Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 9 hours ago
Most guitarists rely on tabs… but that’s exactly what’s holding them back.
In this video, join Nick Jennison and break down why learning by ear and transcribing is one of the most powerful skills you can develop as a guitarist, and how it directly improves your phrasing, musicality, improvisation, and overall feel.
Through real examples, exercises, and demonstrations, you’ll see:
▶ Why tabs miss crucial musical information (like nuance, rhythm & feel)
▶ How learning by ear helps you actually hear music before you play it
▶ The connection between ear training and improvisation
▶ How to start transcribing, even if you’re a beginner
If you want to sound more musical, more expressive, and less robotic… this is the skill you need to build.
🎸 This isn’t about playing notes. It’s about playing music.
Check out these courses:
▶licklibrary.com/store/courses/ear-training-for-the-practical-musician
▶licklibrary.com/store/courses/ear-training-chords
🎸 From beginner to pro. Join now for expert guitar lessons with pro song backing tracks, classic album courses, and techniques for every step of your guitar journey! licklibrary.com/benefits-and-pricing
0:00 Intro Jam
2:14 Welcome + What This Video Covers
5:37 Why Learning By Ear Matters
8:36 Exercise 1 – Notes vs Music
11:43 Exercise 2 – Same Notes, Different Melody
16:49 Why Tabs Fall Short
20:31 Nuance, Feel & Articulation
24:41 Vibrato & Expression
32:02 Why Learning By Ear Makes You More Musical
34:32 Audiation – Hear It Before You Play It
39:55 How To Transcribe By Ear
46:12 Q&A
52:24 Outro Jam
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📱 FOLLOW US On Social Media 📱
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🔔 Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/c/licklibrary
▶ Twitter: twitter.com/licklibrary
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/licklibraryguitarlessons
▶ Facebook: facebook.com/LickLibrary
▶ TikTok tiktok.com/@licklibraryguitarlessons
▶ Visit our blog: licklibrary.com/news
#FreeGuitarLessons #Licklibrary
If you enjoyed the video, please give us a thumbs up 👍
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🎸 Why Choose Licklibrary? 🎸
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We are the only guitar lesson provider that provides 1-to-1 tuition and support as part of your membership! We're here to help you learn!
From beginner to pro. Join now for expert guitar lessons with pro song backing tracks, classic album courses, and techniques for every step of your guitar journey!
Sign up and Save on an annual subscription: licklibrary.com/benefits-and-pricing
Most guitarists rely on tabs… but that’s exactly what’s holding them back.
In this video, join Nick Jennison and break down why learning by ear and transcribing is one of the most powerful skills you can develop as a guitarist, and how it directly improves your phrasing, musicality, improvisation, and overall feel.
Through real examples, exercises, and demonstrations, you’ll see:
▶ Why tabs miss crucial musical information (like nuance, rhythm & feel)
▶ How learning by ear helps you actually hear music before you play it
▶ The connection between ear training and improvisation
▶ How to start transcribing, even if you’re a beginner
If you want to sound more musical, more expressive, and less robotic… this is the skill you need to build.
🎸 This isn’t about playing notes. It’s about playing music.
Check out these courses:
▶licklibrary.com/store/courses/ear-training-for-the-practical-musician
▶licklibrary.com/store/courses/ear-training-chords
🎸 From beginner to pro. Join now for expert guitar lessons with pro song backing tracks, classic album courses, and techniques for every step of your guitar journey! licklibrary.com/benefits-and-pricing
0:00 Intro Jam
2:14 Welcome + What This Video Covers
5:37 Why Learning By Ear Matters
8:36 Exercise 1 – Notes vs Music
11:43 Exercise 2 – Same Notes, Different Melody
16:49 Why Tabs Fall Short
20:31 Nuance, Feel & Articulation
24:41 Vibrato & Expression
32:02 Why Learning By Ear Makes You More Musical
34:32 Audiation – Hear It Before You Play It
39:55 How To Transcribe By Ear
46:12 Q&A
52:24 Outro Jam
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
📱 FOLLOW US On Social Media 📱
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
🔔 Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/c/licklibrary
▶ Twitter: twitter.com/licklibrary
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/licklibraryguitarlessons
▶ Facebook: facebook.com/LickLibrary
▶ TikTok tiktok.com/@licklibraryguitarlessons
▶ Visit our blog: licklibrary.com/news
#FreeGuitarLessons #Licklibrary
If you enjoyed the video, please give us a thumbs up 👍
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
🎸 Why Choose Licklibrary? 🎸
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We are the only guitar lesson provider that provides 1-to-1 tuition and support as part of your membership! We're here to help you learn!
From beginner to pro. Join now for expert guitar lessons with pro song backing tracks, classic album courses, and techniques for every step of your guitar journey!
Sign up and Save on an annual subscription: licklibrary.com/benefits-and-pricing
