Ear Training Exercises #2: Solfege Math

Here's a little exercise that can be developed into many others. The premise is simple but it's been working for me.

First, I pick a three note set - for example:

C,D,E

In solfege this is : DO RE MI

By not repeating any notes and figuring the different combinations we can get for the note, we have 6 permutations:

DO RE MI

DO MI RE

RE DO MI

RE MI DO

MI DO RE

MI RE DO

This is the same premise that we've previously used for different right hand and left hand pattern possibilities. By practicing this way whether by singing the example or playing it on the guitar (or any instrument for that matter), we get used to hearing it.

This can be applied to ANY three note set. Obviously, it can also include sets with more note but then the permutations get more involved. Ex: 4 note sets have 24 permutations - still managable but I kind of like three notes more. It seems more portable to me.

The exercise can be extended to include:

1. different rhyhtmic options
2. different dynamics
3. different articulation

There are more possibilities but I'll leave it at that for now!

Till later, play on!