Learning and playing an instrument by ear can be extremely rewarding, and ideal for someone who is unable to get out and about or finds the cost of private tuition too much.
Here are some details of some organisations which produce audio recordings of music tutorials.
Bill Brown's music lessons by ear
These music lessons on CD or MP3 offer excellent instruction in banjo and mandelin, flute, penny whistle and saxophone, bass and drums, violin and piano. Choose from single lessons or complete courses. In each course or individual lesson, your teacher will demonstrate the song or passage for you, then talk you through it in full detail indicating fingering, strings and frets.
You can borrow these lessons from the RNIB National Library Service or by contacting Megan Chivers on 0161 355 2064, or you can preview and buy the lessons online by visiting Bill Brown's website.
Penny Weedon's keyboard music
This is a set of five CDs teaching keyboard to beginners. The series takes you from the basics of picking out a melody by ear to how to put chords in the left hand. It uses popular melodies to illustrate new material. The first CD also gives advice on buying a keyboard and where to find your nearest keyboard clubs.
The cost is £35 for a set of five CDs, claiming to offer a year's worth of learning. For further details, please contact the Music People by telephone on 0118 988 7444 or visit the Music People website.
Quintus Benziger
Quintus Benziger produces tailor made tapes or CDs that guide you through the music you want to play on the piano or other instruments.