The phrase "a discerning ear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a keen ability to listen and understand nuances in sound, music, or conversation.
Example: "As a music producer, she has a discerning ear for talent and can identify potential in artists that others might overlook."
Alternatives: "a keen ear" or "an astute ear".
But his focus remained death metal, for which he had developed a discerning ear.
Barry still possessed a discerning ear and a comprehensive knowledge of classical music, and he responded with gratifying specificity (and candor) to Lumpe's queries.
Hidden behind Mr. Clegg's carefully cultivated persona — the talented agent with a discerning ear; the preppy host who gave suave parties at 1 Fifth Avenue; the publishing insider who garnered big advances for A-list writers — were these monstrous secrets.
The value of brevity, when considered in the whole among a broad range of qualities the majority of which would be deemed by those of a discerning ear to be important, if not essential to the success of a popular song, is rarely overstated.
Listening to his studio recordings, a discerning ear can make out his spectral accompaniment – a soft, keening melody weaving between the notes.
Billed as being "audiophile-grade," the soundmatters foxL is a portable speaker system designed for travelers (and other folks on-the-go) with a discerning ear.
The musician, out of love of the harmony will develop a more discerning ear.
Or are young listeners losing their discerning ear for hi-fi versus low quality files, making quality more of a niche concern?
REMI ran a series of unusual newspaper advertisements, beginning with one that did not show a company name, but rather featured intriguing photographs of condo interiors, some lean copy pitched to the discerning ear for style and -- in small letters at the bottom of the page -- a Web address.
Jeffrey already knew he could rely on Susan's discerning ear -- not only for the structure of his ornamentations, but for pace and continuity.
Just as admirable when she plays it straight, Harrod-Eagles has a discerning eye and sympathetic ear for the petty thieves, dope dealers and other bad apples (not to mention a certain shifty lawyer with "a mind like the labyrinth of Knossos") who collectively foul the social barrel but don't deserve killing.
