I didn't start trying to learn by ear for 3 years. I just got into a band with a guy who has perfect pitch and I was so impressed by it. One day, we were sitting at our drummer's house and our drummer played a song on his phone. Bassist told him to replay it; drummer bro complied. I kid you not, in barely a minute, bass bro had the melody down. I was stricken with awe. I was able to learn a song by ear today, Down On The Corner by CCR. I didn't use a tab or anything, i just listened to it. I was able to roughly figure the song out. I did look up a live performance of the song to see what John was doing. I had the song down quite well. I was so proud of myself.
@@Goonercry I don't really practice it, I got put the headphones on and just noodle around until I get it. If you want, there's this website about relative pitch training where it'll test your relative pitch. I still don't have great ear but I can somewhat figure things out.
@@jan_Travis I am doing the same as you did, just spend time to figure out each note in the corresponding scale, but I want somebody like you to confirm how long does it take to be at the point of fast transcribing the melody in head to the fret ?
I'm late but just saying for anyone in the future- one thing that can make figuring out a song by ear a lot easier at least in the beginning is loading the song in a DAW like Reaper and slowing it way down along with using the time selection to continually repeat a part. Then you can just have it replay a small part while you're continually trying to find the notes (obviously). I had never learned a song by ear til very recently and this helped sooo much especially for the faster parts.
It’s easier now more than ever to learn to play by hear. We have the best headphone technology, and with TH-cam we can play almost any song we went when we want, and slow it down even. I remember reading about the old greats and how they’d just have to figure it out whenever the song they wanted was played lol 😅 Great video!
This is a good approach. Use your ears. I've been playing for a loooong time, and occasionally, I still have to walk up and down the fretboard to find that one particular note. When I first started out, I'd pick a familiar song as shown in the video (but something a bit more hip lol) and listen to the bassline. I'd put a record on (yep) and listen to the bass. I'd find that note on the sixth string of my guitar, and follow along. That bass note was the root of course, and that led me to start building chords, one finger at a time. Playing along with records also gave me valuable lessons in timing/metering. If it's a song I used to know, and have forgotten, the best way to "reload" it is to disengage my brain and let my hands take over. It's amazing sometimes to sit there with a guitar and watch my hands go where my brain couldn't remember, what many call "muscle memory" but I digress. Always had music in the house as a child, and I did the same with my girls. They all have a great musical aptitude and play instruments.
I've definitely noticed that this got a lot easier after memorizing the fretboard note names and scale patterns. Vast majority of the notes will be diatonic so you just guess up and down within the scale patterns instead of needing to guess blindly.
Paul is the best teacher on this website because he shows you what is it you know and what you need to work on so you can latch on to one of his steps and go from there
Wise men say (the C-Em-Am) that David speaks a lot of sense. This video is such a simple idea but so useful and helpful. I have been doing exactly as he suggests for a while so feel like the kid who has been revising. I still find the notes harder to distinguish than the chords but choosing really easy or well known tunes is great advice. Thanks David!
I've never had lessons or took the time to learn from tabs. Although I don't try covers very much, this is a skill that definitely develops over time. If you love listening to music as much as playing it, it won't be hard to develop, but every craft takes time to build.
I've no clue on music theory but being a self taught occasional acoustic guitarist I was able to guess most notes & chord sounds. Another thing that should be addressed is that you probably know more than you give yourself credit for. That being said, I was astonished when I was correct. It made me realize I knew more than I thought, initially. However I was never 100% sure of my guesses. Still opened my eyes to how much I knew compared to how much I thought I didn't about this. Thank you for this exercise!
I got it all right away, but when I go with real songs I cant do it because all I hear is vocal and drums and maybe some silent improvisation on a guitar.
There is all kind of crazy involved. When I am tired I can figure out notes/chords much less well than when not tired. And for some reason it helps me to turn up the bass in the eq usually. And with instruments that I don't know well (like unusual synth sounda) if find it much harder. I'm pretty sure other people's ears work differently. Meaning: See what works for you and keep at it.
@@leenz8147 i see this opinion a lot from soyboys online, that if you say something's gay then you're secretly gay yourself . If you dislike spiders ,it doesn't mean you want to bang them. If i say anal sex is gross it doesn't mean I want shit on my penis
I'm already doing quite well at stuff like this, but it's nice to be reminded to actually practice it. Makes a ton of difference in both listening and playing skills.
