I am a new EarMaster user, using it mainly for my son's education. My question relates to the Melodic Minor scales.
I understood that melodic minor scale descends differently from the ascent. In EarMaster the descent seems to be the same.
This is what I am expecting:
Ascent:
1, 0.5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0.5
Descent:
1, 1, 0.5, 1, 1, 0.5, 1
In EarMaster this scale is listed separately, named "Natural Minor (Aeolian)".
Is there any way to configure EarMaster to use the "correct" descending sequence for the Melodic Minor scale?
Melodic Minor descending / ABRSM exam prep
Moderator: Quentin
Melodic Minor descending / ABRSM exam prep
Last edited by bumblebee on 07 Nov 2007, 01:34, edited 1 time in total.
Hello,
We know about the problem. The way EarMaster is made doesn't enable us to handle this yet. We are trying to find a reliable solution to it. You can't include only the ascending version of the one and the descending version of the other in an exercise, but only both versions of both scales (melodic and natural), or work on the melodic pregressively, first ascending then descending.
We know about the problem. The way EarMaster is made doesn't enable us to handle this yet. We are trying to find a reliable solution to it. You can't include only the ascending version of the one and the descending version of the other in an exercise, but only both versions of both scales (melodic and natural), or work on the melodic pregressively, first ascending then descending.
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -
OK, so EarMaster is wrong then :--D
Could you at least publish a fix to so that EarMaster will inform the user that the software is wrong in the the case of a descending melodic minor scale? e.g. pop up a message or something.
It would also be helpful to have a similar health warning in the "school" version's lesson setup function, i.e. "Sorry, but EarMaster cannot handle descending melodic minor scales, so don't test your students on this topic. Sorry!!!".
And while you're at it, put words to that effect in the EarMaster Help file.
This error in EarMaster really does make me doubt the accuracy of EarMaster in other respects. Being a relative novice to music theory, I had hoped that EarMaster would not only train my ears, but also educate me on music theory (as far as this is required for the ear training).
I've been using EarMaster on 21-day trial and had intended to buy a copy. I like the software in general, but this shortcoming leads me to look seriously at alternatives that I had previously ruled out.
Could you at least publish a fix to so that EarMaster will inform the user that the software is wrong in the the case of a descending melodic minor scale? e.g. pop up a message or something.
It would also be helpful to have a similar health warning in the "school" version's lesson setup function, i.e. "Sorry, but EarMaster cannot handle descending melodic minor scales, so don't test your students on this topic. Sorry!!!".
And while you're at it, put words to that effect in the EarMaster Help file.
This error in EarMaster really does make me doubt the accuracy of EarMaster in other respects. Being a relative novice to music theory, I had hoped that EarMaster would not only train my ears, but also educate me on music theory (as far as this is required for the ear training).
I've been using EarMaster on 21-day trial and had intended to buy a copy. I like the software in general, but this shortcoming leads me to look seriously at alternatives that I had previously ruled out.
Well, the full scale IS included, only as two different entries. It would be indeed a good idea to include a notification in the program.
EarMaster has been developped in collaboration with music teachers, and the tutors were made by university music trachers. There are of course some minor flaws, but their number gets smaller and smaller everyday, as we work on the program all the time to try to improve it.
I guess that if you look closely at the alternatives, you may realize that EarMaster isn't that bad a choice: it has a great interface, it is technically more advanced, it is the most customizable of all ear training softwares, you get actual customer support, etc...
There are of course other programs, less advanced and for more than twice the price of EarMaster 5
EarMaster has been developped in collaboration with music teachers, and the tutors were made by university music trachers. There are of course some minor flaws, but their number gets smaller and smaller everyday, as we work on the program all the time to try to improve it.
I guess that if you look closely at the alternatives, you may realize that EarMaster isn't that bad a choice: it has a great interface, it is technically more advanced, it is the most customizable of all ear training softwares, you get actual customer support, etc...
There are of course other programs, less advanced and for more than twice the price of EarMaster 5
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -
Melodic Minor descending
I _do_ like EarMaster and prefer its user interface to at least one alternative software package that is indeed a lot more expensive. However, accuracy is important, as is the trust that a student puts in the software, i.e. is it teaching him/her correctly?
In the case of the Melodic Minor key, in addition to a message to the user, how about also disabling the "descending" scale option?
I've seen another thread in this forum asking for combined ascending and descending scales. I too would like to see this. Also, with the option of two octaves.
In fact, allow the user (or the teacher, in the case of the "school" version) to specify how many ascending and descending notes of the scale will be played, e.g. up an octave, back down an octave, down a further 3 notes and back up three to the original starting point. This would allow EarMaster to be of greater value to students taking their UK music grade exams (e.g. ABRSM).
So, what are the prospects for an interim software fix addressing some of these issues?
In the case of the Melodic Minor key, in addition to a message to the user, how about also disabling the "descending" scale option?
I've seen another thread in this forum asking for combined ascending and descending scales. I too would like to see this. Also, with the option of two octaves.
In fact, allow the user (or the teacher, in the case of the "school" version) to specify how many ascending and descending notes of the scale will be played, e.g. up an octave, back down an octave, down a further 3 notes and back up three to the original starting point. This would allow EarMaster to be of greater value to students taking their UK music grade exams (e.g. ABRSM).
So, what are the prospects for an interim software fix addressing some of these issues?
Indeed.
Well, in regard to the preparation to the ABRSM, I can tell you that something will soon come up.
As well as for other national exams preparation.
We will try to do something to the issue you pointed out, like adding a warning to the tutor or so. I don't know when the next update will be out, we have been fixing some things for a while now, so I guess it will soon be available.
Well, in regard to the preparation to the ABRSM, I can tell you that something will soon come up.
As well as for other national exams preparation. We will try to do something to the issue you pointed out, like adding a warning to the tutor or so. I don't know when the next update will be out, we have been fixing some things for a while now, so I guess it will soon be available.
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -
The ABRSM exam prep software interests me... will this be part of EarMaster or a separate new software product? Any timeframes for release / beta ?
Right now, my son's ABRSM exam prep for violin (grade 3) and recorder (grade 4) are the main drivers for my interest in EarMaster, although I have a personal interest too for my own (longer term) piano and general musical development.
I'd be very interested in trying the beta of the exam software.
Right now, my son's ABRSM exam prep for violin (grade 3) and recorder (grade 4) are the main drivers for my interest in EarMaster, although I have a personal interest too for my own (longer term) piano and general musical development.
I'd be very interested in trying the beta of the exam software.