{"id":3284,"date":"2021-05-19T09:50:15","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T08:50:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/?p=3284"},"modified":"2023-06-11T17:31:44","modified_gmt":"2023-06-11T16:31:44","slug":"how-to-identify-chord-progressions-by-ear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/how-to-identify-chord-progressions-by-ear","title":{"rendered":"How To Identify Chord Progressions By Ear (In 6 Steps)"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:60.714285714286%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:60.714285714286%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:50%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-9::before{padding-top:64.285714285714%; }img#mv-trellis-img-9{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-10::before{padding-top:44.994617868676%; }img#mv-trellis-img-10{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>Identifying chord progressions by ear is one of the most valuable skills a musician can develop regardless of the genre he&rsquo;s involved in. It will enable you to interact with other musicians through improvisation, learn batches of songs quickly and be a great asset in the studio environment either as a performer or a producer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I&rsquo;ll discuss some useful strategies you can consider if you&rsquo;re trying to improve your ears and better recognize chords and melodies on the spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s dive in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before You Start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Training your ears is a skill that&rsquo;s tackled from various sides. There definitely isn&rsquo;t a single method that guarantees you&rsquo;ll get good at it fast. Aside from just &ldquo;trying to figure out chords by ear,&rdquo; there are a couple of useful guidelines that can help you improve more efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&rsquo;ll start with the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step One: Learn Your Music Theory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You might be wondering how a comprehensive study of music theory helps you identify <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/how-to-play-any-song-with-4-chords\" class=\"rank-math-link\">chords<\/a>, but there&rsquo;s a pretty simple reason for it.  It helps you narrow down a list of all the possibilities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me explain what I mean by that.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg\" alt=\"How To Identify Chord Progressions By Ear\" class=\"wp-image-3304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"eager\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20700%20450'%3E%3Crect%20width='700'%20height='450'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"How To Identify Chord Progressions By Ear\" class=\"wp-image-3304 eager-load\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg.webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" data-svg=\"1\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s say you&rsquo;re listening to a cheerful and uplifting song. We can safely assume that it&rsquo;s a major key in question (major=happy, right?). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once we figure out the key of a song (for example, <strong>C Major<\/strong>), we can be pretty sure that we won&rsquo;t have a <strong>C#<\/strong>,<strong> F#<\/strong>, or <strong>G#<\/strong> in there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By knowing theory, we can vaguely guess what kind of sound such notes would produce in a major key (definitely not ones that scream cheerfulness). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the song sounds diatonic and fits the frames of the key center, you can immediately tell which chords aren&rsquo;t there and thus save yourself a lot of time and effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another benefit of learning theory is that you get to thoroughly explore lots of chord combinations and work on your musical memory (more on that later). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Getting to learn just the chords of a major scale will probably equip you with the tools you need to identify 80% of today&rsquo;s popular music. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The theory is just a way to organize and explain stuff that works and is being used all the time, so it&rsquo;s well worth the effort to figure out at least some of the basic principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step Two: Learn As Many Songs As You Can<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/does-music-theory-help-with-producing\">music theory<\/a> can help, nothing trains you to become the best musician you can be like learning and playing your favorite songs.  Besides being fun, having an emotional attachment to what you&rsquo;re playing will also make you internalize chords more easily and in a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"425\" data-pin-description=\"Learn Your Music Theory - Another benefit of learning theory is that you get to thoroughly explore lots of chord combinations and work on your musical memory\" data-pin-title=\"Learn Your Music Theory On Guitar - 14.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487.jpg\" alt=\"Learn Your Music Theory - Another benefit of learning theory is that you get to thoroughly explore lots of chord combinations and work on your musical memory\" class=\"wp-image-3289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-561x341.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-265x161.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-531x322.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-364x221.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-608x369.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"425\" data-pin-description=\"Learn Your Music Theory - Another benefit of learning theory is that you get to thoroughly explore lots of chord combinations and work on your musical memory\" data-pin-title=\"Learn Your Music Theory On Guitar - 14.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Learn Your Music Theory - Another benefit of learning theory is that you get to thoroughly explore lots of chord combinations and work on your musical memory\" class=\"wp-image-3289 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-300x182.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-561x341.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-265x161.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-531x322.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-364x221.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487-608x369.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T141739.487.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re starting, take your time and learn the songs by tablature, sheet music, or chord diagrams and learn as many as possible. Once you pass the 20 or 30 songs mark, you&rsquo;ll start to realize how many of the songs essentially have the same progressions arranged differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"425\" data-pin-description=\"Learn Your Music Theory - A comprehensive study of music theory helps you identify chords\" data-pin-title=\"Learn Your Music Theory - 15.