About Ear Training for Trombonists

Ever try learning a new song only to be frustrated by how slowly it's going? Have you wondered if there was a way to improve your ability to learn music? Ever wondered how your teacher was able to sing a melody accurately without their trombone? A key skill for musicians is learning how to hear and generate pitch. What does a major third sound like and can you sing it? How about a minor 6th? Developing your inner ear will give you a tool that will enable you to learn music more easily.

This class will help you develop your inner ear. It's a critical skill that most developing musicians do not focus on enough. We will learn what the intervals in an octave sound like, as well as practice hearing, singing, and notating them. We will also develop our ability to hear and notate rhythm. There will also be a discussion on the ways that we notate music.

You'll end the class with a better ability to hear and generate pitch (including the intervals within an octave) and know how to continue to develop your ability to discern sound. All participants will receive a handout/worksheet containing information, workspace, and resources.

Recommended materials: A pencil, staff paper, and a piano or keyboard

The capacity for this class is 12 students.

Class Goals

• Goal 1 - Learn to hear and dictate basic rhythms (half, quarter, eighths)

• Goal 2 - Learn to hear and sing 2nd, 3rd, 5ths, 6ths, and octaves.

• Goal 3 - Learn how to write down simple melodies by ear