played by ear

Shaw was nearly blind from retinitis pigmentosa during the recording and played by ear and memory.

But Shaw was nearly blind from retinitis pigmentosa during the record and played by ear and memory.

“They all played by ear, or read number charts ….The musicians improvised licks as they played off each other and felt their way through the song. This system gave the musicians the freedom to create new licks and helped them become musical creators.”

According to a release from the University of Pittsburgh, Garner began playing piano at age 3 and played by ear all of his life.

“Others we just say, look, they need to have a week or two off, or if it’s more serious, maybe it’s all played by ear.”