“How does ‘playing by ear’ work?”
Playing by ear is an intuitive approach to music
Our method is modeled on how very young children learn to walk and talk through a simple three step process: observation, trial and error. This way, you simply play around and make mistakes which together guide you into the 'groove'. As you sense the simple 'relative tone' nature of music, your innate talent blossoms naturally. Simply understanding and remembering a few principles is all you need.
“What if I don't have much musical talent?”
Having talent, while helpful, is totally unnecessary! Simply approach music as a child would, tapping into your sense of curiosity and play. With that alone, the "playing by ear" approach to this music will have you singing and playing the old-time way before you know it. If you want it, it will come.
“How can your books cover all these instruments in so few pages?”
Just got your book and CD, which I love. It has helped me more than anything I've done the last two years to get me up to speed playing with my little bluegrass group in Palmer Lake, CO.
–Anni Porter
Most of the other learning methods we've reviewed have relied on using rote learning to 'force' music out. Instead, our book reveals the 'simple roots' of music—the Five Commandments, as we call them—and covers the fundamentals which apply to all string instruments.
The benefits to this approach are numerous. For example, in learning just one instrument, you will also know how to play the others. You will quickly learn to play new songs by ear. And, because our method is key-independent, you will be able to play in any key, making singing so much more comfortable and enjoyable.
This sounds too good to be true. Is there a secret?
Actually, there is: patience, listening, appreciation. An ounce of these 'love' qualities equals a pound of talent. Indeed, without this, all the talent in the world will not bring joy. Too many expectations will make your cup seem forever half-empty.
On the other hand, if you can approach your musical quest with 'love', you can enjoy every step of the journey no matter how meager you talent. Attitude is everything! With that, and ‘The Five Commandments of Playing By Ear’ you can’t fail! Finally, and perhaps most importantly, play with other folks, friends, and family. This music, like its African and Native American cousins, lives and breathes in its social experience!