Are you tired of being confined to sheet music and tabs when playing guitar? Imagine the freedom of sitting down with the guitar and playing any song you hear without needing to read a single note.
The ability to play by ear is a valuable skill that can take your guitar playing to the next level and open up a whole new world of possibilities. But where do you start?
This article will look at the finest approaches, from understanding the basics of melody ear training to practical exercises and tips from Use Your Ear; we will show you everything you need to grasp to become a pro.
Is It Possible to Learn to Play Guitar by Ear?
Yes, it is possible to learn to play guitar by ear! In fact, it is the most natural and intuitive way to learn. Forget about reading sheet music or tabs; all you need is your trusty guitar, a pair of ears, and determination.
Just listen to your favorite songs and try to mimic what you hear. It may not sound perfect at first, but with time and practice, you’ll be strumming like a pro in no time. Plus, you’ll have the bonus of impressing your friends with your ability to play any song they throw at you without ever having seen the sheet music.
Can You Play by Ear without A Perfect Pitch?
Absolutely! Perfect pitch, or the ability to identify a note without a reference, is not mandatory to play by ear. Many of the world’s greatest guitarists conquered the music industry without perfect pitch but rather with relative pitch. This means that they can identify intervals and chords based on their relationship to one another.
Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jimmy Page are all guitar legends known to have a strong sense of relative pitch. So, if you’re all set to learn how to play guitar by ear, don’t let the idea of perfect pitch hold you back. With a bit of practice and a good ear, you, too, can master the art of playing by ear.
Fundamental Listening Abilities for Guitarists
Developing your listening skills is a game-changer for any musician, and guitar players are no exception. Here are the 3 best fundamental listening abilities for guitarists:
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Listening to different genres
Finally, try listening to different genres of music. This will expose you to different playing styles and help you understand how the bass guitar fits into different types of music.
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Recognize chord progressions
The ability to recognize common chord progressions is crucial for playing by ear. Start by learning the most common progressions, such as I-IV-V and I-V-vi-IV, and practice identifying them in songs.
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Identify intervals
Being able to identify intervals or the distance between two notes is another important skill for playing by ear. Practice listening for intervals in songs and replicating them on your guitar.
By honing these, you’ll be on your way to discovering how to play guitar by ear and taking your playing to the next level.
Learning guitar ear training
Get ready to unlock your inner musician and start hearing the music like never before with these 4 best steps.
1. Develop a relative Pitch
Relative pitch is identifying a note based on its relationship to other notes. This skill is essential for playing by ear, as it allows you to identify the notes in a chord or melody by ear.
2. Ear training software
Various ear training software programs and apps available on the internet can help with interval, chord, and scale recognition.
3. Jamming with others
Playing with other musicians is a great way to improve your ear training. It will help you to learn to hear different parts of a song and to play along with others.
4. Focus on improvising
Improvising your guitar is a great way to improve your ear training. It will help you to learn to hear different parts of a song and to play along with others.
Learning to play by ear makes you a more versatile musician and allows you to create your unique style. With hard work and dedication, you will soon be learning to play bass guitar by ear with ease!
The final thoughts
The best way to go about learning to play by ear is to start with the basics and work your way up. As you become more comfortable with the guitar and your ear develops, you will find that you can play more complex songs with ease. The key is to be patient and persistent in your practice and to never give up on your dream of becoming a top-notch guitar player.
What song would you like to learn to play by ear? We’re eager to know!
Rhydian Choi 
Nina Smith 