About the course

 

Course Syllabus: Ear Training - 3 

This course builds upon foundational aural skills, introducing complex harmonic analysis, advanced rhythmic concepts (including Indian Taals and compound time signatures), transposition, and basic composition skills. 

Module 1: Foundational Aural Skills Review and Dynamic Perception 

• Rhythmic and Articulation Analysis:  

  • Clapping back melodies in 2, 3, and 4 beats. 

  • Identifying and analyzing articulation: staccato or legato. 

  • Identifying dynamics: piano (P) or forte (F). 

• Melodic Structure and Time Signature:  

  • Identifying the highest and lowest note within a group of three notes. 

  • Determining the time signature (2, 3, or 4 time sig). 

  • Locating half notes within a melody (beginning, middle, or end). 

• Mode and Root Note Recognition:  

  • Aural identification of major or minor modes. 

  • Singing or playing the root note (SA). 

Module 2: Harmony and Chordal Application 

• Diatonic Chord Theory:  

  • Explaining the 7 basic chords of C Major. 

  • Determining appropriate chords for a melody in C Major, analyzed bar by bar. 

  • Exploration of different chord combinations for melodic harmonization. 

• Accompaniment Techniques:  

  • Identifying suitable accompaniment patterns for a given melody. 

  • Playing Left-Hand (LH) patterns for accompaniment. 

• Chord Progression Recognition:  

  • Aural identification of specific chord progressions being played. 

  • Identifying chords used in a three-chord progression context (using PDF resources). 

Module 3: Transposition and Composition 

• Full Melody Analysis (Sargam and Note Naming):  

  • Telling the sargam (Indian note names) of a full melody. 

  • Naming subsequent notes when the first note (e.g., C) is established. 

• Key Transposition and Memory:  

  • Memorizing the sargam and applying it to play or tell notes in new keys (e.g., D or other keys). 

  • Transposing known chord progressions (e.g., determining new chords when moving 1-4-2-5-1 from C to a new key). 

• Introduction to Composition:  

  • Composing the second line of an existing melody. 

  • Identifying the sargam and chords needed for the newly composed melody. 

Module 4: Scales, Melodic Variation, and Advanced Aural Recall 

• Alankars (Scale Exercises):  

  • Practice and aural identification of 6 specific ascending and descending alankars (e.g., S-GMPDNS, S-DPMGRS). 

• Odd Scales and Ear Training:  

  • Ear training practice centered on specific "odd scales". 

• Detailed Melodic Recall:  

  • Singing or playing specific notes of a melody upon request (e.g., the 1st note, 2nd note, last note, or 2nd to last note). 

• Variation Detection:  

  • Identifying when a single note has been changed in a melody (e.g., a change to a minor scale note). 

  • Aurally identifying and naming the changed note in both sargam and CDEF terminology. 

• Rhythm vs. Note Change Detection:  

  • Identifying if a performance variation was a change in rhythm or a change in note. 

  • Identifying the specific bar number where a change occurred. 

• Tune Analysis:  

  • Analyzing the overall tune, including applied dynamics and articulation (legato/staccato). 

Module 5: Intervals and Time Signatures 

• Basic and Diatonic Intervals:  

  • Explanation of the 7 basic intervals. 

  • Aural identification of the interval of the first two notes of a melody. 

  • Aural identification of other diatonic intervals. 

• Advanced Interval Theory:  

  • Explaining all 12 major and minor intervals. 

  • Aural identification of various played intervals. 

• Intervals within Chords:  

  • Identifying the 2 (or 3) intervals used within a C minor (Cm) chord. 

• Advanced Time Signature Concepts:  

  • Explanation of 2/4, 3/4, 6/8, 4/4, 7/8, and 5/8 time signatures. 

  • Playing melodies in different time signatures and asking for time signature identification. 

Module 6: Cadences, Sight Singing, and Taal 

• Cadence Theory (Perfect):  

  • Explaining the perfect cadence. 

  • Singing/playing the perfect cadence example (S, P N R, S). 

  • Aural identification of perfect cadences at the end of a melody. 

• Cadence Theory (Imperfect):  

  • Explaining the imperfect cadence. 

  • Singing/playing the imperfect cadence example (S, P N R.). 

  • Aural identification of imperfect cadences at the end of a melody. 

• Error Detection in Written Music:  

  • Analyzing a written melody played by the instructor (with a change in rhythm or note) and identifying if the performance is correct and what the change is. 

• Sight Singing Practice:  

  • Singing a displayed melody (using a PDF) without the aid of an instrument. 

• Introduction to Taal (Rhythmic Cycles):  

  • Explanation of 4 specific Taals (Kahaarwa, Dadra, Rupak, Deep). 

  • Aural identification of the Taal of a given song. 

 

 

• I. Who Should Enroll? 

• This workshop is ideal for: 

• Music Students of All Levels: Anyone looking to significantly enhance their listening and recognition abilities. 

• Musicians: Singers, instrumentalists, composers, and all individuals interested in developing a highly perceptive musical ear. 

• Prerequisite Knowledge: Participants should have basic or intermediate musical knowledge. This course is not suitable for absolute beginners. 

 

• III. Course Structure and Logistics  

• Course Series: This workshop is part of an independent series of modules. Each course is a distinct unit and does not represent a sequential level. You are welcome to enroll directly in any available module at any time. 

• Language: The instruction will be delivered primarily in Hindi with some English terminology. 

 

• Materials Needed: 

• Any musical instrument you play (e.g., Keyboard, Piano, Harmonium, MIDI keyboard). 

• Notebook and pen for theory and ear writing practice.