality and A Man uses Methods to help achieve a desired result.
So I am not trying to make him look bad. I simply evaluating a method and not a man.
You also said:
“If you have any sense of fairness, then compare AKMS to his expressed ear training program “Secrets to Playing Piano by Ear” and then you won’t look like you’re misleading your audience.”
Before I address that, I’d like to reiterate that I am simply evaluating a method. Just like I’ve done for any other method, I am going to compare it to the benefits of learning how to Master The Art of Playing By Ear through the Any Key Music System. That’s nothing personal, it’s what businesses do all the time. However let’s understand that I am comparing the “Desired Results” of the method. That’s the most important thing because people only purchase or enroll in methods that believe will give them a desired result.
I specialize in giving people the Desired Result of being able to Play Music By Ear and in Any Key with Ease. So whenever I speak, people associate me with giving the result of Piano By Ear and in Any Key. It’s like I’m branded. So if I endorse a method like learning how to read music to be able to play your favorite songs, the perception from my audience will be, “Robert is endorsing this because it must help you Play Piano By Ear and in Any Key.” It’ like McDonald’s selling salad. Most people who want the result of getting healthier is probably not going to buy their salad from McDonald’s because that brand is “get food fast and cheap”. Now for the record, I am not saying that Song Tutor is McDonald’s 🙂 It’s just an example.
I know you mentioned that I may be misleading my audience. I would most likely disagree with you. My audience knows who I am. They know that I have a passion to teach Piano By Ear. They also know that I am qualified to teach and speak on the subject, not based on my marketing material, but based upon results. I evaluate and do provide outside reviews of methods that claim to provide the Desired Result of learning how to play piano; whether that’s By Ear, By Sheets or By Video.
Do you know that there are millions of people in the world who believe that if they take traditional piano lessons to read music, eventually they will be able to Play By Ear? That’s the furthest thing from the truth. I know that first hand because I teach traditional piano teachers how to play by ear.
So basically what I do is, I do an outside review and let them know that a particular method does not give them the result of being able to Play Piano By Ear. Whether they advertise it or not, I’m addressing the perceived result and clarifying any confusion for my audience. I don’t consider that misleading.
Now by the same comparison, someone can do a Blog and Review and say “The Any Key Music System Can’t Teach You How To Read Music”. I wouldn’t be offended, because I would be the first person to say, that is correct. However, what AKMS will help you do in regards to reading music, is to help the person understand what someone who reads is playing, why it works and how to play it in ALL 12 Keys without the need for Copy Me Software, Copy Me Video Tutorials or Copy Me Sheets. There is a place for all of these, but it’s not in the initial stage of learning.
Once again, it’s not personal. It’s just my goal is to help people tell the difference between what can help them or not help them Play Piano By Ear.
Thanks for stopping by.
God Bless
Robert
Robert…I just came across the Song Tutor program yesterday, so I searched to see what else is out there and I came across your program.
You ask the question, “Do you think the method below is Illusional or a Real Piano By Ear Course?” There is no answer to that. It’s not illusional, because it never claimed to be an ear training course…and it’s not real because it never claimed to be an ear training course.
You want people to learn to play by ear…and I respect that. But asking people to compare an ear training program to a non ear training program is apples & oranges.
I’m a classical guitarist and I’ve taught for 45 years. I could put up a video of a heavy metal guitarist and ask my supporters, “Is this illusional classical guitar or real classical guitar?” It is neither. It’s heavy metal guitar. It has nothing to do with classical guitar, except that it’s played on a guitar…and the Song Tutor program has nothing to do with ear training programs, and doesn’t claim to, so why you use it as a comparison to ear training programs, I still don’t understand, even after your explanation. No amount of intelligent arbitration will convince me that there is any validity comparing an ear training program to a non ear training program. Again, it’s apple & oranges within the world of music. Just like Classical guitar and heavy metal guitar are apples & oranges in the world of guitar.
Why don’t you compare your ear training program to his ear training program? Then it would be a fair comparison. And looking at his ear training program…it looks pretty darn good to me….and so does yours. His ear training program is definitely not “illusional”. It’s a fair comparison….take it on. Ask your students how they would compare your ear training program to his ear training program. That equals the playing field.
You are very articulate and doing great things for musicians who want to move into the world of ear training. Heaven knows, I need more ear training and will take a good look at your program. And I will also buy the Song Tutor program to help me learn songs quickly on the piano. But they are two completely different programs with two completely different intended outcomes.
