# Learn any song by ear. one method, every instrument > Short, practical guides to learn any song by ear: find the chords and the key, then see how Chord Lens compares with the apps you know. Source: https://chordlens.app/guides Guides Short, practical guides that work on any song. Each one teaches a method you can use by ear, then shows where Chord Lens does the slow part for you. Search the guides 01 / 08 · Start here ## Six guides. Any song. in this order ↓ 1. [01 Learn songs by ear Learn songs by ear one short phrase at a time: slow it down, loop it, sing it, find it, and use stems to hear the part you play. 8 min · Any instrument · Slow Down Songs](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-learn-songs-by-ear) 2. [02 Find the chords How to find the chords of a song: find the key, follow the bass, test major or minor, then check your chart against the record with AI YouTube to Chords. 8 min · Any instrument · AI YouTube to Chords](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-find-chords-of-a-song) 3. [03 Find the key How to find the key of a song by ear in five steps: hear the home note, test the chords, pick major or minor, then check it with Song Key Finder. 7 min · Any instrument · Song Key Finder](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-find-the-key-of-a-song) 4. [04 Find the BPM How to find the BPM of a song: count the beat against a clock, rule out half and double time, then check the tempo Chord Lens counts from the beats. 7 min · Any instrument · Song Key Finder](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-find-the-bpm-of-a-song) 5. [05 Learn a song quickly Learn a song quickly before rehearsal: map the sections, learn the chord loops, drill the two hard bars slower, set your key and print the chart, in 30 minutes. 8 min · Any instrument · Chord Lens Studio](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-learn-a-song-quickly) 6. [06 Transcribe a song How to transcribe a song into a chord chart: set the key and tempo, map the form, count the bars, fill in the chords by ear, then check it at full speed. 8 min · Any instrument · AI YouTube Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-transcribe-a-song) 02 / 08 · Chords and keys ## Chords and keys, made simple. 1. [Any instrument · Beginner Chord progressions Common chord progressions explained: I–V–vi–IV, I–IV–V, ii–V–I, the 12-bar blues and the minor ones, with the chords in C and G and how to hear them. 8 min · AI Chord Finder](https://chordlens.app/guides/common-chord-progressions) 2. [Any instrument · Intermediate Nashville numbers The Nashville number system explained: chords as numbers in the key, minors, sevenths, slash chords and split bars, and how to see any song in numbers. 8 min · AI YouTube to Chords](https://chordlens.app/guides/nashville-number-system) 3. [Any instrument · Beginner Transpose chords How to transpose chords to another key: count the semitones, move every chord by the same amount, keep each chord’s quality, and spell it for the new key. 7 min · Change Song Key](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-transpose-chords) 4. [Guitar · Ukulele · Beginner Capo chart A capo chart for guitar: the key you sound in for each fret and shape, the capo and shapes to use for any key, and how to read a capo chart backwards. 5 min · Change Song Key](https://chordlens.app/guides/capo-chart) 5. [Any instrument · Beginner Major vs minor key Major vs minor key, by ear: find the note that sounds like home, test its third, and tell a major key from its relative minor, which shares every note. 8 min · Song Key Finder](https://chordlens.app/guides/major-vs-minor-key) 6. [Any instrument · Beginner Chord symbols explained Chord symbols explained: what m, 7, maj7, sus2, sus4, add9, dim and slash chords mean, the notes in each, and the plain chord to play when one is hard. 9 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/chord-symbols-explained) 7. [Guitar · Bass · Piano · Intermediate Slash chords Slash chords explained by what the bass does: walking lines, pedal notes and colour notes, and how to hear and play the bass note on guitar, bass or piano. 9 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/slash-chords) 03 / 08 · Practise and play ## Practise it. Play it. 1. [Any instrument · Beginner Slow down a song How to slow down a song without changing its pitch: pick a speed, loop the hard bars, and step back up to full tempo, with the key held where the record has it. 7 min · Slow Down Songs](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-slow-down-a-song-without-changing-pitch) 2. [Any instrument · Beginner Make a backing track How to make a backing track from any song: split it into stems, mute the part you play, and play along with the original band, slowed down or in a new key. 7 min · Backing Track Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-make-a-backing-track) 3. [Any instrument · Beginner Metronome for songs A metronome for songs that follows the band: click on the record’s own beats, slow it down with the song, then fade the click until your time holds alone. 8 min · YouTube Metronome](https://chordlens.app/guides/metronome-for-songs) 4. [Any instrument · Beginner Chord app for your phone Chord Lens as a chord app for iPhone and Android: add the Studio to your Home Screen from Safari or Chrome and practise any song’s chords on your phone. 