Best piano teachers for ear training: Top 1-on-1 ear training piano teachers, costs & how to choose

Great musicians can hear what they play and play what they hear. Ear training helps you recognize intervals, chords, and progressions, and allows you to respond to music in real-time, whether learning by ear, improvising, or playing in an ensemble.

At the piano, ear training is especially effective because the keyboard visually shows intervals and chords. This makes it easier to understand music by seeing and hearing relationships at once.

Ear training covers interval and chord recognition, scale identification, chord progressions, rhythmic dictation, and playing by ear. It improves sight-reading, accelerates learning, aids improvisation, and strengthens musical memory.

A specialized ear training piano teacher can help you understand music better and play with more confidence, no matter your level.

Discover the best ear training piano teachers, how ear training lessons actually work, how to find your perfect teacher, and what lessons cost – all in one comprehensive guide.

5 best piano teachers for ear training

• Katarra Parson with 8+ years of experience as a pianist and vocal coach
• Denis Patrickson with 15+ years of experience
• Ahmad Samakie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music
• Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi with a Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School
• Otha Lewis with an Associate’s Degree in Piano Performance

Top-rated piano teachers for ear training

Wiingy has built a strong network of 350+ expert piano teachers, each carefully vetted for skill and teaching experience. The platform makes it easy to find skilled ear training piano teachers – available for online or in-person lessons worldwide.

Whether you are a complete beginner learning to identify basic intervals or an advanced student developing sophisticated harmonic hearing, Wiingy has a teacher for every level and goal.

Here are five top-rated piano teachers for ear training at Wiingy:

1. Katarra Parson – Piano teacher with a Bachelor’s degree in Music

Katarra Parson has a dual background in both piano and voice. This gives her a unique, holistic perspective on ear training. She understands how musical hearing connects both the instrument and the singing voice.

---

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 8+ years
• Professional Background: Bachelor’s degree in Music
• Rating: 4.8/5

---

Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $36/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

---

Specialties:

• Player Piano
• Digital Piano
• Upright Piano
• Electric Keyboard

---

Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners to intermediate

---

Teaching Style

• Approach: Katarra uses Piano Tuner Apps, DAWs, Backing Track Libraries, Ear Training Software, Chord & Scale Reference Apps, and Virtual Piano Apps to create rich, multi-sensory lessons.

2. Denis Patrickson – Piano teacher with a Master’s degree from the Music Academy of Ippolitova-Ivanova

Denis Patrickson is an artist who has released several music compilation albums. Denis has also developed his own teaching system that blends classical academic foundations with modern, practical approaches.

---

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 15+ years
• Professional Background: Master’s degree from Music Academy of Ippolitova-Ivanova
• Rating: 4.8/5

---

Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $35/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

---

Specialties:

• Grand Piano
• Player Piano
• Digital Piano
• Upright Piano
• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Electric Keyboard
• Acoustic Piano

---

Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners to advanced

---

Teaching Style

• Approach: Denis uses Ear Training Software, Virtual Piano Apps, DAWs, Chord & Scale Reference Apps, and PDF Sheet Music Libraries to create rich, multi-layered lessons.

3. Ahmad Samakie – Piano teacher and active singer and composer

Ahmad Samakie is a pianist, singer, and composer who emphasizes creativity and expression in his teaching. His ear training approach is performance-driven, helping students develop their ear through real music and confident musical decisions.

---

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 4+ years
• Professional Background: Bachelor’s degree
• Rating: 4.8/5

---

Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $33/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

---

Specialties:

• Grand Piano
• Player Piano
• Digital Piano
• Upright Piano
• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Electric Keyboard
• Acoustic Piano

---

Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners to intermediate

---

Teaching Style

• Approach: Ahmad uses Looping Software, DAWs, and Ear Training Software to create immersive, creativity-focused lessons. He allows students to pick their own pieces – finding that genuine engagement with music you love is the fastest route to developing a strong ear.

---

Wiingy provides a more budget-friendly solution for ear training piano coaching with prices starting at just $15/hr. Get started today, try a lesson, and boost your learning without breaking the bank.

---

4. Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi – Piano teacher with a Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School

Bardiya Jahandideh Shekalgurabi creates a fun and engaging learning environment with strong technical foundations, making lessons immersive and effective for kids and beginners alike.

