Appendix
A. Tips for Practising Ear-Training
- Set Goals.
Don’t just practise anything, practise a specific subject or discipline.
- Analyse Your
Abilities. Work out what your weakest and strongest areas are.
- Practise
What You Cannot Do. Don’t waste your practise time by practising
things you can already do. OK, it makes you feel good about yourself if you
are always getting high scores but are you improving?
- Be Focused
Whilst Practising. Concentrate on what you are trying to achieve. If you
are using your instrument don’t get distracted so that you end up playing
something else.
- Little and
Often. Regular, short practise sessions are the most effective way of
learning.
- Be Aware
of Background Influences. Outside influences can have a detrimental effect
on your performance. These may be background noise, background activity, concentration
difficulties or even your health – a slight cold can have a major effect
on your aural ability. You may not be able to do anything about them but it
may explain why you are not performing as well as you normally do.
- Don’t
Expect Too Much, Too Soon. PET is an extremely advanced program which
can be used by musicians at many levels – from beginner to professional.
Do not expect to be able to do everything it offers.
- Accept That
You Cannot Be Good At Everything. We all have our weak points.