Learning by Ear Process

*** An Outline Learning by Ear Process ***

If been trying to learn music “ear-first”, ie without reading scores first. My process is currently:

• listen to the song / piece lots and lots and lots. Just soak it in.
• active listening to answer questions like a what’s the form, key, what instruments play when, articulations etc etc
• using suitable software loop a small section
• try to sing the numbers of the melody or bassline
• find the notes on instrument to check
• slow down if required
• separate out instrument/voice stem only if really needed.
• rinse and repeat, recalling previously learnt bits
• probably explore harmony (chords), often as part of step 2, active listening for form. Eg it’s 12 bar blues
• record somehow as you build up for fall back reminder, I might use stick and solfeg (numbers) rather than full score notation. Maybe record yourself singing the Numbers of the melody.
• later do tapered recall to fix it.