How do I transcribe a song by ear?

By the RepeatWatch team · Updated

Quick answer

To transcribe a song by ear, loop one short phrase, slow it to 0.5–0.7× and sing it until you can hum it without the recording. Then find each note on your instrument, write the rhythm first and the pitches second, and check your version against the loop at full speed.

Try this now: loop a three-second phrase of any melody five times, then pause and sing it back. If you can't, the phrase is too long, so cut it in half.

How to transcribe a song by ear with loops

  1. Map the song. Import timestamps from the description, or save your own sections (intro, verse, chorus), so you can jump back to any part.
  2. Loop a short phrase. Two to three seconds, or one melodic idea. Nudge A and B by 0.1 s so the loop starts on the first note.
  3. Slow it and sing. At 0.5–0.7× the pitch stays the same, so what you sing is in the right key. Sing until you can do it with the video paused.
  4. Find the first note. Find it on your instrument, then work forward one note at a time. The opening notes usually hint at the key and the scale.
  5. Write rhythm, then pitch. Count the beats and write the rhythm first. Pitches are easier to place once you know where each note falls in the bar.
  6. Check at full speed. Play your version along with the loop at 1×. Anything that clashes gets its own half-second loop.

Try it now: paste a YouTube link.

5 common mistakes

  • Looping a phrase too long to hold in your memory.
  • Reaching for the instrument before you can sing the phrase.
  • Listening at 0.25×, where the audio smears and notes get harder to name.
  • Writing pitches without rhythm, then not being able to read back what you wrote.
  • Never checking the finished transcription at the original tempo.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need perfect pitch to transcribe music?

No. Most musicians transcribe with relative pitch, hearing the distance between notes. It improves with practice, and short, slow loops make each interval easier to hear.

What should I transcribe first?

Start with a simple vocal melody or bass line you already know. Few notes and a clear rhythm let you practice the process before you try solos or chords.

What speed is best for transcribing?

0.5× to 0.7× works for most music. Fast runs may need 0.5× and a loop under one second; nudge A and B by 0.1 s to isolate them.

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