Hey guys.....I wander what you do...regarding learning songs.
I can go learn a song from music...play it for a while...then after some time...can't remember it all...Yes I am 69 but it seems it has always been like that.
So is learning to play by ear the answer?
And can virtually anyone learn to play by ear??

My sister and I both play. I play by ear. She needs charts. I wish I could read as well as she does. She wishes she could play by ear. So I think the answer is NO.

Although I read music also...
I prefer to just hear the chords in my head and play..

also let me add it gives you more freedom to be more creatively improvisational with your music any way you feel free to ..

I'm just glad I don't hear the chords in Boo's head.
(Just kidding Boo!)

Same here! Sometimes I remember all the words, but when I'm having trouble with the lyrics, I have them on my Netbook PC right in front of me. Accessing them takes less than 2 seconds.

Gary

Do Google search and you will find plenty of books and videos on how to learn to play by ear, (It can be taught to most people but it requires effort) however a good understanding of Music Theory (Chords etc.) helps, along with knowing (Or having quick access to) the circle of fifths.

Some people are just naturals, however in most cases they have problems learning to read music. (If you can do both you are laughing)

Bill

I tried playing by ear, but it was straining my neck muscles, so I went back to using my fingers.
Seriously, no easy answer here. My mother could play any music you put in front of her on the piano, but couldn't play happy birthday without it. She was jealous of me because I could play without music.
I can read music and when I was getting started it helped a lot. Over the years I can hear the notes and chords better in my little pea brain. Only time I would read now is if it were something really strange to me that I'd never heard.

I play by ear, but find myself turning to another band member asking "how does that song start?"

Many songs are similar , especially with instrumentals and ethnic music. Sometimes I'll start one with the intention of doing of different one..age doesn't help.

A LOT longer learning process with new stuff though. All listening and committing to memory, which obviously doesn't always work. Reading and going would be so much easier. It is like learning a foreign language, maybe I'll do it someday.

I'm mostly use and prefer the lyrics with the written chords strategig placed just as we could see in Georgia post.
Or, I simply have a note with chord progression if I it's sogs I don't remember well.

Hi,
Sadly I have to read everything. After playing a tune a number of times I do start to remember it, but, that’s not the same as playing it by ear.