Didn't know the Netherlands possess such a beautiful national anthem - and an ancient one it is. Very impressive. Little embarrassing for me beeing there so often and liking your country and your people very much (and not for the reason lots of people visit Amsterdam, never been there to be honest, have to do this one time beautiful city i've heard). Love to watch your channel. Got a lot of inspiration from from you tutorials. Dank je wel!
Very useful, I have bought the Learn, Practice, Play course you designed and, even thought I have been playing for decades it is opening up my confidence and making sense of theory and techniques I have never mastered. I highly recommend it to all guitarists. These TH-cam freebies are enhancements and very motivating. THANKS Paul
it was so satisfying to guess within a 4 fret range, but this is how i started learning melodies by ear, just grinding a tune out, repeating it until i get it perfectly. first time i solved a riff it took a week, it was the opening melody for metronomy - black eye burnt thumb not the easiest tune, not even a guitar tune but it flows very nicely.
Great stuff, man. I learned this on my own, but I really like all of your videos. Always something I can use on your channel. Greetings from Serbia and keep up the great work.
Great video. I would add that trying to read sheet music definitely helps with sight singing and figuring notes, chords and scales out by ear. Guitarists please start reading sheet music. It helps a LOT!
Thank you for this. I really like your videos Paul. This was the first video about ear training I've watched and now I'm very excited to work on that. I couldn't find any exercise videos, so I've actually made one myself. Feel free to use it as well, I hope it is helpful for you too.
Excellent video! I used to play these "games" with a friend of mine to pass the time. In the single note "game" we required reproducing the note on the correct string. Really good training, or so I've come to find.
One exercise I use is that I just listen to a completey random song and just noodle along with it trying to find 1) notes 2) chords and a 3) key. Then I put the karaoke version on of that exact song and try to play along the melody etc. It’s really fun and rewarding if you get all three correct.
Dude I actually did it maybe I’m not an idiot. It’s hard to recognize other instruments but the guitar is a lot easier since that’s actually what I play haha. Will keep watching this
i got this very same advice from a classmate of mine a year ago. Because of ear training, I am able to play songs with out depending on Ultimate guitars website. Great video, this help me a lot aswell
I learn to play metal music by ear and I write tabs on Songsterr but looking back at these kind of videos is quiet nostalgic because just less than 10 months ago I couldn't even recognise pitch in nursery rhymes.
Hello everyone, I just wanted to say if it was a few months ago or a year ago, I wouldn't guess jack shit here. I studied intervals, and played a lot of guitar, figured it by ear on spot, and found this 1 hour pitch video that might help you get the name of the notes into your brain and it helps. Don't give up and work your ass off!! :)
I picked up a guitar for the first time and heard smoke in the water and figured it all out just by hearing the riff..... not saying this is crazy or I’m talented but it was mighty easy for me
It was funny, because before watching this, I'd figured out old mcdonald randomly. I and one notes were off, but were exactly how I thought the song sounded from singing it growing up lol I feel like I've heard the first drop in the second syllable of "mcdonald."
wooe i had all right after trying a few before you mentioned them. except the first one.. i didnt knew i could do this.. im in week 15 or 16 only the first i had wrong i was only using the A and E strings there.. chords i had G and C wrong so have still to practice a lot
Thanks matee,really great vids ,my brain is finally seeing the light re guitar playing thanks to your kind self!!I've played an American Standard Strat since I bought it brand new back in 96!I've played til my fingers bled and as they say blood sweat n tears,trying to play SRV stuff full album stuff via tablature!I haven't used the books in years,I've picked up heaps in 20 years ,but your explanation is really helpful for my guitar mind that walked before it could crawl!Thanks heaps n Merry Christmas!
I really love your videos, such character, I love your voice and calm and peaceful tempo. The attire's great as well every time! And most importantly, it feels as if I'm sitting there with you learning and practicing.
