This section introduces students to the basics of sight-singing, sight-counting, and dictations.

Prerequisites

The Ear Training Appendix assumes familiarity with Western musical notation (i.e. the first fourteen chapters of the Fundamentals section). The chapters in this section assume familiarity with all preceding chapters in the section; for that reason, it is recommended that chapters are studied in order.

Organization

In the section’s first chapter, The Basics of Sight-singing and Dictation, students are introduced to strategies for sight-singing, such as using melodic solmization. Sight-counting and rhythmic solmization are also introduced. Students learn strategies for taking rhythmc and melodic dictation, including dot grids, slash notation, protonotation, and contour lines. The next two chapters, Examples for Sight-counting and Sight-singing: Level 1 and Examples for Sight-counting and Sight-singing: Level 2 introduce a series of gradated rhythms, melodies, two-part rhythms and two-part melodies, which can be used for practicing sight-counting and sight-singing.

Audience

The Ear Training Appendix is designed for a wide audience, including high school students (including those taking AP Music Theory), collegiate non-music majors (and musical theater majors), and collegiate music majors.