Ear Training - The Missing Piece in My Musical Journey

BluesGuy · Post by **BluesGuy** » Mon Feb 02, 2026 9:58 am

I've never had a musical education. I've faffed about on DAWs, guitar and piano for years and of course, without lessons, I've remained an amateur. But I can't believe I'd never tried what I'm trying now. Going back to the basics. I'm talking about ear training.

GearNerd · Post by **GearNerd** » Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:41 am

Another way that worked for me was to improvise/compose. It really forces you to think about the function of a chord or particular scale degree.

MetalPlayer · Post by **MetalPlayer** » Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:44 am

I've only done a little of it but I guess just like with theory, it was for a very long time something I didn't see the need for. It's still something I have to discover.

Newbie · Post by **Newbie** » Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:48 am

I have formal music training, and I can confirm - ear training isn't the basics, it's the fundamentals! A good ear is the foundation on which all musicianship is based.

StudioPro · Post by **StudioPro** » Mon Feb 02, 2026 10:52 am

Sonofield app is excellent for this.

Solarflares · Post by **Solarflares** » Tue Mar 10, 2026 4:57 am

Biggest hurdle is to train the ears to listen ‘flat’.
Go out in the woods, and just sit and listen.
None of those vibrant sounds have EQ on them.
After an hour you will hear incredible detail.
Now, in the midst of all that, imagine your guitar playing over the top of it.
I will tell you now that slicing treble, piercing projection, gut-thumping bass, and the incessant rasp of a poor set of Chinese valves - none of these will be imagined.
What you will perceive in your mind is mostly mid-range beauty and complexity.
Now go home and do it for real.