write each verb then label it transitive or intransitive
jazz began in new orleans
jazz musicians played by ear
They played blues and spirituals
#2 is intransitive -- no direct object -- "by ear" is a prepositional phrase
Apologies for the confusion. You are correct, the verb "played" in sentence #2 is intransitive. Thank you for pointing that out.
1. began - intransitive
2. played - transitive
3. played - transitive