Respectfully…Rian
Hi Rian,
I just realized that I haven’t responded to your message.
You said:
“It’s not illusional, because it never claimed to be an ear training course…and it’s not real because it never claimed to be an ear training course. You want people to learn to play by ear…and I respect that. But asking people to compare an ear training program to a non ear training program is apples & oranges.”
ANY KEY MUSIC:
Just to be clear, I teach people how to Master the Art of Playing Piano By Ear. A part of that teaching is to teach them how to differentiate the difference between Play By Ear courses and Non-Play By ear courses. You call it, “comparing apples to oranges”.
I agree with you there. I asked my AKMS Play By Ear Members if they think “Song Tutor” is a Play By Ear method or a Non-Play By Ear method; regardless of “Song Tutors” claim. Again I say; “A part of my teaching is to teach them how to differentiate the difference between Play By Ear courses and Non-Play By ear courses. You call it, “comparing apples to oranges”.
If a viable Play By Ear method is an apple, and a non-Play By Ear method is an orange. Of course if I hold up an orange and ask them if this orange is an apple, they’ll give the obvious answer; No It’s Not.
Why? Because they know how to tell the difference.
However, the unfortunate people who do not know how to tell the difference, often fall for things like this. Why? Because they think learning piano is learning piano. Many people take traditional classical lessons because they think if they learn piano, they can play anything by ear.
I believe you said that you’ve taught classical guitar for 45years. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if that training could help you play anything you desire by ear, you most likely would not be looking for methods to help you do that.
Now to an uneducated person, they would believe that 45yrs of classical guitar training will definitely enable them to play by ear; because to them, learning guitar is learning guitar. They usually find out the hard way after 5-10yrs of this training and thousands of dollars later.
You see, learning piano (or any instrument) is the fruit that people want and any fruit can fulfill that. However, now people want a specific fruit. They want to Play Piano By Ear; which is simply the ability to play anything they hear without the need for any visual aid (Softwares, Sheet Music, Video Copy-Me Tutorials, etc..). Let’s call the fruit of Playing By Ear an Apple. Yes it is a fruit; but it’s a specific fruit. Clearly, it’s not an orange.
Here’s another angle you should consider.
If I had an overall claim that states that “I sell the best Apples and Apple products in the world”; most people who come to me will think that I sell Apples and the best Apple products. So if I sell a pie, most people who come to me will think I am selling an Apple Pie.
Why? Because my claim is that I sell the best Apples and Apple products.
If I sell Struddles, Dumplings, Tarts, etc.., most people who come to me will think I am selling Apple Struddles, Apple Dumplings and Apple Tarts. Why? Because my claim is that I sell the best ___________ (you can fill in the blanks).
So, even if the claim for “Song Tutor” is that they won’t be able to Play By Ear, most people desiring to Play By Ear will think this software can teach them how to do this because that site’s overall claim is that they can teach anyone how to play piano by ear.
Like I said in another message, this isn’t a personal attack on anyone. I simply point out the truth of Playing By Ear, not to promote myself as being superior to others, but to help those who aren’t able to differentiate between Play By Ear and Non-Play By Ear methods. You see, learning piano isn’t learning piano by ear. It’s like apples and oranges; both fruits; but gives you a different result.
ps. If someone were to say that the Any Key Music System (AKMS) is an “Illusional Sheet Reading Course”, I would agree. AKMS doesn’t teach you how to read music, but it does teach you how to understand that music and how to play it by ear.
Respectfully …. Robert
I have the program and it’s incredible. It is not nor has it ever been promoted as an ear training program, so the whole thrust of this post is mistaken. What it is is an excellent tool to be able to catch complicated voicings and study how they were used. I’ve gained big strides in just a day of using the program and catching the substitutions of Bill Evans, the solos of Chick Correa just to name a few.
The songs can be slowed up and the notes and chords come alive on the screen. One can even go step wise through the whole song.
So promote your thing, but don’t misrepresent something else in an effort to boost yourself. It’s unseemly.
Hi Roger,
Thanks for coming by. I’m happy to hear that Song Tutor is helping you to play your favourite songs.
Thanks for sharing with my readers that it is not a method that teaches you how to Play By Ear. That’s pretty much what I was trying to communicate from my post. I’m glad that you are an actual user who says the same thing.
Just to be clear, I teach people how to Master the Art of Playing Piano By Ear; which is the ability to play any song By Ear without the need for Any visual aids (Softwares, Sheet Music, Video Copy-Me Tutorials, etc…). A part of that teaching is to teach them how to differentiate the difference between Play By Ear courses and Non-Play By ear courses. You can call it, the difference between Apples and Oranges.
