Tip: Learning Melodies By Ear

Darrin Koltow Blog Practice Tips for Guitar

Some quick tips on learning melodies by ear in this issue.

First off, learn scales and play them regularly. Most important: the major scale. Learn at least the five CAGED forms. (Get Fretboard Logic is this term confuses you). But the more forms you know, the more insights you get into how melodies work – when you take the time to learn melodies on those forms.

Also, doodle, noodle, and play. Scat or sing stuff and try to play what you sing. This is easier when you know a melody well.

Make transcribing melodies a habit. Listen, sing, then fret away.

Last tip for this issue: make a game of finding a melody note over the chords you strum to a song. This is a great way of learning how melodies work with chords.

Thanks for reading.

This first appeared in the Guitar Noise News – May 15, 2007 newsletter. Reprinted with permission.