3.19 Recognizing melody

The exercise Recognizing melody is a preparatory exercise for Chapter 3.20 Melodic deviation.

The purpose of this exercise is to learn to hear the difference between two differently notated melodies. The difference between these two melodies concerns only one note.

Exercise recognizing melody

Ear Training exercise 3a: recognizing melody. The played melody is notated twice. Choose the right melody.

Example question

The next melody is being played:

Which melody do you hear?

Choise 1:

Choise 2:

Practical steps

The melody is being played in the A minor scale. The difference between the first and second melody is the second eight note in the second bar:

1. In the first melody, a G# is being played. This is the raised seventh tone, the leading tone.
2. In the second melody, a G is being played. This is the natural seventh tone (compare with the G# in the third bar).

Sing the two notated melodies to train your inner hearing abilties. Then play the melody and try to hear whether in the second measure:

1. the leading tone G# is played (choise 1) or
2. the seventh tone G is played (choise 2).

Answer: choice 1.