I have only learned the verse for "Like A Stone" by Audioslave by ear, not the rest of it and no other songs, I also just sat down and pieced the song together, lol must have been my one thing to ever learn by ear without practice
thanks Paul, great video as always. I'm happy that I go the notes and chords pretty quickly. I'm going to be spending more time on interval training and working out basic melodies.
you can still find the correct notes. but you will notice that its weird to play and that may give you the indication it has a different tuning.for example having to stretch your fingers too much. Or in case of drop tunings you realize the lowest note they play you are not able to replicate with standard tuning ergo they are using drop d for example
I totally surprised myself. I only got one note wrong. I still find it extremely tough to figure out songs by ear. I'll keep on practicing. Great video!
Hello Paul, I follow your channel for some time because I am getting back to my guitar rotine after 12 year away from it and you speak with passion about it! By watching this video I was pretty surprised that you are Dutch because I am leaving in the Netherlands for almost 6 years now and I have been looking for some good music sang in Dutch to help me to improve the language, if you have some recommendations I would be grateful! Keep on with the great work!!
my prob is hearing the guitar over excessively loud vocals or other instruments. ex tomorrow will be kinder by the secret sisters. i have teh first part, but it gets fuzzy when the vocals start.
while playing a guitar along with this video I was not that bad ...but without it I can't identity the chord or note correctly ...lol .need more practice I guess ....awesome video man..
I didn't start trying to learn by ear for 3 years. I just got into a band with a guy who has perfect pitch and I was so impressed by it. One day, we were sitting at our drummer's house and our drummer played a song on his phone. Bassist told him to replay it; drummer bro complied. I kid you not, in barely a minute, bass bro had the melody down. I was stricken with awe. I was able to learn a song by ear today, Down On The Corner by CCR. I didn't use a tab or anything, i just listened to it. I was able to roughly figure the song out. I did look up a live performance of the song to see what John was doing. I had the song down quite well. I was so proud of myself.
HOw long did it take to have that ability? How did you practice?
@@Goonercry I don't really practice it, I got put the headphones on and just noodle around until I get it. If you want, there's this website about relative pitch training where it'll test your relative pitch. I still don't have great ear but I can somewhat figure things out.
@@jan_Travis I am doing the same as you did, just spend time to figure out each note in the corresponding scale, but I want somebody like you to confirm how long does it take to be at the point of fast transcribing the melody in head to the fret ?
I'm late but just saying for anyone in the future- one thing that can make figuring out a song by ear a lot easier at least in the beginning is loading the song in a DAW like Reaper and slowing it way down along with using the time selection to continually repeat a part. Then you can just have it replay a small part while you're continually trying to find the notes (obviously). I had never learned a song by ear til very recently and this helped sooo much especially for the faster parts.
Only 3? I didn't learn to play by ear for 6 years.
Masterful, you've just explained a computer science concept called binary search with a guitar 🙏🏽🗝️
I was thinking the same, lol
Lol
Yeah 😂😍
haha
I couldn't even guess what instrument it was.
lol
😂😂👌
it is mayonnaise
LOL
@@azizikariya6655 dude you should specify a bit more . its an acoustic mayonnaise
It’s easier now more than ever to learn to play by hear. We have the best headphone technology, and with TH-cam we can play almost any song we went when we want, and slow it down even. I remember reading about the old greats and how they’d just have to figure it out whenever the song they wanted was played lol 😅
Great video!
i not play with headphones😅 most of the time i even not plug in my guitar hahahah😂
thank you Mr insightful
This is a good approach. Use your ears. I've been playing for a loooong time, and occasionally, I still have to walk up and down the fretboard to find that one particular note. When I first started out, I'd pick a familiar song as shown in the video (but something a bit more hip lol) and listen to the bassline. I'd put a record on (yep) and listen to the bass. I'd find that note on the sixth string of my guitar, and follow along. That bass note was the root of course, and that led me to start building chords, one finger at a time. Playing along with records also gave me valuable lessons in timing/metering.
If it's a song I used to know, and have forgotten, the best way to "reload" it is to disengage my brain and let my hands take over. It's amazing sometimes to sit there with a guitar and watch my hands go where my brain couldn't remember, what many call "muscle memory" but I digress.
Always had music in the house as a child, and I did the same with my girls. They all have a great musical aptitude and play instruments.
