What process would I take/learn to name a note or chord by ear?

Answer 1

I can do this and I know it can be learned. I graduated with a degree in theory and composition and first of all learned how to recognize chords and scales and intervals. This will give you what is called "relative pitch" because you will be able to know harmonies and pitches in relationship to a known pitch.

The next step is developing a pitch identification or "perfect pitch" which is simply pitch memory.

Here's how that works...Think of your favorite song in your head. You'll notice that you will sing it in your mind in the same key as the recording. We don't imagine songs in some different key than the original! Have you ever considered that before? It means that most everyone has "perfect pitch memory."

This can be built on. So if I can train myself to know what a Dmaj chord sounds like on my guitar or piano, then I can recognize it when I hear it later.

Work on recognizing scales first. Major, minor, dorian, phrygian, etc. Work on recognizing intervals. Once you have the intervals you can always "break apart" a chord in your mind into these intervals.

Think about pitches having a certain character or "personality." When I hear the key of A, I recognize it because it sounds like the key of A always does!

You can learn how to do these things. It has nothing to do with innate ability or talent. These are skills like learning how to judge distances or how to do carpentry, etc.

Answer 2

Hmmmm....tough one. You could always practice singing the major scale, c, d, e, f, g, a, b, c along with a piano. Keep doing it until you can do it without the piano. Once you have that down, have someone test you by hitting a note on the piano, and having you guess what it is. Run through the scale, outloud, and see which note the test note sounds like. After years and years of practice, you should be able to write sheet music for a song after only hearing it once.

Answer 3

Practice, patience and repetition.

The more you sing it, play it, listen to it the easier it becomes. For some this is easy, for others it is hard, yet more never learn how. A lot depends on how good your ear is.

Answer 4

You have to be very musically inclined and have had extensive lessons and training to be able to know a chord or note simply by hearing it...I can,but on occasion im wrong,so,to be humble,I guess right most times.I wouldnt say I can do it without fail.

Answer 5

It is something that you can learn. Use a piano if you have one. The more you play the more you will learn how to imitate different sounds and harmonies.

Answer 6

its not that easy but its not impossible either..i could suggest just just hit the strings on the guitar and listen to them until u reconize them when you hear them but i also have a very good site for you.
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/pitching_exercises.html
good like!

Answer 7

I'm not sure if its something you can learn. Either you have that talent or you dont.

Answer 8

practice, I can't even do it yet. it's hard.