Guitar Ear Training Report #2
Here’s the latest on my guitar ear training challenge. It’s been a busy week since my last report, I didn’t do the exercises every day as planned but only every other day. So, what did I learn…?
Interval Comparison
I continued working with the interval comparison tutor. This tutor plays two different intervals and you have to pick which of the two is the greater.
I continued working with minor and major 2nds - where I’d discovered I had plenty of room to improve, as well as minor and major thirds, where I’d scored better.
I improved my scores in all areas, particularly the descending intervals that were harder for me on both 2nds and 3rds. You can see my scores and progress when I show you Ear Master Pro’s statistics feature further down the page.
Interval Identification
I spent more time on the interval identification exercises this week in addition to the comparisons. I was surprised to discover this was easier for me than interval comparisons.
Ear Master Statistics
With over a week of training under my belt I was glad to discover Ear Master Pro’s statistics. While you perform the exercises Ear Master keeps track of your scores and the time taken to answer questions. You can follow your progress by viewing statistics for each exercise.
See my stats for interval comparison exercises below, for example.
Ear Master Interval Comparison Stats
Next Week
Next week I plan to move on and try some more intervals, as well as more difficult exercises. For example, the first interval comparisons use a common note in the two intervals compared. Later exercises use different notes.
I didn’t time to try using my guitar to input answers this week, so that’s another thing I hope to report on next week, too.
Do you have an ear training question or tip? I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment using the reply form below.
Learn more about Ear Master Pro 5 by reading my review.
Couple years ago I trained extensively recognizing intervals but in the end it didn’t help my transcribing skills that much. I thought that if you know intervals well then you’ll know how to play melodies by ear but I guess there is more to it than that.
Nowadays I’m experimenting with melodic dictation exercises in Earope (ear training program similar to Earmaster). It’s too early to draw conclusions but hopefully it’ll yield greater benefits than practising just intervals like I did earlier.
But anyways nice blog you have here, I’ll have to keep an eye on it
Hi FellowGuitarist, Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Your experience is interesting, and I’m sure you’re right that “there is more to it”. I’m starting with interval exercises in Ear Master, but I plan to go beyond that and discover what it takes to learn to transcribe songs to the guitar.
Please drop by and let us know how you get on with your new approach.