I sat around the radio as Floyd said he did..... I played along with the songs. It was kind of a pain back then because few bands and singers used A-440 as a tuning standard. Songs were literally all over the place in pitch. I remember having to retune for each song I played on the record player.

If you want to develop this skill, start studying chord theory....

For example, in the key of C major.... there are 3 chords that are guaranteed to be there.... called the 1....4....5 chords.... or C,F,G. IN addition, the 6 minor...or Am chord can also be a common chord.... knowing that.... you can easily play almost any song in any key. When you learn the 1,4,5 thing.... that translates to every key the exact same way.

As far as "feeling the progression" and where it might be headed next, that does take some time, but it's totally doable. It's kind of like Obi-Wan telling Luke to Feel the force...let the force guide you. It's easy once you "get it" but having it, well, it's not easy to explain what I do or how I do it other than saying.... "I know where it's going because I can feel it and it tells me where it's going".

This skill comes from doing. Country music is a GREAT way to start learning since they use easy to hear and easy to follow progressions. Old rock and Beatles tunes are also great to practice with. Find a rock oldies (60's) radio channel and a country (60's to 80's) channel and have fun.

I remember a buddy coming over to my house with the brand spanking new Cosmo's Factory album by Creedence Clearwater Revival and throwing it on the record player. I grabbed my guitar and played along with songs I had never heard before. My buddy was amazed that I could play to something I had never heard before.

It's a skill worth having and developing.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/29/15 02:21 AM.
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