EPISODE 04

EAR TRAINING TIPS

HOST- Jeremy Burns, Matthew Scott Phillips

GENRE- Ear Training

DURATION- 25:52

BUMPER MUSIC  "Red Wire Blue Wire" (Area 47 Music)

ANNOUNCER- Mike Cunliffe

LISTEN

DESCRIPTION

Ear training is an essential part of musical growth. In this episode we will discuss its process and some of our own ideas on how to develop it. We will also cover some great apps, websites and other resources you can use to sharpen your ears.

KEY WORDS

PRACTICE  PRACTICE  PRACTICE 

RESOURCES

MacGAMUT

This software (Mac and PC) is a great companion for those learning theory. The price is justified by the level of comprehension as well as the level of advancement available. Give a listen. Test your self. Be scored. Get better at melodic dictation, harmonic dictation and interval recognition.

www.musictheory.net

The above link will take you straight to the 'lessons' page. Here you can learn theory from the ground up. It's a free website but they also offer training apps that are very reasonably priced. One example, Tenuto, is listed below

Tenuto

Tenuto is an app developed by musictheory.net. It includes several training modules on topics such as staff identification, keyboard identification, ear training and calculators for intervals, chords, analysis, etc.

Theory Lessons

Also developed by musictheory.net, this app's focus is more on theory concepts. It's interface is clean, simple and interactive. Theory Lessons is an asset for beginners in music theory.

Better Ears (formerly Karajan)

This app has several ear training routines based on the recognition of intervals, scales, chords, harmonic progression and tempo. It also has interactive note and scale recognition exercises. You can notate your answers or play them out on the virtual piano.

Music Theory Pro

This app quizzes and grades you on theory training and ear training for note identification, key signatures, intervals, chords, scales and tempo.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

-Challenge yourself by singing familiar melodies using solfege and/or scale degrees. 

-Try to harmonize with some of your favorite bands. Explore each part and then make up your own. 

-Sing or hum whatever notes you're playing on your instrument. If your instrument doesn't allow for this (as in the case of wind and brass instruments), try to learn them on the keyboard or just sing the parts separately. 

-If you're having problems with certain intervals or scales, compose and record your own! That's a sure way to memorize it better. Don't worry about it being an unoriginal melody. This is for educational purposes, after all. 

-Roughly 32% of Asian-American music students have PERFECT PITCH. Only 7% of all other music students have this rare skill. If you are not one of these, you can still acquire RELATIVE PITCH. 

-Use familiar sounds in your environment to challenge yourself. Learn the notes and intervals in your ring tone. Sing a harmony with the doorbell. Transpose it. Get creative and share your ideas with us! 

-Be sure to spend some time with both ear training and theory apps. You can't fully grasp one without a base knowledge of the other. There will be in depth theory discussions in coming episodes that will require a base knowledge of both. Happy listening!