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 can be 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 it by ear."See also: by, ear, play

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

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

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

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

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

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