I love teaching ear training. This method is an original approach to ear training that I have developed over the years. Here is how it works: listen to the top voice of what I play and repeat ONLY the top melody in the space provided in the next measure. I play for four beats; then it's your turn. Sometimes I play the same melodic notes over different chords to challenge your mind a bit. For instance, I might play the notes C, D, E over a C major chord, and then in the next measure I will play the same notes over an F# half diminished chord. The melodic notes take on a different harmonic flavor depending on what chord is played underneath. Just remember to stay focused through the harmonic changes.
No matter what skill level you feel you are at presently, I recommend starting with the basic exercise and working up to the advanced lesson. The basic exercises begin with C.
Remember, if you use the mp3, you are locked into my tempo. If you use the midi file, you can adjust the tempo if you need more time for each example, or if you are feeling brave, you can make the tempo faster to give yourself an extra challenge!
Since this is ear training, you will find that there are no notation files provided. This holds true for the follow-up exercises as well.
Let us know how these work for you. I look forward to your feedback.
Record yourself performing this lesson and get feedback from the OC community!
JBCollinetAug 1, 2010
A metronome clicking along will be greatly appreciated!
DanceOfEternityJun 3, 2010
Jordan, I know you're a busy guy... but we need some more exercises :)
ironwolgMay 26, 2010
the method JR uses here is great, but can you please put up more exercises?
rolerenMar 28, 2010
This part of the OC, is just to small, I recommend the program Earmaster, it costs about 69$, but it's worth it, All kind of ear training, and music theory for everyone!
LANDABURUJUANSep 19, 2009
INTERESTING EXCERSICE
AndreiSApr 25, 2009
So, there is new examples?:)
eff62Oct 7, 2008
am i supossed to sing or play for each measure?
RainstormRichSep 15, 2008
Great exercise! And it's surprising how you can make mistakes on the easier ones sometimes if you're not concentrating!
didaAug 22, 2008
Hey CMajor thanks for the software!!!
ghostringJun 21, 2008
Try moving one harmony voice at a time below the melody, it makes for nice voice leading. I had more luck using open voicings spread between both hands without pre-hearing or pre-planned harmonization.
Move one harmony note per phrase. Also try moving the motif to an inner voice.
For me this exercise helps the ear experience new harmonic colors.
CMajorAug 4, 2007
What i did to check my work on the first excercise, was open the midi file in FLstudio and all the notes appeared in the piano roll, that´s the way i checked it.
there are a lot of software that you can use to open a midi file in that fashion, with for example: cubase,finale,sibelius,etc you can get the score and you´re able even to print it!
So, be honest with yourself and use this method only for check your answer
TheMayhemJun 22, 2007
what you could do is you could have a flash test set up with the answers, meaning.
ex.
the first phrase was:
a)C, D, Eb
b)C, C#, D
etc.
and then you pick your answer.
simianApr 16, 2007
I agree with mesavox...some way to actually check your work would be nice...even if it meant posting the notation and leaving the honesty to the student to not look at it until they (think)have mastered the piece.
mesavoxMar 12, 2007
One thing that I think would be benifitial is if the instructions encouraged the student to notate what he/she hears on paper as well as play it on the keybaord, guitar, or whatever instrument. That would facilitate melodic dictation... A series of examples to melodically dictate, with some sort of method to check your work after the dictation would be pretty neat, and would be very much like a college thoery lab class. By the way, the OC rocks! :)
