Why Is Ear Training So Hard?

Summary

In this video, the presenter addresses the difficulty of ear training, highlighting two main challenges: practicing exercises that are too advanced for one's skill level and following ineffective training methods. The interval method is criticized for its atonal approach, which doesn't align with how our musical perception naturally develops. The presenter emphasizes the importance of starting with simple tonal exercises to build a musical vocabulary, allowing for intuitive recognition of music. They also suggest measuring practice effectiveness through noticeable improvements and real-world music application.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The video discusses the difficulty of ear training and offers insights into why it can be challenging.
• 🚫 One reason ear training is hard is due to practicing exercises that are too difficult for one's current skill level.
• 👣 It's important to develop basic skills before moving on to more complex ones, akin to learning to walk before running.
• 🔍 The interval method is criticized for not having a gradual step-by-step approach, which can hinder progress.
• 🎵 Intervals are atonal exercises that don't account for the tonal context, making them an advanced skill to master.
• 🧠 Our perception of musical pitch is context-dependent, so starting with tonal context is crucial for effective ear training.
• 📈 To improve, one must internalize the sound of notes in a tonal context before tackling more complex harmonic contexts.
• 💡 Overloading short-term musical memory by trying to memorize too many notes at once can lead to inaccuracies in recognition.
• 🔄 Another reason training is hard is following an approach that doesn't align with how our musical pitch perception develops.
• 🔄 The interval method and trial-and-error approaches don't foster a tonal vocabulary, which is necessary for intuitive music recognition.
• 📊 Effective practice should yield noticeable results within weeks or bi-weekly, indicating whether the training method is suitable.
• 🌟 Developing a tonal vocabulary is essential for an intuitive connection with music, allowing for effortless recognition of melodies and chords.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to answer why ear training can be so hard and to provide guidance on effective training methods.

What are the two main reasons mentioned for the difficulty in ear training?

The two main reasons are practicing exercises that are too difficult for one's current skill level and following an approach that doesn't match how our perception of musical pitch works and develops.

Why can practicing exercises that are too difficult be a problem in ear training?

Practicing exercises that are too difficult can be a problem because it's akin to trying to run before learning to walk well, which can hinder the development of basic skills necessary for more complex ones.

What is the issue with the interval method as discussed in the video?

The interval method is problematic because it lacks a gradual step-by-step approach and focuses on atonal exercises, which doesn't align with the natural development of musical pitch perception.

How does the interval method differ from a tonal approach in ear training?

The interval method focuses on learning the distance between two notes without considering their tonal context, whereas a tonal approach emphasizes understanding notes within a harmonic context.

Why is it important to start with a basic tonal context in ear training?

Starting with a basic tonal context is important because it helps in internalizing the sound of notes within a key, which is essential for recognizing more complex harmonic contexts later on.

What is the trial and error approach in ear training and why is it ineffective?

The trial and error approach involves searching for notes or chords on an instrument until they match the ones in a song, which doesn't develop a tonal vocabulary or an intuitive connection with music, thus remaining ineffective for advanced ear training.

How can one determine if their ear training practice is ineffective?

One can determine if their practice is ineffective by not seeing noticeable results within a month or two, or if what they learn doesn't apply well to real music scenarios.

What should be the goal of effective ear training practice?

The goal of effective ear training practice should be to develop a tonal vocabulary that allows for an intuitive connection with music, enabling recognition of melodies and chords without excessive rational effort.

Why is it important to be patient when developing musical hearing skills?

Developing musical hearing skills requires patience because it involves a complex system of interrelated skills, similar to learning a language, which takes time and gradual progress from the basics.