How do you tab a song by ear?

[Galeongirl]

I've a song from a fairly unknown dutch band, and I'd love to learn it on guitar... but are there ways to find out what notes it are and to tab it? I would try by trial and error but without electric guitar I"m not getting that far
is anyone willing to help me or has a site that helps or so?

 

[Barkeeper]

What song is it? I'm Dutch, perhaps I know it.

 

[Galeongirl]

Well, I doubt it.... it's a song by State of Eye, they used to be a band from Amsterdam...

 

[Muad'zin]

I always found there is no substitute for just sitting there with a guitar, let the music play and just play along while you put the song on repeat. Once you get the chords you get the key, once you have the key you'll have a general idea which notes to play for a solo. If you play along and it sounds good, you're on the right track. If not, try a different chord/scale.

[rocking chair mode]These kids of today! They're so used to jumping on the internet looking for tabs and when they can't find any they just start posting requests for it. Nobody uses their own ears any more. In my days there was no internet and going by ear was all you had. That or buying a very expensive tab book.

Spoiled whippersnappers![/rocking chair mode]

 

[discothequeLP]

i always start with figuring out what key it is, and from there you can figure out the chords and chord progressions. once you know what key it's it, it's a lot easier to figure out melodies and riffs.

 

[Galeongirl]

I always found there is no substitute for just sitting there with a guitar, let the music play and just play along while you put the song on repeat. Once you get the chords you get the key, once you have the key you'll have a general idea which notes to play for a solo. If you play along and it sounds good, you're on the right track. If not, try a different chord/scale.

[rocking chair mode]These kids of today! They're so used to jumping on the internet looking for tabs and when they can't find any they just start posting requests for it. Nobody uses their own ears any more. In my days there was no internet and going by ear was all you had. That or buying a very expensive tab book.

Spoiled whippersnappers![/rocking chair mode]

well, I would use my own ears, but for that I would need an elecrtic guitar which I don't own yet.... and the only place for me to use an electric guitar is the music classroom at school.... but the teacher there is the guy who played guitar on this track, so I don't want him to hear I'm trying to figure it out!!

 

[europop2005]

trial and error...it takes a long time but use every hunch...just keep playing small parts over and over again

 

[Barkeeper]

well, I would use my own ears, but for that I would need an elecrtic guitar which I don't own yet.... and the only place for me to use an electric guitar is the music classroom at school.... but the teacher there is the guy who played guitar on this track, so I don't want him to hear I'm trying to figure it out!!

I think he would be proud of of it. Unless he is a complete ****, I would suggest to ask him.

 

[Galeongirl]

I think he would be proud of of it. Unless he is a complete ****, I would suggest to ask him.

lol, but I want to surprise him aka, play it once I know the whole song... yea, could take a long while tho...
he's the coolest guy I know
here's the song btw, let me know what you guys think
http://download.yous endit.com/072580AA2B694AE0

 

[Alisaura]

 

[Muad'zin]

well, I would use my own ears, but for that I would need an elecrtic guitar which I don't own yet.... and the only place for me to use an electric guitar is the music classroom at school.... but the teacher there is the guy who played guitar on this track, so I don't want him to hear I'm trying to figure it out!!

Electric, acoustic, it should make no difference. I rarely try to figure a song out with my electric guitar plugged in. I prefer to just use it as is. You can add distortion, delay, modulation, whatever, once you know the song, but to figure a song out as clean as possible is best. In that sense an acoustic is just as good, if not better. After all, you're trying to figure out notes, not the sound of those notes. Unless it's a U2/Radiohead like song.

 

[Barkeeper]

Could you perhaps re-upload it? I missed it.

 

[Galeongirl]

yes ofcourse
If somebody could only figure out the intro I'd be happy enough
http://download.yous endit.com/222C9AF50C789512

 

[Barkeeper]

I got it on my iPod now. I'll get to my guitar tomorrow and see what I can do.

 

[Barkeeper]

Alrighty, here's the intro:
e-2-----2------4-----4-----2-----2-----5------5----
B---2-----2------2-----2-----2-----2-----2------2--
G-----2-----2------2-----2-----2-----2-----2------2
D-------------------------------------------------------
A-------------------------------------------------------
E-------------------------------------------------------

I've almost got the riff for you as well.

 

[Galeongirl]

thank you SO much!!!

 

[Barkeeper]

For the riff try this:
e------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D-2-4-4--2/4-4-4--2-4-4------2-4-2----2-4-4--2/4-4-4--2-4-4-2-4-
A-2-4-4--2/4-4-4--2-4-4--2-4-------4--2-4-4--2/4-4-4--2-4-4-2-4-
E------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Galeongirl]

for what part is this? I can't really check it since it sounds so off on accoustic for me, so I'll check it when I go jamming with my friend... prolly after the exams tho

thank you so much for tabbing this song for me how can I ever thank you?

 

[Barkeeper]

It's the part after the intro. It's played quite fast. If you have played it for the teacher, tell me how he responded.

 

[Galeongirl]

Ah yes I see, I was playing it way too slow
Could you please tab the solo for me aswell? and if there's something I could do for you in return, some U2file you've been looking for or so, I'd be happy to give it if I have it