Hi,
I don't see scale identification in the beginners course. (Am I missing something?)
So the first time it appears (in General Workshops), the only "training" is the brief into in C major I believe.
The exercises jump in at random key signatures right? How is someone with no training in distinguishing these scale differences supposed to get started?
Thank you,
Gary
Scale Identification too hard
Moderator: Quentin
-
gkscoot@gmail.com
- Stage rookie
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 20 Oct 2020, 12:15
Re: Scale Identification too hard
Hi Gary,
One of the main aims of the Beginner's Course is to explain how a scale is built by exploring the Major scale step by step.
In the General Workshop, you are then training with other scales after being explained how they are built more specifically. But please keep in mind that even though the workshops do include basic explanations about the theory, they are first and foremost training tools, as opposed to a course like the Beginner's Course. Hopefully in the future, EarMaster will offer more courses for intermediate and advanced levels.
One of the main aims of the Beginner's Course is to explain how a scale is built by exploring the Major scale step by step.
In the General Workshop, you are then training with other scales after being explained how they are built more specifically. But please keep in mind that even though the workshops do include basic explanations about the theory, they are first and foremost training tools, as opposed to a course like the Beginner's Course. Hopefully in the future, EarMaster will offer more courses for intermediate and advanced levels.
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -
Re: Scale Identification too hard
if the general workshop is too hard for you, you could still use the custom training and set it to a fixed key center.
also slowing down the scale playback will make it easier and maybe also do more interval recognition first, because that will help you will scales. also to have a firm image of a major scale in your mind and being able to sing it is essential
very easy method that will get you started: set playback speed to slow. now listen to the scale the first time, and only concentrate on the step from the second to last to the last note. if it's a whole tone, bingo, you identified mixolydian. if it's a half step, it must be either ionian or lydian. listen to the scale again, this time count the notes as it plays back 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. was the last one between 4 and 5 a whole tone or semitone? if it was a semitone, what you heard was the step up from #4 to 5, so it must be lydian. if it was a whole tone, you got your good old ionian major scale.
also slowing down the scale playback will make it easier and maybe also do more interval recognition first, because that will help you will scales. also to have a firm image of a major scale in your mind and being able to sing it is essential
very easy method that will get you started: set playback speed to slow. now listen to the scale the first time, and only concentrate on the step from the second to last to the last note. if it's a whole tone, bingo, you identified mixolydian. if it's a half step, it must be either ionian or lydian. listen to the scale again, this time count the notes as it plays back 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. was the last one between 4 and 5 a whole tone or semitone? if it was a semitone, what you heard was the step up from #4 to 5, so it must be lydian. if it was a whole tone, you got your good old ionian major scale.