In this post I asked my AKMS Play By Ear Members if they think “Song Tutor” is a Play By Ear method or a Non-Play By Ear method; regardless of “Song Tutors” claim. Again I say; “A part of my teaching is to teach them how to differentiate the difference between Play By Ear courses and Non-Play By ear courses. Like comparing apples to oranges.
If a viable Play By Ear method is an apple, and a non-Play By Ear method is an orange. Of course if I hold up an orange and ask them if this orange is an apple, they’ll give the obvious answer; No It’s Not.
Why? Because they know how to tell the difference.
However, the unfortunate people who do not know how to tell the difference, often fall for things like this. Why? Because they think learning piano is learning piano. For example, many people take traditional classical lessons because they think if they learn piano, they can play anything by ear.
Now to an uneducated person, they would believe that this traditional classical training will definitely enable them to play by ear. However they usually find out the hard way after 5-10yrs of this training and thousands of dollars later, that that’s not true.
You see, learning piano (or any instrument) is the fruit that people want and any fruit can fulfill that. However, now people want a specific fruit. They want to Play Piano By Ear; which is simply the ability to play anything they hear without the need for any visual aid (Softwares, Sheet Music, Video Copy-Me Tutorials, etc..). Let’s call the fruit of Playing By Ear an Apple. Yes it is a fruit; but it’s a specific fruit. Clearly, it’s not an orange.
Here’s another angle you should consider.
If I had an overall claim that states that “I sell the best Apples and Apple products in the world”; most people who come to me will think that I sell Apples and the best Apple products. So if I sell a pie, most people who come to me will think I am selling an Apple Pie.
Why? Because my claim is that I sell the best Apples and Apple products.
If I sell Struddles, Dumplings, Tarts, etc.., most people who come to me will think I am selling Apple Struddles, Apple Dumplings and Apple Tarts. Why? Because my claim is that I sell the best ___________ (you can fill in the blanks).
So, even if the claim for “Song Tutor” is that they won’t be able to Play By Ear, most people desiring to Play By Ear will think this software can teach them how to do this because that site’s overall claim is that they can teach anyone how to play piano by ear.
Like I said in another message, this isn’t a personal attack on anyone. I simply point out the truth of Playing By Ear, not to promote myself as being superior to others, but to help those who aren’t able to differentiate between Play By Ear and Non-Play By Ear methods. You see, learning piano isn’t learning piano by ear. It’s like apples and oranges; both fruits; but gives you a different result.
ps. If someone were to say that the Any Key Music System (AKMS) is an “Illusional Sheet Reading Course”, I would agree. AKMS doesn’t teach you how to read music, but it does teach you how to understand that music and how to play it by ear.
God Bless
Robert
Here’s an honest unbiased review of the program. The reviewer specifically mentions that this program is not intended to help with ear training:
http://www.jabberdi.com/7200/song-tutor-review
There you have it folks. An unbiased review stating what I stated. Which is, “It’s not a Play By Ear Method”.
Thanks again Roger.
Ladies and gentleman, I get your story. Play by ear in this context is playing without sheet music. I bought courses from J and other guys online.Every person on earth need guidance except for Angels. I wonder if on earth there is a high profile playing pianist who only heared something on the radio only and finally he or she became the best. That would be 100% lies.That will destroy the reason why the eyes and ears complement each other plus the mouth and the whole body at large to bring a result. They function as one. I think people should come up with solutions than complains. I cannot complain if I dont have something better to give to people. What really do I have that is better than what I am complaining about. Why don’t people forward the question to JM to get answers to their questions because there is zero correct answer you shall get other than from the owner who has the vission. Others who do not have the vission with them will give you views which sometimes can be all wrong. I think people should work on developing their vissions and starting their own things than complaining about other people businesses and business strategies. If we can have such, the world be peaceful and quiet because having people busy on their own stuff will eliminate time for passing such comments.
Hi PM,
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Real Playing By Ear is simply the ability to play anything you hear on the radio without the need for Sheet music, Copy-Me Softwares or Copy-Me Videos. A lot of people are unfortunately thinking that they are learning Piano By Ear with these methods.
When they get out in the real world, they unfortunately find out the hard way when a singer changes the key on them or someone asks them to play a song by ear on the spot. My mission is to help these people never have to be in that spot.
God Bless
Robert