What You'll Learn

In this exercise, you'll practice recognizing seventh chords, one at a time in a real musical texture. We focus on listening to and isolating specific chord tones by using your voice to focus your ear into the chord sonority. This way, you will develop a more intuitive understanding of chord structures.

How It Works

You'll start by hearing a cadence, followed by a sustained chord. This chord contains three notes: the root, third, and seventh, which you'll learn to identify by ear. I have structured this so you can practice in three different ways to accommodate your skill level:

1. Use your voice to isolate the three notes in the chord and don't make any effort to name them.

2. Use your voice to isolate the three notes and make an effort to determine their solfège before you hear them sung from bottom to top.

3. (Advanced) Do the above steps AND name the chord in terms of root and quality. For example: I∆7 ("one major seventh chord") would consist of do, mi, and ti.

   
   

Over time, all of these levels work together to help you play, improvise, and compose by ear.

You can practice at two different tempos:

1. 85 beats per minute for a more upbeat practice. 
   Get the audio here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1phxDNPfl1ll4cBNtAWABasL_24dlcxz-/view?usp=drive_link

2. 60 beats per minute with an ambient style to keep things relaxed. Get the audio here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IT6pQ4ECNknoVmG5sIswZ_gO3AI65Hev/view?usp=drive_link

   
   

No matter your level, this listening practice will help you develop a stronger sense of pitch and chord recognition. Soon, hearing and identifying seventh chords within a major key will become second nature.

Practice and Engage

We’d love to hear how this practice is helping you! Did you prefer the faster tempo or the more relaxed style? Are there other chords or sequences you’d like us to cover in future lessons? Please reply to this email and start the conversation!

Visit Tune Indigo for more ear training resources, and stay tuned for more ways to improve your musical skills.

Keep listening, keep learning, and we'll see you in the next lesson!

See you soon,

Hans Indigo Spencer