learning by ear tips

[clare_bear2]

Also keep in mind that's chords such as Bm and Dmaj can sound very similar, or Em and Gmaj (basically any major chord, and the minor chordthree frets down). That was the problem i often had when something would sound simillar, but not 'quite' there - I'd be playing a D instead of a Bm or something.

Cheers for that, I wouldn't have thought of that. That could be (one of) my problem(s).

[imported_adrianclark]

Clare - I can burble at length about this, as it's a large part of my living When I'm transcribing stuff, I'm always using a mixture of several of these suggestions... it's a very "holistic" thing...

1. As someone else said, listen to the bass note of chords. It's *usually* the root.

2. However, don't let the bass notes fool you. Learn to recognise the difference in sound between a chord in root position (with the root in the bass) and inversion (with one of the other notes in the bass). For instance, the Led Zep/folky C - G/B - Am progression... the middle chord clearly doesn't sound like B major or B minor.

3. As well as the bottom note, try to hear the top note in a chord... that'll often give you an idea of fretboard position.

4. The best practice you can ever do is learning to recognise major and minor chords. That gives a basis for everything else.

5. Listen for standard sounds... the minor pentatonic, I-IV-V progressions, the bVII chord (eg F in the key of G major), root-5th power chords.

6. For single note lines, spend a little time just listening, familiarising yourself with the *shape* of the melody before you work out the notes. Even on familiar songs, you might hear notes going up when you were convinced they were going down (and vice versa).

7. Listen for hammer-ons and pull-offs... and more importantly, the lack of them. The contour of notes can give you a lot of clues as to where they're being played on the fretboard. Once you figure that out, it makes it easier to guess the notes.


adrian

[clare_bear2]

Thanks for that, Adrian, that's great.

[adamstartin]

I personally would use the entire ear and not just the tips

That could be where I'm going wrong :lol:

When working out a track, do you use software to slow the track down? Does Media Player alter the pitch when you slow it down, because it never seems quite right to me? I can't afford to buy that nice but expensive software (don't know what it's called!) or that CD-slower-downer-thingy (don't know what that's called either!). There aren't any good free alternatives are there?!

The pitch remains the same. I find it realy useful, especially when i was transcribing John 5's damaged.

[Vai n maiden]

Breaking down basic intervallic theory helped me a lot, then learning songs I already know and recognise the sounds of.... this meant I could relate certain sounds to certain musical "devices" so if I heard that sound in another song, knew the basis of what to expect, then noodle till it's right.


Not very efficient.... but it's how I do it. ops:

[clare_bear2]

I personally would use the entire ear and not just the tips

That could be where I'm going wrong :lol:

When working out a track, do you use software to slow the track down? Does Media Player alter the pitch when you slow it down, because it never seems quite right to me? I can't afford to buy that nice but expensive software (don't know what it's called!) or that CD-slower-downer-thingy (don't know what that's called either!). There aren't any good free alternatives are there?!

The pitch remains the same. I find it realy useful, especially when i was transcribing John 5's damaged.

Thanks for that - I just need to try harder then

[imported_thomasross20]

clare, to be honest.. best just go get a CD and work your ass off trying to transcribe something from start to end...with no help.. and no slowing down software. You'll eventually realise what is to be done.. e.g. see Adrian's top tips.Be brutal in your effort and it'll pay off. In time you'll be able to transcribe anything, from complex chord arrangements (hardest, IMO) to single note flurries a la Malmsteen.

[metallishred]

how about

this here

???

[clare_bear2]

how about

this here

???

that looks quite good - thanks

Have you got it? (or anyone else used it?)

[metallishred]

how about

this here

???

that looks quite good - thanks

Have you got it? (or anyone else used it?)

No, i havent but I found it when I was looking for theory books and it was written by the person that wrote my theory book