Ear Training
Ear Training is an essential skill to learn and practice as a musician. Ear Training can include: Rhythmic Dictation, Interval Identification, Scale Identification, Chord Identification, and Melodic Dictation.
Each Ear Training website listed below comes with a brief description. Click on the button to open the website in a new tab.
Each Ear Training website listed below comes with a brief description. Click on the button to open the website in a new tab.
Rhythmic Dictation
Rhythmic Dictation is when you hear a rhythm (either clapped or played on a percussion instrument) and you write down the rhythm that you've heard using standard musical notation.
Rhythmic Dictation is when you hear a rhythm (either clapped or played on a percussion instrument) and you write down the rhythm that you've heard using standard musical notation.
To play this game, there are two modes. "Mode A" starts by allowing you to choose which rhythms will be included (you can make it as easy or as difficult as you wish), then it will play a 4-beat rhythm for you. You choose which individual rhythms made up this overall rhythm, then click "Check My Answer!". If you are incorrect, it will allow you to play both your incorrect rhythm and the correct rhythm so you can hear the difference.
"Mode B" is multiple choice. Again, choose which rhythms will be included (to make it easier or more difficult). Then you will be given a 4-beat rhythm (written out), with four audio choices. Play each audio choice, then choose which one matches the written-out rhythm.
"Mode B" is multiple choice. Again, choose which rhythms will be included (to make it easier or more difficult). Then you will be given a 4-beat rhythm (written out), with four audio choices. Play each audio choice, then choose which one matches the written-out rhythm.
To play this game, you first need to customize it to make it as simple or as difficult as you like. Choose what time signatures you would like to use (the simplest is 2/4, 3/4 and 4/4 time), add what notes and patterns you would like to use, then choose what tempo (speed) you would like the rhythm played.
Once you have chosen your options, the website will play a rhythm for you. Click on the notes you think are in this rhythm. You can hear the full rhythm again by clicking on the icon that looks like a speaker.
Once you feel you have the right answer, click on "Check Answer" and see if you're right!
Once you have chosen your options, the website will play a rhythm for you. Click on the notes you think are in this rhythm. You can hear the full rhythm again by clicking on the icon that looks like a speaker.
Once you feel you have the right answer, click on "Check Answer" and see if you're right!
Interval Identification
An Interval is the difference in pitch between two sounds. In Music, intervals are categorized as Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished. Ascending intervals go up in pitch. Descending intervals go down in pitch.
Many musicians are able to remember the names of the intervals by associating them with the first two notes of a familiar song. The first video below "How to Identify Musical Intervals (Music Theory) explains the concept of intervals and how to name them. The second video, "Songs to Learn Intervals" shows you the various intervals and some of the common songs used to remember them.
An Interval is the difference in pitch between two sounds. In Music, intervals are categorized as Perfect, Major, Minor, Augmented, and Diminished. Ascending intervals go up in pitch. Descending intervals go down in pitch.
Many musicians are able to remember the names of the intervals by associating them with the first two notes of a familiar song. The first video below "How to Identify Musical Intervals (Music Theory) explains the concept of intervals and how to name them. The second video, "Songs to Learn Intervals" shows you the various intervals and some of the common songs used to remember them.
To start, choose from the options like starting note (leave this alone to start on random notes) and which intervals you would like included. Then click "Start Quiz".
The next page will show you the two notes on the staff and play them for you. You can then click on what interval number and quality you think is correct.
The next page will show you the two notes on the staff and play them for you. You can then click on what interval number and quality you think is correct.
To start, you can choose from the options Simple (Major 3rd, Perfect 5th and Perfect Octave), Diatonic (All the Major and Perfect Intervals), or All (All intervals: Major, Minor, Perfect and Tritone). Then click "Start Quiz".
As you go through the quiz, you can customize it to include or remove certain intervals. Use the songs you associate with each interval to choose which interval it is as you hear it. The two notes will be played separately.
This website will not give you the interval with the notes written out. You must identify the interval by its SOUND ONLY!
As you go through the quiz, you can customize it to include or remove certain intervals. Use the songs you associate with each interval to choose which interval it is as you hear it. The two notes will be played separately.
This website will not give you the interval with the notes written out. You must identify the interval by its SOUND ONLY!
Scale Identification
A Scale is an ordered set of pitches that follow a particular pattern of tones and semitones. The most common kinds of scales in Western Music are Major and Minor. Minor scales can be divided into 3 types: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic. An Ascending scale goes up in pitch. A Descending Scale goes down in pitch.
Other kinds of scales include the Chromatic Scale, the Pentatonic Scale, the Whole Tone Scale, and the various Modes from Ancient Greece.
The videos below explain the differences between Major Scales (the first video: "Major Scales - Everything You Need To Know in 7 Minutes") and Minor Scales (the second video: "Minor Scales - Everything You Need To Know in 7 Minutes").
A Scale is an ordered set of pitches that follow a particular pattern of tones and semitones. The most common kinds of scales in Western Music are Major and Minor. Minor scales can be divided into 3 types: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic. An Ascending scale goes up in pitch. A Descending Scale goes down in pitch.
Other kinds of scales include the Chromatic Scale, the Pentatonic Scale, the Whole Tone Scale, and the various Modes from Ancient Greece.
