Playing Guitar By Ear: Unlock Your Ear To Musical Freedom from Udemy

Have you ever desired to play guitar by ear? Have you ever watched your favorite guitar hero seemingly grab melodies out of thin air? Have you ever seen a musician listen to a song and then start playing it right away, including chords?

If you answered yes to any of these, you are in the right place. As a young musician with limited funds and no Internet, learning to play guitar by ear was what I relied on for many years and is the most important and indispensable tool a guitar player/musician can have.

In this 30 lecture course I immediately dispel the myth that only some people can play guitar by ear, and show you how a newborn baby and an orchestra conductor will hear music the exact same way… but will interpret it differently. THAT is the key to this whole course.

I then show you a small set of extremely powerful yet easy to use tools that will allow you to take what you've heard and find it on the fretboard with ease(a skill that will continue to get better with use).

Then, after learning some very basic music theory patterns, I show you how to find the tonal center/tonic of a song and use the same rules to determine the chords for 10 popular songs.

By the end of this step-by-step, easy-to-follow course, you will not only know how to play 10 new songs, but more importantly, you will be able to bring this skill to every song you desire, making you an unstoppable musician.

Jump in right now and let me show you how dead simple playing guitar by ear actually is.

Prepare to amaze yourself.

Erich

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to play guitar by ear.
How to better one’s “ear” to become the best musician one can be.
How to intelligently understand what one is hearing by developing aural awareness.

How to use some basic musical rules, along with the ear to learn the notes and chords of songs with ease..
Basic music theory which will help musicians quickly identify notes and chords used for transcription, improvisation, songwriting and a myriad of other uses.

How to play guitar by ear.
How to better one’s “ear” to become the best musician one can be.
How to intelligently understand what one is hearing by developing aural awareness.
How to use some basic musical rules, along with the ear to learn the notes and chords of songs with ease..
Basic music theory which will help musicians quickly identify notes and chords used for transcription, improvisation, songwriting and a myriad of other uses.

Syllabus

Course Contents

Introduction

Relative Pitch vs Perfect Pitch

Playing Guitar by Ear is THAT Easy

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Teaches learners to identify the tonal center of songs, which is a foundational skill for improvisation and songwriting

Explores relative pitch, which is a core skill for musicians who want to learn songs and transcribe music by ear

Covers chord flavors and extensions, which are useful for guitar players who want to add depth and complexity to their playing

Examines chord substitutes, which are useful for guitar players who want to create interesting and unique chord progressions

Requires learners to have a guitar and be familiar with the fretboard, which may be a barrier for absolute beginners

Uses popular songs as examples, which may not appeal to learners who have niche tastes in music or who dislike those songs

Reviews summary

Practical guitar ear training

According to learners, this course provides practical methods for developing the ability to play guitar by ear. Students appreciated how the instructor demystifies what often seems like an innate talent, breaking it down into understandable steps and techniques. The core methods taught, such as using 'springboards' and finding the tonal center, are frequently highlighted as game changers. While the course is described as easy to follow and offers tangible results like figuring out songs and chords, reviewers note that achieving true proficiency ultimately requires consistent practice outside the course material. Overall, the feedback is overwhelmingly positive, making it a highly recommended resource for guitarists seeking this crucial skill.

Success needs consistent practice.

"Okay course... I think you need to practice a lot outside the course too."

"Good foundation. It teaches you the method, but don't expect to be an ear master overnight. It requires dedication."

"Decent course. It provides the tools, but I think... It's not *that* simple and requires significant effort."

"Be prepared to put in the work; the course gives you the tools, but consistent practice is key."

Instructor's style is clear and motivating.

"Erich's teaching style is engaging and easy to follow."

"Erich explains complex ideas simply and his enthusiasm is contagious."

"The instructor is clear and makes the lessons enjoyable."

"I found the explanations easy to grasp thanks to the instructor's clear delivery."

Breaks down playing by ear simply.

"Absolutely brilliant! I was skeptical but this course delivered. The concept of relative pitch and using springboards is a game changer."

"If you want to play by ear, take this course! It demystifies the process."

"Totally changed how I approach music. Learning to find the root note and build from there is powerful."

"I finally understand *how* playing by ear works, it's not just some gift."

Enables playing songs by ear quickly.

"By the end of this course, I could start figuring out melodies and basic chords by ear on songs I knew."

"My playing feels so much more free now that I can jam along with songs I hear using the methods taught."

"This course has really improved my ability to pick out notes and chords just by listening."

"I can already figure out simple songs just using the techniques from the course!"

Teaches specific, usable techniques.

"This course finally clicked for me! Erich's approach with springboards and finding the 1,4,5 is incredibly practical."

"Solid course, covers the fundamentals well. The 'Hum and Hunt' method is a bit basic but works, the theory part is well explained."

"Loved learning how to find the tonal center and then figure out the chords. It felt like magic at first, but now I understand the system."

"Best ear training course I've taken. It's practical, focuses on the fretboard, not abstract concepts. The 1,4,5 method is super useful."

