A 10-minute daily ear-training routine
Do it before you sing, with headphones if you can.
- 2 min · Higher or lower: play the game until you get 8 in a row
- 3 min · Pitch matching: play one note, hum it, then sing it on "la"; record and check
- 3 min · Intervals: learn one at a time, starting with the octave and the fifth
- 2 min · Sing a short scale up and down slowly, checking each note against the keyboard
Why do I sing off-key if I can hear the song fine?
Hearing a melody and reproducing it are two different skills. Most off-key singing comes from not checking your own pitch while you sing, or from tension that pulls notes flat or sharp. Recording yourself and comparing against a reference note is the fastest fix. "Tone deafness" in the medical sense is rare.
Does ear training help with Arabic maqamat?
Yes. Maqamat such as Bayati, Saba and Rast use quarter-tone intervals that a piano cannot play exactly. Train on Western intervals first to build accuracy, then learn the maqam intervals by ear from an oud, qanun or a teacher's voice.
Free tool
Ear-training game
Press "Listen" to hear two notes. Is the second higher or lower? Once you get 8 in a row, try interval mode.
Questions people ask us
How long does ear training take?
Most people notice better pitch within a few weeks of daily practice. Interval recognition takes longer and keeps improving for months.
Can ear training fix hearing problems?
No. Musical ear training is a listening skill. If you suspect hearing loss, see an audiologist or ENT doctor.
Do I need a teacher?
The game builds the basics. A vocal coach checks what you cannot hear in yourself; see our vocal performance course.