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 2+ years
• Professional Background: Diploma in Music from Bodwell High School
• Rating: 4.9/5

---

Pricing:

• Hourly Rate: $35/hr
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

---

Specialties:

• Jazz Piano
• Classical Piano
• Grand Piano
• Upright Piano

---

Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults (including homeschooled and ADHD learners)
• Skill Levels: Beginners to intermediate

---

Teaching Style

• Approach: Bardiya leverages tech tools like DAWs, Metronome Apps, Virtual Piano Apps, Chord & Scale Reference Apps, and Backing Track Libraries to create interactive online lessons.

5. Otha Lewis – Piano teacher with an Associate’s Degree in Piano Performance from Fresno City College

Otha Lewis is a thoughtful piano teacher with 7 years of experience teaching both in-person and remotely. With 17 years of self-directed piano learning before formal training, he has a deep empathy for students at all levels.

---

Experience:

• Teaching Experience: 7 years
• Professional Background: Associate’s Degree in Piano Performance — Fresno City College; completing Bachelor’s at California State University Northridge
• Rating: 4.8/5

---

Pricing:

• Per Lesson Rate: $48/lesson (standard)
• Discounted Rate: From $38/lesson (with 50-lesson package)
• Trial Lesson: Yes, a free trial lesson is available

---

Specialties:

• Ear Training & Music Theory
• Piano Technique & Sight Reading
• Classical Piano & Piano Repertoire
• Chord Theory & Performance Skills

---

Age & Skill Suitability:

• Age Groups: Kids to adults
• Skill Levels: Beginners to advanced

---

Teaching Style

• Approach: Otha uses Chord & Scale Reference Apps, PDF Sheet Music, Virtual Piano Apps, Metronome Apps, and Ear Training Software to deliver structured, engaging lessons. His approach encourages students to understand the musical intent, history, and process behind pieces.

Inside a 1-on-1 piano lesson for ear training: 2 real student stories

Wondering what ear training lessons actually feel like in practice? These stories show how developing your musical ear can completely change the way you experience and play music.

– “From chaotic to confident” – Emily

Emily juggled long work hours with her love for piano. With Stephan’s support, she mastered left-hand chord transitions in “Hallelujah,” learned to mark tricky fingerings, and even cracked complex repeat structures.

What you’ll learn: Left-hand coordination, Finger placement & transitions, Musical structure, Smart time management for practice

– “Timing is everything” – Taylor

Taylor struggled with rhythm until Bardiya introduced her to metronome practice. Through focused loops, scale exercises, and fun songs like “Old MacDonald,” she built timing, finger strength, and confidence.

What you’ll learn: Rhythm mastery with metronome, Finger strength via scales/arpeggios, Confidence-building through song, Focused bar-by-bar practice

Costs of piano lesson for ear training

Ear training piano lessons can vary in cost based on experience, format, and goals. Here’s a breakdown to help you budget:

Option	Price Range	Format	Best For
Budget-friendly ear training teachers from Wiingy	$15–$40/hr	Online	Beginners, play-by-ear development, casual aural skills
Mid-level ear training teachers	$50–$150/hr	In-person or online	Exam aural prep, intermediate harmonic hearing
High-end ear training teachers	$150–$300+/hr	In-person or online	Advanced harmonic dictation, conservatory aural training

Looking for an experienced yet affordable ear training piano teacher? Wiingy offers a free trial lesson, no long-term contracts, and flexible scheduling – all while providing access to affordable tutors starting at just $15/hr.

Online vs in-person piano teachers for ear training

Format	Pros	Cons
Online	Flexible, affordable, access to specialist teachers globally; ear training software integrates seamlessly into online lessons	Requires stable internet and decent audio quality for accurate pitch work
In-person	Immediate acoustic feedback; teacher can play alongside student; ideal for intensive aural exam preparation	Less scheduling flexibility, typically higher cost

Ear training works exceptionally well online with the help of dedicated software, backing tracks, DAWs, and real-time audio.

These tools allow teachers to deliver effective aural skills training remotely. The convenience of online lessons also encourages students to practice consistently, which is key to developing a strong ear.

Why work with a piano teacher for ear training

A strong musical ear is not a gift that some people are born with and others are not – it is a skill that is developed through consistent, targeted practice.

Every professional musician you admire has put thousands of hours into developing their ear, whether formally through conservatory training or informally through years of playing, listening, and performing.