May require more prior music knowledge.

"Didn't work for me. I found the methods confusing and the leap from theory to applying it to songs was too big."

"Got lost pretty quickly... Maybe I needed more basic theory knowledge first."

"While mostly clear, some steps felt like a jump and could have used more foundational explanation."

"A few concepts were hard to grasp initially and might be tough without some basic musical background."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Playing Guitar By Ear: Unlock Your Ear To Musical Freedom with these activities:

Review Basic Music Theory

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures to prepare for identifying tonal centers and chord progressions by ear.

Browse courses on Music Theory

Show steps

Review major and minor scales.
Study basic chord construction.
Practice identifying intervals.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

Show steps

Supplement your understanding of music theory with a comprehensive guide that covers essential concepts in a clear and accessible way.

View Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How... on Amazon

Show steps

Read chapters on scales and chords.
Complete the exercises in the book.
Relate the concepts to the guitar fretboard.

Guitar Aerobics: A 52-Week, One-lick-per-day Workout Program for Developing, Improving and Maintaining Guitar Technique

Show steps

Improve your overall guitar technique to facilitate faster and more accurate fretboard navigation when playing by ear.

View Guitar Aerobics: a 52-Week, One-Lick-per-day... on Amazon

Show steps

Choose a few exercises each week.
Practice the exercises slowly and accurately.
Gradually increase the tempo.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Interval Recognition Exercises

Show steps

Improve your ability to recognize intervals by ear, which is crucial for identifying melodies and chord changes in songs.

Show steps

Use online ear training tools.
Practice daily with interval recognition exercises.
Sing intervals to internalize the sounds.

Practice Ear Training with a Friend

Show steps

Collaborate with a fellow guitarist to practice ear training exercises and transcribe songs together, providing mutual support and feedback.

Show steps

Find a practice partner.
Choose exercises and songs to work on.
Give each other feedback.

Transcribe Simple Melodies

Show steps

Practice transcribing simple melodies by ear to develop your aural skills and connect what you hear to the fretboard.

Show steps

Choose simple songs with clear melodies.
Identify the key and time signature.
Write down the notes you hear.
Verify your transcription on the guitar.

Create a Chord Melody Arrangement

Show steps

Arrange a simple song for solo guitar using chord melody techniques to combine your knowledge of chords, melodies, and ear training.

Show steps

Choose a song you know well.
Identify the melody notes.
Harmonize the melody with chords.
Practice the arrangement until smooth.

Career center

Learners who complete Playing Guitar By Ear: Unlock Your Ear To Musical Freedom will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Guitarist

A guitarist requires a finely tuned ear to excel, whether performing live, recording in a studio, or composing original works. This course directly addresses the crucial skill of playing guitar by ear, teaching techniques to identify melodies and chords. The course focuses on skills central to a guitarist's development, such as finding notes on the fretboard, understanding music theory, and identifying tonal centers. A guitarist benefits from the course's instruction on transcribing music and its emphasis on aural awareness, which are invaluable assets for any guitarist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Guitarist

Session Musician

A session musician must be able to quickly learn and perform songs in various styles, often without prior sheet music. This course directly helps a session musician gain the ability to play guitar by ear, which allows for rapid adaptation to diverse musical demands. The course’s approach to active listening and its focus on using the ear to learn musical elements are vital for a session musician who often works under time constraints. A session musician will find the course invaluable for improving their ability to quickly grasp and execute musical arrangements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Session Musician

Songwriter

A songwriter greatly benefits from the ability to quickly capture musical ideas and translate them into chords and melodies. This course helps a songwriter develop the ability to play guitar by ear, allowing for quick transcription and exploration of musical ideas as they arise. The course provides a songwriter with tools to identify tonal centers, construct chord progressions, and understand basic music theory, all of which are essential for crafting compelling songs. A songwriter will find the course's instruction on active listening and chord identification especially valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Music Teacher

A music teacher needs a deep understanding of music theory and a highly developed ear to effectively convey musical concepts to students. This course helps a music teacher gain proficiency in playing guitar by ear, enhancing their ability to transcribe music, and to teach students how to identify chords and melodies. The course’s emphasis on aural awareness and its practical approach, using popular songs, can be directly translated into effective teaching methods. A music teacher can use the skills gained in this course to offer students a robust and insightful education in music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Teacher

Music Arranger

A music arranger develops a strong understanding of musical structure and harmony, allowing them to adapt existing pieces for various instruments or ensembles. This course helps a music arranger hone their ear, a key skill for analyzing existing music and creating arrangements. The techniques taught in this course for identifying tonal centers, chords, and melodies are foundational skills for a music arranger. A music arranger will find the course particularly useful in their work of transforming songs, as it enhances their ability to understand and interpret musical compositions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Music Producer

