Well. Even though I have one of those fancy Musical Edifications and can Reed Muzik Reel Goode, I have relied mostly on my ear for as long as I can remember. I haven't ever really tried to figure out how it works, though. (does that make sense?)

Anyway if I get stuck on a chord I try to figure out what its root note is and go from there. Which is probably what some of you have been saying, only in other words. Now, notice I said ROOT note and not BASS note. A G could be played with a B or a D bass note - follow me? If you can sit down with somebody in person this process would be much easier.

My ear is very reliable and this sometimes causes contention between me and the Mister learning a new song! But it's all an adventure, isn't it?