Here’s how personalized ear training piano coaching can support your journey:

• The ability to play by ear – one of the most practically useful musical skills there is. Being able to sit down and reproduce a melody, identify a chord progression, or work out a bass line by ear opens up a world of musical possibility that sheet music alone can never give you.
• Faster learning across all repertoire – students with strong ears learn new pieces significantly faster than those without. When you can hear the harmonic structure of a piece and anticipate where it is going, your fingers follow your ear rather than stumbling note by note through unfamiliar territory.
• Better sight-reading – paradoxically, developing your ear makes you a better sight-reader. When you can hear in your mind what you are about to play, the connection between the notation and the sound becomes immediate and intuitive.
• Stronger improvisation – ear training is the foundation of improvisation. The ability to hear a chord and know which notes will sound beautiful over it, to anticipate harmonic movement, and to respond to other musicians in real time all depend on a well-trained ear.
• Exam preparation – aural tests are a component of virtually every formal music examination, from ABRSM and Trinity grades to conservatory entrance auditions. A good ear training teacher will prepare you systematically and thoroughly for whatever aural challenges your exams present.
• A deeper connection to all music – when your ear is trained, music sounds richer, more detailed, and more meaningful. You begin to hear things in your favorite recordings that you never noticed before and your whole relationship with music deepens as a result.

How to choose the right piano teacher for ear training

• Approach to aural skills: Some teachers integrate ear training naturally into every lesson; others offer dedicated ear training sessions with structured exercises. Decide whether you want ear training woven throughout your broader piano study or as a focused area of work and choose a teacher whose approach matches your preference.

• Performance vs. exam focus: If your goal is to play by ear and improvise more naturally, look for a teacher with a performance background who emphasizes real musical application. If you are preparing for formal aural examinations, choose a teacher with specific experience preparing students for your examination board’s aural requirements.

• Teaching style and personality: Ear training requires patience and consistent repetition – it develops gradually over time. Look for a teacher who is encouraging, systematic, and skilled at making abstract listening concepts feel concrete and achievable through the piano.

• Level and pace: Whether you are identifying your first intervals or working on advanced harmonic dictation, choose a teacher who will meet you at your current level and build your ear skills systematically from there.

Pro tip: Wiingy ear training piano teachers are expert-vetted, offer free trials, and specialize across all aural skill levels and musical styles. Connect with a teacher now.

---

How to get started with piano teacher for ear training on Wiingy

Ready to develop the musical ear you have always wanted? Getting started is simple:

• Browse piano teachers for ear training on Wiingy
• Book a free trial lesson
• Start developing the musical hearing that transforms how you play, learn, and listen

Interested in learning more than piano for ear training?

Ear training study connects naturally to every other area of musical development. Here are some areas Wiingy students often explore alongside their ear training lessons:

• Music Theory is the analytical companion to ear training – understanding why the intervals and chords you are hearing work the way they do, and giving you the theoretical framework to analyze and describe what your ear picks up.
• Improvisation is where ear training pays its most immediate and exciting dividends. Once you can hear chord qualities, progressions, and melodic possibilities in real time, improvising becomes less about guessing and more about responding – turning your ear into a direct creative instrument.
• Jazz Piano offers one of the richest contexts for ear training development – the complex harmonies, constant chord changes, and improvisational demands of jazz push your ear to develop in ways that no other genre quite matches.
• Sight-Singing and Vocal Training strengthen your ear from a completely different angle. Singing intervals, melodies, and chord tones out loud activates a different kind of musical memory than playing them on the piano – and the combination of the two accelerates aural development dramatically.

With Wiingy, you can explore music theory, improvisation, jazz, vocals, and more – all with expert 1-on-1 tutors who tailor every lesson to your hearing goals and musical interests.

Conclusion

A well-trained musical ear is one of the most valuable things a musician can possess. It makes you a faster learner, a more expressive player, a more confident improviser, and a more complete musician in every context.

Whether you are just beginning to distinguish major from minor chords or working toward advanced harmonic dictation, the right ear training piano teacher can unlock a level of musical hearing you never knew was possible.

Ready to find yours?

Start learning today with top-rated ear training piano teachers on Wiingy, the go-to platform for flexible, personalized ear training lessons worldwide.

FAQs