Basics of Ear Training

As a sound engineer in the making, I have attempted to learn various concepts and techniques to proceed with my dive into the Audio World. Whether it is learning different recording techniques, applying compressors and EQ's or just mixing a track the right way, there is one thing that plays a crucial role, in doing the job successfully. That is, having trained ears. Ear training is the process of fine-tuning our hearing abilities to pick-up subtle differences in the variation of sound. When one has well trained or "Good Ears," it is fairly easy to identify any alteration in sound, along with the extent to which it is has been manipulated. For Example, identifying at what frequencies to boost or cut to remove muddiness or add brightness to a track. Ear Training can also be very fruitful to Musicians, Composers and Producers. Listed below are the various benefits of Ear Training:

• Improving at the ability to Improvise
• Sharpening sense of Rhythm
• Tuning Instruments
• Identifying Elements of a song
• Transcribing tunes by Ear
• Singing in Pitch

While aforementioned are the benefits to Musicians, there are numerous advantages of Training Ears to Sound Engineers. Last Week, I had taken up the 'Phillips Golden Ear Training' programme. This programme trained my Ear's in the following specifics of Sound :

• Timbre Spectral Balance
• Timbre Coloration
• Noise Detection
• Distortion
• Stereo Width
• Loudness Matching

This Exercise was not only challenging but also quite fun, As it progresses the questions get tricky and push your ears to pick up minute changes. I would definitely recommend this as practise to all those aspiring to train their ears.

Sneak peak into Philips Golden Ear Training

Do comment, if you have achieved the "Golden Ear" or simply just share your experience !

Start Ear Training with the Link below !

https://www.goldenears.philips.com/en/introduction.html

Bibliography

• http://www.americansongwriter.com/2014/02/songwriter-u-compose-benefits-ear-training/ 
• http://www.earmaster.com/wiki/ear-training/what-is-ear-training.html
• https://www.goldenears.philips.com/en/introduction.html