Decoding Tunes by Ear: Unlocking the Heart of Irish Music

If you’ve ever sat in on a lively session at a local pub—or maybe joined a class here at the Buffalo Academy of Irish Music—you’ve probably noticed something interesting. A lot of players don’t have sheet music in front of them. Instead, they listen. They pick up melodies, rhythms, and all those subtle twists by ear.

It might seem like magic at first, but it’s not! Learning to decode tunes by ear is a skill anyone can develop with some patience, practice, and a good dose of curiosity. Let’s talk about how it works—and why it’s one of the best ways to really connect with Irish music.

1. Why Learn by Ear?

In the Irish musical tradition, learning by ear is the key component. Sheet music, while it can be handy to get a general understanding for people who read it, can’t capture the feel of the music—the lift of a jig, the drive of a reel, or the emotion of a slow air. On top of which, you may find slight differences in styles from sessions to session, so there isn't a one size fits all

When you learn by ear, you’re training yourself to hear the whole picture. You:

• Remember tunes more easily (they really do stick better when they come from your ears instead of your eyes)

• Pick up on style and phrasing, not just notes on a page

• Can jump into a session without needing to flip through a folder of printed tunes

Learning by ear brings you closer to the living, breathing tradition—just like musicians have done for generations.

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2. Start with the Sound, Not the Notes

Pick a simple, familiar tune—something you’ve heard a lot at sessions or in class. Then, just listen. Play a good recording a few times (or twenty!). Don’t even touch your instrument yet.

Try humming along. Or better yet, sing it. Once you can sing it confidently, finding the notes on your instrument becomes so much easier.

This is the first step toward really understanding a tune—not just memorizing it.

3. Sing It, Lilt It, Love It

Here’s where things get fun. Singing the tune isn’t just a warm-up—it’s one of the best ways to lock it into your memory.

When you sing, your brain connects sound, rhythm, and pitch all at once. You start to feel the tune instead of thinking about it.

And if you really want to dive in, try lilting—the traditional Irish art of “mouth music.” (Think diddly-idle-dum.) It’s playful, musical, and surprisingly effective for learning tunes.

Lilting also helps you internalize the rhythm and lift that make Irish music so infectious. Plus, it’s a great party trick—and a lot of craic!

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4. Break It Down Into Manageable Bits

Once you feel confident enough to start playing the tune on your instrument, don’t try to tackle the whole tune in one go. Start with a short phrase—just a few notes. Listen closely, then find them on your instrument.

Once that phrase feels natural, move to the next one. Most Irish tunes are built from small repeating patterns, so you’ll start to recognize familiar shapes and intervals. Over time, your ear gets quicker at spotting them.

Also avoid adding ornamentations until you feel comfortable enough with the tune to add them in

5. Use Technology Wisely

It’s 2025—use the tools! Apps like Amazing Slow Downer, Transcribe!, or even YouTube’s slow-play feature can help you catch every little nuance.

Slow the recording down, loop tricky sections, and play along until it clicks. The goal isn’t to be perfect right away—it’s to really hear what’s going on underneath the surface.

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6. Compare, Don’t Copy

There’s no single “right” version of an Irish tune. Every player brings their own touch, shaped by their region, teacher, or favorite recordings.

When you learn a tune by ear, you’re adding to your own voice in the tradition—not cloning someone else’s. Try listening to different recordings of the same tune and notice how phrasing, tempo, and ornamentation vary. You’ll naturally start to build your own style.

7. Make Listening a Daily Habit

You don’t always have to be in practice mode. Keep Irish music playing in your life—while you’re driving, cooking, or just relaxing. The more your ears soak up the sound, the more instinctive learning by ear becomes.

Before you know it, you’ll find yourself recognizing tunes in sessions, even ones you never consciously tried to learn.

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8. Be Patient—and Enjoy the Journey

Learning by ear takes time—but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. Every tune you figure out is a little victory and a deeper connection to the music.

At the Buffalo Academy of Irish Music, we encourage students to balance both approaches: learn from notation *and* trust your ear. Sheet music can be a great tool to get you started, but your ear will bring the tune to life.

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So next time you’re learning a new jig or reel, try this: put away the page, hit “play,” hum or lilt along, and start exploring.

You might be surprised at how much you already know—just by listening.

Curious to strengthen your ear and learn alongside others? Check out our upcoming classes, workshops, and sessions at the Buffalo Academy of Irish Music (https://www.buffaloacademyofirishmusic.com/registration-1) Come listen, learn, and join the tune!*