My brain is ruining it for me and harmonized intervals

Discuss EarMaster, ear training, theory or music in general, ask questions and share your experience.

Moderator: Quentin

Post Reply
User avatar
XXVII
Stage rookie
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 Jan 2011, 12:36
Location: Croatia

My brain is ruining it for me and harmonized intervals

Post by XXVII »

Hey guys how you all doing?

I have a question for you ear masters out there. A lad told me that if I associate an interval with a song it will ruin my training because I won't see the "color" of it. The problem is that as fast as I hear an interval my brain associates directly, I can't stop it how much I try. It associates in a split second. For example tunes like silent night, greensleeves and so on.

And another thing about harmonized intervals... I have a little problem with them. I simply don't know what to listen for, it's hard to explain but how do I tackle it? Can I listen to it like an associated song like the intervals? (Which the lad said was bad)

I'm sorry if this question has been up here on the forum several times before but I'm not good with computers.

Thank you in advance! And please if you know any tip write it down.

-XXVII
User avatar
Quentin
EarMaster.com
Posts: 2339
Joined: 27 Apr 2007, 01:25
Location: Denmark
Contact:

Post by Quentin »

Hi,

There are various meanings on whether it's a good thing or not to use songs as a reference for interval ID. One thing is sure: it's a great help in the start.

You might however argue that it can become a handicap in the future if you don't go over to recognizing intervals by how they sound instead of trying to determine whether it sounds like this song or perhaps that other song. The process of linking two notes with a song takes simply longer time than internalizing an interval and identifying it instantly as a reflex.

All in all, I don't think you should drop the reference songs just yet if you don't feel confident with 'colors' and 'moods', but keep in mind that it should only be a temporary helping trick. You should try to force yourself as soon as possible to assign colors and moods to the intervals, which is even easier if you already have reference songs as a starting point. These colors and moods will also make identifying harmonic intervals much easier.
- Because in Music, We're All Ears... -
User avatar
XXVII
Stage rookie
Posts: 2
Joined: 18 Jan 2011, 12:36
Location: Croatia

Post by XXVII »

Quentin wrote:Hi,

There are various meanings on whether it's a good thing or not to use songs as a reference for interval ID. One thing is sure: it's a great help in the start.

You might however argue that it can become a handicap in the future if you don't go over to recognizing intervals by how they sound instead of trying to determine whether it sounds like this song or perhaps that other song. The process of linking two notes with a song takes simply longer time than internalizing an interval and identifying it instantly as a reflex.

All in all, I don't think you should drop the reference songs just yet if you don't feel confident with 'colors' and 'moods', but keep in mind that it should only be a temporary helping trick. You should try to force yourself as soon as possible to assign colors and moods to the intervals, which is even easier if you already have reference songs as a starting point. These colors and moods will also make identifying harmonic intervals much easier.
Hey thanks for the help Quentin.
Post Reply