What is the course about?
To give regular practice time and consideration to aural skills. Explore the musical structures and strategies that are crucial to good aural response.
What will we cover?
- Regular, systematic practice of intervals, rhythms, and recognition of form and quality of sound.
- Singing, writing examples, clapping, playing percussion, developing the short-term memory for musical fragments.
- active listening
- working towards transcription.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Hear quality and size of basic intervals, and explore them within the major scale
- Hear the major or minor quality of simple chords, and the movement within simple progressions
- Keep a pulse, discern time signature, on-beat and off-beat rhythms
- identify the tonic of the key of a melody
- have useful practice routines at your disposal.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Experience of playing is essential, and basic reading skills will be expected. No formal ear training is expected: this course will provide such a basis.
You will need to follow written and verbal instructions in English, engage in class discussions and take notes in English and staff notation.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn through listening, singing, writing examples of rhythm/melody, intensive practice of intervals, listening to and appraising recorded music (variety of styles) and some tasks in pairs or trios. Practice cd's will be issued for you to listen to, and sing along with, away from class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
All materials supplied. You may record class if you wish.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
At the end of this course you can progress to other Musicianship courses at Build. Otherwise, ear training is a vital supplementary study to instrumental or vocal courses.
For more details about musicianship and music theory please visit our blog: Musicianship and music theory at City lit which lists our full sequence of musicianship and music theory classes.
General information and advice on courses at Build is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 12:00 – 19:00.
See the course guide for term dates and further details