Ear Training Application

In the music class room

The importance of Ear Training

• “Ability to hear is the essence of music, the core of education in music is ear training.” – Herbert Spencer

• “The effectiveness of music appreciation is directly dependent upon a knowledge of music.” – Herbert Spencer

• “Developmental psychology studies have already shown substantive individual benefits of music.” – Jose Cuesta

• Many times students are listening to music, but don’t understand the basic elements and how they are put together. This is why ear training is essential.

Ear Training Apps

• Use in class as a whole, then transition to individual use on iPads.• Work in groups at different stations

• Team competition

• Partner work• What to find:

• Easy to use (so little training is necessary)

• Easy level for middle and high school students

• Relevant information

EarBeater

• Consists of lessons under main topics.

• Each lesson contains vocabulary applicable to the lesson.

• Lessons can be modified by the main user or original lessons can be made.

• Keeps track of progress in all lessons.

• Costs $7.99 ~ iPads must be available

• The main topics include interval size, specific interval, chords, chord inversions, and scales.• See how it works

EarBeater • Interval Size

• Plays two separate intervals, user identifies which one was larger and which one was smaller.

• After the answer is chosen, the notes are displayed on the keyboard and staff.

• Certain intervals are drilled within a specific lesson, and you can choose which intervals are in each lesson.

EarBeater• Specific Interval • Lessons are specific to a few intervals each.

• Separate lessons drill melodic and harmonic intervals.

• The interval is played and displayed on the staff and keyboard. Users select from two options for their answers.

EarBeater• Identify Chords

• Chords are played either as a block chord or arpeggiating descending/ascending.

• Lessons are subdivided so you only drill one of the above at a time.

• Variety of qualities

• Notes are played and then displayed on the keyboard and staff.

EarBeater• Indentify Chord Inversion

• Just like the chord identification, but it quizzes on inverted chords.

EarBeater• Identify Scales

• Includes many different modes, including pentatonic

• Includes scale “formulas” – showing the intervals in numbers

• Played and then displayed on the staff and keyboard.

EarBeater

• Pros:• Easy to use

• Plays the notes and displays them in two ways

• Very specific lessons

• Provides definitions

• Allows you to create your own lessons/assessments

• Can be used in a variety of ways

• High customer reviews

• Cons:• I would not use

the entirety of the app (much is too hard).

• Doesn’t use solfegge, my preferred use.

Research

• L Arnold. (2013, December 22). Ear Training Apps Review: goodEar Pro and EarBeater for iPad [online magazine]. Retrieved from http://www.askaudiomag.com/articles/ear-training-apps-review-goodear-pro-and-earbeater-for-ipad

• Spencer, H.S. (1947). Music Educators Journal. Ear Training in Music Education, 33, (4). 44-46. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3388378

• Cuesta, J. (2011). Applied Economics letters, Music to my ears: the (many) benefits of music training programmes, 18, 915-918.