I've definitely noticed that this got a lot easier after memorizing the fretboard note names and scale patterns. Vast majority of the notes will be diatonic so you just guess up and down within the scale patterns instead of needing to guess blindly.
One of the most overlooked skills! Realized it too late, now I am teaching my studetns how to play by ear.
Can you give me some free tips & trick's?
Paul is the best teacher on this website because he shows you what is it you know and what you need to work on so you can latch on to one of his steps and go from there
U were born a teacher. You explain things and all I do is to understand them. Thenx bro
Wise men say (the C-Em-Am) that David speaks a lot of sense. This video is such a simple idea but so useful and helpful. I have been doing exactly as he suggests for a while so feel like the kid who has been revising. I still find the notes harder to distinguish than the chords but choosing really easy or well known tunes is great advice. Thanks David!
I've never had lessons or took the time to learn from tabs. Although I don't try covers very much, this is a skill that definitely develops over time. If you love listening to music as much as playing it, it won't be hard to develop, but every craft takes time to build.
LOL trying to guess without using a guitar. I got pretty close and bang on on some. Nice lesson!
I managed to do it way better than I thought I could. Thanks, now I'm motivated to figure songs out by myself.
I've no clue on music theory but being a self taught occasional acoustic guitarist I was able to guess most notes & chord sounds. Another thing that should be addressed is that you probably know more than you give yourself credit for. That being said, I was astonished when I was correct. It made me realize I knew more than I thought, initially. However I was never 100% sure of my guesses. Still opened my eyes to how much I knew compared to how much I thought I didn't about this.
Thank you for this exercise!
I got it all right away, but when I go with real songs I cant do it because all I hear is vocal and drums and maybe some silent improvisation on a guitar.
Crazy drummer veoma cudnovato
prvo pitanj
There is all kind of crazy involved. When I am tired I can figure out notes/chords much less well than when not tired. And for some reason it helps me to turn up the bass in the eq usually. And with instruments that I don't know well (like unusual synth sounda) if find it much harder. I'm pretty sure other people's ears work differently. Meaning: See what works for you and keep at it.
your voice is so manly and relaxing
@Koala Koala how insecure do you have to be in your sexuality?
@@leenz8147 i see this opinion a lot from soyboys online, that if you say something's gay then you're secretly gay yourself .
If you dislike spiders ,it doesn't mean you want to bang them. If i say anal sex is gross it doesn't mean I want shit on my penis
You seem to be a very nice person. The sound of your voice and your guitar is very nice. I really like your channel
Thank You!! I feel I got better musically by listening to this
I'm already doing quite well at stuff like this, but it's nice to be reminded to actually practice it. Makes a ton of difference in both listening and playing skills.
I think this is the first guitar tutorial for Old MacDonald had a farm that I'll actually upvote and enjoyed
Didn't know the Netherlands possess such a beautiful national anthem - and an ancient one it is. Very impressive. Little embarrassing for me beeing there so often and liking your country and your people very much (and not for the reason lots of people visit Amsterdam, never been there to be honest, have to do this one time beautiful city i've heard). Love to watch your channel. Got a lot of inspiration from from you tutorials. Dank je wel!
Very useful, I have bought the Learn, Practice, Play course you designed and, even thought I have been playing for decades it is opening up my confidence and making sense of theory and techniques I have never mastered. I highly recommend it to all guitarists. These TH-cam freebies are enhancements and very motivating. THANKS Paul
it was so satisfying to guess within a 4 fret range, but this is how i started learning melodies by ear, just grinding a tune out, repeating it until i get it perfectly.
first time i solved a riff it took a week, it was the opening melody for metronomy - black eye burnt thumb
not the easiest tune, not even a guitar tune but it flows very nicely.
honestly I thought I was going to be horrid at this, but after that test I can honestly say i'm better than majority of the deaf population.
Thanks, Paul! This is helpful and encouraging for a skill that feels out of reach sometimes.
Happy birthday is now in my repertoire ;) on to Solitude by Black Sabbath!
Great stuff, man. I learned this on my own, but I really like all of your videos. Always something I can use on your channel. Greetings from Serbia and keep up the great work.
Serbia? I'm from the USA and I know that Serbia is a great country with great people.
