SPECIAL PUBLICATION

February 1986

Ear Training Manual

For Musicians
NAVEDTRA 10243

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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Publication were furnished by the courtesy of
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DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

PREFACE
Special Publications (SPs) are manuals or catalogs that provide information of general benefit and career
development. SPs have no associated assignments or tests.
The Ear Training Manual for Musicians provides a basic reference on rhythm, pitch, and melody. This
SP is available ONLY in electronic Portable Document Format from the following web site:
https://www.advancement.cnet.navy.mil
Refer questions about this SP to:

COMMANDING OFFICER
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
ATTN TRAINING OFFICER
1420 GATOR BLVD
NORFOLK VA 23521-2617
DSN:
COMM:
FAX:

253-7509
757-462-7509
DSN 253-4836/COMM (757) 462-4836

Sailors Creed
I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States of
America and I will obey the orders
of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the
Navy and those who have gone
before me to defend freedom and
democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my countrys Navy
combat team with honor, courage
and commitment.
I am committed to excellence and
the fair treatment of all.

ii

EAR

TRAINING
CONTENTS
Page

CHAPTER 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section I: The Divided Beat in Simple Time.
S e c t i o n I I : The Major Triad in Numeral Notation.

1-1

CHAPTER 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section I: The Divided Beat in Compound Time.
S e c t i o n I I : The Major Triad in Staff Notation.

2-1

CHAPTER 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section I: The Subdivided Beat in Simple Time.
Section IIA: The Minor Triad in Numeral Notation.
Section IIB: The Minor Triad in Staff Notation.

3-1

CHAPTER 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section I: The Subdivided Beat in Compound Time.
Section II: Major and Minor Scale Activities.

4-1

CHAPTER 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S e c t i o n I : Syncopation Involving Beat and Divided Beat in
Simple and Compound Times.
S e c t i o n I I : Intervals and Triads.

5-1

ET i

CHAPTER 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diatonic Major and Minor Melodies in Simple and Compound Times
with Divided Beat and Leaps of Thirds in Tonic Triad.

6-1

CHAPTER 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diatonic Major and Minor Melodies in Simple and Compound Times
with Subdivided Beat and Leaps of Thirds and Fourths.

7-1

CHAPTER 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diatonic Major and Minor Melodies in Simple and Compound Times
with Syncopation and Leaps of Thirds, Fourths, Fifths, Sixths,
and Octaves.

8-1

CHAPTER 9 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non Diatonic Melodies in Simple and Compound Times with Divided
Beat, Subdivided Beat, and Syncopation.
Melodies Contain Leaps
of Thirds, Fourths, Fifths, Sixths, and Octaves.

9-1

APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time Beating Patterns

A-1

APPENDIX B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Counting System

B-1

APPENDIX C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance Procedures

C-1

APPENDIX D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance Guidelines

D-1

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CHAPTER ONE
Section I
PART I

PART II

ET

1-1

PART III

ET 1-2

ET

1-3

ET

1-4

Section II
LIST I

LIST II

LIST III

ET

1-5

LIST IV

LIST V

ET

1-6

LIST VI

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ET

1-8

ET 1-9

CHAPTER TWO
Section I
PART

ET 2-1

PART II

ET

2-2

PART

III

ET

2-3

Section II
PART I

ET 2-4

PART II

ET

2-5

PART III

PART IV

ET 2-6

PART V

ET 2-7

ET 2-8

CHAPTER THREE
Section I
PART I

ET

3-1

PART II

ET

3-2

PART III

ET

3-3

ET 3-4

Section II
LIST I

LIST II

ET

3-5

LIST III

PART I

ET

3-6

PART II

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ET

3-8

C H A P T E R

Section
PART

F O U R

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ET

4-2

PART II

ET 4-3

ET

4-4

PART III

Section II

A. Major
LIST I

ET 4-5

LIST II

LIST III

ET 4-6

LIST

IV

LIST V

PART I

ET 4-7

ET 4-8

PART II

ET 4-9

B. Minor
LIST

LIST

II

LIST

III

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ET 4-11

ET

4-12

CHAPTER FIVE
Section I
PART IA

ET 5-1

PART IB

PART

IIA

ET

5-2

PART

IIB

ET

5-3

PART IIIA

ET

5-4

ET 5-5

ET

5-6

PART IIIB

ET 5-7

Section II

SING AND RECOGNIZE SIMPLE INTERVALS INCLUDING:

PERFECT INTERVALS
P4

P5

P8

MAJOR INTERVALS
Maj2

Maj3

Maj6

Maj7

min6

min7

MINOR INTERVALS
min2

min3

TRITONE (Aug 4 or dim 5)

TT

SING

ET

AND

5-8

RECOGNIZE

ROOT POSITION TRIADS INCLUDING:

CHAPTER SIX

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6-2

ET

6-3

ET

6-4

ET

6-5

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6-6

ET 6-7

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CHAPTER SEVEN

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7-2

ET 7-3

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7-5

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7-6

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7-7

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7-8

CHAPTER EIGHT

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ET 8-3

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8-4

ET 8-5

ET 8-6

CHAPTER NINE

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ET 9-2

ET 9-3

ET 9-4

ET 9-5

ET

9-6

ET 9-7

APPENDIX A
TIME BEATING PATTERNS
The following time beating patterns are used in conjunction with ear training.

The following patterns are for the performers right hand.

Figure A.1:

Beat patterns

Sub-division may be utilized in slow tempi to clarify and control the performance of music.

