PlayByEar — Piano Lessons

The method

Three skills, one goal: freedom at the piano

None of this requires reading sheet music. It's a skill you can add later if you want it — not a gate you have to get through first.

01 — Ear

Play by ear

You'll learn to hear intervals, chords and melodic shapes — so you can figure out a song without ever opening sheet music.

02 — Key

Play in any key

Real, functional music theory — not memorised finger patterns — so you can transpose on the spot and follow a song wherever it goes.

03 — Song

Play what you love

You bring the song, no sheet music required. We build it together by ear, properly — not a dumbed-down version, the real thing, at your level.

About your teacher

Mila

I can't read sheet music — and I play piano anyway. By ear, in any key, on request. I grew up thinking piano was this impossibly complicated instrument, with more rules than I'd ever manage to learn. But there was one song I just had to know how to play. With zero experience, I sat down, listened, and started hitting keys — and with a bit of luck, patience, and time, I got it. Turns out you don't need to read sheet music to play the songs you love, in any key you like. Now I teach that same process — just in a fraction of the time, and with all the patience in the world.

Plays entirely by ear — no sheet music required
2.5 years playing, self-taught by ear
Hip hop, pop, gospel, R&B, and a little rock 'n' roll
In-person strongly recommended — online also available

Rates

Simple, per-session pricing

Standard session

R200 / 1 hour

A focused single session — great for regular weekly progress.

One-on-one, in-person or online
Ear training + theory + your chosen song
Notes & practice plan after each lesson

Extended session

R350 / 2 hours

More room to fully work through a song from start to finish — popular for song-learning goals.

Everything in the standard session
Time to finish a full song, not just a fragment
Ideal if you're prepping for an event or performance

Book a lesson

Let's find a time

Fill in your details and what you'd like to work on. I'll get back to you to confirm a time and send payment details.

Submitting this sends your details straight to Mila's WhatsApp — no account or app needed. She'll reply to confirm a time and send payment details.

FAQ

Good to know

Do I need to know how to read music already?

No — and you don't need to learn to, either. I don't read sheet music myself, and I play by ear, in any key, on request. This method works whether you're a complete beginner or already read music.

But isn't reading music the "proper" way to learn?

It's one way, not the only way. Reading music is a useful skill, but it's not a prerequisite for playing well — plenty of working musicians play entirely by ear. If sheet music has been the thing putting you off starting, this is built for you.

Do I need a piano or keyboard at home?

Yes — a keyboard with weighted or semi-weighted keys is ideal, but any keyboard with at least 61 keys will work to start.

Are lessons online or in-person?

Both — in-person is strongly recommended, since it makes ear training and hands-on feedback much easier, but online lessons via video call are available too.

What's your cancellation policy?

24 hours' notice for a full refund or free reschedule. Cancellations within 24 hours of the lesson aren't refundable.