The videos below explain the differences between Major Scales (the first video: "Major Scales - Everything You Need To Know in 7 Minutes") and Minor Scales (the second video: "Minor Scales - Everything You Need To Know in 7 Minutes").
To start, choose what types of scales you would like played (Major, Minor, Modes, Pentatonic, etc.). Then choose from other options like "Retry in case of error" and Clef (Treble, Bass, etc.). Then click "OK".
The website will then give you a scale with all the notes written out. Watch your key signatures! Click on the icon that looks like a speaker to hear the scale. Choose which scale you think it is from the options at the bottom of the page. Once you click on one of the options, it will tell you right away if you are correct or incorrect (or only allow you to choose the correct answer, depending on what options you chose).
The website will then give you a scale with all the notes written out. Watch your key signatures! Click on the icon that looks like a speaker to hear the scale. Choose which scale you think it is from the options at the bottom of the page. Once you click on one of the options, it will tell you right away if you are correct or incorrect (or only allow you to choose the correct answer, depending on what options you chose).
To start, you can choose from the options "Simple" (Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor) or "All" (Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, and the Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian and Locrian Modes). Then click on "Start Quiz".
This website will not give you the scale with all the notes written out. You must identify the scale by its SOUND ONLY!
This website will not give you the scale with all the notes written out. You must identify the scale by its SOUND ONLY!
Chord Identification
A Chord is a series of pitches all played at the same time. Chords can also be broken up and each note played separately (this is called an arpeggiated chord).
A triad is a specific type of chord that has only 3 notes. There are three types of triad inversions: Root, 1st Inversion, and 2nd Inversion.
The two most important types of chords are Major and Minor. Other kinds of chords are Diminished, Augmented, Major Seventh, and Minor Seventh (there are many others, too!).
The first video below ("How Chords Work - Music Theory Crash Course") explains the basics of how chords work (types of chords/triads, inversions, etc.). The second video ("Identifying Major & Minor Chords On The Piano") explains the difference in sound between Major and Minor Chords.
A Chord is a series of pitches all played at the same time. Chords can also be broken up and each note played separately (this is called an arpeggiated chord).
A triad is a specific type of chord that has only 3 notes. There are three types of triad inversions: Root, 1st Inversion, and 2nd Inversion.
The two most important types of chords are Major and Minor. Other kinds of chords are Diminished, Augmented, Major Seventh, and Minor Seventh (there are many others, too!).
The first video below ("How Chords Work - Music Theory Crash Course") explains the basics of how chords work (types of chords/triads, inversions, etc.). The second video ("Identifying Major & Minor Chords On The Piano") explains the difference in sound between Major and Minor Chords.
To start, choose from the options like starting note (leave this alone to start on random notes) and which chords you would like included (Inversion, Chord Type, etc.). Then click "Start Quiz".
The website will then play the individual notes of the chord for you (in order from lowest to highest). This is the arpeggiated chord. Click on what you think is the correct answer at the bottom of the page.
The website will then play the individual notes of the chord for you (in order from lowest to highest). This is the arpeggiated chord. Click on what you think is the correct answer at the bottom of the page.
To start, choose from the options like starting note (leave this alone to start on random notes) and which chords you would like included (Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, etc.) and what inversions you would like (Root, 1st Inversion, 2nd Inversion). Then click "Start Quiz".
This website will not give you the chord with all the notes written out. You must identify the chord by its SOUND ONLY! You do have the option of having the website play the individual notes out for you, if this helps!
This website will not give you the chord with all the notes written out. You must identify the chord by its SOUND ONLY! You do have the option of having the website play the individual notes out for you, if this helps!
Melodic Dictation
Melodic Dictation is when you hear a melody (played by an instrument that plays pitch) and you write down the melody you've heard (on the staff using standard musical notation for pitch and rhythm). Another method of melodic dictation is to play back the melody you heard using your instrument.
Knowledge of how to listen for rhythm, intervals, scales, and even chords will help musicians with melodic dictation (which is why this one is last!).
Melodic Dictation is when you hear a melody (played by an instrument that plays pitch) and you write down the melody you've heard (on the staff using standard musical notation for pitch and rhythm). Another method of melodic dictation is to play back the melody you heard using your instrument.
Knowledge of how to listen for rhythm, intervals, scales, and even chords will help musicians with melodic dictation (which is why this one is last!).
To start, choose from options like: what keys you would like included (Major, Minor, etc.), what rhythms you want, how complex to make the melody, and tempo. Then click "OK".
The website will play the melody for you. Using the mouse, click on the correct rhythm (quarter note, eighth note, etc.) for the next note, then use the keyboard to enter what the pitch for that rhythm would be to place this note on the staff. Do this for the rest of the notes in the melody. If you need to hear the melody again, simply click on the icon of the speaker. Click on "Check Answer" when you're done.
The website will play the melody for you. Using the mouse, click on the correct rhythm (quarter note, eighth note, etc.) for the next note, then use the keyboard to enter what the pitch for that rhythm would be to place this note on the staff. Do this for the rest of the notes in the melody. If you need to hear the melody again, simply click on the icon of the speaker. Click on "Check Answer" when you're done.