Ear training and learning outcome

Abstract

This article presents a study among a smaller group of teacher students on the outcome of a widespread ear training method used in music education. For many years, students in teacher education have learned numerical sight-singing in order to facilitate score reading and understanding of melodic patterns. This study is about measuring how effective this method is, and how much practice is required in order to attain progress. Two relatively similar student groups were included in the survey. One group had ear training, the other did not. Findings from earlier studies indicate that this method is effective in choirs. The results from this study, measured in a pre- and a post-test in score reading and melodic dictation, show that teacher students who practice around 1000 minutes over a 7-month period, are more fluent and accurate in score reading and the ability to recognize melodic patterns.