Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Kevin Ure

I designed this course when I was working as a music theory professor. This course helped my students to ensure they had a quick and easy set of tools to develop their ear. Over time, I refined the exercises to create this streamlined course.

This course trains your ear in a manner similar to the classic Hanon keyboard exercises. You’ll practice singing or audiating daily routines along with an audio recording, and eventually, you’ll read the music and hear the notes internally. Once mastered, you can work on one routine a day to keep your ear strong, even when you can’t be near a keyboard or instrument.

Read more

I designed this course when I was working as a music theory professor. This course helped my students to ensure they had a quick and easy set of tools to develop their ear. Over time, I refined the exercises to create this streamlined course.

This course trains your ear in a manner similar to the classic Hanon keyboard exercises. You’ll practice singing or audiating daily routines along with an audio recording, and eventually, you’ll read the music and hear the notes internally. Once mastered, you can work on one routine a day to keep your ear strong, even when you can’t be near a keyboard or instrument.

There are seven daily routines that can be practiced for months to establish mastery and develop a strong sense of pitch. Through structured, Hanon-inspired daily routines, you’ll develop and maintain your ear for chords, intervals, and scales. This comprehensive approach ensures that you build a solid foundation in ear training, enhancing your overall musicianship.

Key Features:

  • Major and Minor Scales: Learn and practice all major and minor scales.

  • Four Main Triads: Master the four main triads.

  • Classical-Style Seventh Chords: Understand and practice classical-style seventh chords.

  • Simple Intervals: Identify and sing all simple intervals.

  • Progressive Learning: Follow a simple and progressive manner to build your skills.

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive ear training experience, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced musicians. Beginners will find the structured approach helpful in building a strong foundation, while advanced musicians can use the daily routines to maintain and refine their skills. The Hanon-inspired method ensures that students engage in consistent, daily practice, which is crucial for developing a strong sense of pitch and musicality.

By incorporating these daily routines into your practice, you’ll not only improve your ear training skills but also enhance your overall musicianship. The course covers all major and minor scales, the four main triads, classical-style seventh chords, and all simple intervals in a simple and progressive manner. This ensures that you build a solid understanding of fundamental musical concepts while developing your ear.

Whether you’re a beginner looking to strengthen your basics or an advanced musician seeking to maintain your skills, this course provides the essential tools for daily practice and continuous improvement. With consistent practice, you’ll quickly internalize these fundamental concepts, making you a more confident and capable musician.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Interval identification: develop the ability to identify and sing various musical intervals, improving pitch accuracy and musical ear.
  • Chord recognition: gain proficiency in recognizing and constructing different types of chords, enhancing harmonic understanding and analysis.
  • Scale mastery: become adept at identifying and singing various scales, crucial for improvisation and composition.
  • Daily warm-ups: strengthen vocal and aural skills with daily warm-up exercises, preparing for advanced musical tasks.
  • Consistency and discipline: instill discipline and consistency through structured daily practice, quickly internalizing fundamental concepts.

Syllabus

Use with Unit 1 of the Flawless Course or Standalone.
Supplementing with Flawless Ear Training?

The following instructions should be used for all of the Daily Routines and Mirror Exercises throughout the course.


  1. Follow Along with the Music:

    • Listen to the recording and follow along with the music.

    • Attempt to master each daily routine in the series.

  2. Sing or Hum the Exercise:

    • Once you can sing or hum the exercise with accuracy, proceed to the next step.

  3. Audiation Practice:

    • Attempt to audiate (hear the music in your mind) without listening to the recording.

    • Aim to hear every note in each Daily Routine and Mirror Exercise with accuracy.

  4. Handling Higher Pitches:

    • If you have trouble singing some of the higher pitches, imagine those pitches in your mind.

  5. Weekly Practice:

    • Spend a minimum of one week on each daily routine.

    • Work out each daily routine like an etude until you have mastered it at 120 beats per minute.

  6. Maintenance:

    • Once all of the daily routines are mastered, use Daily Routine number 7 to maintain your skill.

