# Ear & transcription

Working a part out yourself is slower the first time and faster every time after. Same method for a riff, a solo, or a chord change.

## The method

1. Pick something short — one phrase.
2. Sing it without the recording.
3. Find the first note on one string.
4. Follow the shape: up, down, same; step or leap.
5. Then the rhythm ([Reading](reading.md)).
6. Write it as TAB and check it against the recording.

[Stems](/tools/stems/) can pull the guitar out of a mix; [Ear training](/tools/ear-training.html) drills intervals. Knowing the key ([Chords in a key](keys.md)) shrinks the hunt to seven notes.

## Drills on the HTML page

- **Match one note** — top three strings, frets 0–8; same octave only.
- **Up, down or the same** — direction before distance.
- **Copy a phrase** — A minor pentatonic box at fret 5, starting on e5 or e8; reveal the TAB to check.

## Then a real record

One riff in one position. Loop the first phrase, run the method, write your own TAB before checking a published one.

## Ready when

- One note found on the neck in under ten seconds.
- Direction of two notes right nine times out of ten.
- One real riff or lick written out by ear and played with the recording.