Face First

Eartraining is a vital (and sometimes neglected) skill that enables musicians to 'hear ahead' in their playing and writing. These unique, modern courses have been used by hundreds of students (from beginners to working pros) at the acclaimed Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. These methods use SOLFEG (the syllables Do, Re, Mi, etc.) to apply the techniques within a key-center based 'relative pitch' framework. Level One works on hearing and transcribing melodies, rhythms, intervals and bass lines and moves on to identify triads and simple progressions. Level Two covers hearing and transcribing triad and four-part chord progressions, key changes, chromatic tones, modal scales, and combining melodic and harmonic dictation. Both levels include vocal drills and exercises.

First learn the lines & spaces with no chromatics by drilling one clef at a time, i. e. the bass clef from A to G, then treble clef from A to G. Play the correct note for each line or space on the piano. To check yourselfm refer to the card with the keyboard & grand staff. Notice that the A, B, C's in treble clef are one space or line higher than in the bass clef. Gradually mix the clefs. As you gain fluency, add the chromatic notes (sharps & flats). Again find each note on the keyboard.