I recently discovered the full potential of the melodic dictation in the ear training software I use, EarMaster. Until I changed the default settings, it printed the name of the key under the key signature, supplied the first note of the sequence I was supposed to transcribe, and played aloud the notes as I entered them on the staff. It was too easy, and I wasn't getting much out of it. I finally checked the settings and made it more difficult. Now I first need to figure out the key signature. (I still need to memorize them all... eek!) Then I need to hear all the notes in relation to the key center (it plays a cadence before the sequence of notes), including the first. And I can't hear them as I click the staff, so it's more challenging and very good for my ears.

I'm finding this far easier than when I took a music theory class in college, probably from all the other ear training exercises I've been doing for the past month. I keep surprising myself with the right answers.

Today's Summary

• warm-up: left finger isolation while watching The Office, 1 hr
• SRV: more of the fast lick at 3:53 in "Lenny", plus a few from "Pride and Joy", 2 hrs
• sight reading: Ab major, 6 positions, 1 hr
• 1001 Jazz Licks book: random page of 10 licks, attempt to sight read, then memorize, 1 hr
• singled out 1 of the 10 licks, practiced in different keys, positions, worked on phrasing
• ear training, 1 hr