Ear Training and Sight-Reading Course

Lesson 1 • Rhythm and Note Values

Covers whole, half, quarter, and eighth note durations and their rests. Provides the rhythmic foundation for all clapping, tapping, and sight-reading exercises ahead.

Lesson 2 • The Staff and Clef System

Introduces treble and bass clefs, ledger lines, and note placement on the staff. Establishes the visual framework all subsequent reading exercises depend on.

Lesson 3 • Meter and the Barline

Explains time signatures, strong and weak beats, and how barlines organize rhythm. Students clap and conduct simple meters to internalize pulse.

Lesson 4 • Dynamics and Articulation Symbols

Introduces standard dynamic markings and articulation symbols found in printed scores. Connects visual symbols to expressive sound differences students can hear immediately.

Lesson 1 • The Major Scale Pattern

Derives the whole-step/half-step pattern of the major scale and applies it to multiple starting pitches. Builds the tonal reference system used throughout ear training.

Lesson 2 • Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic Minor

Contrasts the three minor scale forms and their characteristic intervals. Students sing each form to internalize the expressive differences between them.

Lesson 3 • Pentatonic and Modal Scales

Introduces major pentatonic, minor pentatonic, and the seven diatonic modes. Expands tonal vocabulary beyond major and minor for advanced ear training contexts.

Lesson 4 • Scale Degree Functions and Solfege

Assigns functional names and movable-do solfege syllables to each scale degree. Provides the singing framework used in all subsequent melodic dictation and sight-singing.

Lesson 1 • Melodic Interval Ear Training

Trains recognition of ascending and descending melodic intervals using reference songs and solfege. Students identify intervals in isolation before encountering them in melodies.

Lesson 2 • Interval Inversion and Compound Intervals

Explains how intervals invert and how compound intervals relate to their simple counterparts. Prepares students for advanced harmonic analysis and wide-range melodic reading.

Lesson 3 • Harmonic Interval Ear Training

Develops recognition of simultaneously sounded interval pairs by timbre and tension. Connects harmonic interval quality to consonance and dissonance perception.

Lesson 4 • Singing Intervals on Demand

Builds the ability to produce any interval vocally from a given starting pitch. Combines solfege, scale-degree thinking, and physical vocal control.

Lesson 1 • Functional Harmony and Roman Numerals

Assigns Roman numeral labels to chords within a key and explains tonic, subdominant, and dominant function. Provides the analytical framework for harmonic dictation.

Lesson 2 • Triad Inversions and Voicing

Explains root position, first inversion, and second inversion and their characteristic sounds. Students identify inversions by ear and in notation.

Lesson 3 • Seventh Chords by Type

Introduces major seventh, dominant seventh, minor seventh, half-diminished, and fully diminished chords. Students distinguish each type by its interval stack and characteristic tension.

Lesson 4 • Harmonic Progression Dictation

Trains students to notate chord progressions heard in short musical examples. Integrates interval, chord quality, and functional harmony skills into real-time listening tasks.

Lesson 1 • Triplets and Mixed Subdivisions

Introduces triplet notation and the coexistence of duple and triple subdivisions within a measure. Students read and clap mixed-subdivision passages fluently.

Lesson 2 • Counting Systems for Simple Meter

Introduces number-and-subdivision counting (1-and, 2-and) for simple duple, triple, and quadruple meters. Establishes a reliable internal pulse for all sight-reading tasks.

Lesson 3 • Syncopation and Off-Beat Patterns

Develops reading of syncopated rhythms, ties across barlines, and off-beat accents. Prepares students for the rhythmic complexity found in real musical repertoire.

Lesson 4 • Compound Meter Reading

Explains how compound meters group beats into three subdivisions and introduces 6/8, 9/8, and 12/8. Students feel the difference between simple and compound pulse.

Lesson 1 • Leaps Within the Tonic Triad

Introduces skips between do, mi, and sol as the most common melodic leaps. Students internalize the tonic triad sound to navigate leaps without hesitation.

Lesson 2 • Leaps to Non-Tonic Scale Degrees

Extends leap practice to intervals involving re, fa, la, and ti. Students use scale-degree function to predict and produce less familiar leaps accurately.

Lesson 3 • Chromatic Alterations in Melody

Introduces accidentals, raised and lowered scale degrees, and chromatic passing tones in melodies. Students adjust solfege syllables (fi, si, le) to handle chromatic notes.

Lesson 4 • Stepwise Diatonic Melodies

Focuses on melodies that move by step within a single key, using solfege to anchor pitch. Builds the core skill of translating notation directly into accurate vocal pitch.

Lesson 1 • The Multi-Pass Dictation Strategy

Teaches a structured listening approach: first pass for meter and contour, second for rhythm, third for pitch. Reduces errors by separating musical parameters during transcription.

Lesson 2 • Chromatic and Modulating Melodies

Extends dictation to melodies with accidentals and brief tonicizations of related keys. Students identify the moment of tonal shift and adjust their notation accordingly.

Lesson 3 • Contour and Phrase Shape

Develops the ability to sketch melodic contour before committing to specific pitches. Anchors the transcription process in overall shape rather than note-by-note guessing.

Lesson 4 • Error Detection and Self-Correction

Builds the habit of singing back notated dictations to catch pitch and rhythm errors. Develops independent quality control essential for professional transcription work.

Lesson 1 • Reading in Uncommon Clefs

Introduces alto and tenor C clefs and their use in orchestral and choral scores. Expands reading fluency beyond treble and bass for professional ensemble contexts.

Lesson 2 • Sight-Reading with Expressive Markings

Integrates dynamics, articulation, and tempo markings into first-read performances. Moves students from accurate but mechanical reading toward musical and expressive delivery.

Lesson 3 • Maintaining Tempo Under Pressure

Develops strategies for keeping a steady pulse when encountering unfamiliar rhythms or leaps. Students practice subdividing internally and recovering from errors without stopping.

Lesson 4 • Timed Sight-Reading Assessments

Simulates real audition and professional conditions with timed, unrepeated sight-reading tasks. Builds confidence and consistency under the time pressure of actual performance settings.