Shuffling Tracks with Ear Training Note One Complete

Q: I told you in a previous email that I did not know all the notes on my guitar fretboard. I can figure it out, but I don’t know all the notes automatically. Anyway, I have been working with the ear training one note beginning cd, and guessing the tones and trying to relate them to the key. Now, my question is, even though I don’t know all the notes on my fretboard (I am working on it though), since the name of the tone is called after it is played, I can still use this method to memorize the sounds of the tones against a key, right? My point being that it has nothing to do with my fretboard, I am merely trying to memorize the tones against the key, and if I hear the tones enough and know what the tone names are, I will memorize them and be able to recogonize them. Also, should I be listening to the cd from the beginning, or should I shuffle each track?

A: You do not need your guitar or knowledge of the guitar fretboard to master this type of ear training. You will though need to develop good music theory theory skills so when you are in a real musical situation you can apply your ear training skills. The most important thing to learn is the relationship of all notes in every key. For instance if you hear a note and recognize it as the b6th in the key of E you will need to know instantly that this note is a “C.” Therefore it is important that you start soon improving your music theory knowledge.

I would use shuffling whenever possible. You can also fast forward into the CD to help combat the memorization of the 1st exercises on the CD.

I would also recommend the following products to help you memorize all intervals: Music Theory Interval Recognition Course and the Music Theory Workbook for Guitar Volume One and Music Theory Workbook for Guitar Volume Two.

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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