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999.jpg\" alt=\"Learn Your Music Theory - A comprehensive study of music theory helps you identify chords\" class=\"wp-image-3288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-561x341.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-265x161.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-531x322.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-364x221.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-608x369.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"425\" data-pin-description=\"Learn Your Music Theory - A comprehensive study of music theory helps you identify chords\" data-pin-title=\"Learn Your Music Theory - 15.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Learn Your Music Theory - A comprehensive study of music theory helps you identify chords\" class=\"wp-image-3288 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-300x182.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-561x341.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-265x161.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-531x322.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-364x221.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999-608x369.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-14T140904.999.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That&rsquo;s an essential step in internalizing the music and training your musical memory. With enough songs learned, you&rsquo;ll essentially have a library of references in your head, and as soon as you hear a new song, you&rsquo;ll go: &ldquo;Hey, I&rsquo;ve already played a song with this chorus or that verse!&rdquo; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And after a couple of years of doing it, you won&rsquo;t even have to reference a certain track; you&rsquo;ll instantly know the chord pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"That's an essential step in internalizing the music and training your musical memory. With enough songs learned, you'll essentially have a library of references in your head- as soon as you hear a new song, you'll go: Hey, I've already played a song with this chorus or that verse! \" data-pin-title=\"Two: Learn As Many Songs As You Can - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297.jpg\" alt=\"That's an essential step in internalizing the music and training your musical memory. With enough songs learned, you'll essentially have a library of references in your head- as soon as you hear a new song, you'll go: &quot;Hey, I've already played a song with this chorus or that verse!&quot; \" class=\"wp-image-3305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"That's an essential step in internalizing the music and training your musical memory. With enough songs learned, you'll essentially have a library of references in your head- as soon as you hear a new song, you'll go: Hey, I've already played a song with this chorus or that verse! \" data-pin-title=\"Two: Learn As Many Songs As You Can - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297.jpg.webp\" alt=\"That's an essential step in internalizing the music and training your musical memory. With enough songs learned, you'll essentially have a library of references in your head- as soon as you hear a new song, you'll go: &quot;Hey, I've already played a song with this chorus or that verse!&quot; \" class=\"wp-image-3305 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092638.297.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A big takeaway here is not to limit yourself to your favorite genre of music. Explore different styles, even if you don&rsquo;t fancy it very much. Learning things you&rsquo;re not familiar with can broaden your harmonic language and, in turn, make your ears accustomed to various <a href=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/resolve-chord-progression\">chord progressions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step Three: Listen For The Root Movement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This one is as close as we get to a &ldquo;trick&rdquo; when it comes to identifying a chord progression by ear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea behind this is to figure out the bassline of the progression and, in that way, get a vague idea about which chords are being played.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"This one is as close as we get to a trick when it comes to identifying a chord progression by ear. The idea behind this is to figure out the bassline of the progression and, in that way, get a vague idea about which chords are being played.\" data-pin-title=\" Listen For The Root Movement - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264.jpg\" alt='This one is as close as we get to a \"trick\" when it comes to identifying a chord progression by ear. The idea behind this is to figure out the bassline of the progression and, in that way, get a vague idea about which chords are being played.' class=\"wp-image-3306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"This one is as close as we get to a trick when it comes to identifying a chord progression by ear. The idea behind this is to figure out the bassline of the progression and, in that way, get a vague idea about which chords are being played.\" data-pin-title=\" Listen For The Root Movement - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264.jpg.webp\" alt='This one is as close as we get to a \"trick\" when it comes to identifying a chord progression by ear. The idea behind this is to figure out the bassline of the progression and, in that way, get a vague idea about which chords are being played.' class=\"wp-image-3306 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092949.264.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where theory can really work in your favor. By asking yourself, does the progression have diatonic chords, or does it have some intricacies, and If so, at which point in the chord sequence, you can get pretty close to nailing the progression right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"If the bass plays C, F, and G, and there isn't a chord that sounds a bit out of place, you can be sure that all of the chords are major. However, if a chord sounds a bit exotic, you've already figured out half the chord by knowing the bass note. \" data-pin-title=\"Step Three: Listen For The Root Movement - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264.jpg\" alt=\"If the bass plays C, F, and G, and there isn't a chord that sounds a bit out of place, you can be sure that all of the chords are major. However, if a chord sounds a bit exotic, you've already figured out half the chord by knowing the bass note. \" class=\"wp-image-3307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"If the bass plays C, F, and G, and there isn't a chord that sounds a bit out of place, you can be sure that all of the chords are major. However, if a chord sounds a bit exotic, you've already figured out half the chord by knowing the bass note. \" data-pin-title=\"Step Three: Listen For The Root Movement - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264.jpg.webp\" alt=\"If the bass plays C, F, and G, and there isn't a chord that sounds a bit out of place, you can be sure that all of the chords are major. However, if a chord sounds a bit exotic, you've already figured out half the chord by knowing the bass note. \" class=\"wp-image-3307 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093243.264.