There are many ways to approach ear training and to say one is the best would be to ignore the benefits of each. Here are a few examples –
- Practice your scales and chords, paying particular attention to how the intervals interact and resonate with each other.
- Work on intervals from a ‘home’ note and practice the recognition of each interval; sing these intervals and name them.
- Sing your scales whilst practicing them.
- Transcribe
…the list goes on. Then there are app and websites dedicated to ear training, all offering the ‘perfect’ solution.
Having worked through a variety of these methods, I wanted to point out a few key ways you can hone your ability to recognise intervals, pitches and chords. All however, will require a degree of consistent deliberate practice over a reasonable amount of time, in addition to real-world application, to see excellent results.
Ear Training ideas and tools
- Singing your scales – Starting with the simple harmonic structures such as triads, arpeggios, pentatonic scales, major and minor scales and their harmonised scales, through to chromatics, pretty much any and every scales can be utilised. The benefit of singing is that you get to experience the information twice – Once while hearing it when you play and once when you’re singing it. To take it to the next level, sing the note names while you practice singing them. ie – Sing C-E-G-E-C for a C Major triad, etc… The idea is note to develop great chops and sing them super-fast, rather to get them right and recognise them.
- Interval recognition can play a huge role in understanding harmonic structures and movement by ear. With such a plethora of websites and apps to choose from, I have chosen to name a few you can access for FREE and that use in my daily practice.
Functional Ear Trainer from – https://www.miles.be/
Download and follow the program. Also available for your phone.
Toned Ear – https://tonedear.com/ear-training/intervals
An online tool that offers recognition training not just intervals but scales, chords, chord progressions, scale degrees, rhythms, etc…As before, follow the link and instructions.
Musical-U – https://www.musical-u.com/learn/
Another excellent resource aimed at helping develop musicality, with a huge section on ear training. Definitely worth a look (though this one is for subscribers so the ear training is not free…but the information is!!)
- Transcribing – This can be a great way to put the ear training you have been working on into practice. If you are just beginning on your transcribing journey, be thoughtful of your choices. Choose a nice simple melody line you will be able to both transcribe by ear, and play on your instrument once written down. Remember that notating the music can further enhance your sight reading as well as securing the melody for later practice.
What’s the takeaway?
It’s important!! As a skill, having the ability to quickly identify chord types or the notes/intervals used to construct a melody have far a reaching impact when operating as a musician at any level. Working consistently towards pre-determined goals with your ear training will aid the feeling of success and keep you focused on your path. Ear training is not just done when your are specifically focused on the app or tool, it’s done every time you play. Remember to listen whist you practice…or better still, record yourself and listen afterwards.