Great night with Malcolm Capewell on the Baritone Sax playing at Taste Restaurant on The Gold Coast .

Today I have a member question:

“I can’t hear the difference between whole-steps and half-steps, major 3rds and minor 3rds etc.

I’ve been practicing with interval-trainer apps but without much success.

Do you have any tips?”

Here’s a new exercise you can use to improve your interval recognition:

Practice Tip:

Go to the piano and play a C.

Now try to sing up an interval – let’s say a half-step.

Sing the note, and then test your answer by playing a Db.

Then do it again – sing up a major 3rd from Db.

Sing the note, and then test your answer by playing an F.

Then do it again – sing down a whole-step from F.

Sing the note, and then test your answer by playing an Eb.

And keep doing this for 5-10 minutes.

The ‘Priority Intervals’:
Focus on the 6 ‘Priority Intervals’ that most melodies use:

Go through the exercise I mentioned above – take your time with each interval, and do it for 10 minutes a day.

In a week’s time, or two week’s time – you’ll be a lot more confident with your intervals.

Modified Technique for Jazz Musicians:

Something my Jazz piano teacher used to have me practice (Terry Seabrook in Brighton) – is to improvise a solo in your right hand, and to sing each note at the same time you play it.

It’s like Rock – Paper – Sissors, but for jazz piano / ear training.

You’ll see how accurate your ear really is, and you’ll ingrain the way it’s supposed to be when you solo – you’re supposed to hear each note BEFORE you play it – and not the other way around.

As found on Youtube