MUSICIAN Richard Smith wants to help others hit all the right notes.

After meeting stars such as Stevie Wonder while working as a record producer, he came to realise that reading music and playing an instrument well are not the same.

Now Richard, who lives on Rodborough Common, is piloting a new method in the Stroud Valleys to help others play by ear.

"People find it difficult to read music because some people learn orally and some people learn visually," he explained.

"Music is an oral experience yet sheet music is a visual realisation.

"If I can help more people to play and have the enjoyment I’ve had then that’s reward enough."

Richard took up piano aged only six and began playing by ear two years later when after discovering the chimes of Big Ben could be harmonised with two chords.

His song-writing career began at college when The Biggest Balalaika in the World was recorded and issued on the Clinton the Clown album.

He joined EMI Records aged only 22 in 1970 as a label manager and then in 1973 became a staff producer working throughout Europe.

Among the artists he met during seven years at EMI were Diana Ross, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pink Floyd and the Four Tops.

He also once played a piano duet with Stevie Wonder to a track by Paul McCartney.

"Many of the artists couldn’t read music," said Richard.

"I’m certain at the beginning that The Beatles played only by ear.

"So being able to read music is most certainly an optional extra – it’s not essential by any means."

Richard, who has achieved 1.5 million sales worldwide and several top ten hits in Europe, moved to Bownham Park, Rodborough Common in 1990.

Then three years ago, during a music teacher training course run by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), he was surprised to find he was the only one out of 30 students who could play by ear.

Richard came up with his method the following year.

It is based on a technique developed in the 1840s by choirmaster John Curwen to teach individual parts to musically illiterate singers.

Students first listen for the ‘home’ or ‘do’ note in a tune and label the remaining notes in the scale reh, me, fa, so, l and t.

They then copy the melody on their chosen instrument, working out a chord accompaniment in the process.

Richard, who teaches piano at Beaudesert Park School and privately at home, hopes his method will allow more people to enjoy music.

"Through my life, music has taken me to some interesting places and to some wonderful people," said the father-of-three.

"One of the most fulfilling things about getting a little bit older is giving back."

Teachers at the ABRSM are interested in adopting the method.

For more information, contact Richard on 01453 873641 or email rsmith@beaudesert.gloucs.sch.uk