Aurally Identifying Notes via the Context of the Key
Aurally Identifying Notes via the Context of the Key
Hearing Notes Aurally via the Context of the Key
Q: Ok, I’ve been listening to the Ear Training One Note Complete, I’m quite lazy to be honest, but I’m slowly beginning to see improvement, but I think the one thing that hinders it is my understanding of ‘identifying notes in relation to its key.’
You play the chord progression, then the tone. How do I aurally relate the tone to the key by the chord progression?
I’m confused… could perhaps give the theory spatial form in order for me to understand?
A: Overall you need to realize that the process of learning my type of ear training involves educating and changing your perception of sound. For instance you don’t relate the tone to the chord progression you relate it to the key created by the chord progression. This is a fine point but very crucial. I think this is a misunderstanding that many students have expressed in one form or another. Another misconception students have is that their perception of the key which is created by the chord progression will improve over time by just listening to the Ear Training One Note Complete CD. In most cases it doesn’t and it’s only through working with the Fanatic’s Guide to Ear Training and Sight Singing book and the various exercises contained within that your perception of key improves.
Honestly I was pretty lazy with the ear training too, many, many years ago because when I started playing guitar it was the sound and all the cool things that the guitar could do that attracted me to practicing not developing my ear. Only after years of realizations, which were mostly based on being surrounded by great musicians with great ears, did I realize I was really kidding myself. I realized I could interact properly with these musicians because I could hear what they were doing.
Sorry for my digression but to improve your concept of key I would recommend you work with some of the exercises presented in the Fanatic’s Guide to Ear Training and Sight Singing. Fun… they are not, helpful they will open your ears like nothing else will if you’ll 1st be consistent with the exercises each day and realize this is the way to improve your perception.
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.