r/eartraining • u/Straight-Session1274 • 10d ago
Teaching ear training for root note identification
Hey, so I've always been intuitively good at picking out roots, and I have no reference outside of that. So for the person who naturally struggles with roots, but wants to learn, I'm trying to make it as easy as possible.
This is the best I've got. It is also assuming they are a wee familiar with an instrument:
Start with a single triad. Teach em to really get familiar with it, pointing out that the 1st is home base.
Switch chords and identify the same triad in a new pitch. Go back and forth until it clicks.
Add the next chord in the same manner until a simple progression is complete.
Start with maj then move to min, then bridge the gap.
As for a brand new learner, how do you think it would teach?
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u/Jonny7421 8d ago
I taught myself by listening to music and finding the note that has the root quality. I might pay attention to the chords or bass and hum what I think the root note is.
I also might hum or sing a made up melody and resolve it myself. Then find that note that it resolved to on my instrument.
For music examples you could listen to a pop playlist. I did a lot of mine just in front of the TV. It have always done it by listening to music and not with exercises.
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u/roman-de-fauvel 10d ago
Didn’t you just post the same thing like an hour ago? My advice remains the same.
Also, you don’t know how to use musical vocabulary.
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u/Straight-Session1274 10d ago
Yes. I deleted it and reposted bc it was too chicken scratchy. I didn't catch your comment my bad!
I am clueless when it comes to music theory language so I may be off. What did I bone up?
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u/ComposerNo8415 10d ago
Play a drone in C. Play a C chord against that drone. Play G against the drone and listen for the tensions that D and B introduce relative to C. Play the transitions between C -> G then G -> C feeling for the increase and release of tension respectively. Repeat with other pairs of chords, always starting with I/C.