Playing music by ear (without any music, just figuring it out by how it sounds) actually isn’t too complicated. Well, actually, it’s hard, yes, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how, in a very simplified but practical way:
1.) It will help if you know how to sing. You don’t have to be American Idol material, but hopefully you aren’t in the “reject singers” category either. Simply put, singing helps you to hear the difference between notes going up and notes going down. This is the essential part of learning to play by ear.
2.) The hardest part is figuring out the first note. Play just a second of the first part of the song, and then sing that note to yourself. Then try to find that note on your guitar. Ask yourself, is it a high sound or a low sound. Once you find the first note it gets easier.
3.) From the first note, all you have to do is ask yourself, is the next note higher or lower than the first note, and then keep refining the process as you go until you get the note. Again, if you can sing yourself the note first, it will help you find it on your guitar.
This is a VERY simplified way to approach playing by ear, but the concept would be the same even if it were described in lots of technical detail.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
