Research: How to play an instrument by ear

This would be something I would love to be ale to do is play string bass by ear in addition to sheet music reading. Just a thought - A.T. Yoda Brooks 

The "secret" to playing an instrument by ear is essentially dedicated ear training, which involves actively listening to music, focusing on recognizing intervals between notes, and practicing transcribing melodies you hear onto your instrument, essentially teaching your brain to translate sound directly into finger movements on your instrument; this requires consistent practice and a deep understanding of musical scales and chord progressions. 

Key aspects of playing by ear:

• Interval recognition:

  Learning to identify the distance between notes (like a major third, perfect fifth) by ear is crucial for understanding the structure of melodies and chords. 
• Scale awareness:

  Knowing the notes within a scale and how they relate to each other helps you navigate melodies within a key. 
• Active listening:

  Pay close attention to the melody, chord changes, and bass lines in music you listen to, trying to mentally map out the notes and their relationships. 
• Transcribing:

  Try to play along with a song you're listening to, attempting to figure out the notes on your instrument as you hear them. 
• Improvisation:

  Once you have a basic understanding of scales and chords, experiment with creating your own melodies and chord progressions. 

Source: Generative AI is experimental.