Ear training, one musical difference at a time.
Aural skills improve when you listen for a specific feature and use feedback. Start with a small choice of answers, then add new sounds once the differences become familiar.
Hear a clear musical contrast
Begin with Hear the Difference. Compare two short examples and identify a change in pitch, dynamics, tempo, rhythm, timbre or texture. Ask yourself what actually changed: louder is not the same as higher, and faster is not the same as more notes.
Recognize intervals
Interval Trainer progresses through ascending, descending and harmonic intervals. An interval is the distance between two pitches. C up to E is a major third; C up to E♭ is a minor third. First decide whether the second sound goes up or down, then compare the size of the gap. Harmonic examples ask you to hear both notes together.
Recognize chords and cadences
Use Chord Challenge to distinguish major and minor triads before adding diminished, augmented, seventh and extended chords. Cadence Trainer puts the ending after a lead-in, so you hear it in a key. A authentic cadence moves from V to I; an half cadence ends on V. Later levels add plagal cadence and deceptive cadence examples and minor keys.
Spot modes by their characteristic notes
In Mode Learner & Spotter, compare scales from the same tonic. Dorian has a minor third but a natural sixth; Mixolydian has a major third and a flattened seventh. Listen to a scale first, then try short melodies. The tonic is the home note, so modes are more than the same notes starting in a different place.
Connect listening with something you do
Rhythm Echo asks you to tap back a rhythm with timing tolerance. Spot the Mistake asks you to correct a score after listening. If you want to write a whole phrase, try melodic and rhythmic dictation. Short, focused practice is a useful way to notice what you can already hear and what needs another go.
Use it for practice or homework
Choose a manageable level and complete a few questions before making the choice of answers larger. Supported listening activities include Test/Homework mode and result codes. A teacher can share the settings in a homework link, then check the numerical score and answers using the student’s returned code.
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