3 Essentials for Playing Guitar By Ear

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If you've ever been in awe of someone effortlessly playing a song by ear on their guitar, you might think it's a mystical talent reserved for a select few. However, the truth is that playing guitar by ear is not as elusive as it may seem. In fact, it's a skill that can be acquired with the right knowledge and practice. In this blog post, we will delve into a brief but insightful discussion of the key elements that enable you to play virtually any song by ear.

1. The Tonic: The Heart of the Song

At the core of playing any song by ear lies the need to identify the tonic, which is essentially the key of the song. The tonic is the note that all other notes gravitate toward, much like how the sun is the center of our solar system. Without knowing the tonic, it's nearly impossible to make sense of a song's structure.

To find the tonic, you can use various techniques, which are not explored in detail here but are crucial to learn. Once you've pinpointed the tonic, you have the foundation upon which you can build the rest of your understanding.

2. The Major Scale: Your Musical Compass

The major scale is a fundamental tool for any musician, and it plays a significant role in playing guitar by ear. Regardless of whether a song is in a major or minor key, most of its notes and chords are derived from the major scale. Therefore, it's essential to familiarize yourself with this scale in every key.

The major scale consists of seven notes, which can be represented by numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. To play by ear effectively, you need to be able to identify these notes and understand their relationships within the scale. This knowledge serves as your musical compass, guiding you through the song's harmonic landscape.

3. Chord Progressions: The Building Blocks

Now that you have identified the tonic and are well-versed in the major scale, the next step is to understand the chords associated with each scale degree. This knowledge forms the basis for creating chord progressions that fit the song.

In most cases, songs adhere to diatonic harmony, a set of chords that are commonly used in popular music. These chords are as follows:

- 1: Major

- 2: Minor

- 3: Minor

- 4: Major

- 5: Major

- 6: Minor

- 7: Diminished (rarely used)

You don't need to memorize these chords immediately, as you'll eventually become familiar with them through practice. What's important is recognizing the chord quality associated with each scale degree. For instance, if you're in the key of G and you've identified the tonic as G, you can determine the chords for each scale degree.

Putting It All Together

Let's illustrate this with an example. Suppose you've found that the tonic of a song is G, and you hear a bass line that goes G, C, D, and E. Using your knowledge of the major scale and diatonic harmony, you can easily decipher the chord progression:

- G (1): Major

- C (4): Major

- D (5): Major

- E (6): Minor

So, in this case, the chord progression would be G, C, D, E minor. This simple process of identifying the tonic, applying the major scale, and understanding chord qualities allows you to unlock the secrets of a song by ear.

Conclusion

Playing guitar by ear might seem like an elusive skill, but as you've seen, it's primarily about understanding the fundamentals: finding the tonic, mastering the major scale, and grasping chord progressions. While there may be occasional exceptions, the vast majority of songs adhere to these principles.

To aid in your journey to playing guitar by ear, I’m providing a free PDF that covers these essential concepts. Additionally, I’m giving you 36 of my BEST guitar lessons that have positively impacted hundreds of thousands of students. These resources can be accessed here, making it easier for you to embark on your musical adventure.

In conclusion, playing guitar by ear is a skill that's within reach for anyone willing to put in the effort to understand the foundational elements of music. With the knowledge of the tonic, major scale, and chord progressions, you can unlock the world of playing virtually any song by ear. So, take the first step, dive into the provided resources, and let your musical journey begin!