Ear Training: Learning Intervals

Ear Training begins with being able to discern, that there are different sounds made by playing different notes on the bass. (It is recommeded that your read building major scales prior to reading this lesson)

 In Building Scales: Major Scale we utilized numbers to identify the intervals within the major scale. These numbers or intervals help us to identify from which degree of the scale a note is being generated, in relationship to the note played before.

This is often referred to as relative pitch. The identification of the relative distance between notes allows us bassist to know where to place our fingers to play the appropriate note. Each interval in the scale has a distinct sound one from the other.

 As we begin to practice hearing these intervals, our fingers begin to gravitate towards certain sounds. Coupling this technique with humming or singing the intervals of the scale will accelerate our ear training.

 Excercises:
1 – 3 – 2 – 4 – 3 – 5 – 4 – 6 – 5 – 7 – 6 – 1 – 7 – 2
Then try going backwards.
Or then alternate the direction you play the intervals in.
1 – 3 – 4 – 2 – 3 – 5 – 6 -4 – 5 – 7 – 1 – 6 – 7 – 2

you can use this as a blue print, and start jumping bigger intervals.
1 – 4 – 2 – 5 – 3 – 6 – 4 – 7 – 5 – 1 – 6 – 2 – 7 – 3

Your ear will begin to hear the differences in the intervals, and your hands will begin to gravitate towards the sounds you hear.