Great video. I would add that trying to read sheet music definitely helps with sight singing and figuring notes, chords and scales out by ear. Guitarists please start reading sheet music. It helps a LOT!
I got the chords instantly but not the single notes xD
Lol I'm the opposite
Physik0r i was opposite too. Single notes easy chords took a bit longer
me too,
Same!!
Same
Thank you for this. I really like your videos Paul. This was the first video about ear training I've watched and now I'm very excited to work on that.
I couldn't find any exercise videos, so I've actually made one myself. Feel free to use it as well, I hope it is helpful for you too.
Really great lesson and something I haven't seen much of in the world of guitar TH-cam... Many thanks for your time and help 🤩
Excellent video! I used to play these "games" with a friend of mine to pass the time. In the single note "game" we required reproducing the note on the correct string. Really good training, or so I've come to find.
can we all take a second to appreciate this awesome intro?
Excellent tips ....thank you so much !!
Haven’t play in a while, but I still got it! I got all the chords and almost all the single notes without my guitar! :)
One exercise I use is that I just listen to a completey random song and just noodle along with it trying to find 1) notes 2) chords and a 3) key. Then I put the karaoke version on of that exact song and try to play along the melody etc. It’s really fun and rewarding if you get all three correct.
well practicing by ear and not relying on tabs and tutorial videos is probably a good way.
I don't use tabs and I still suck. rip
2bdkid it's not gonna happen over night
You have to start somewhere
I find doing it by ear or watching someone play a piece is a lot easier than trudging through tab.
Dude I actually did it maybe I’m not an idiot. It’s hard to recognize other instruments but the guitar is a lot easier since that’s actually what I play haha. Will keep watching this
i got this very same advice from a classmate of mine a year ago. Because of ear training, I am able to play songs with out depending on Ultimate guitars website. Great video, this help me a lot aswell
now i realise, i am nothing
The good news is, with practice, you can become less nothing. I still have a long way to go myself.
That's awesome. A spiritual awakening! :)
GreendGrandine # now I realize that this paul David's is laying on the heavy accent a little thicker than he really talks .
knnethm 😂😂😂😂 you are really funny
That is the best vid i have watched on this chanel!
I have run out of nursery rhymes to practice....love this
I learn to play metal music by ear and I write tabs on Songsterr but looking back at these kind of videos is quiet nostalgic because just less than 10 months ago I couldn't even recognise pitch in nursery rhymes.
Man you are a great teacher keep it up 👍
I guess all the single notes, and chords. Even the d minor. Cool!
Paulo Martins good work!
Tks!
It's the saddest of all chords
SteverRob I've usually found Am to be the saddest.
You think just like Eddie Van Halen.
i don't play guitar, but I like listening to you talk and play
both are quite enjoyable
This is a great video for help in beginning to play by ear/recognise by ear. Keep up the good work! You're video's are great!
great tips Mr. Paul
Very helpful, Thanks a lot man!
Hello everyone, I just wanted to say if it was a few months ago or a year ago, I wouldn't guess jack shit here. I studied intervals, and played a lot of guitar, figured it by ear on spot, and found this 1 hour pitch video that might help you get the name of the notes into your brain and it helps. Don't give up and work your ass off!! :)
Haha didn't knew you were Dutch until you played Wilhelmus. Rock on man
I want to make my own songs, own lyrics so I can relate more
Paul, good tips and you definitely got a studio upgrade.
I picked up a guitar for the first time and heard smoke in the water and figured it all out just by hearing the riff..... not saying this is crazy or I’m talented but it was mighty easy for me
this is professional are born . I've started practicing it almost I'm getting right
It was funny, because before watching this, I'd figured out old mcdonald randomly. I and one notes were off, but were exactly how I thought the song sounded from singing it growing up lol
I feel like I've heard the first drop in the second syllable of "mcdonald."
Got the G and E :p but mostly because of the different sort of resonance you get with open strings
Wow, i just realised your from the Netherlands with you playing our wonderfull anthem.:D
Simple yet concise. Thanks for this great video!
