Ear Training Exercise - Some Basic Things to Learn

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Carolyn_Anderson]Carolyn Anderson

A good ear training exercise is not only an important way in helping you develop a great singing voice but also a great way to help you learn to play musical instruments easily without any guide whatsoever.

Playing instruments by ear is one of the many techniques that many aspiring musicians want to learn as this allows you to play an instrument by just listening to it and without any sheet music or guide.

A good ear training exercise helps you learn and master elements in music such as chords, rhythm, intervals and developing your pitch. Among the exercises that you get to learn to help train your ears to music are interval recognition, pitch recognition, rhythm and chord recognition.

Interval recognition is an ear training exercise that will help you identify intervals or those two-note combinations in a music or melody. Being able to identify those notes in a melody is an important skill that can also help you play instruments by ear. Most often, this exercise involves associating intervals with very familiar songs and even nursery rhymes that you have mastered for years such as associating the Major 2nd interval with the song 'Happy Birthday' or the perfect fifth with the nursery rhyme 'Twinkle, twinkle.'

An ear training exercise may also involve some rhythm recognition practice as this is also important in being able to sing well and play musical instruments by ear. Tapping your hands or feet is often a technique that can aid you in identifying the rhythm of the music. The metronome is also an important device that can help you with the timing. Muscle memory is also an important aspect of mastering rhythm and can be very useful in being able to play a melody by ear.

Another thing that you can learn in ear training is identifying chords. Of course, being able to recognize chords is important to play by ear and to play easily with other musicians as well. It also helps a lot in making your own improvisations, in composing music as well as in improvising.

Of course, playing music by ear or singing nicely in the correct pitch all need time and practice and if you want to do well in either of them, everyday practice is important. Some people who can play musical instruments by ear easily may amaze you but you can actually learn this skill by regular practice and patience.

If you intend to do ear training to hone your singing voice, it is also a great tip to have a training buddy while you practice. This will help you determine if you are singing in tune. It will also help to record your singing while you practice and play it back to help you listen to your voice or have someone else listen to your voice.

Another best way to practice ear training is to get yourself a good tutor. With the convenience of the internet today, you can also find great resources to help you train your ear to help you play music by just listening to it.

Carolyn Anderson is a music lover who also plays guitar by ear. For a good ear training software you can use conveniently at home, check out [http://www.dp-db.com/earmaster-pro]Earmaster Pro. Also check out [http://www.dp-db.com/earmaster-school]Earmaster School, an professional ear training software intended for music schools and institutions.

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