Playing By Ear
People often wonder how somebody can "Just hear a song, and then play it". And they will say things like, "I can't do that", or "I think I'm Tone-Deaf".
I too used to think the same things. A few family members and friends I had, were "Born" with these Mystical Abilities. Yet I, had no clue what was going on.
But, over time I actually learned how to do these very things. And the best part of it, was that it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. In fact, I kind of stumbled into it.
When I started playing guitar, I couldn't even tell if I was out of tune. And I certainly couldn't pick out songs by ear. Even the simplest of Melodies were out of my reach. Now, on a good day, I can learn the basics of almost any Tune in a 1/2 hour or so.
And the good news is: Because I had to learn how to do this, I can explain it to others. All of the people who were "Born with it", could never explain it to me. They just do it. They don't really know the difficulties encountered by the rest of us. My lack of Talent now pays dividends to my Students, in the fact that I can tell people how to learn these skills.
And no, you are probably not Tone-Deaf! People who are Tone-Deaf, usually have a speaking voice that is monotone, and kinda loud. If you speak with a "normal" voice, you are not Tone-Deaf. So, you can erase that worry.
The first step is learning how to use a good, accurate Electronic Tuner to help you. And get a Chromatic Tuner. Those "Guitar/Bass" tuners are okay. But, a Chromatic Tuner will be MUCH more help. Get one.
Now, here's some general Guidelines for getting started with acquiring those "Big Ears":
1. Try tuning your fat E string, with an electronic tuner. Then, try tuning the rest of the strings, by ear. When you're done, check your work with the electronic tuner. If you don't know how to do this, go to your local music store, and bug the guys in the guitar department, until they show you how. Or, take a private lesson with an instructor. Learning to match the open strings to the 5th. fret notes, is an essential skill. This is the best thing you can do, to kick-start your ear.
2. Pick up any telephone. The dial tone is usually an A note. Hum it. Get to the point, where you can hum that A note, all the time. Whenever you walk past a phone, hum the note. Then pick up the phone, and see if you were correct. If not, try humming the dial tone A, while listening to it. Then, keep practicing.
3. Also, play any scale you know. You should hum those notes, as you play them.
At first, you play a note, then hum it. After awhile, you can play the scale note, and hum it at the same time. Eventually, you should work towards humming the note, then playing it.
4. Try picking out simple melodies, like nursery rhymes. When you get one picked out, find another and do it again. Forever. You should be learning something by ear, at all times. Even if it's just a riff. phrase, or T.V. Theme song.
5. Work on Chord Construction. Learn how to make the four most important triads, starting from any root note.
These 4 triads are:
Major
Minor
Augmented
Diminished
Practice building these 4 triads on a different root, each day. Hum all of the triads' notes, as you play them. Do this for at least 15 minutes, each day. Also, try playing the first note of the triad, and humming the next note, from memory. Then, check to see if you hit the right note. If not, play that note and hum it, over and over. Then, try the exercise, again.
Eventually, you will start to hear and "feel" the notes. Humming them, will help immensely.
Happy Hunting!
Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
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