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If the bass plays <strong>C<\/strong>, <strong>F<\/strong>, and <strong>G<\/strong>, and there isn&rsquo;t a chord that sounds a bit out of place, you can be sure that all of the chords are major. However, if a chord sounds a bit exotic, you&rsquo;ve already figured out half the chord by knowing the bass note. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s just a matter of trying out different types until you find the one that works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step Four: Improve In Interval Recognition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a hard time picking up bass lines, a good way to tackle this problem is to train your ears to recognize intervals. This will not only aid you in finding the root notes but also help you in figuring out the chords themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the chords are essentially built from combinations of different intervals. I&rsquo;d advise starting with fifths and fourths and working your way up to the rest. It&rsquo;s important to take your time with a single interval and internalize the sound of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"350\" data-pin-description=\"All the chords are essentially built from combinations of different intervals. I'd advise starting with fifths and fourths and working your way up to the rest. It's important to take your time with a single interval and internalize the sound of it. \" data-pin-title=\"Four: Improve In Interval Recognition - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2.jpg\" alt=\"All the chords are essentially built from combinations of different intervals. I'd advise starting with fifths and fourths and working your way up to the rest. It's important to take your time with a single interval and internalize the sound of it. \" class=\"wp-image-3309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-192x96.jpg 192w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-384x192.jpg 384w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-561x281.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-265x133.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-531x266.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-364x182.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-608x304.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"350\" data-pin-description=\"All the chords are essentially built from combinations of different intervals. I'd advise starting with fifths and fourths and working your way up to the rest. It's important to take your time with a single interval and internalize the sound of it. \" data-pin-title=\"Four: Improve In Interval Recognition - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2.jpg.webp\" alt=\"All the chords are essentially built from combinations of different intervals. I'd advise starting with fifths and fourths and working your way up to the rest. It's important to take your time with a single interval and internalize the sound of it. \" class=\"wp-image-3309 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-300x150.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-192x96.jpg.webp 192w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-384x192.jpg.webp 384w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-561x281.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-265x133.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-531x266.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-364x182.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2-608x304.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Piano-Numbers-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Play it starting from every note, randomize it, and then start playing your favorite songs by limiting yourself to using only a single interval. If you repeat this process with every interval, you&rsquo;ll be well on your way to effortlessly identifying chords as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;d like to maximize this, it&rsquo;s useful to practice playing intervals melodically as well as harmonically. Singing is also a compelling way to memorize the sound of intervals. It&rsquo;s all about mixing up various approaches and making the process fun and fresh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step Five: Train Your Mind&rsquo;s Ear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you feel confident that you can figure out chords with your instrument, it&rsquo;s time to take it one step further and practice your mind&rsquo;s ear. This means that all the guessing and identifying will be done in your head, without the assistance of an instrument. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is the ultimate skill to have but also the trickiest one to master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"You can do a nice exercise while commuting to guess the chords being played on the radio, write it down, and check afterward either with an instrument or sheet music. There's a big chance you'll be wrong more often than not, but if you do it daily, you'll be surprised at how quickly your aural skills will improve. \" data-pin-title=\"Train Your Mind's Ear - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939.jpg\" alt=\"You can do a nice exercise while commuting to guess the chords being played on the radio, write it down, and check afterward either with an instrument or sheet music. There's a big chance you'll be wrong more often than not, but if you do it daily, you'll be surprised at how quickly your aural skills will improve. \" class=\"wp-image-3308\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"You can do a nice exercise while commuting to guess the chords being played on the radio, write it down, and check afterward either with an instrument or sheet music. There's a big chance you'll be wrong more often than not, but if you do it daily, you'll be surprised at how quickly your aural skills will improve. \" data-pin-title=\"Train Your Mind's Ear - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939.jpg.webp\" alt=\"You can do a nice exercise while commuting to guess the chords being played on the radio, write it down, and check afterward either with an instrument or sheet music. There's a big chance you'll be wrong more often than not, but if you do it daily, you'll be surprised at how quickly your aural skills will improve. \" class=\"wp-image-3308 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T093730.939.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can do a nice exercise while commuting to guess the chords being played on the radio, write it down, and check afterward either with an instrument or sheet music. There&rsquo;s a big chance you&rsquo;ll be wrong more often than not, but if you do it daily, you&rsquo;ll be surprised at how quickly your aural skills will improve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not having an instrument around will also force you to listen to the chord progression more carefully and develop a habit of analyzing everything you hear with greater precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you&rsquo;re trying to figure out the chords using an instrument, it&rsquo;s a good habit to think for a second and guess the chord sequence before actually playing a note. The main idea here is not to rely too much on noodling around your instrument in search of a right chord, but instead train yourself to know which chords are being played right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step Six: Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This method of training your ears can give you some amazing results, especially when it comes to understanding relations between chords. