If you’re new to the field of music, staying on track and in sync with other musicians who can discern musical aspects may be challenging. However, if you master ear training, you are already ahead of your competition.
If you have questions like ‘how to start ear training,’ or ‘how to get better at ear training,’ etc., this article will help you gain clarity. It will provide fundamental insights into what ear training is and how it can help you master the tricky sections of musical compositions and music theory.
What Is Ear Training?
Ear Training is a proven method that involves listening to various types of music and trying to understand its foundation and other points that make a song sound good.
Chord progressions, notes, intervals, pitch, rhythms, etc., are among the many components required to create a song. If you look at various classical musical pieces, every single note and chord is set precisely where needed, eliciting a wide range of emotions throughout the song.
Imagine how much effort and hours artists have to put in and learn different ear training methods to play legendary classical music by themselves or as a part of an orchestra, that too in front of a live audience, where making a small mistake will ruin the whole thing.
So, if you wish to perform live on stage or get into the music industry, you must train yourself to a particular level that even if you make a mistake, improvise in a way that they don’t even realize you messed up. And this is precisely why it is essential to master ear training.
Is Ear Training Hard?
This is a common question you might have now that you know what ear training is and how crucial it is, right? If we cut to the chase, it is a complicated process. The key to making things easier is starting slowly and gradually moving on to complex concepts.
Take the example of weight training. If you want to develop a healthy body with decent aesthetics, you’ll have to listen to your trainer and work out as they tell you by following a strict diet and exercise regime, isn’t it? Are you supposed to lift 150 pounds on your first day at the gym? Absolutely not! You’ll have to start slow and then work your way up.
In the case of ear training, you will not be able to read or even comprehend the music sheet of classical pieces on day one. It will be challenging to recognize the progressions, intervals, and time signatures the first time you listen to such songs.
We’ve got your back! Now you’ll read about the fundamental ear training tips you can practice easily! Let’s go!
Sing Along With Scales
The first step of your ear training process is to sing the notes while you’re playing. For instance, consider you’re singing on the C major scale. Now you will be able to find seven notes in that octave, that is, C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C.
Now, play all the notes one by one, and then try to sing and observe whether you can match the note being played. If you think it’s going well, now you can try singing in the minor scale. If you feel you can reach the notes, you’re improving.
Get Familiar with the Interval Sound
Interval ear training tips are something you must understand correctly, as they will allow you to find and replicate the notes as you level up. As the intervals change, the sound of what’s being played will also change.
You need to understand the different intervals in chord progressions to identify whether it is a major or a minor chord. For example, if you need to play the C Major chord, the notes C, E and G will give you a C Major. So what are the intervals here? It is 1-4-3. What would you do to convert it into a C minor chord? Simple, you’ll have to reduce a half step from E to E flat. That’s C, Eb, and G, so the intervals will become 1-3-4.
To master the intervals, you’ll have to practice this method on different scales and chords to get a clear idea. Try identifying the intervals in the major sixth and the minor seventh chord to say.
Transcribing music via ear
This is where you put what you’ve learned into practice. To begin, listen to a random song and figure out what key it is playing. Determine which chords are playing in the music. Remember that you will not make any progress unless you step outside of your comfort zone.
If you can transcribe quickly, up the ante by changing the genre of music. Try to decode slow Jazz music in the initial stage and then transcribe more intricate Jazz songs that are spontaneous.
No-instrument writing
You may wonder, “How can writing aid ear development?” It is really significant in the training process. You’ll have to work out of the box here. Try to conjure up a melody or a simple tune, and then jot down the names of chords that might support your theme.
Once you jot them down, play these chords on a piano or a guitar and analyze whether the notes and chords match what you played. This is an easy way to test yourself to see whether you can build a connection with your creative side and to know if you remember what you practiced is correct or not.
Wrapping up
The ear training method that you read right now is a basic yet effective form of practice. And undoubtedly, developing your ears will take time, no matter whatever shortcut you take. If you remain patient and practice systematically, you’ll be able to achieve your goal in no time.
Do you have any alternative advice or tips for developing your ears? If so, feel free to comment so other artists can also benefit!
