[musictlk] playing piano by ear

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
I know many people (sighted and blind) who can hear a song a few 
times and immediately figure out the chords to play it on piano.  
I took lessons and learning by rote, but my teacher had the sheet 
music and was telling me what notes to play.  However, I'd like 
to be able to play piano without sheet music since it is a lot of 
work to get it transcribed.  Therefore, I am curious as to how 
people can play any song without even looking at sheet music.  I 
know many of the songs on the radio today use several instruments 
in addition to the piano, so it's hard to pick out the chords.  
Therefore, does an acoustic recording help?
Thank you,
Kelsey Nicolay