Ear Training Archives
The Lightbulb Moment: Listening For Movement
Ryan Madora is back with a new "Lightbulb Moment" column. This time around, she’s talking about ear training - and listening for macro vs. micro movement.
David Gross Publishes “Ear Training For Bassists, Vol. 1”
David Gross of The Bass Guitar Channel has released another instructional book for us low-enders. “Ear Training For Bassists, Vol. 1”, which comes in paperback and Kindle versions, is a booster to start hearing and understanding music in real time.
Bass & Creativity: Improvisation and Ear Training
In this lesson, we take a look at a way to build speed and effectiveness in recognizing intervals. We'll also learn to deduce chords and scales by ear through improvisation. Once again, the addition of piano with the right hand is a great way to expand our options from a bass perspective.
Using the Two Types of Solfege
This week’s “Ask” column is all about ear training. In response to a reader’s question about the “Two Types of Solfege,” Damian breaks down the pros and cons for each, and how to apply it to your routine.
Should I Play Keyboard For Ear Training?
Stéphane Tuni sent Damian a question about using a keyboard (as a bassist) for ear training. Damian offers up his take - and some tips - in this new “Ask” column.
Do You Always Hear What You Play Before You Play It?
Q: Do you always hear what you play before you play it? I know a lot of players sing what they play, do some of them actually hear the melodies first? Or are they singing along in real time and following themselves? A: Interesting question. Everyone will have varying levels of relative/perfect pitch, as well as varying levels of fretboard...
New App Trains Your Ears For EQ’ing
Anyone who has played a concert can tell you that EQ’ing is an important skill. If you’re looking to hone your ear to perfect that skill, you may want to check out a new app called hearEQ. The ear training app helps musicians and sound engineers with custom EQ training exercises that your tracks from your own device. “These exercises...
Joe Hubbard Authors Book on Functional Harmony
Top bassist and bass teacher Joe Hubbard (also a No Treble contributor) has released the book, Functional Harmonic Concepts. Hubbard is known for his recording work with artists such as Mose Allison, George Benson and Dave Garabaldi and his instruction (The Who’s current bassist, the prolific Pino Palladino, was one of his students). According to Hubbard, the 120-page book will...
Making Transcribing Easier
Q: I have no real problem (anymore) performing publicly with groups/bands, with taking a solo, or with people overhearing me practice (though of course I try to be considerate). But I have an anxiety around transcribing that feels almost like stage fright, and I can’t quite get myself to incorporate it into my daily practice routine. In my mind –...
Learning Music: A Discussion on Bass Tab, Notation and Ears
Q: I have been interested in music all my life, but never played an instrument. Now that I’m retired, I have taken up playing the bass for the last six months from an instructor. I started out learning the notes on the bass itself and one song using notes. But since then, all of my learning has been by the...
Improving Your Musical Ears
Being a musician requires a great number of skills. However, the aural component is by far the most prevalent. So, to perform at the highest levels, we must have good listening skills. Ultimately we need to hear, and understand, exactly what is happening around us. Only when we can do this can we respond in our most communicative and artistic...
MusicalEar: A Look at the Music Theory and Ear Training App for Desktop Computers
I’m doing something a little different this time by reviewing an app I came across for your desktop computer. While not an iOS app, I thought that I’d be remiss if I didn’t let you all in on this. MusicalEar is an ear training and theory app, going way beyond any on the market. The app contains over 200 compositions,...