Thank you!
wooe i had all right after trying a few before you mentioned them. except the first one.. i didnt knew i could do this.. im in week 15 or 16
only the first i had wrong i was only using the A and E strings there..
chords i had G and C wrong so have still to practice a lot
Thanks matee,really great vids ,my brain is finally seeing the light re guitar playing thanks to your kind self!!I've played an American Standard Strat since I bought it brand new back in 96!I've played til my fingers bled and as they say blood sweat n tears,trying to play SRV stuff full album stuff via tablature!I haven't used the books in years,I've picked up heaps in 20 years ,but your explanation is really helpful for my guitar mind that walked before it could crawl!Thanks heaps n Merry Christmas!
I really love your videos, such character, I love your voice and calm and peaceful tempo. The attire's great as well every time! And most importantly, it feels as if I'm sitting there with you learning and practicing.
I’ve been playing for 2 months and got most of them right, the ones I didn’t I was off by a note or so. 🤗not bad!
Aren't you fucking special
Wow Paul thanks you really got me going
Thank you Paul, yeah good point, try, throw yourself into it
I really like your intro music, selfmade and cool! Just a tiny peace that'll make your videos even better.
I am starting now. Thank you for the explanation and motivation. very helpful.
I have only learned the verse for "Like A Stone" by Audioslave by ear, not the rest of it and no other songs, I also just sat down and pieced the song together, lol must have been my one thing to ever learn by ear without practice
actually very helpful video
This is very helpful, thanks for the tips.
As always, great video and an amazing tip
I thank you, nice work
thanks Paul, great video as always. I'm happy that I go the notes and chords pretty quickly. I'm going to be spending more time on interval training and working out basic melodies.
Great didactic skill here Paul, kudos!
You sang that Old Macdonald like a boss! How about some Bohemian Rhapsody?
Sir your learning techniques so funny 😂 i just enjoyed it
Also, what if the song you're trying to learn is in a different tuning or has a capo? How do you figure that out?
you can still find the correct notes. but you will notice that its weird to play and that may give you the indication it has a different tuning.for example having to stretch your fingers too much. Or in case of drop tunings you realize the lowest note they play you are not able to replicate with standard tuning ergo they are using drop d for example
Well you'll still have the correct notes but they'll be in a lower key or in a higher key in case of alternative tuning
really its the intervals that u guess and the u adjust its pitch (im so geussing rn)
@@educatedgamer5107 yes correct
He sounds like he’d be a khajit on skyrim
I totally surprised myself. I only got one note wrong. I still find it extremely tough to figure out songs by ear. I'll keep on practicing. Great video!
Just watching this vids, i can say that I got 2 chords correct. I am going to study more. Thanks Paul
This guys videos are in my feed so much I don’t even need to subscribe to his account lol
Very good channel. You're channels content is of high quality. Short but very beefy content. Thank you for the time.
Most useful tip... Thank you
Hello Paul, I follow your channel for some time because I am getting back to my guitar rotine after 12 year away from it and you speak with passion about it! By watching this video I was pretty surprised that you are Dutch because I am leaving in the Netherlands for almost 6 years now and I have been looking for some good music sang in Dutch to help me to improve the language, if you have some recommendations I would be grateful! Keep on with the great work!!
Even native english speaking youtubers can't get the amount of views you do. Great vid as usual.
NO WAY, I just found out my favorite yt'er is Dutch too!!! oh shit!
Hein Godeke if your Dutch how could you not realise ?!!!
i dont know, probably because he became my favorite very quickly, i was just subbed for 6 weeks or so
Hein Godeke yeah your pretty fucking stupid basically
tnx
I didn't realise it either
I got the chords all right 😂😂😂
Im a total beginner but it helps with chords if you hear if the first string is open or is it lower. So I filter some chords based on that
Thank you so much i got the first ones right thanks to God ❤
i am surprised how quick I found the notes and chords. Not as bad as I thought
my prob is hearing the guitar over excessively loud vocals or other instruments. ex tomorrow will be kinder by the secret sisters. i have teh first part, but it gets fuzzy when the vocals start.
Great video man!!
I knew every chord without having to hardly think about it and didn't know any of the single notes. lol
while playing a guitar along with this video I was not that bad ...but without it I can't identity the chord or note correctly ...lol .need more practice I guess ....awesome video man..
You are awesome.
that martin sounds beautiful
I didn't have a guitar handy but got them all correct. I don't even have perfect pitch!
Good job.
Do another one of these.