play (something) by ear
US /pleɪ ˈsʌm.θɪŋ baɪ ɪr/
UK /pleɪ ˈsʌm.θɪŋ baɪ ɪr/
1.
improvvisare, andare a braccio
to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops, rather than by having a fixed plan
:
•
We don't have a set schedule for the trip; we'll just play it by ear.
Non abbiamo un programma fisso per il viaggio; ci limiteremo a improvvisare.
•
I can't give you a definite answer now, let's just play it by ear and see how things go.
Non posso darti una risposta definitiva ora, limitiamoci a improvvisare e vedere come vanno le cose.
2.
suonare a orecchio
to play a piece of music without having seen it written down
:
•
She can play any song by ear after hearing it once.
Può suonare qualsiasi canzone a orecchio dopo averla sentita una volta.
•
Many jazz musicians prefer to play by ear rather than read sheet music.
Molti musicisti jazz preferiscono suonare a orecchio piuttosto che leggere spartiti.