Wiktionary
adv. (context chiefly music English) Using principally sound; without reference to sheet music.
Usage examples of "by ear".
We don't know his security arrangements, the floor plan, or his schedule, so we'll have to play that part by ear.
However, Toxie had gone to some length to contact me, so I figured it was important enough to set convention (and good manners) aside and play it by ear.
Ever since my marriage with Buford fell apart, I have become rather adept at playing things by ear.
He could've followed the barbs by ear alone if he'd had to, as nonchalant as they were, but Glabrio was the real expert.
I don't want to scare anyone away by announcing a list of crimes and punishments, so we'll have to play this mostly by ear.
This mission would be played by ear, and first we had to get to an exit point—.
Especially since our plans were to play it by ear and see what happens.
I think he merely picked up what he knows by ear and without vocal training, but there is a tenderness in his tones, a depth of pure melody, that I never have heard surpassed.
With Qasama's official government actively in the game, she had to be ready to play every move by ear.