Play It By Ear Series

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4 comments… add one
  • Cosie Nov 11, 2025

    Very eye opening! I would say my own approach is “sloppy” in comparison and what feels like throwing darts at a song to figure out the diatonic tones. Then seeing the home chord from that and then figuring out the progression. This was a good lesson for me in presenting a more structured approach and in looking to distinguish between major and minor and also the use of bass note clues as well. All very applicable tools for ear training! I learned a lot of good tips here to apply and help me along. Mahalo nui, Brad!

    • Brad Bordessa Nov 11, 2025

      There is no one correct way. There is certainly a time and a place for the “spray and pray” approach!

      What I outline in the videos is just the method that seems most accessible in a teaching format. Hopefully everyone can take what is useful to them, leave the rest, and find an approach that works for them.

  • Chris_Waite1 Jan 24, 2026

    Great to see an Aussie band making the cut for the first video! I’d thoroughly recommend also reading “Down Under” a book by Trevor Conomy about the song Down Under, which also bought MAW huge success but terrible tragedy.

    Using the list of scales approach to find the key centre is a great tool Brad, thanks. So many pop songs use the flat-VII chord I wonder if it’s useful to list the scales with the flat-VII and avoid that dim-VII chord completely.

    Looking forward to Backstreet Boys… the sheet music has been sitting on my desk all summer waiting for me to make a uke ensemble arrangement.

    Mahalo!

    • Brad Bordessa Feb 26, 2026

      Interesting thought to use the b7 chord instead of the 7. I’ll have to ponder that one.

      Glad you’re taking advantage of the videos!

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