A music producer needs a deep understanding of music theory and a keen ear to shape and refine musical pieces. This course helps a music producer develop skills in playing guitar by ear, which allows for a more intuitive and hands-on approach to music creation. The course's focus on identifying tonal centers, understanding chord progressions, and active listening are all essential skills for a music producer. A music producer will benefit from the course's instruction on how to quickly identify and transcribe musical elements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Film Score Composer

A film score composer needs a strong understanding of music theory and the ability to create emotionally resonant music. This course may be useful to a film score composer as it helps them develop an ear for melody and harmony, which is a crucial skill to quickly create musical ideas that match scenes. The course might help a film score composer build a foundation in aural awareness and transcription techniques. The course's focus on basic musical patterns, chord identification, and understanding the tonal center of music are beneficial for any film score composer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Score Composer

Orchestrator

An orchestrator arranges music by assigning musical ideas to different instruments in an orchestra, ensuring a balanced and coherent sound. This course may be useful to an orchestrator as it developes their musicianship and aural skills. The course's focus on finding the tonal center and understanding chord progressions could be useful to an orchestrator in their work of arranging musical elements. An orchestrator who wishes to grow their ear might find this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestrator

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. This course may prove useful to a music therapist as it can help develop their understanding of musical structures, chord progressions, and melodic patterns, which in turn helps them better apply music therapeutically. The course's focus on aural awareness and its instruction in finding notes and chords on the fretboard could be helpful for a music therapist as they seek to play music that helps clients. This course can be a part of the music therapist's skill set.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Live Sound Engineer

A live sound engineer needs an ear for detail and the ability to identify and correct sonic issues during live performances. This course may assist a live sound engineer by developing their ear for musical nuances and structure. The course's focus on active listening and identifying musical elements can be helpful as a live sound engineer develops their skills in detecting and adjusting frequencies, harmonies, and tonal balance. While primarily aimed at guitarists, a live sound engineer might find the course useful as a means to refine their aural perception.

See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Engineer

Audio Engineer

An audio engineer needs a highly developed ear to properly mix and master recordings, ensuring a professional and high-quality sound. This course may be helpful to an audio engineer as it develops the ability to listen with a nuanced ear, differentiating tonal centers, chords, and melodies. The course's approach to active listening and analysis of musical components can contribute to an audio engineer's ability to identify subtle musical elements during the mixing and mastering process. The skills learned in this course might compliment an audio engineer's technical skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Choir Director

A choir director needs a strong understanding of music theory and an ear for harmonies and vocal arrangements, allowing them to guide their choir. This course may be helpful for a choir director as the skills taught in the course help develop a sense of musical structure and the ability to discern notes, chords, and melodic lines. The course's focus on identifying the tonal center of a song and its approach to active listening can translate into a more nuanced approach to directing and conducting a choir. A choir director may find the principles learned in the course beneficial.

See salaries and explore the career path for Choir Director

Disc Jockey

A disc jockey needs a strong sense of rhythm and the ability to beat match seamlessly, along with a knowledge of music structure and harmony. This course may be helpful for a disc jockey as it develops their ear and introduces basic music theory. The course's focus on understanding chord progressions and the structure of songs might offer insights into harmonic mixing. A disc jockey looking to broaden their musical knowledge might find the course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disc Jockey

Music Journalist

A music journalist needs a deep understanding of music to review and report on artists, albums, and live performances. This course may prove useful for a music journalist as it develops their understanding of music theory, while also helping them to develop their ear. The course's instruction in finding the tonal center of a song and its approach to active listening can aid a music journalist in their task of reviewing music. A music journalist looking to add depth to their critique might find the course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Journalist

Musical Instrument Retailer

A musical instrument retailer often deals with experienced and beginner musicians, and an understanding of musical skills is an asset. This course may be helpful for a musical instrument retailer as it helps them gain insights into the needs and wants of guitar players. The course's focus on playing guitar by ear could improve a musical instrument retailer's ability to understand the needs of guitarists, and the course may provide a starting point to be able to pick up a guitar and begin to play. A music instrument retailer might find the course's focus on musicality helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musical Instrument Retailer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Playing Guitar By Ear: Unlock Your Ear To Musical Freedom.

Music Theory Note by Note

Save

Provides a solid foundation in music theory, covering essential concepts like scales, chords, and key signatures in an accessible manner. It's particularly helpful for students who need a refresher or a more detailed explanation of the theoretical underpinnings of playing by ear. While not specifically focused on guitar, the general music theory knowledge is invaluable for understanding the structure of songs and chord progressions.

Music Theory Note by Note: Your Guide to How Music...

Kindle Edition

Guitar Aerobics: a 52-Week, One-Lick-per-day...

Save

Provides a structured approach to improving guitar technique through daily exercises. While not directly related to ear training, improved dexterity and fretboard knowledge will indirectly aid in transcribing and playing by ear. It's best used as a supplementary resource to enhance overall guitar playing ability.

Guitar Aerobics: a 52-Week, One-Lick-per-day...

Paperback

Check price

Guitar Aerobics: a 52-Week, One-Lick-per-day...

Kindle Edition

Check price