GUITAR
5 EXERCISES TO IMPROVE YOUR EAR TRAINING | Chris Rocha
As church musicians we constantly need to learn songs for church services and concerts . Most of the time we don ’ t have the time to accurately learn all the details of the music and play the songs the way they ’ re supposed to . That ’ s why ear training is so important and vital . Developing that side of your musicianship can save you countless hours when it comes to learning songs and streaming your performance . Ear training is the secret sauce that can take your musicianship to the next level , allowing you to learn songs faster , improvise with confidence , and even compose your own music . In this article , we ’ ll explore five exercises to help you improve your ear training and unlock your full musical potential .
EXERCISE 1 : INTERVAL RECOGNITION Intervals are the building blocks of music and recognizing them is crucial for ear training . Start by playing two notes on your instrument , then try to identify the interval between them . You can use online resources or apps like Interval Ear Training or Functional Ear Training to generate random intervals . Begin with simple intervals like major and minor seconds , then move on to more complex ones like perfect fifths and major sevenths . I used to play a game with my friend where we would listen to songs and the radio and test ourselves on the intervals we ’ d hear … it was a fun game and also very effective .
EXERCISE 2 : MELODIC DICTATION Melodic dictation involves writing down a melody as you hear it . Start with simple melodies like nursery rhymes or folk songs , then move on to more complex ones like jazz standards or pop hits . Listen to a melody repeatedly , then try to transcribe it note-for-note . This exercise will help you develop your ability to internalize melodies and reproduce them accurately .
EXERCISE 3 : CHORD PROGRESSION IDENTIFICATION Chord progressions are the harmonic foundation of music and recognizing them is essential for ear training . Listen to a song or piece of music , then try to identify the chord progression . Start with simple progressions like the ones that are in our worship songs , then move on to more complex ones that we hear on the radio or like jazz standards . You can use online resources or apps like Chord Progression Ear Training or Harmonic Vision to generate random progressions .
EXERCISE 4 : RHYTHMIC TRANSCRIPTION Rhythmic transcription involves writing down a rhythm as you hear it . Start with simple rhythms like 4 / 4 time , then move on to more complex ones like 3 / 4 time or polyrhythms . Listen to a rhythm repeatedly , then try to transcribe it note-for-note . This exercise will help you develop your ability to internalize rhythms and reproduce them accurately . Feeling comfortable with the rhythm can really unlock your true signature sound and help you gain favor with
those around you that can help you with future opportunities
EXERCISE 5 : SINGING ALONG Singing along with your favorite songs or pieces of music is a great way to improve your ear training . Start by singing along with simple melodies , then move on to more complex ones like harmonies or counterpoint . Pay attention to pitch , rhythm , and phrasing , and try to mimic them accurately . This exercise will help you develop your ability to internalize music and reproduce it accurately .
Ear training is a skill that takes time and practice to develop , but with consistent effort , you can improve your musicianship and unlock your full potential . By incorporating these five exercises into your daily routine , you ’ ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident , expressive , and accurate musician . Remember to start slow , be patient , and have fun - the more you enjoy the process , the faster you ’ ll progress . Once you start grasping this concept better , you ’ ll be extremely grateful for the effort you put in on these very valuable exercises .
Chris Rocha Chris Rocha is an American Christian producer , guitarist , business owner and pioneer in the Spanish Christian music industry . He is a two time Dove Award winner , has worked on two Grammy award winning records and has produced or recorded guitars on 5 Grammy nominated albums .
56 September 2024 Subscribe for Free ...