    • This maintenance routine takes just 7 minutes a day or less.

Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides structured daily routines inspired by Hanon exercises, which are known for building technical skills and musicality through repetition and focused practice
Develops skills in chord recognition, which is essential for harmonic understanding and analysis in both performance and composition
Teaches scale mastery, which is crucial for improvisation and composition, providing a foundation for advanced musical tasks
Recommends supplementing this course with the 'Flawless Ear Training' course, which may be necessary for learners seeking a more comprehensive curriculum
Requires learners to follow along with musical notation, sing or hum exercises, and audiate without the recording, which may be challenging for some beginners

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Hanon-inspired daily ear training

According to learners, this course provides a structured and effective method for ear training. Many highlight the daily routine format as being particularly helpful for building consistency and discipline. Students appreciate the progressive nature of the exercises, which gradually build interval, chord, and scale recognition skills. While some find the Hanon-inspired repetitive approach challenging but effective, others note it requires dedication. Overall, students find it a valuable tool for improving musicianship, whether used standalone or as a supplement.
Works well independently or with other courses.
"Used this standalone and found it highly beneficial. It's a complete system for ear training."
"Perfect supplement to my main music theory studies. These exercises fill in gaps and provide practical application."
"Good to know it can be used with the 'Flawless Course', but it functions perfectly well on its own."
Repetitive style requires dedication but yields results.
"Like Hanon for piano, this requires repetition, but that's exactly what builds the ingrained skill. It's effective."
"The exercises are repetitive, which is the point, but be prepared for that. It's not 'fun' in a traditional sense, but it works."
"It's very much in the Hanon style - repetitive exercises designed for mastery through practice. Requires commitment."
Material builds gradually, suitable for various levels.
"The course introduces concepts in a simple and progressive manner, making it accessible for beginners but still challenging enough for advanced users."
"I appreciate how the exercises build upon each other, starting simple and gradually adding complexity."
"It progresses well, from simple intervals to more complex structures like seventh chords. Good for building a foundation."
Exercises effectively improve pitch and recognition skills.
"These exercises are powerful and effective in developing the musical ear. I've noticed a significant improvement in recognizing intervals and chords."
"My ability to audiate and identify intervals has improved dramatically since starting these daily routines."
"A truly powerful and effective way to train your ear. The results are noticeable with consistent effort."
Course structure fosters consistency and discipline.
"I found the structure of the daily routines incredibly helpful for building consistent practice habits. It really is like a Hanon for the ears."
"The daily routine format is great for discipline. Just a few minutes a day keeps my ear sharp."
"This course helps instill that vital daily practice habit needed for ear training mastery. Very effective approach."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hanon-Inspired Musicianship Exercises: Powerful & Effective with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental music theory concepts like scales, chords, and intervals to better grasp the course material.
Browse courses on Harmony
Show steps
  • Review definitions of scales, chords, and intervals.
  • Practice identifying scales, chords, and intervals by ear.
  • Complete online quizzes on music theory fundamentals.
Review 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition'
Solidify your understanding of music theory fundamentals with a comprehensive guide.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on scales, chords, and intervals.
  • Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Interval Recognition Drills
Sharpen your interval recognition skills through repetitive exercises, improving your pitch accuracy and musical ear.
Show steps
  • Use an online ear training website or app.
  • Practice identifying intervals daily for 15-30 minutes.
  • Focus on intervals that you find challenging.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Peer Ear Training Practice
Practice ear training exercises with a peer to reinforce your understanding and improve your skills through collaborative learning.
Show steps
  • Find a classmate or fellow musician to practice with.
  • Take turns playing intervals and chords for each other to identify.
  • Provide constructive feedback to each other.
Review 'Hanon: The Virtuoso Pianist in Sixty Exercises'
Understand the principles behind Hanon exercises and apply them to your ear training practice.
Show steps
  • Study the structure and purpose of Hanon exercises.
  • Adapt Hanon exercises to vocal exercises and audiating routines.
  • Incorporate Hanon-inspired practice techniques into your daily routine.
Compose a Short Melody
Apply your ear training skills by composing a short melody using specific intervals and chords learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Choose a key and time signature.
  • Incorporate specific intervals and chords from the course.
  • Record or notate your melody.
  • Analyze your melody for accuracy and musicality.
Tutor a Beginner in Ear Training
Reinforce your own understanding by teaching ear training concepts to a beginner, solidifying your knowledge and improving your communication skills.
Show steps
  • Find a beginner who is interested in ear training.
  • Explain basic concepts like intervals, chords, and scales.
  • Guide them through ear training exercises.
  • Provide feedback and encouragement.

