Ear training books

[bassman2]

There seems to be a plethora of books and on line resources to explain
the theory of music, and, at some stage, some mention, albeit in small
doses, the need to develop the ear. But do you think they go far
enugh? I am talking not just about identifying a perfect fourth or a
fifth interval but the whole approach to "keeping one's ears open"
when playing with fellow musicians, or even when simply jamming along
(sigh!) with software, eg play and response, trading fours etc.. For
those of you that teach, how much emphasis do you place on this with
your students? How often does the subject come up in discussion with
band members?

[Steve Freides]

A standard college/conservatory program inclues both a Theory course and
an Ear-Training/Dictation course. One should work all this, and getting
better at one can help the other. I teach all this stuff at Bergen
Community College in Paramus, NJ.

With my private students, I try to do what I call playback dictation in
their lessons once they get to a certain point. I start out by giving
them a few notes, e.g., the first 3 or 5 notes of a C major scale, and
tell them what I play will come from that, then I play and have them
play back.

One thing I stress in both class and private is that one has to be sure
you've heard the tune correctly - if you don't have it in your head,
then ask for it to be played again. Once you can repeat what it sounds
like by singing it, then you go about the business of figuring out how
to play it back.

Hope that helps.

-S-

[eadg]

"bassman2" <vince_an...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:44b6cdb7-47b2-4b6e...@p36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...

> There seems to be a plethora of books and on line resources
> to explain
> the theory of music, and, at some stage, some mention,
> albeit in small
> doses, the need to develop the ear. But do you think they
> go far
> enugh? I am talking not just about identifying a perfect
> fourth or a
> fifth interval but the whole approach to "keeping one's
> ears open"
> when playing with fellow musicians, or even when simply
> jamming along
> (sigh!) with software, eg play and response, trading fours
> etc.. For
> those of you that teach, how much emphasis do you place on
> this with
> your students?

I don't teach but playing by ear, or instinct if I get your
meaning right, will always be the ultimate goal, so the
sooner you place yourself in uncomfortable positions the
better. Persevere and eventually you will develop your your
own personality and style as a bassplayer. Simple!

> How often does the subject come up in discussion with band
> members?

Rarely ime. We all have ears and are all old hands at
diplomacy ;)

--
SR