Learning music by ear
Encyclopedia
Learning music by ear is done by repeatedly listening to other musician
s and then attempting to recreate what one hears. This is how people learn music
in any musical tradition in which there is no complete musical notation
. Many people in cultures which have notation still learn by ear and ear training
, often through a musicianship course at a music conservatory
or college, is common practice among those who use notation extensively.
Audiation involves hearing sounds mentally, although on a different level than just "hearing a song in your head". In addition to mentally hearing rhythms and pitches the skill of reproducing those sounds involves melody, harmony (chords) and bass line.
In the West
, learning by ear is associated with traditional and folk music
, but many classical music forms throughout the world lack notation, and have therefore been passed from generation to generation by ear.
The Suzuki method
of teaching music has a highly developed focus on playing by ear from a very young age. In his book "Teaching from the Balance Point," Edward Kreitman
, a US-based Suzuki teacher, clearly distinguishes "learning by ear" as a separate, completely different process from "learning by rote
".
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s and then attempting to recreate what one hears. This is how people learn music
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
in any musical tradition in which there is no complete musical notation
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
. Many people in cultures which have notation still learn by ear and ear training
Ear training
Ear training or aural skills is a skill by which musicians learn to identify, solely by hearing, pitches, intervals, melody, chords, rhythms, and other basic elements of music. The application of this skill is analogous to taking dictation in written/spoken language. Ear training may be...
, often through a musicianship course at a music conservatory
Music school
The term music school refers to an educational institution specialized in the study, training and research of music.Different terms refer to this concept such as school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department or conservatory.Music instruction can be provided...
or college, is common practice among those who use notation extensively.
Audiation involves hearing sounds mentally, although on a different level than just "hearing a song in your head". In addition to mentally hearing rhythms and pitches the skill of reproducing those sounds involves melody, harmony (chords) and bass line.
In the West
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
, learning by ear is associated with traditional and folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
, but many classical music forms throughout the world lack notation, and have therefore been passed from generation to generation by ear.
The Suzuki method
Suzuki method
The Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that emerged in the mid-20th century.-Background:The Suzuki Method was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shin'ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II...
of teaching music has a highly developed focus on playing by ear from a very young age. In his book "Teaching from the Balance Point," Edward Kreitman
Edward Kreitman
Edward Kreitman is an American violin teacher and widely respected Suzuki teacher trainer. He is head of the Western Springs School of Talent Education in Illinois and is the author of Teaching from the Balance Point: A guide for Suzuki Teachers, Parents, and Students and Teaching with an Open...
, a US-based Suzuki teacher, clearly distinguishes "learning by ear" as a separate, completely different process from "learning by rote
Rote learning
Rote learning is a learning technique which focuses on memorization. The major practice involved in rote learning is learning by repetition by which students commit information to memory in a highly structured way. The idea is that one will be able to quickly recall the meaning of the material the...
".
See also
- Tonal memoryTonal memoryIn music, tonal memory is the ability to recall a previously sounded tone. Tonal memory assists with staying in tune and may be developed through ear training. Extensive tonal memory may be recognized as an indication of potential compositional ability....
- Ear trainingEar trainingEar training or aural skills is a skill by which musicians learn to identify, solely by hearing, pitches, intervals, melody, chords, rhythms, and other basic elements of music. The application of this skill is analogous to taking dictation in written/spoken language. Ear training may be...
- Musical aptitudeMusical aptitudeMusical aptitude is the ability to intuitively learn or appreciate music, and especially to distinguish off-key and off-pitch music....
- Music education for young childrenMusic education for young childrenMusic education for young children is an educational program introducing children in a playful manner to singing, speech, music, motion and organology. It is a subarea of music education.- Forms and activities :...
External links
- Description of Audiation from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning
- http://musicnote.sourceforge.net/