Career center

Learners who complete Hanon-Inspired Musicianship Exercises: Powerful & Effective will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Composer
A Composer creates original musical works, writing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms to express their artistic vision. This course helps a Composer develop a finely tuned ear, essential for evaluating and refining their musical ideas. The emphasis on daily routines for scales, chords, and intervals enhances their ability to internalize and manipulate musical elements, fostering greater creativity and precision in composition. A composer who takes this course will benefit from ear training that allows them to improve their skill.
Arranger
The Arranger transforms existing musical pieces into new versions, adapting them for different instruments, voices, or styles. For an Arranger, this course can be helpful in developing the ear training skills to assess and manipulate harmonic structures, melodic lines, and rhythmic patterns. The Hanon-inspired musicianship exercises help build a strong foundation in recognizing intervals, chords, and scales, which are all crucial for crafting creative and effective arrangements. This course may be useful to those who seek to advance their arranging capabilities.
Studio Musician
A Studio Musician provides instrumental or vocal performances for recording sessions, contributing to albums, soundtracks, and other commercial music projects. As a Studio Musician, this course may be useful in improving their ability to quickly learn and perform various musical parts with accuracy and precision. The focus on scales, chords, and intervals, combined with daily practice routines, helps build a strong foundation in musicianship, making the musician more adaptable and reliable in studio settings. Such daily routines will train your ear and musicianship.
Music Educator
A Music Educator teaches music theory, history, and performance skills to students of all ages, fostering a love of music and developing their musical abilities. This course can be particularly valuable as it strengthens their own aural skills, enabling them to more effectively teach concepts such as scales, chords, and intervals. The structured, Hanon-inspired approach provides a model for creating engaging and effective ear training exercises for their students. This course helps any music educator.
Orchestrator
An Orchestrator arranges musical compositions for an orchestra, assigning instruments to different parts and ensuring a balanced and harmonious sound. As an Orchestrator, this course helps build a strong sense of pitch and interval recognition, which are essential for creating effective and balanced orchestral arrangements. The course's emphasis on scales, chords, and seventh chords helps develop a nuanced understanding of harmony, enabling the orchestrator to make informed decisions about instrumentation and voicing. With such daily routines, an orchestrator's understanding of musical concepts will continue to advance.
Songwriter
A Songwriter crafts original songs, typically including both lyrics and music, for various purposes such as performance, recording, or publication. For a Songwriter, this course can be beneficial in refining their ability to create memorable melodies and harmonies. The focus on intervals, chords, and scales helps build a strong foundation in musical theory, allowing the songwriter to experiment with new ideas and create compelling songs. A songwriter who masters this course will benefit from ear training.
Choir Director
A Choir Director leads vocal ensembles, guiding singers through rehearsals and performances. This involves selecting music, teaching vocal techniques, and fostering a cohesive sound. For a Choir Director, this course may be useful in developing a highly trained ear, allowing for the quick identification of pitch discrepancies, harmonic imbalances, and areas needing refinement within the choir. The course's emphasis on scales, chords, and intervals, along with the daily routines, helps maintain a high level of aural acuity crucial for effective choral direction.
Vocal Coach
A Vocal Coach trains singers in proper vocal techniques, breath control, and performance skills, helping them improve their voice and stage presence. For a Vocal Coach, this course can be beneficial by improving their ability to identify and correct pitch inaccuracies, tonal issues, and other vocal challenges. The focus on intervals, scales, and chords, along with daily ear training routines, helps build a refined sense of pitch and musicality to better serve students. A vocal coach who masters this course will improve their instruction.
Music Director
