How Ear Training Helps You Become a Better Ukulele Player

[@RockClass101]

For an introductory lesson on intervals, jump into our music theory course: rockclass101.com/introduction-music-theory-jamming/

[@AdamBHarrisHarpist]

Back in the days when I was doing piano teaching, I met a nice 10 year old girl who wanted to learn to play the piano. She is the only person I've ever met who is tone deaf, in that she couldn't distinguish between different pitches. You could play the rhythm of Happy Birthday on one note and to her it would be the same as the tune played correctly. I had never seen anything like that before and haven't experienced it since. So in the spectrum between Mozart and whatever it is that isn't Mozart, she was on the non Mozart side. I strongly recommended to the girl's mother that the piano was not in her future but she was keen and they wanted to continue. She stuck it out for one or two terms and learnt how to play a few tunes and that was it. So she had satisfied her curiosity and had hopefully picked up some finger dexterity and some of the other benefits associated with learning an instrument.

[@thebumblebard]

The cute / wholesome style of the thumbnail for this video only reinforces Matt's existence as a literal children's show host--along with the lovely messages about the uniqueness and significance of every person and their musical journey. The only thing missing from this picture is a cartoon, sentient ukulele, which I now want to draw for no reason. 😅 Anyway... This lesson was fantastic as always! Thank you! 😊 ...Fiesty mama buffalo!! 😅😂😅😂 I came up with another analogy for this concept, but I already have rambled on enough. Thank you for all the amazing content y'all create! 😊

[@davidsaul8054]

You are an absolute life saver! I have understood the the importance and benefit of ear training for a couple of years - but I've never got it and quickly give up in a state of mild depression. I'm not s musician, but took up uke a few years back - and luckily found rockclass101 (and you!). I can play melodies on the piano by ear reasonably well, buy hey, i can't play the piano. In the last -2 months i finally discovered i can now sort if do that on the uke. (Linear keyboard notes seem more logical than strings on fretboards). But i just can't tell you what interval youve just played. But your video and your family stories have motivated me to try again and approach it in a more relaxed way. Never though of working out a melody by ear was ear training, so never used it as practice. Thank you!

[@UkeAlong]

Ear training has probably been the most impactful thing I added to my regular practice in the last 15 months. Can only recommend to start doing it. A few minutes a day will get you a long way.

[@ma-qj8vn]

Thank you so much for this! I have been learning to play the uke for almost 10 months now and still felt like I would never be able to play by ear. But know with your story I can totally relate to "not getting what these pitch-knowers are talking about". I do see more colours and more colour shades than the average folk and drawing always came naturally to me. But with playing I struggled to understand what note is what and felt weird cause "it was so different then when I draw" :D . Your video has been very inspiring to continue and learn and problem solve

[@tracycatherine2856]

This is gold, Mat! Love your personal story too. Thank you ❤

[@janemar2311]

Really interesting about perfect pitch..Am interested in learning more music theory. I got a few books but get lost easily. It would be great if you could do some more bite sized chunks of theory..Love your tutorials too

[@RockClass101]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Jane! We do have an intro to music theory course: rockclass101.com/introduction-music-theory-jamming/ And Matt's taught a few more music theory lessons: rockclass101.com/livelessoncategories/?_sft_post_tag=theory-based

[@loribuda4055]

This is very encouraging. I have been struggling with this. Thanks for sharing your own struggles.

[@michellelawhorn5707]

Thank you 🎶🎵🎶

[@amanda-janedeagrella5020]

Brilliant explanation!! Thanks Matt 🙏🏼👏🏻🌼🌸🌺

[@traumwandeln]

this has been short and fresh, for a livestream. thank you (edit: i think that sound rude, sorry, it was meant as a compliment :D ... germans... whoops)