7 min · AI YouTube to Chords](https://chordlens.app/guides/chord-app-for-iphone-and-android) 5. [Any instrument · Beginner Count-ins and clicks Practice with a metronome on a real song: a count-in before every section, a click on the band’s own beat, and entries that land on beat one every time. 8 min · Guide Track Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/practice-with-metronome) 6. [Guitar · Beginner A weekly practice routine A guitar practice routine you can keep: 25 minutes a day, one song a week, the hard bars saved as loops, and a plan for each day from Monday to Sunday. 9 min · Chord Lens Studio](https://chordlens.app/guides/guitar-practice-routine) 7. [Any instrument · Beginner Song structure Song structure explained: intro, verse, chorus, bridge and outro, how to hear where each starts, and how to use a song map to learn a song faster. 8 min · Chord Lens Studio](https://chordlens.app/guides/song-structure) 04 / 08 · Voice and karaoke ## Sing it in your key. 1. [Voice · Beginner Best key for your voice Find the best key for your voice by ear: sing the highest and lowest lines, step the key a semitone at a time, and keep the one where both ends feel easy. 8 min · Change Song Key](https://chordlens.app/guides/best-key-for-your-voice) 2. [Voice · Beginner Make a karaoke version How to make a karaoke version of a song: split it into stems, mute the voices, keep the band, read the words in time and move the key to suit you. 8 min · YouTube Karaoke Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-make-a-karaoke-version-of-a-song) 3. [Voice · Beginner Get an acapella How to get an acapella from any song with an AI acapella extractor: split the stems, keep only the vocals, bring back the harmonies, loop the line. 7 min · AI YouTube Vocal Remover](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-get-an-acapella-from-a-song) 4. [Voice · Intermediate Learn harmonies by ear How to learn harmonies by ear: solo the vocals, find the harmony line under the lead, slow it down, sing it against the chord, then sing it with the band. 9 min · AI YouTube Vocal Remover](https://chordlens.app/guides/learn-harmonies-by-ear) 05 / 08 · By instrument ## Your part of the song. Guitar, bass, piano, drums and ukulele: hear your own part, then play it. 1. [Guitar · Beginner Learn guitar songs from YouTube Learn guitar songs from YouTube: get the chords in time with the video, pick shapes you can play with a capo, and hear the guitar part on its own. 8 min · AI YouTube to Chords](https://chordlens.app/guides/learn-guitar-songs-from-youtube) 2. [Guitar · Ukulele · Beginner How to use a capo How to use a capo: where to clamp it, how to keep it in tune, which fret to pick for a song or a singer, and when moving it beats changing the key. 8 min · Change Song Key](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-use-a-capo) 3. [Guitar · Ukulele · Beginner Figure out a strumming pattern How to figure out the strumming pattern of a song: count the beat, keep your hand moving, hear which strums land, and check it against the guitar on its own. 9 min · Guitar Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-figure-out-strumming-pattern) 4. [Guitar · Intermediate Learn a guitar solo by ear Learn a guitar solo by ear: sing it first, find the key, then loop one short phrase at a time, slowed down with the guitar on its own, until it sits. 9 min · Guitar Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/learn-guitar-solo-by-ear) 5. [Ukulele · Beginner Ukulele chords for songs The basic ukulele chords C, Am, F and G with finger positions, then any song on ukulele: see each chord as a shape and use a capo to dodge hard ones. 9 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/ukulele-chords-for-songs) 6. [Bass · Beginner Learn bass lines by ear How to learn bass lines by ear: solo the bass stem, slow it down, loop a bar at a time, and find each note from the root of the chord above it. 8 min · Bass Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-learn-bass-lines-by-ear) 7. [Piano · Beginner Play piano by chords Play piano by chords: turn each chord symbol into three notes, keep the root in your left hand, move your right hand as little as it can, and add a rhythm. 8 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/play-piano-by-chords) 8. [Piano · Beginner Piano chords by ear Piano chords by ear: solo the piano stem, find the bass note with your left hand, hear major or minor, then match the voicing the record plays. 8 min · Piano Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/piano-chords-by-ear) 9. [Drums · Beginner Make a drumless track How to make drumless tracks from any song: split it, mute the drums, add a click if you want one, set the tempo, and play the band without its drummer. 8 min · Drum Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-make-a-drumless-track) 10. [Drums · Beginner Learn drum parts by ear Learn drum parts by ear: solo the drum stem, slow it down with a click on the song’s beat, take the groove limb by limb, and loop every fill. 8 min · Drum Stem Splitter](https://chordlens.app/guides/learn-drum-parts-by-ear) 11. [Guitar · Beginner Barre chord alternatives Barre chord alternatives for guitar: a capo that turns barres into open shapes, small three- and four-string shapes for F and Bm, and when to change the key. 8 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/barre-chord-alternatives) 12. [Piano · Intermediate Piano chord inversions Piano chord inversions: root position, first and second inversion, how to find the nearest one for each chord change, and a drill to make it automatic. 