play by ear

play by ear

1. To play a piece of music without referencing sheet music or a recording. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "play" and "by ear." Wow, George is such a talented piano player! The way he can play pieces by ear after hearing them just once is so impressive! Just because he can play by ear doesn't mean he's a great songwriter.
2. By extension, to make decisions about what action to take in an adaptive, flexible way, based on the circumstances. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "play" and "by ear." A: "Are we meeting at noon on Saturday?" B: "Around then. I have to run some errands in the morning, so let's play things by ear." I could tell he had forgotten his notes and was playing the presentation by ear.
See also: by, ear, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play something by ear

 
1. to be able to play a piece of music after just listening to it a few times, without looking at the notes. I can play "Stardust" by ear. Some people can play Chopin's music by ear.
2. and play by ear to play a musical instrument well, without formal training. John can play the piano by ear. If I could play by ear, I wouldn't have to take lessons—or practice!
3. to improvise; to decide one's next steps after one is already involved in a situation. If we go into the meeting unprepared, we'll have to play everything by ear. He never prepared his presentations. He always played things by ear.
See also: by, ear, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

play by ear

1. Play a musical instrument without the aid of written music, as in By the time she was four, she could play a dozen songs by ear. [Late 1600s]
2. play it by ear. Proceed gradually, depending on the circumstances; improvise. For example, I'm not sure how much we should say about our plans, so let's play it by ear. [Mid-1900s]
See also: by, ear, play
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

play it by ear

If you play it by ear, you deal with things as they happen, rather than following a plan or previous arrangement. `Where will we stay in Gloucestershire?' — `Oh, I guess a bed-and-breakfast place. We'll have to play it by ear.' I don't know what will happen next. I'm playing it by ear. Note: If someone plays a piece of music by ear, they play it without looking at printed music.
See also: by, ear, play
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

play something by ear

1 perform music without having to read from a score. 2 proceed instinctively according to results and circumstances rather than according to rules or a plan. informal
2 1992 Paul Auster Leviathan The only condition was that Sachs arrive at Maria's house promptly at ten o'clock, and from then on they would play it by ear.
See also: by, ear, play, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play (something) by ˈear


1 play (music) which you have heard or remembered but which you have not seen written down: She can’t read music very well, so she plays all the tunes by ear.
2 (also play it by ˈear) (informal) decide how to act in a situation as it happens or develops, rather than by planning in advance: You can’t really prepare for the questions the interviewer will ask — you’ll just have to play it by ear, I’m afraid.
See also: by, ear, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

play it by ear

To act according to the circumstances; improvise: I don't have a set schedule, so we'll have to play it by ear.
See also: by, ear, play
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • play it by ear
  • play something by ear
  • by ear
  • throw (some) shapes
  • blare out
  • ear candy
  • elevator music
  • grunch
  • grunge
  • ethnic music
References in periodicals archive
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Asked if it would take the outbreak of war to prevent him making the trip, the Masters and US Open champion added, ``That is one of those things we just have to play by ear.''
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For me it is easier and more fun because you can bend the rules a bit in the sense that not every note has to [be] exactly right..." The opportunity to play by ear was freeing for some and scary for others, but in either case, it challenged the learners to see music in a new light.
Mind the gap: transforming music engagement through learner-centred informal music learning
This is one of those situations you have to play by ear.
Should I forgive him for using me? Teentalk
The units also include partial melodies with clear improvisation or composition instructions and suggestions for a well-known melody for students to play by ear. Each unit features a brief biography of a famous pianist and titles of available recordings to introduce students to the world of jazz piano.
Jazz Piano Projects, pre-jazz level
The method, developed about 70 years ago, entails children being exposed to music and learning to play by ear, rather than by first learning to read music.
Bravura performance from Jodie is an ear-opener
But it had a good effect - I learned to play by ear, and music became an escape."
MUSIC: A BAD DAY TURNS GOOD; FROM COCAINE-ADDICTED OUTSIDER TO BUDDING POP GENIUS
With time and patience her abilities increased, and she learned to read music as well as play by ear. When the church was left without a pianist, her father encouraged her to step in and "make a joyful noise unto the Lord." As Dayle wrote, "Many times, that is precisely what it was: a noise and not so joyful, either." She discovered, though, that the more she played, the better she played.
Recreational music making: why is playing the piano important to our country?