Ear training is an essential and often overlooked component of a well-rounded musical education for violinists. Implementing aural skills training in your violin studio takes only a few minutes in each lesson and pays off in the long run. Students with a good ear have improved intonation, improvisation, tuning, and musicality. They also are more prepared for high school and college music theory courses and have a distinct advantage if they decide to pursue a university degree in music.
Ear training doesn't have to be intimidating for teachers or students. Many theory workbooks, including my favorites, Theory Time and Just the Facts, have an ear training component. Online courses, such as Piano Program, prepare students to state theory exams and cover the necessary aural skills. Musictheory.net and its accompanying Tenuto app have customizable interactive ear training exercises.
Here is a sample roadmap for introducing ear training to violin students, based on the TMTA Theory Syllabus.
Understand the difference between:
high and low
up, down, and repeat
same and different
step and skip
major and minor triads
major and minor scales
Identify intervals:
2nd
5th
7th
3rd
8ve
4th
6th
Identify interval quality
Identify triads: major, minor, augmented, diminished
Distinguish between the three types of minor scales
Identify cadences
In addition to the above ear training exercises, students should practice taking rhythmic and melodic dictation, applying the rhythms and intervals they have learned.
Here is a sample ear training exercise you can try with your students today! This mini video lesson for an 8-12-year-old beginning student explains how notes move up, down, and repeat in the context of the open strings. It includes a free printable handout for students to practice their new skills. Be sure to subscribe to Violin Club on YouTube for more music theory videos for your students.
Do you have any favorite games, worksheets, or resources for teaching ear training to your violin students? Please share in the comments or join Violin Club on social media and let's continue the conversation.