Ask a pianist.

Do you play any other instruments?

Also, do you have any tips for a beggining improviser? Other than the usually "practice your scales, riffs and learn your circle of fifths". (Hah! I rhymed :D)

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neus
This might be a bit strange, but stick with me.

Whenever I listen to classical music - and I mean listen as in actively listen and do nothing else - I always have a story playing in my mind. It quite similar to what happens when I read a book. I feel like the composer is trying, with all his/her might, to tell me something, and I just let my mind wander and hope it'll come to me.

For example, I was listening to Peter Tchaikovsky - Capriccio Italien Op 45 last night, and I kept ... daydreaming I guess is the right word, about this young girl going to her first ball. This being set somewhere in the 18th century. There's a lot more to it - my imagination tends to get the better of me in moments like this, and I must admit it is quite enjoyable.

Is this what I am "supposed" to do? Should I just enjoy the music and not think if there perhaps is a deeper meaning as I most likely could not discern it?
Or is it supposed to be open ended and I should expect to come away with only my interpretation?

That's the same with me. Whenever I really listen to a song, automatically, a story forms within my head; as if in a dream. It also happens to me vise versa. I can see a story/event and hear the music. I think this is what you're supposed to do. I think many people naturally do this, they just don't realize it.

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What's the best way to train your ear?

This is how I did it.
1. I bought a tuner.
2. I started small with notes C, D, E and tried to sing them.
3. I tested if I hit the right pitch.
4. After learning and able to sing any note at will, I got some sheet music and sightread. I tried to sing the notes out loud.
5. After you get good at that, listen to some songs, start out with the basics, i.e. Mary Had A Little Lamb and try to transpose the piece into notes.
6. Once you get good at the easy pieces, start listening to harder pieces and try to transpose them. Eventually, you'll get good and you'll be able to hear music in your head by just looking at sheet music and able to see sheet music by listening to just music. :P

There's nowhere I can't reach.