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Highly Recommended: Watch This Streamer's Videos
Search Max Konyi on YouTube. I created this practice website based on his philosophy. His videos provide detailed explanations of the concept of the tonic and include numerous practice sessions.
Max is also developing an ear training app called Sonofield Ear Trainer, which hasn't been released yet. Be sure to follow and support him!
1. Scale Degrees
What is a Key?
In music, a key refers to a set of notes that revolve around a specific note called the tonic. For example, the song "Two Tigers" will have different notes in different keys, but the melody remains the same. You don't need to worry about the specific note names; instead, focus on the relationships between pitches. The actual notes will change depending on the chosen key.
What are Scale Degrees?
Scale degrees are the positions of each note within a key (or their ordinal numbers). Using the common seven-note scale as an example:
- 1st Degree (Tonic): This is the central note of the key, giving a sense of "home" and stability.
- 7th Degree (Leading Tone): The seventh note typically feels "unfinished" and strongly leads back to the tonic. For instance, singing "1-2-3-4-5-6-7" and stopping on 7 feels incomplete, as if it needs to resolve back to 1.
By training these scale degrees, you can better understand the differences between them and grasp each note's function within the key.
Here is an audio example of "Two Tigers" played in three different keys: C, G, and A. After listening, it still sounds like "Two Tigers" because, in each key, the melody follows the scale degrees (do re mi do, do re mi do, mi fa so mi fa so).
2. Relationship Between Key, Scale Degrees, and Tonic
In scale degree training, each practice session features a sustained note, which serves as the "key note" or tonic. This note acts as the reference point for all other notes:
- The default key is C Major, with the notes: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, corresponding to scale degrees: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- If you choose a different key, such as G Major, the notes become: G, A, B, C, D, E, F#, while the scale degrees remain: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Each scale degree has a unique sound and function within the key. For example, 1 is the stable tonic, 5 is the dominant (providing a sense of direction), and 7 is the leading tone (unstable, tending to resolve back to 1).
3. How to Practice
During practice, you will hear two types of sounds:
- Sustained Tonic (Key Note): This is your reference note, the core of the key.
- Test Note: This is the note you need to identify and sing. You should sense its interval relationship with the tonic.
Practice Steps:
- Listen to the Tonic: First, listen carefully to the sustained tonic and feel its stability.
- Hear the Test Note: Then, listen to the test note and perceive the difference between it and the tonic. Sing both notes.
- Identify the Scale Degree: Finally, determine the scale degree of the test note (e.g., 1, 2, 3…7).
This method of listening and singing helps you understand each scale degree's role within the key and trains your auditory recognition skills.
4. Website Features
Hands-Free Mode
- When Hands-Free Mode is enabled, the system automatically plays the correct answer. This mode is ideal for practicing pitch memory and interval recognition without manually selecting answers.
Settings Options
- Volume Control: Adjust the volume of the tonic (sustained note) and the test note according to your environment. On mobile devices, you might need to increase the tonic volume slightly.
- Note Range: Set the pitch range for your practice sessions, limiting it to low, mid, or high registers.
- Select Scale Degrees: Choose specific scale degrees to practice (e.g., 3-5 or 1-7), allowing you to progress from simple to more complex levels.
- BPM (Beats Per Minute) Setting: Adjust the practice speed to match your personal rhythm preferences.
Statistics
- View your total attempts, correct answers, and accuracy rate to track your practice progress.
Delete Data
- Remove local statistical data to clear your history and start fresh.
5. Challenge Mode and Free Training
- Challenge Mode: Complete 30 questions with a minimum accuracy rate of 90% to unlock the next level. This mode is suitable for goal-oriented, advanced practice.
- Free Training: No restrictions—choose any practice content freely. Ideal for relaxed sessions or focusing on specific areas.
6. Shortcut Keys
- Use the number keys (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) on your computer keyboard to answer scale degree questions more conveniently than clicking buttons with a mouse.
- If you have a MIDI keyboard, you can play the corresponding notes to answer questions. This allows you to practice ear training while also improving your keyboard familiarity.
Happy practicing! 🎶