Ear training

[singlecoil]

I like to play tunes on the guitar, melodies as opposed to 'soloing'. So I might well be playing a tune, could be anything, but usually the melody line from a song or possibly an instrumental. I will play it in a particular key across the fretboard, and I usually know instinctively where to start the tune, so that I am in the chosen key.

Now it will always be a tune I know well, not one that I have actually played before, but as I play it I can hear the next note in my head and maybe 9 times out of 10 I put my fingers in the right place to play it. But, if I, when hearing the note in my head, could know what note it was in the scale 3rd, 4th 5th etc etc then I would be able to play the correct notes 10 times out of 10. Which would be nice.

I've been trying various internet ear-training sites but they haven't really helped and I'm starting to wonder if this is something I will ever be able to do.

Oh, and before anyone suggests I just need to practice, I do quite a lot already, and have done for more years than I wish to count.

So any other suggestions would be welcome.

[lockhart flawse]

I don't know what the websites do but basically you are talking about interval training. If you were a singer reading music you would be doing what you are describing. I can only suggest you practice it by singing - play the root note and sing the 3rd 5th 7th or whatever.

I have a good ear but I can't do it with more than 75% accuracy. I had years of formal training and have been a lead guitarist for pushing 35 years. When in doubt slide!

[GetCarter]

Practice will make more difference than knowing whether its a dim fifth or perfect fifth. (Though that's the easiest!)

When I decided to make it my living, I played every piece I knew in my head for about 10 hours a day for best part of a year. (on a bass guitar, so the opposite of what I had been doing for years).

By FAR the best piece to play, to know if you can do it is 'Alfie' (What's it all about). Don't learn it, just try every few months. If your fingers find those intervals naturally, you are pretty much there. (Jaco Pastorious suggested this, and he was bang on).

'Vision on' is a great one to play. Try it on piano... it's easier than you think, and very satisfying.

Apologies if you don't know these toons!

[franki68]

Ear pushups ,each ear 10 reps ,then rest 2 minutes then repeat

[singlecoil]

lockhart flawse said:

When in doubt slide!

GetCarter said:

By FAR the best piece to play, to know if you can do it is 'Alfie'

I know the first part, and did reasonably well when I tried it, but needed to refresh my memory as to the rest of the tune. It's complex stuff.

It's here if anyone else is interested, and I'd forgotten how good a singer Cilla Black is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAuoNa5g6i8

Bacharach throwing some shapes as he conducts and plays, to make sure he gets his share of the director's attention.