the four triads in music

Do You Know Your Four Triads?

By

Eric

Chords, Composition, Ear Training

In the recent article Hearing in Color, we discussed how to develop the technique of hearing individual chord tones in the context of triads and 7th chords. Just as the individual chord tones in a chord have identifiable colors, the chords themselves have distinct sonorities that set them apart from one another. The key to …

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hearing colors

Hearing in Color: Chord tones in context

By

Forrest

Composition, Ear Training

Every chord tone has its own unique sound, its own unique color. Learning to hear these colors brings these sounds to life. This crucial ear training is often overlooked or even talked about. Take your time and study it carefully… Match piano pitches accurately The first step toward hearing these colors is to hear a …

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ear training seventh chords

Fundamental Ear Training: Seventh Chords

By

Forrest

Chords, Composition, Ear Training

In our first article of Fundamental Ear Training Exercises, we covered how to choose an ear training partner, the correct mindset to approach ear training with, and  exercises about singing & hearing intervals, harmonic intervals, and triads. After you feel you’ve got a pretty good handle on everything presented in that previous article, it’s time …

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fundamental ear training exercises

Fundamental Ear Training Exercises

By

Forrest

Ear Training

Keep your eyes on the stars but keep your feet on the ground – Theodore Roosevelt. The fundamentals of ear training are largely glossed over. Developing one’s ear is seen as a linear track: learn your intervals, then your triads…and so on… But developing your ear is not a linear pursuit. Like improvisation, it’s a …

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singing for the jazz musician

3 Reasons Why You Should Sing Everyday

By

Eric

Composition, Ear Training, Transcribing

Have you ever wondered why great pianists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers often sing along as they improvise? Ever noticed how many of the best horn players also happen to be great singers? Great musicians all over, seem to have developed the ability to sing somewhere along the way, whether they’ve had formal training or not. …

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rhythmic ear training

Hearing Time: Rhythmic Ear Training

By

Eric

Composition, Ear Training, Playing Techniques

On this site we frequently write about the benefits of ear training for improvising, with  good reason. Hearing and singing intervals, melodies, chord progressions, etc. is one area of daily practice that will directly affect your improvising for the better. However, ear training isn’t only limited to improving your harmonic sensitivity. Developing rhythmic awareness and …

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