Advanced Ear Training
What makes ear training advanced?
Difficulty in ear training doesn't just come from adding more complex chords. It comes from:
- Speed: Reducing the time you have to process the sound.
- Context: Hearing harmonic intervals (notes played simultaneously) rather than melodic ones.
- Pool Size: Having to choose from 12 intervals instead of just 4.
The ultimate interval challenge
The true test of interval recognition is the Harmonic Challenge. Set your trainer to include all 12 intervals, and set the direction to "Harmonic" (both notes played at exactly the same time). This forces you to recognize the overall texture and dissonance of the interval, rather than calculating the distance between two distinct notes.
Breaking through plateaus
If you get stuck on advanced exercises (like constantly confusing the Minor 6th and Major 6th), isolate the problem. Create a custom session with ONLY those two confusing intervals and drill them until the difference becomes obvious.
Ready to practice?
BananaTone is a free, fast ear training app. No sign-up required — just open and start practicing.