Att spela på gehör

Abstract

This article summarizes some of the main themes in my book Gehörsmusik. Blues, rock och muntlig tradering. (Akademiförlaget 1995). Playing by ear – i.e. to play, compose, remember, teach and learn music without the aid of notation – is by far the most common way to make music. This fact is however little mirrored in musicogical literature and research. Using a theoretical framework of research around orality and literacy the tendency of Western music scholars to equate music with notated music is thus criticized. Examples of musical practice are presented and illustrated by quotes from mainly contemporary rock musicians. The term musical formula is introduced and defined, wherupon follows a description of ways, formulas used by rock musicians. Four different types of musical memory not dependent on notation are discussed: auditive, visual, motoric/tactile and verbal. The article concludes with a discussion of how musicians playing by ear learn to play their instruments, compose songs and teach and learn music.