Dear Doctor, is it easier to play a piece by ear after one hearing than following the roll?
Yes and no. Slow pieces are playable by ear quite easily. However, heavily perforated pieces played presto pose potential problems. Supplying such songs sufficient suction by ear requires deft cranial compression upon the treadles with your ears to avoid accidentally acquiring an acute migraine headache. Manipulation of control levers may also prove problematic during ear treadling. A charming waltz by me and popular at Irish wakes as a two-ear arrangement is my Roll No.D-05 The Funeral March Waltz (Chopin arr Duarte).
