What is the best way to exercise you ear

[Llnikki20]

Hi since I was 5 and 15 years later I have been plahing by sheet music. Well finding sheet music can be a hassal. So I would like to start playing by ear. But its hard for me to pick up chords. I can easily find the melody. But as far as finding chords and playiong the right ones, thats a little complicated. I do have a chord book with all the chords and different inversions in there but I don't know how to use it. So if someone could please help me out and let me know what type of execises I can do to better myself and how to use my chord book. Or let me know what is helpful in picking out the chords. Thanks in advance

[playhear]

See answers to same post in Music Lounge.

[holyrollinthug]

What's up Llnikki!  If you can pick out the melody, then half the battle is over.  The melody of the song is usually designed in the scale of whatever key the song is in.  In finding the key, you're now able to pick up the song in chords.  Being that about 98% of songs written are dominantly based on the 1, 4, & 5 of the scale, you can use those chords to find where the song is going.  (For me, 4 if the vocalist goes up and 5 if they go down)  Anything beyond the 1, 4, and 5 is used at the writer's discretion.  Here, you can use the chords that you already know to find what they used.  A good way to do that is to close your eyes and find the notes using your head and fingers.  This is just a start of how I did it but I hope this helps.  Be blessed!

~DB

That no flesh should glory in his presence.  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:  That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.    1 Cor 1:29-31

[playhear]

(For me, 4 if the vocalist goes up and 5 if they go down)

Really??? I know quite a few songs where this doesn’t happen (e.g., in Amazing Grace, "Meeeee" is on the 5 chord). What do other musicians think? If that's really a good rule of thumb, I'll have to use it.

[holyrollinthug]

You're absolutely right Play...I guess I was being too generic with the advice.  I guess it goes right back to finding where the melody is at that point and playing the chord that fits the key/song.  Tell me what you think...

[T-Block]

I would start with the bass notes and pick them out first.  Next, look at the order of the bass notes and see if there is a pattern.  By pattern, I mean a progressional pattern like 2-5-1 or 7-3-6.  Once you can identify a pattern, then pick out the melody note(s).  Usually, your chord will have the melody note somewhere in the chord.  May not always be the top note, but is usually somewhere in there. In most cases, knowing the bass notes and melody notes can help you figure out what type of chord can go with it.  

Of course, if you know nothing about theory, you should start there first, or just sit and pick out notes until someting comes.  There are tons of lessons on this site about progressions and stuff u should check out.  Knowing progressions can cut your learning time in half cuz then you can play the chords your way instead of somebody else's way.

[playhear]

You're absolutely right Play...I guess I was being too generic with the advice.  I guess it goes right back to finding where the melody is at that point and playing the chord that fits the key/song.  Tell me what you think...

I agree. Play the chord that fits the melody and key. I'll bet that other generic rule you have inherently works for you somehow. As for teaching beginners though, I'm not sure if it's such a good rule of thumb because it doesn't really make sense.