Hi Jerk! Firstly, I've been loving your newsletters and greatly appreciate the effort you put into creating and communicating these resources! For ear training, I use apps like Functional Ear Trainer (FET) and Earpeggio, and FET has a "random major" function where it'll drop you into a new key using I-IV-V-I for context, before providing a new tone to identify. I found my ear training really bumped up a level by suddenly needing to reorient around a new tonal center because I'm practicing two things at once: identifying the new 1, then the random tone (e.g. #4) within seconds.
All that being said, I'm curious if you've utilized this process of "reorientation" to strengthen your own ear, and how it might be integrated into this tonal basic practice methodology? For example, spending a week in C major, then the next week switching to a new key (e.g. G)? And then perhaps switching between C and G every other measure, while maintaining the 1-5-4-3-2-6-7-1 pattern? The goal being strength and flexibility of my ear within all major keys. The approach you've laid out is quite different than what I've done, and so far it's been really fun, so maybe this "reorientation" piece isn't necessary at all when using this approach. Curious what you think! Thanks. :)
Thanks for your reply! Totally makes sense that vocal range would limit the exercise. That’s actually something else the FET app does well — random *octaves* as well as random majors, so you’re hearing tones across the range of the keyboard. From this, I noticed I have a harder time identifying bass tones, which is an important skill when transcribing/learning a tune by ear. But the app can feel a little cold and unmusical, which is why I’m drawn to try your method. Ultimately would love to combine the “mechanics” and musicality of ear training — similarly to your rhythm basic music practice. Anyway, really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and look forward to your future newsletters on the topic! :)
Hi Sarah, thanks for the lovely comment and glad to hear you found this helpful! I've never been able to stick with an ear training app regime, but you're making me curious and I'll definitely be checking these out...
On the idea of reorientation, I may have to add an addendum to this piece to include that. This exercise is something that I initially developed as an intonation exercise for the saxophone, and I would do essentially what you are describing and switch keys week to week and sometimes within one practice session. I only later found that the exercise fell in line with the ethos of basic music practice, and for some reason that piece dropped off. It's a matter of the person's voice I suppose--if someone has a large and flexible range, it's totally doable and a great idea. Not all my students are there yet, so we stick with C until that changes as I've found it to be a median key that most voices are comfortable in.
I aim to eventually post an advanced version of this exercise involving improvisation, and that is one where flexibility in all 12 keys is a must...
Again, thanks for the lovely comment--I hope this response answered some of your questions!
Great resources for student musicians! Mention should also be made of the difference between just intonation and equal temperament, since that will reflect in the intonation difference between voice and instrument (voice naturally gravitates to the more natural intonation.).
Great you got to study with Ingrid, she's wonderful. I've played with her many times over the years.
I took lessons with Gary Smulyan for a bit and he always said "tuning is situational." To be honest, I've never made much of an effort to study temperament too deeply. I have however found a huge difference in how I tune playing in acoustic ensembles versus electric ones, and I would imagine that is probably the difference. Will have to do some research...
Just checked out one of your records on Bandcamp (Blue.Seum) -- great stuff, look forward to listening to a bit more!
Great piece. Nice backstory. Clear instructions. Plenty of visuals, resources, and that recorded example. Looking forward to the video essay. So glad you keep making these. And happy anniversary.
Hi Jerk! Firstly, I've been loving your newsletters and greatly appreciate the effort you put into creating and communicating these resources! For ear training, I use apps like Functional Ear Trainer (FET) and Earpeggio, and FET has a "random major" function where it'll drop you into a new key using I-IV-V-I for context, before providing a new tone to identify. I found my ear training really bumped up a level by suddenly needing to reorient around a new tonal center because I'm practicing two things at once: identifying the new 1, then the random tone (e.g. #4) within seconds.
All that being said, I'm curious if you've utilized this process of "reorientation" to strengthen your own ear, and how it might be integrated into this tonal basic practice methodology? For example, spending a week in C major, then the next week switching to a new key (e.g. G)? And then perhaps switching between C and G every other measure, while maintaining the 1-5-4-3-2-6-7-1 pattern? The goal being strength and flexibility of my ear within all major keys. The approach you've laid out is quite different than what I've done, and so far it's been really fun, so maybe this "reorientation" piece isn't necessary at all when using this approach. Curious what you think! Thanks. :)
Thanks for your reply! Totally makes sense that vocal range would limit the exercise. That’s actually something else the FET app does well — random *octaves* as well as random majors, so you’re hearing tones across the range of the keyboard. From this, I noticed I have a harder time identifying bass tones, which is an important skill when transcribing/learning a tune by ear. But the app can feel a little cold and unmusical, which is why I’m drawn to try your method. Ultimately would love to combine the “mechanics” and musicality of ear training — similarly to your rhythm basic music practice. Anyway, really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and look forward to your future newsletters on the topic! :)
Hi Sarah, thanks for the lovely comment and glad to hear you found this helpful! I've never been able to stick with an ear training app regime, but you're making me curious and I'll definitely be checking these out...
On the idea of reorientation, I may have to add an addendum to this piece to include that. This exercise is something that I initially developed as an intonation exercise for the saxophone, and I would do essentially what you are describing and switch keys week to week and sometimes within one practice session. I only later found that the exercise fell in line with the ethos of basic music practice, and for some reason that piece dropped off. It's a matter of the person's voice I suppose--if someone has a large and flexible range, it's totally doable and a great idea. Not all my students are there yet, so we stick with C until that changes as I've found it to be a median key that most voices are comfortable in.
I aim to eventually post an advanced version of this exercise involving improvisation, and that is one where flexibility in all 12 keys is a must...
Again, thanks for the lovely comment--I hope this response answered some of your questions!
Great resources for student musicians! Mention should also be made of the difference between just intonation and equal temperament, since that will reflect in the intonation difference between voice and instrument (voice naturally gravitates to the more natural intonation.).
Great you got to study with Ingrid, she's wonderful. I've played with her many times over the years.
I appreciate you bringing this up!
I took lessons with Gary Smulyan for a bit and he always said "tuning is situational." To be honest, I've never made much of an effort to study temperament too deeply. I have however found a huge difference in how I tune playing in acoustic ensembles versus electric ones, and I would imagine that is probably the difference. Will have to do some research...
Just checked out one of your records on Bandcamp (Blue.Seum) -- great stuff, look forward to listening to a bit more!
Great piece. Nice backstory. Clear instructions. Plenty of visuals, resources, and that recorded example. Looking forward to the video essay. So glad you keep making these. And happy anniversary.
Happy to hear, and thank you!
Amazing, I'll definitely practice this. Thank you so much!!