Questions Regarding Ear Training Two Note Complete

Q: I just wanted to ask some questions regarding ear training and Two Note Ear Training basically. I’ve worked through Ear Training One Note Complete and am on 90% plus on the Key Note Recognition and am just starting the Two Note Ear Training . I just wanted to ask about how I’m supposed to know if I’m modulating correctly? it feels like I have no way of knowing if I’m correct? I’ve not tried guessing the Two Note Ear Training just been practicing trying to figure out which key I’m in. Should it become apparent quite quickly? As i presumed being quite good now at key note recognition it shouldn’t be so difficult…I’m not sure if its normal to modulate to one of the two notes being the tonic usually or it should be an entirely different note…any advice would be very helpful.

cheers.

A: Starting Two Note Ear Training can be very difficult for people. I would definitely stick with the 1st volume which concentrates on 5ths. It is usually easier to hear the modulation with a 5th. Remember the only right answer is what you hear as the right answer. But there are some combinations that most people hear the same way. For instance if you had a very low Ab and an Eb up a couple of octaves from the Ab you most likely would hear that combination if Ab. The C would would first sound like the root after the cadence and then should start sound like the 3rd a few moments later. You should play each example multiple times. Also keep in mind that you may modulate if different ways on different days and certainly modulate differently if the notes are in different octaves. For instance if the Ab and Eb were up very high you might stay in the key of C and here the notes as flat 6th and flat 3rd. I sometimes recommend Key Note Recognition to help build up a better recognition of a key change and I could also recommend some songs to sing through. Speaking on singing what ear training are you working on for the singing side of the ear training? Give me some feedback this and let me know how you are hearing a few of the two note examples so I can trouble shoot your problem. Also what are you doing for direct application ear training. Once you get to 50% on the Ear Training One Note Complete you really should be working on some of the Direct Application exercises so we can start getting use to hearing this ear training with real music.

Speak to you soon,

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.

← Back to FAQs