9 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/piano-chord-inversions) 13. [Ukulele · Guitar · Beginner Guitar chords to ukulele Guitar chords to ukulele: the five-fret rule that turns every guitar shape you know into a ukulele chord, what changes with four strings, and the keys to avoid. 8 min · Chord Shapes](https://chordlens.app/guides/guitar-chords-to-ukulele) 14. [Bass · Beginner Play bass from chords How to play bass from chords: roots first, then fifths, octaves and approach notes, locked to the kick, with the chart in time and the bass stem muted. 8 min · Lyrics and Chords](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-play-bass-from-chords) 06 / 08 · Worship and bands ## Ready for Sunday. Guide tracks with spoken cues, numbers the whole band can read, and charts you can print. 1. [Any instrument · Beginner Worship guide tracks What a worship guide track is: a voice that counts the band in and calls each section. How teams use one, and how to make one for any song. 9 min · Guide Track Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/worship-guide-track) 2. [Any instrument · Beginner Make a chord chart How to make a chord chart your band can read: what goes on the page, which layout suits each player, and how to print one from any song’s recording. 9 min · Chord Lens Studio](https://chordlens.app/guides/how-to-make-a-chord-chart) 3. [Any instrument · Intermediate Worship set planning Worship set planning, song by song: pick a key the room can sing, print a chart the band can read, and add spoken cues so nobody misses a turn. 9 min · Guide Track Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/worship-set-planning) 4. [Any instrument · Beginner Rehearse without a band How to practice without a band: mute your own parts, let the original players fill the gaps, add spoken cues, and fill an empty chair at rehearsal. 8 min · Backing Track Maker](https://chordlens.app/guides/practice-without-a-band) 07 / 08 · Using Chord Lens ## Chord Lens, step by step. 1. [Any instrument · Beginner Chords on YouTube Chords for YouTube, right on the video: the free Chord Lens Chrome extension shows each chord in time while YouTube plays, with the shape, key and stems. 8 min · Chord Lens for Chrome](https://chordlens.app/guides/chords-on-youtube) 2. [Any instrument · Beginner Chord Lens for Mac Chord Lens for Mac, the chord app for Apple silicon Macs: download it, open it the first time, sign in, and turn your first song into chords and stems. 7 min · Chord Lens for Mac](https://chordlens.app/guides/chord-app-for-mac) 08 / 08 · Compare ## Honest, side by side. Each one read from the other app’s own pages, signed out, on the date it says. 1. [Any instrument · Any level Chord Lens vs Chordify Looking for a Chordify alternative? Chord Lens and Chordify side by side: chords in time, key, speed, stems and plans, read from each site. Checked Nov 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/chordify-alternative) 2. [Any instrument · Any level Best chord finder apps in 2026 Best chord finder app for 2026? Chord Lens, Chordify, Moises, Chord ai, Anychord and Capo compared, plus Swaram, Audelta, ChordU and Chord Tracker. Checked Nov 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/best-chord-finder-app) 3. [Any instrument · Any level Chord Lens vs Moises Looking for a Moises alternative? Chord Lens and Moises side by side: stems, chords, key, speed, apps and free plans, read from each site. Checked Nov 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/moises-alternative) 4. [Guitar · Bass · Piano · Ukulele · Any level Chord Lens vs Chord ai Looking for a Chord ai alternative? Chord Lens and Chord ai side by side: YouTube, microphone, stems, key, speed, apps and free plans, read from each site. Checked Nov 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/chord-ai-alternative) 5. [Guitar · Bass · Ukulele · Any level Chord Lens vs Ultimate Guitar An Ultimate Guitar alternative for songs nobody has tabbed: Chord Lens reads the chords from the recording itself. Side by side, read from each site. Checked Oct 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/ultimate-guitar-alternative) 6. [Any instrument · Any level Best stem splitters in 2026 Best stem splitter 2026? Chord Lens, Moises, LALAL.AI, Ultimate Vocal Remover and Fadr: free plans, downloads and chords, read from each site. Checked Oct 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/best-stem-splitter) 7. [Voice · Any level Free vocal removers, compared Free vocal remover? Chord Lens, Moises, LALAL.AI, Ultimate Vocal Remover and Fadr: what each one gives free, downloads and limits, read from each site. Checked Oct 2026](https://chordlens.app/guides/free-vocal-remover) ## The tools behind these guides - [AI YouTube to Chords Open a video, get chords in time](https://chordlens.app/youtube-to-chords) - [Song Key Finder The key and BPM of a song](https://chordlens.app/song-key-finder) - [AI YouTube Stem Splitter Six stems, one fader each](https://chordlens.app/youtube-stem-splitter) - [Slow Down Songs Same pitch, any speed](https://chordlens.app/slow-down-songs) - [Change Song Key Any key, the capo follows](https://chordlens.app/change-song-key) - [Chord Shapes A shape for every chord](https://chordlens.app/chord-shapes) [All tools](https://chordlens.app/tools) ## Pick a song. Start here. [Add to Chrome — it’s free](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/chord-lens-ai-youtube-cho/iedoccahfccciahmalgjakejfmbnahnp)