How does one learn music by ear. It's something guitar teachers fail to point out. They always focus on learning the scale positions, chords, techniques. Having mastered a technique(e.g, a double stop bend), doesn't mean that you would recognize it when played in amongst a piece music. Even if I can notice chords by ear when they are play alone, whenever I hear the same chords played amongst music, I don't notice them as I am taken by the musical piece. I think guitar teachers should focus on giving examples of songs of where certain chords, cadences, & intervals occur so students can actually hear it applied. For example, in 'Under the Bridge' by Red Hot Chili Peppers, at 52 seconds in, just before the chorus, there is a good example of where a Major 7th chord is played. How come no one does this? Are we just supposed to somehow 'get it' on our own over time, because that won't happen. No wonder there are alot of guitar players out there who are over reliant on tabs. And just because some of them do write their own songs doesn't mean that they can express themselves musically, the way they would want! I'm struggling training my ear myself at the moment. I video myself playing random chords and cadences(one chord played after another and try and guess the interval movement). I then played it back and pause it and try and guess the chords each time. Will this help.. its the only thing I can think of
There are some ear training guides generally with acommpaning cds to help with ear training. I tried one for a bit and it helped somewhat (can't recall the name but Id definitely reccommend getting one with an accompaning cd and workbook if possible) and starting off simple with like a couple notes or simple melody before progressing to chords, for instance train yourself to learn what octave notes sound like, half step, whole step, perfect fourth, perfect fifth, etc. Once you gain a degree of compentency in being able to recognize intervals by ear you can work on chords and you'll notice (particularly if you already understand chord progressions and theory some) which chords or melody is being played. There are some people who have simply been blessed with the innate ability to play by ear much better than others but you can practice it.
