I have been playing guitar for 4 years now. I am getting good. But the one thing I want to be able to do is learn songs by ear. How can I learn how to do this?
2006-08-10 13:17:56 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Some of it can be learned. I remember when I started a long time ago, I didn't have the ability to play by ear. After a lot of practice playing just the C Major scale in all positions of the guitar (especially the diatonic scale). I developed an ear for hearing melodies that I could play on guitar. I've pick up just basic melodies like the movie themes Close Encounters, Chariots of fire. Also, the star spangled banner. songs: What if god was one of us... open arms by journey... etc. If I get the melody in my head and if I spend time noodling I usually can get simple melodies. And it's amazed me because when I started playing centuries ago I could barely strum a song using the D major and A major chords. I've read that the piano is easier for playing by ear as the intervals are more logically layed out on the keyboard. The scales really worked for me. There's a program called earmaster that you can download for free trial that is really good that helps train your ear for hearing intervals. But, I learned to play by ear by just playing scales and noodling. I'm no expert, I just play because I love it.
2006-08-10 15:29:59 · answer #1 · answered by timespiral 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a talent not really something you can just learn on your own. Question for you...can you tune your guitar by ear or do you use a tuner? I learned to play because I could hear something played one or two times (by watching) and then repeat it (kind of like a parrot) BUT I was lucky to have a great teacher!
2006-08-10 13:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something that takes time and practice.
You will need to learn some basic music theory concerning scales and chord structure. You will also need to get an understanding of how chords move and repeat within songs.
Find some folks to play with.
Talk to the folks at the music stores. Have them direct you to a book to suit your needs. Maybe take some lessons.
Good luck and have patience.
2006-08-10 13:32:42 · answer #3 · answered by GJ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
normally learning songs by ear takes the ability to play many chords and know what they sound like...usually if you can tune by ear then you slowly learn to play by ear...but mainly it comes naturally
2006-08-10 13:23:29 · answer #4 · answered by abbybloom1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well first you can't just know songs by ear. you have to learn the notes by sound and frets. otherwise you would not know what your playing it might be song yet you don't know.
2006-08-10 13:23:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a natural born talent. Good luck tapping into it.
2006-08-10 13:34:00 · answer #6 · answered by Christine B 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my guitar teacher tought me how but i play bass so cant help you
2006-08-10 13:34:35 · answer #7 · answered by sexy_loser111084 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How did Beethoven play at all? It's a gift. :-)
2006-08-10 13:22:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's a talent...you either have it or you don't.
2006-08-10 13:22:59 · answer #9 · answered by Isabella 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