VocalTools · Practice guide
Basic intervals
Recognize and sing the basic intervals (M2, M3, P4, P5, M6 and octave) by ear, using reference songs as a bridge.
Session routine
15 min total- 1Listen to the intervals MIDI once through, following in the guide which interval each pair is.3 min
- 2Link each interval to its reference song and sing the opening of each one.4 min
- 3Imitation: play each pair and sing it back in the rest, naming it ('C-E: major third').4 min
- 4Guessing round: melodic intervals in the app's Ear training.4 min
Exercises
Anchor songs
P5: the opening of the Star Wars march; octave: 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'; M3: 'Oh When the Saints'; M6: 'My Bonnie'. Pick one per interval and always use the same one.
Reference pairs (MIDI)
Each pair plays and leaves a rest: sing it back and name it out loud before the next one.
Round in the app
Ear training in interval mode: 10 questions; note your percentage and drill the ones you miss.
Weekly progression
- Days 1-2: only M3, P5 and octave with their songs.
- Days 3-4: add M2 and P4; mix all five in the app.
- Days 5-7: add the M6 and chase streaks of 10 in a row.
Checklist
- I sing the perfect 5th and the octave without thinking of the anchor song.
- I tell M3 from P4 on the first try.
- My Ear training streak reached 8 or more.
- I name the interval I hear in under 5 seconds.