Play by Ear

Let's say you hear a song on the radio that you'd like to learn immediately, and you don't want to get references from the song sheets or tablatures. You would just like to start playing the song right away... play it by ear. Or, you might be a songwriter that's just looking to put together an interested chord and melody structure, for a song you have in mind. Even in a living room jam situation with other musicians, there are lots of examples where playing by ear would be a handy skill to know.

Playing by Ear has Different Connotations

Playing music by ear is a practical thing to learn and do, reinforcing you musicianship. A musician knows that playing by ear isn't confused with the standard reference of such a phrase... meaning, not having a plan of execution, winging it.

• The musical reference of playing by ear specifically relates to the musician's ability to secure the sound of a song, without having to resort to the written score (notes).

• Also, playing by ear means that a musician doesn't necessarily have "all" of the 'key' chords and scale structures committed to memory.

A Music Dial is a means that provides a concise, effective representation of the best sounding chords in each key, along with the best sounding notes in each key, in order to compliment any play by ear instrument playing. As a movable device, one simply turns the dial to the key you hear for that song or the key of the song you are writing, and immediately reference the chords and scales you require.

The ability to play by ear is an excellent trait that will enhance any musician's ability to sound great.

So... it doesn't matter if you're coming from zero knowledge of music theory or a seasoned player. You could be playing a guitar by ear, play piano or keyboard by ear, or any other musical instrument. The ability to reference different notes for chordal and/or melodic playing can be noted at-a-glance with the right visual tools, along with your listening ear.