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - This method of training your ears can give you some amazing results, especially when it comes to understanding relations between chords. \" data-pin-title=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450.jpg\" alt=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - This method of training your ears can give you some amazing results, especially when it comes to understanding relations between chords. \" class=\"wp-image-3329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-561x361.jpg 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-265x170.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-531x341.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-364x234.jpg 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-608x391.jpg 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" data-pin-description=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - This method of training your ears can give you some amazing results, especially when it comes to understanding relations between chords. \" data-pin-title=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - 19.05.21\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Transpose All Of The Songs In The Same Key - This method of training your ears can give you some amazing results, especially when it comes to understanding relations between chords. \" class=\"wp-image-3329 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450.jpg.webp 700w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-300x193.jpg.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-561x361.jpg.webp 561w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-265x170.jpg.webp 265w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-531x341.jpg.webp 531w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-364x234.jpg.webp 364w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450-608x391.jpg.webp 608w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T133408.450.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-9\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Once we learn plenty of songs, all in different keys, our ears might get a bit confused.  Sure, after years of practice, you&rsquo;ll eventually get to a place where you can effortlessly pick out various chords by ear, regardless of the key change, but there is a way to speed up that process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can make it easy on our brain by transposing all the songs we know in the same key. You can choose whichever key you like, as long as you stick to a single one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After you do that, you&rsquo;ll really notice how most of the music is built around a couple of common chord progressions, and by not tricking your brain with differents, you&rsquo;ll develop a strong harmonic ear much faster than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap .kadence-video-overlay{opacity:0.3;;mix-blend-mode:none;;background:#000000;;}.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap:hover .kadence-video-overlay{opacity:0.5;;}.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap{border-top:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-right:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-bottom:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-left:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);}.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap .kt-video-svg-icon{color:#ffffff;}.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap .kt-video-svg-icon > svg{stroke-width:2;}.glightbox-kadence-dark.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .goverlay{background:#000000;opacity:0.8;}.glightbox-container.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .gclose path, .glightbox-container.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .gnext path, .glightbox-container.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .gprev path{fill:#ffffff;}.glightbox-container.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .gslide-video, .glightbox-container.kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5 .gvideo-local{max-width:900px !important;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap{border-top:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-right:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-bottom:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-left:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5 .kadence-video-popup-wrap{border-top:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-right:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-bottom:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);border-left:2px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.8);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-videopopup kadence-video-popup_6fc2ab-d5\"><div class=\"kadence-video-popup-wrap kadence-video-noshadow\"><div class=\"kadence-video-intrinsic \"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24.png\" alt=\"How to Identify Musical Chords by Ear - Music Lessons\" width=\"929\" height=\"418\" class=\"kadence-video-poster wp-image-4382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24.png 929w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24-300x135.png 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24-768x346.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 720px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24.png.webp\" alt=\"How to Identify Musical Chords by Ear - Music Lessons\" width=\"929\" height=\"418\" class=\"kadence-video-poster wp-image-4382 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24.png.webp 929w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24-300x135.png.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24-768x346.png.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Screenshot-2021-06-27-20.56.24.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-10\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><div class=\"kadence-video-overlay\"><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/bvxDU-GZPHs\" role=\"button\" data-popup-class=\"kadence-popup-_6fc2ab-d5\" data-effect=\"none\" class=\"kadence-video-popup-link kadence-video-type-external\"><div style=\"display:inline-flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center\" class=\"kt-video-svg-icon kt-video-svg-icon-style-default kt-video-svg-icon-fas_play kt-video-play-animation-none kt-video-svg-icon-size-auto\"><svg style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\" viewbox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"30\" width=\"30\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><title>Play<\/title><path d=\"M424.4 214.7L72.4 6.6C43.8-10.3 0 6.1 0 47.9V464c0 37.5 40.7 60.1 72.4 41.3l352-208c31.4-18.5 31.5-64.1 0-82.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How To Identify Chord Progressions By Ear &ndash; FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058749424\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do you identify major chord and minor chord by ear?