12 Pitches Overwhelming on Ear Training CD

Q: I have a quick question on the Ear Training One Note. Since I am completely new to ear training when I listen to the cd I’m a bit overwhelmed, the only tone I can really recognize is the low E – probably because it’s the first note I hear when I tune my guitar! So, if I were to make a selection of tones to start with, should I just select random notes from the scale or should I do them in a sequence of some kind? And should I listen to the smaller selection and get some kind of accuracy with that first or should I continue to listen to all the tones alternately with the smaller selection – say twice a day for the selection and once a day for all tones?

I also have the Fanatics Guide, which I haven’t even opened yet. I need a little direction I think. I have a guitar teacher who is great and would help me with this, but I try to devote that 1/2 hour per week with him to the “Berklee Method I” and my slowly growing repertoire!

A: If you are being overwhelmed by using all 12 pitches on the CD I would recommend limiting you notes to C,D,E,F,G,A,B. You might want to limit the octave too. If that is still to much try just C, E and G. Whatever combination that you use make sure to listen to the full CD for at least 10 minutes a day. You don’t want to get lopsided in your aural recognition skills. If you could do your limited set 2 to 3 times a day for 10 minutes that would be great.

With Fanatic’s Guide I would start with the first One Note exercise and sing it in all keys starting with the root of each key. Try to do this exercises a couple times a day for 5 to 10 minutes. The singing will help you a lot. As you perfect the ability to sing any degree in any key you will see that your CD recognition will improve.

It is also recommended that you read Bruce Arnold’s Blog at his artist site. It contains more discussion of the musical topics found in these FAQs as well as other subjects of interest. You will also find the “Music Education Genealogy Chart” located here which shows you the historic significance of the music education products found on the Muse Eek Publishing Company Website.

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