Ear training with instrument

[Anon101]

Is there anything "wrong" about using your instrument to help with interval comparison?

When I do ear training, I have my guitar with me, and I always [even if I already know which interval is which] play the interval [but not the correct root notes ] on my guitar. I do find that with intervals I can't seem to hear, using the guitar really helps me get it right [and it will help me to relate each interval with relative locations on the fretboard].

So, is this a good substitution for singing? I know everyone says you should sing or use soflege, but wouldn't using my guitar be just as good? After all, I'm a guitarist, not a vocalist.

[Quentin]

I think that singing the intervals helps you internalize their sound physically, whereas playing them on the guitar is more of a mechanical process.

When singing, you adjust the tones you sing, thereby "educating" your brain to hit the right pitches faster, both internally and externally. On the guitar, it's more of a trial and error game, whcih of course is also beneficial.

There is absolutely no doubt that training with your guitar is not wrong. It helps you connect the sounds you hear with your instrumental reflexes.