Aural

Aural Practice Methods
05/04/2010 - 19:12 by Mike Saville

Active Listening

You learn far more when you listen than you do when you talk.

Effective listening is a core requirement for better practice. This method will help you develop your listening skills.

Firstly choose three contrasting pieces of music. In order to get the most benefit from this method try to choose music that you would not normally listen to, that is outside of your usual style or comfort zone. As well as developing your listening skills this will also broaden your general musical knowledge.

Having chosen your three pieces you need to listen to them several times each.

On the first run through listen as you would normally to get a general feel of the music.  Read more . . .

18/09/2009 - 09:45 by Mike Saville

The eyes have it


Photo courtesy of Peasap

Link your ears to your eyes so that you can hear what you see.

You can use this practice method anywhere! You don't need an instrument, just a sheet of music. Look at the notes and imagine what they would sound like. Look at how big the gaps or jumps are between the notes and hear those in your head. Hear the different tone qualities, articulations and intonations. Also hear what the other markings such as dynamics would sound like. Are there any chords? How do these sound? Use your eyes to guide your ears.

A really fun thing to do when you are able to get to an instrument or recording is to play the music. Did it sound like you imagined? If not why not? What did you imagine differently?  Read more . . .

23/07/2009 - 18:26 by Mike Saville

Complete Listening


Photo courtesy of Thibodeau

The most effective practice takes place when we listen completely. All too often however we fail to hear accurately the notes, pitches, rhythms and music we produce. We are so busy focusing on technique that we miss the music.

To be a complete listener you need to practice your listening and develop this skill like any other.

Begin by making a concious effort to listen intently to your playing.   Read more . . .

08/05/2009 - 08:54 by How To Practice

Over Ear


Photo courtesy of Mito

Making everyone within an ensemble really listen.

You will need a conductor or other bystander for this method and will also need to be playing in a group.

After the group has played through a section of music the conductor will nominate one member. That member will then need to tell the conductor what another member of the group was playing.

Play through the section of music again and this time the nominated member will have to identify what a different instrument was playing.

If you are getting good at this you can try playing through a piece without nominating someone beforehand - that way everyone has to listen to everyone else for fear of being nominated.

You will find that all members of the ensemble start to listen to each other a lot more clearly for fear of being nominated!

24/03/2009 - 16:24 by How To Practice

Ear We Go Again


Photo courtesy of shareski

Translate what you hear to your instrument and to paper.

To use this method you will need something to play back a recording on (CD/mp3 player), some manuscript paper and a pencil.

Firstly pick a piece of music you like or know well. Using your music player, listen very, very carefully to the music - try to pick up the pattern of the notes and rhythms. Listen to this section of music several more times until you can sing it note for note from memory.  Read more . . .

23/10/2008 - 10:22 by How To Practice

Follow The Leader


Photo courtesy of shaghaghi

This method will improve your all round ensemble and listening skills.

You will need a friend or a group of players for this method.

  • Pick one person to be the leader.
  • This person to pick a note to play.
  • The rest of the group must copy exactly how the leader plays this note ie Loud, Soft, harsh, smooth etc.
  • The leader picks a new note and the group must again follow exactly. Repeat this 5 times.
  • Pick a new leader.
  • Repeat.

If your group is getting good at this the leader could move onto playing more than one note for the rest of the group to follow. Make sure you listen very carefully. Is what you are playing exactly the same as everyone else?

12/06/2008 - 21:28 by How To Practice

Copy Cat

Copy Coat an Aural Practice MethodUse this method to improve your ability to play back notes and rhythms

To use this method you will need a friend (or your teacher) to practise with.

Once you have your friend do the following:

  • Pick one person to be the leader - you should take it in turns.
  • Face away from each other (or close your eyes) so that you can't see fingers etc.
  • The leader will start by playing a single note. Try to copy this note.
  • If you are successful the leader will play this note with one other. Try to copy these two notes.
  • If you are successful the leader should keep adding notes until you get one wrong.
  • Swap the person who is leading and continue to try and copy each other.

A few minutes spent regularly in this way will improve all aspects of your playing.   Read more . . .