Everyone can play by ear. Some can go farther than others. Unfortunately, no one has ever attempted to teach serious music students to depend upon their ears as much as possible. Eventually the ear player reaches his limit and must use notation to study music further; but this limit is much broader than is generally supposed. Moreover, our musical horizon-our limit of comprehension-is not far beyond this point where the ear must yield to rational machinery for guidance.
Everyone can play by note. Some can go farther than others. In any event, musical comprehension is expected to accompany this note playing. But eventually the note player reaches his limit. He will do well to investigate what ear playing can contribute to his further progress.
When we learn to talk, either in our mother tongue or in a foreign language, we do not all begin with the same words. We learn most easily the words which have to do with our chief interests. Similarly, in playing by ear the student should follow his own inclinations rather than the order of this book. One does not need a text to learn to speak a language which he is hearing several hours every day; but a grammar and a dictionary are a great help. One does not need a text to play music which he is hearing on radio and records several hours each day; but this book will help. The ear player must practice, just as the note player must practice; but the practice need not be drudgery. The most effective practice consists in having a good time with the instrument.
May this book be a guide to many good times with your instrument.
