Ear training here means matching distances between notes—not reading notation. You will practice two intervals (major third and perfect fifth) from a fixed root. Use the same root for the whole session so your ear learns relative distance.
SingMeter tools for this lesson
Step-by-step practice
- 1
Choose your root note
2 minPick Do in a comfortable part of your range (e.g. G3, C4, or D4). Write the root name on paper. All intervals today start from this note.
- 2
Learn the major third by ear
6 minOn Tone Generator, play your root (Do) for 2 seconds, then play the major third (Mi) for 2 seconds—repeat 5 times without singing. Examples: C4 → E4, G3 → B3, D4 → F#4. Close your eyes for the last 3 listens and imagine the jump.
Open Tone Generator → - 3
Sing the major third and check
5 minPlay Do once. Stop the tone. Sing Do, then Mi from memory on “La.” Open Pitch Detector: sing Do again—check green zone. Sing Mi—check green zone. If Mi is flat, replay the reference once, then retry (max 2 replays per attempt).
Open Pitch Detector → - 4
Learn the perfect fifth
4 minSame root. Play Do, then Sol (perfect fifth)—e.g. C4→G4, G3→D4. Listen 5 times, then sing Do–Sol–Do without the generator. Verify both notes on Pitch Detector.
Open Tone Generator → - 5
Mixed drill
3 minRandom order: a friend calls “third” or “fifth,” or flip a coin. From your root, sing only the requested interval top note, then the full interval down. Stop while accuracy is still good—do not drill when tired.
Self-check before you finish
- ✓I can sing a major third and perfect fifth from my chosen root without sliding from below.
- ✓Pitch Detector showed both notes within about ±15 cents at least once each.
- ✓I know which interval felt harder today (third or fifth).
Why this routine works
Hearing a reference, then singing it back with visual cents feedback connects ear and voice. Short intervals are easier to memorize than full melodies at first.
Common mistakes
- !Only practicing with lyrics instead of neutral vowels.
- !Ignoring flat/sharp bias—write down whether you tend flat or sharp today.
- !Using speakers so loud the mic picks up the reference instead of your voice.
When to stop
Take a break if your focus drops and errors increase—ear training is more effective in fresh 10-minute sessions.
Go deeper (blog)
These articles explain the "why" behind today's exercises—they are optional reading, not a repeat of this lesson.
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