I also have an ok ear for melody and given a bit of time can usually come up with some sort of harmonisation so I get learning by ear.
But for me that process is about listening to the music or replaying it mentally.
I don't get what this seemingly popular falling note/guitar hero style display brings?
You mention that you use it to tell the scales used in a piece? To me, the "falling note" representation is a poor and indirect way to communicate that information.
For me there is nothing indirect about it. The falling notes point directly at which key on the piano to press. I can hear it's a I, IV, V, VI progression, but I might not recognize it's in the key of A#. With the falling notes, I see the first chord is A#. I might get that from sheet music too, but it's a lot harder to decipher.
But for me that process is about listening to the music or replaying it mentally.
I don't get what this seemingly popular falling note/guitar hero style display brings?
You mention that you use it to tell the scales used in a piece? To me, the "falling note" representation is a poor and indirect way to communicate that information.