To sub-divide, the conductor adds to each PRINCIPAL beat,

smaller beats moving in the same direction as the main gesture.

ETA -1

APPENDIX B
COUNTING SYSTEM

SIMPLE TIME
Always say a number for the beat whether or not it requires an attack.

Figure B.1:

The Beat in Simple Time.

Say &" (and) on the second half of any beat that has been divided.

Figure B.2:

The Divided Beat in Simple Time.

ETB

-1

Say Ta" on any portion of the subdivided beat that is not the beat
(number) or divided beat (and).

Figure B.3:

The Subdivided Beat in Simple Time.

COMPOUND TIME
Always say a number for the beat whether or not it requires an attack.

Figure B.4: The Beat in Compound Time

ETB

-2

Say & ( a n d ) o n t h e s e c o n d t h i r d o f t h e b e a t w h e n t h a t d i v i s i o n i s
present and a ( u h ) o n t h e l a s t t h i r d o f t h e b e a t w h e n t h a t d i v i s i o n i s
present.

Figure B.5:

The Divided Beat in Compound Time

Say "Ta on any portion of the subdivided beat that is not the beat
(number) or divided beat (and or a).

Figure B.6:

The Subdivided Beat in Compound Time.

ETB -3

APPENDIX C
PERFORMANCE PROCEDURES
RHYTHM PERFORMANCE
Count/Clap

Identify the metrical stress and unit of beat.

Using the counting system (App. B), perform the
e x e r c i s e i n d i c a t i n g a t t a c k s b y c l a p p i n g . Counting
syllables (numbers, &, a, or ta) must be audible.

Conduct/Intone

Identify the metrical stress and unit of beat.

Using the appropriate time beating pattern (App. A),
perform the exercise by intoning the rhythm on a
n e u t r a l s y l l a b l e ( t a ) . The time beating pattern
must continue throughout the exercise.

PITCH PERFORMANCE
Number Lists

Establish the tonic triad in D Major or minor, as

applicable.
Perform the list horizontally in D
Major or D minor with one count per number and a
c o u n t o f s i l e n c e a t t h e e n d o f e a c h l i n e . The tempo
Scale
must remain constant throughout the list.
degree numbers must be used as syllables for singing.

Notation

Identify the clef and key. Establish the tonic

triad in the key of D Major or minor, as applicable.
Sing in D Major or D minor, regardless of the notated
key. Perform the exercise with one count per note
a n d a c o u n t o f s i l e n c e a t t h e b a r l i n e . The tempo
Scale
must remain constant throughout the exercise.
degree numbers must be used as syllables for singing.

Scales

Using D as a tonic, perform scales with one count per

number and a count of silence at the end of each
The tempo must remain constant throughout the
scale.
Scale degree numbers must be used as syllascales.
bles for singing.

ETC

-1

Intervals

Sing the given pitch. Sing the pitch a given

interval above or below as specified.

Triads

Using D as
per number
each triad.
throughout
be used as

Triads in
Inversion

Sing the given pitch. Sing major and minor triads

with the given pitch as the root, third, and fifth
o f t h e t r i a d . The tempo must remain constant while
singing the triad, but a pause may occur between
triads.
Scale degree numbers must be used as
s y l l a b l e s f o r s i n g i n g . Any pitch order may be used
in the triads as long as syllables and pitches are
correct.

4-note Chords

Using D as the root, perform Maj6, Maj7, Dom7,

min7 , and dim7 chords in order, with one count per
number and a count of silence at the end of each
c h o r d . The tempo must remain constant throughout
Scale degree numbers must be used as
the chords.
syllables for singing.

the root, perform triads with one count

and a count of silence at the end of
The tempo must remain constant
the triads.
Scale degree numbers must
syllables for singing.

MELODY PERFORMANCE
Select the time beating
Identify the metrical stress and unit of beat.
pattern.
Identify the clef and key. Given the pitch A 440, sing the interval
n e c e s s a r y t o f i n d t h e t o n i c i n t h e n o t a t e d k e y . Using the appropriate time
The time
b e a t i n g p a t t e r n ( A p p . A), perform the melody in the notated key.
Scale degree numbers
beating pattern must continue throughout the exercise.
must be used as syllables for singing. Follow all performance directions, i.e.
tempo, character, dynamics, and expression markings.

ETC

-2

APPENDIX D
PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES
I.

II.

III.

IV.

Rhythm
A. M e t r i c a l S t r e s s
1.
Identify
2. Select beat pattern
B . Unit o f b e a t
1. Divided Beat
2 . Subdivided beat
3 . Syncopation
4. Borrowed divisions
C. Perform Rhythm
1. Count/Clap
2 . Conduct/Intone
Pitch
A. C l e f ( i d e n t i f y )
B. K e y ( i d e n t i f y )
Sing tonic and establish key
C.
1. Sing triad
2 . Sing pentachord
3. Sing tetrachords
Sing scale
4.
Identify starting pitch
D.
Identify musical elements
E.
1. Triads
2 . Pentachords
3. Tetrachords
4. Scales
5 . Other structures
6. Difficult intervals
F. Perform Pitch
Performance Directions
A. Character/Tempo (metronome marks)/
B. Dynamics/dynamic changes
C. Other
1. Accents and articulations
2 . Expression marks
Repeat symbols
3.
4 . F ermatas
5 . Ornaments

tempo

changes

Perform
Rhythm
A.
B. P i t c h
C. Rhythm and Pitch
D. Rhythm, Pitch and all performance directions

ETD

-1