Ever listen to a song and then figure it out on an instrument, without any sheet music? That’s playing by ear. It’s a skill some people pick up early and instinctively, while others develop it through years of practise. Some can hear a melody once and instantly mimic it. Others can slowly piece together chords just by listening.

If you’ve ever wondered where that ability comes from, part of the answer may lie in your DNA. With AncestryDNA + Traits, you can discover whether you carry genetic markers that may influence your ability to play by ear.

What Does Playing by Ear Mean?

“Playing by ear” or “play it by ear" is an idiom that comes from the world of music. It refers to the ability to hear a song and then reproduce it without relying on written notation like sheet music. It involves recognizing notes, intervals, chords, and rhythms by sound alone. This skill is often associated with strong auditory memory, pattern recognition, and pitch accuracy. But it’s not just about hearing a song once and flawlessly playing it back. For many, it’s a gradual process of trial and error that sharpens with repetition and experience.

Playing by ear shows up in nearly every musical genre. In jazz, musicians improvise using scales and motifs they’ve internalized through listening. In folk traditions, music is passed from player to player aurally, without any written score. In many pop and rock genres, aspiring musicians learn to play their favourite songs by sound before ever reading a single note.

The ability is not necessarily rare. Most people can learn to play music by ear with enough exposure and practise. Ear training exercises can help develop this skill. For example, beginners might start by echoing simple melodies, while more advanced musicians often practise by replicating harmonies or playing songs entirely from memory. It’s a skill that develops over time, with effort and intention.

Genetic Influence on Playing by Ear

To understand how genetics might influence this trait, AncestryDNA scientists asked more than 400,000 people, “Can you play a song back by ear?” They then compared responses to participants’ DNA and identified more than 670 DNA markers linked to this ability.

Using this data, scientists calculated a polygenic risk score, a statistical tool that helps estimate the likelihood that someone may have a certain trait based on their DNA. In this case, they found that only 5% of the variation in whether people could play a song back by ear is influenced by genetics. The remaining 95 percent appears to be shaped by environmental and personal factors, such as practise habits, access to instruments, and musical exposure.

Overall, the evidence suggests that while genes can give you a helpful foundation, other factors play a much larger role.

What Else Does Science Say About the Ability to Play by Ear?

Genetics may explain one part of the picture, but the ability to play by ear is deeply influenced by how people learn and experience music. Research shows that informal music learning environments can have a meaningful impact on students in several ways. For example, when educators focus on active music-making in general, rather than on teaching a specific genre or musical style, students not only grow in musical awareness, but the experience also fosters social development through peer interactions and cultural awareness.

Other research supports the importance of early exposure. Children who are regularly exposed to music through singing, playing instruments, or simply listening with intent often develop stronger pitch and rhythm recognition. These abilities lay the groundwork for playing by ear. And because young brains are especially adaptable, regular musical experiences can create long-term changes in how sound is processed and remembered.

Cognitive functions also matter. Auditory memory, attention span, and pattern recognition all support the ability to play by ear. While some of these may have genetic components, they can also be learned. Musicians who regularly practise listening exercises, memorization drills, and improvisation typically improve their ear over time.

Interesting Facts About Playing Music by Ear

Across centuries and cultures, music was transmitted from person to person by listening, not reading. In oral traditions, musicians had to memorize and internalize pieces entirely by sound.

People sometimes assume that those with absolute pitch are automatically good at playing by ear. That’s not always true. Absolute pitch means being able to name a note without a reference point. Playing by ear, however, is more about identifying relationships between notes, recalling musical patterns, and reproducing them accurately. These are separate, though occasionally overlapping, abilities.

Modern tools make it easier to practise ear training. Apps, slowed-down audio tracks, and play-along videos help people refine their skills in new ways. But the underlying process is still the same—listening closely, internalizing what you hear, and gradually learning to play it back

In many ways, playing by ear is less about raw talent and more about musical fluency. Just as someone learns a language by listening, mimicking, and practising, musicians often learn songs and styles through repeated exposure and effort. Genetics may influence how easily someone starts, but the ability grows with every song learned by ear.

Curious whether your ability to play music by ear could be connected to your DNA? With AncestryDNA + Traits, you can find out which traits may be influenced by your genetics—including musical traits like playing an instrument, and related traits like focus, performing choreography, and more.

Already taken an AncestryDNA test? Log in with your Ancestry subscription to explore your personalized trait results and learn more about what your DNA might reveal.