Ear training
Ear training is learning to recognize by ear what you hear: the distance between two notes, whether a chord is major or minor, which scale degree a note is, which rhythm was played. It’s where music schools start, because everything depends on it: playing by ear, singing in tune, improvising and writing down what you hear.
There are five short exercises of 10 questions each, with levels from easiest to hardest. The site plays, you answer, and the correction sounds right away. Works on your phone, no sign-up.
Exercises
- Intervals Two notes, going up, going down or together: name the distance between them.
- Chord quality Major, minor, diminished, augmented and the seventh chords.
- Scale degrees A cadence sets the key; then one note: which scale degree is it?
- Rhythmic dictation Listen to one bar and build the rhythm with note values.
- Sing the note The site plays a note, you sing it and the microphone checks.
A 10-minute daily plan
- Two rounds of intervals at the level where you get 6 to 8 right.
- One round of chord quality.
- One round of scale degrees, with the key changing every question.
- One rhythmic dictation with the count-in metronome.
- Got 9 or 10 right twice in a row? Move on to the next level.
What each exercise trains
| Exercise | What it trains | Where you use it |
|---|---|---|
| Intervals | The distance between two notes | Playing melodies by ear, singing in tune, harmonizing |
| Chord quality | The chord type by its sound | Working out the harmony of songs, accompanying by ear |
| Scale degrees | Each note’s function within the key | Playing melodies by ear, improvising, sight-singing |
| Rhythmic dictation | Reading and writing rhythms by ear | Working out grooves and phrases, reading music, playing in a band |
| Sing the note | Vocal pitch and pitch memory | Singing in tune, sight-singing, giving the note to a choir |
Frequently asked questions
What is ear training?
It’s the practice of recognizing the elements of music by ear: intervals, chords, scale degrees, rhythms and melodies. Music schools call it aural skills. The goal is to hear a piece of music and know what’s happening in it, without an instrument in your hands.
Do I need perfect pitch?
No. Perfect (absolute) pitch, naming a single note with no reference, is rare and isn’t what you train here. What every musician develops is relative pitch: recognizing notes by their relationship, like intervals and degrees within a key. It can be learned with practice, at any age.
How long should I practice each day?
A little every day works better than a lot once in a while: 10 to 15 minutes is enough. A round of 10 questions takes 2 to 4 minutes. Stay at a level until you get 9 or 10 comfortably, then move up.
Where should I start?
With intervals at level 1 (just 3rds and 5ths) and with major and minor chords. Then scale degrees, which help the most with playing by ear. Rhythmic dictation can be done alongside from day one.
Do I need to read sheet music?
Not for intervals, chords or degrees: the answers are names. Rhythmic dictation uses note values (quarter note, eighth note…), but the page shows each one with its symbol and how it sounds, and you can learn as you play.
Are my results saved?
Your best result for each exercise and level is kept on this device only, in the browser. There’s no sign-up and nothing is sent to a server. To send a drill to someone, use “Share this drill”: the link opens the exercise with the level and options already set.