Ear Training Without Instruments

Q: Thanks for your quick and detailed response. I will look into those two singing books and buy one in the next couple of days. What I understand from your descriptions is that everything in the Contextual Ear Training book is in the Fanatic’s Guide to Ear Training and Sight Singing along with any other exercises but the Contextual Ear Training is easier to use and can be used away from a musical instrument. Is this basically correctly?

I see in the blog you listed that for the Contextual Ear Training you suggest starting with just some of the exercises then incorporating more and more. Do you recommend something similar for the One Note exercises? Should I just start with say C, D E & F, then add in G, A &B, etc or is it better to keep test all twelve notes from the beginning?

A: Nice to hear from you again. Yes the first exercise in the Fanatic’s Guide to Ear Training and Sight Reading is expanded into about 300 audio files in the Contextual Ear Training Course so that you can practice ear training without instruments.

You can limit the amount of pitches you are working on if you think that helps you feel less overwhelmed. I would recommend at least once a day to listen to all notes so that you gain a perspective of all 12 pitches.

Let me know if you have further questions

Best Regards,

Bruce

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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