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s useful to start with focusing on the feeling and the chord quality. What kind of atmosphere does it create?<br>Major chords sound happy and bright, while minor chords sound a bit dark and melancholic.<br>It&rsquo;s useful to have these references when starting, as there&rsquo;s no real use in explaining the theory behind it at this stage.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058762665\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">If you have sheet music, why would you need to identify the chord progression?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Although relying on sheet music in the beginning is totally fine, you might fall into the trap of not being able to perform any music without it.<br>This means that not only you won&rsquo;t grow as a musician, but also you&rsquo;re likely to miss out on many wonderful opportunities to jam with other musicians.<br>Also, you will be at a great disadvantage in your professional career as a working musician as many situations will require you to react to the music on the spot.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058783535\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How can you tell what key a song is in by ear?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Unless you have a perfect pitch, it&rsquo;s pretty hard to do it. You could perhaps work on your musical memory to a point where you can confidently recognize the notes being played.<br>But don&rsquo;t let that discourage you as trained musicians with a good relative pitch; figure that out in seconds with proper training.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058811310\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do you recognize the root if the chord is inverted?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>That&rsquo;s a good question, actually. I always listen for the context, and by that, I mean the chords that came before that one and the ones that come afterward.<br>By internalizing many chord progressions, you&rsquo;ll instinctively hear the root that is being implied in the chord.<br>Additionally, some ear training in chord inversion can help a lot.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058833758\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">How many keys can a song be in?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Considering that there are 12 notes in the chromatic note system and 2 key types, that gives us the option of having 24 different key centers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058852330\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is the key of a song the first chord?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Usually, that is the case, but it doesn&rsquo;t necessarily have to be so. Many songs start with a cadenza leading up to the actual tonal center.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058874069\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What if a progression contains a chord that is outside of the main key of the song?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>In such a case, it&rsquo;s useful to figure out the root note of the chord in question and try out different chord types (major, minor, 7th chord, diminished chord) until you find the one that matches perfectly.<br>Of course, this is how to go when starting, but you&rsquo;ll eventually want to reach a level where out of key chords don&rsquo;t sound foreign.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058908118\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is it better to read music or play by ear?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Both have their place in the professional world, so it&rsquo;s useful to learn how to do both to become a professional musician.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1622058924286\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is there an app that listens to music and tells you the notes?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>There is a software called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.celemony.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Melodyne<\/a> that analyzes the audio and breaks it down into individual notes. It&rsquo;s a great tool to have if you have some troubles with a particular chord, but I&rsquo;d advise against using it in the long run.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After reading this article, you should be better equipped to identify chord progressions and melodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This will help your skills as a musician and enhance your appreciation of music in general. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have any tried these strategies? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us know.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Identifying chord progressions by ear is one of the most valuable skills a musician can develop regardless of the genre he&rsquo;s involved in. It will enable you to interact with other musicians through improvisation, learn batches of songs quickly and be a great asset in the studio environment either as a performer or a producer. &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":3304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[139,27],"tags":[152],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":139,"label":"Music Theory"},{"value":27,"label":"Tips And Techniques"}],"post_tag":[{"value":152,"label":"Chord Progressions"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Untitled-design-2021-05-19T092047.762.jpg",700,450,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Nikola Nenin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/author\/n1k0lan3n1n"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":139,"name":"Music Theory","slug":"music-theory","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":139,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":27,"count":5,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":139,"category_count":5,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Music Theory","category_nicename":"music-theory","category_parent":27},{"term_id":27,"name":"Tips And Techniques","slug":"tips-and-technique","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":27,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Stuck and not sure what to do?\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve got tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you get things moving.","parent":75,"count":262,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":27,"category_count":262,"category_description":"Stuck and not sure what to do?\r\n\r\nWe\u2019ve got tips, tricks, and techniques that will help you get things moving.","cat_name":"Tips And Techniques","category_nicename":"tips-and-technique","category_parent":75}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":152,"name":"Chord Progressions","slug":"chord-progressions","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":152,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":4,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3284"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12717,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3284\/revisions\/12717"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.homemusicmaker.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}