Ear Training Method in the Minor Key

Ear Training Method in the Minor Key

Q: In your Ear Training One Note Complete Book all the work is done around a major tonality. How does your method apply to minor tonalities?

A: Thanks for contacting me. There are many types of modes in music – major and minor being just two. All notes sound the same against any tonality. This is the reason why the CDs only use the major tonality. Initially students may “think” that notes sound different with different modes. This is a common misconception but over time you will see they do not.You will work with many types of modes as you progress through this ear training series. For example, Contextual Ear Training and Key Note Recognition work with both major and minor tonalities. There is also the One Note Ear Training with Degrees both Major and Minor and the One Note Ear Training Extremely Fast with both Major and Minor which is recommended if you are getting over 50% correct with one note and want to push the speed and use a minor cadence. We also have the Direct Application CD: Direct Application CD Volume One Major and Direct Application CD Volume One Dorian which will give you various types of major and minor tonalities. For a Mixolydian mode we also have the Singing the Blues Contextual Ear Training and this list keeps growing.

All of these are important but to begin with I would concentrate on learning the sound of each note against the major key center and you will find that when you are getting around 50% correct answers you can start branching off to these other courses.

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.