To learn a song by ear you need to listen for the basic elements—the signature sounds that identify the song. It can be a guitar melody, a drumbeat, a particular vocal style whatever defines the song. Most often it’s a combination of melody and rhythm. That’s usually what you need to know to play the tune so your audience will recognize it and scream at you in adoration as though you were the original artist.
Listen to small chunks of it. Listen for the essential elements, the melody that defines the tune. Listen to it a little at a time; work your way into it. Listen for the sections of the guitar part that says “bam, this is the song,”.
For example, Take It Easy by The Eagles. The very first guitar chord lets you know that’s the song. That’s one of the identifying sounds of the song.
Now we start using trial and error. You have to figure out how to make your guitar sound like what you are hearing. Find the first chord of the song on your guitar. Does that sound right? Is that the right voicing? Of course it helps to have played a lot of songs to educate your ear.
Another trick that I use is YouTube. Find live performances for a starting point so you can see where the guitar player’s hands are, or how many guitars are actually playing. Great help with capos. Once I know which fret the capo is on I can find the chords, but till then I’m crying.
Once you have the starting point, keep in mind that most great guitar licks don’t move around a lot…they are readily accessible to your hand. If it’s an uncomfortable reach, that’s probably not how they played it. Look for the notes close by the first position or moving in a logical, flowing pattern.
Analytical listening is a great way to expand your guitar skills. Chord charts and tabs are useful tools, but listening is still the key to learning music.