A Music Director shapes the overall musical direction of an ensemble, theater, or organization. A Music Director selects repertoire, leads rehearsals, and conducts performances. This course may be useful by providing the necessary ear training to quickly assess the quality of performances, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about musical interpretation. The mastery of intervals, chords, and scales that comes from the Hanon-inspired exercises helps build a strong foundation for leading ensembles and conducting with precision.
Music Critic
A Music Critic evaluates and reviews musical performances and recordings, providing informed opinions and insights to the public. This course may be useful to a Music Critic by honing their ability to analyze and articulate the nuances of musical compositions and performances. The emphasis on scales, chords, and intervals helps build a strong foundation in music theory, enabling the critic to provide more insightful and informed commentary. A strong ear is necessary to be a success in this role.
Music Therapist
A Music Therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals, promoting healing and well-being. A Music Therapist typically requires a master's degree. This course may be useful to help a music therapist develop a deeper understanding of musical elements such as scales, chords, and intervals, enabling them to create more effective and tailored therapeutic interventions. The course's focus on daily ear training routines helps build a strong foundation in aural skills, which are essential for assessing and responding to clients' musical needs.
Audio Engineer
An Audio Engineer records, mixes, and masters sound for various applications, including music, film, and television, ensuring high-quality audio production. While an Audio Engineer works mainly with sound equipment, this course may be useful by providing a deeper understanding of musical structures, which can enhance their ability to manipulate and balance sound frequencies effectively. The focus on scales, chords, and intervals, coupled with consistent ear training, helps build a more nuanced sense of musicality, complementing their technical skills. Their understanding of engineering concepts would also be beneficial.
Musical Instrument Designer
A Musical Instrument Designer creates and develops new musical instruments or modifies existing ones, focusing on improving their sound quality, playability, and aesthetic appeal. This course may be useful for a Musical Instrument Designer as it provides a deeper understanding of musical scales, chords, and intervals, allowing them to fine-tune the instrument's design for optimal sound and intonation. The Hanon-inspired exercises help build a refined sense of pitch, which is crucial for creating instruments that produce accurate and pleasing tones.
Acoustic Consultant
An Acoustic Consultant analyzes and designs spaces to optimize sound quality, minimizing noise and enhancing clarity in environments such as concert halls, recording studios, and classrooms. This course may be useful by improving their ability to perceive subtle differences in sound frequencies and identify acoustic issues. A refined sense of pitch, interval, and chord recognition, developed through the Hanon-inspired exercises, would allow for more precise analysis and effective solutions. The consultant applies acoustic science in real world scenarios.
Musical Instrument Repair Technician
A Musical Instrument Repair Technician maintains, repairs, and restores musical instruments, ensuring they are in optimal playing condition. This course may be useful to a Musical Instrument Repair Technician by enhancing their ability to accurately assess the pitch and intonation of instruments after repairs. Recognizing subtle discrepancies in sound allows for precise adjustments, ensuring instruments meet the required standards. The daily routines focused on scales, chords, and intervals help build that aural sensitivity.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hanon-Inspired Musicianship Exercises: Powerful & Effective.
Classic collection of exercises designed to improve finger dexterity and technique. While primarily for pianists, the principles of repetitive practice and muscle memory development are directly applicable to ear training. The exercises can be adapted to vocal exercises and audiating routines, mirroring the course's Hanon-inspired approach. This book is commonly used by musicians of all levels and valuable reference for developing consistent practice habits.
Provides a comprehensive overview of music theory, covering topics such as scales, chords, and harmony. It's particularly useful for students who need a refresher on the basics before diving into ear training. The clear and accessible language makes it a great resource for those with limited prior knowledge, serving as a valuable reference tool throughout the course.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser