Ear Training Chp 3

Melodies that Contain Chromatic/Half Steps

Now we're going to explore the flats & sharps that add colour
to the regular scales, that are the backbone of  pop, jazz, and classical music.
Most of these tunes are written in a particular key, which means they
use a set of predefined notes. However, the composer often changes one or
more of these set notes, by raising (a sharp sign "#") or lowering (a flat sign "b")
their pitch,by a half  step. We call these "#'s & "b"s accidentals.

Any note/pitch can be raised or lowered by a half step/chromatically.

Therefore in our  "C" major scale which looks like this...

any one of its' pitches could be raised chromatically/by a half step...

 or  lowered chromatically/by a half step.

Enharmonic Pitches
This is a theoretical term used to describes a pitch/sound that can be notated 2 different ways.
If you play a  "C#" on your instrument, and then play a "Db", the sound/pitch is exactly the same.
 

Exercises:
Play the following exercises on your own instrument to hear the correct pitches,
then sing them on you own, checking for accuracy as you progress.

EXERCISE 1:

EXERCISE 2:

EXERCISE 3:

   EXERCISE 4:

EXERCISE 5:

EXERCISE 6:

Repeat all of the exercises above starting on a different note, other than "C".


EXERCISE 7:

Look for tunes in your repertoire where chromatic pitches/accidentals
occur during the first 2 measures, and practice singing those phrases.
Try it in all 12 keys... if you're feeling brave.