Interval Trainer
Hear two notes, name the interval — melodic or harmonic.
Score: 0 / 0
Interval ear training — develop relative pitch
Two notes are played from a random starting pitch; name the distance between them. Easy uses the unison, major third, perfect fourth, perfect fifth and octave. Medium adds the seconds and the sixth. Hard uses all thirteen intervals from unison to octave, including the tritone.
Because the starting note moves every question, you are forced to hear the relationship rather than memorise absolute pitches. That is the skill that transfers to playing by ear.
Anchoring intervals to songs
Most players learn intervals faster by attaching each one to the opening of a tune they already know, then recalling that tune when they hear the interval. Pick your own references rather than borrowing a list; the recall works better when the song means something to you. Once an interval is solid, stop using the crutch and name it directly.
Working on single notes instead is the note recognition trainer.
Frequently asked questions
What is interval ear training?
It is the practice of naming the distance between two pitches by sound alone. That distance, the interval, is what lets you work out a melody by ear or hear that a harmony part has gone wrong, without needing to know which key you are in.
Should I start with melodic or harmonic intervals?
Melodic, where the two notes are played one after the other, is easier because you can compare them in sequence. Switch to harmonic, both notes at once, after the melodic version stops being difficult.
How long before this makes a difference?
Short sessions beat long ones. Ten minutes a day is far more effective than an hour once a week, because the skill is recall rather than understanding.