How to Play Guitar Without Reading Music

By Blake Dexter  

I have a kid brother who I am very proud of. And when I say - kid brother- he actually is only a kid. He is 14 years old and there is a 16 year difference in our ages. You could say that he was a late surprise to my parents.

My brother's name is Ralph and he is very much a quiet kid who doesn't say much and stays to himself. My parents were worried about him because he wasn't interested in much. He didn't like sports or hanging out with his friends or anything else.

Then one day, when he was 12, he was at a music store that sold music CD's and musical instruments. He decided to fool around a bit so he picked up a guitar and something magical happened. He could actually play a tune on it. He does not know how to read music.

Anyhow, that is how the story goes or at least the story he tells. Ralph says he plays the guitar by ear. There are a number of people out there that have this natural ability to play musical instruments by ear. I call it a special gift.

Recently I had the chance to spend more time with my brother so I asked him to teach me how to play guitar without reading music. Now, I can play a bit of guitar but I definitely need the music right in front of my nose in order to get through a song.

Ralph turned on the radio and a song came on. He picked up his guitar and I could see that he was intently listening to the radio. Within a minute he started to strum the guitar and before the 3 or 4 minute song was over he had mastered all the chords.

I looked at him amazed. I couldn't believe my kid brother had that kind of ability. He turned to me and said - and that's how to play guitar without reading music.

My brother has an amazing ear and talent. And I hope he follows through with it and has a career in music. But I'll tell you one thing - he's a lousy teacher. The whole time I spent with him he couldn't teach me how to play guitar without reading music. I guess I just don't have the ear for it.

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