Part 4 Ear Training: The Value of Singing at Piano Lessons

Ear Training
 Unfortunately, ear training is one aspect of music lessons that is often neglected.  Since I started using Music Progressions as the framework for my curriculum, I've introduced ear training concepts much early then I was taught them.  Following are a few ideas of how to use singing to solidify early ear training concepts.

High Low: My daughter loves this song that she learned from a friend who is in the Let's Play Music program.  Let's Play Music Red Balloon
I love how it has given her a jumpstart on understanding the concept of high and low notes even though she's only 3.   Pairing singing with actions makes this even more effective.
Forte Piano:

Sharps : F# Sharks  For fun one day I introduced the sound of half steps to my 3 year old by playing some 2 note slurs on F to F# (Jaws opening theme) and sang "a SHARK, f-SHARP, a SHARK, f-SHARP" and was surprised that she remembered where f# was a few days later when we were playing a game climbing up the piano keys.
Melodic Intervals:  For some students singing up the scale to determine intervals is a cinch, but others find it easier to associate each interval  with a familiar song.
Perfect Unison - "Jingle Bells"
Major 2nd - "London Bridge is Falling Down"
Major 3rd - "O When the Saints" OR  "We Have Been Born"
Perfect 4th - "Here Comes the Bride"
Perfect 5th- "Star Wars"
Major 6th Here Comes a 4th  During Piano Lab students review the songs associated with the major intervals by matching the interval to the song  on Quizlet. 
Harmonic Intervals: I've been very impressed with the Let's Play Music program because of their early focus on ear training concepts.  Check out their Turtle Shells Song for introducing Harmonic Intervals on their demo videos.
Major Minor Song


David Newman Ear Training YouTube Songs is another resource for more advanced concepts such as V7 chords, modes within a solfege framework.

Related Posts:
Post 1: Teaching Basic Keyboard Concepts Through Song
Post 2: Teaching Technique with Songs
Post 3: Practical Chord Progressions and Transposition
Post 4: Teaching Ear Training through Song
Post 5: Teaching Tempo and Theory through Song
Post 6: Teaching Rhythm through Song
Post 7: Teaching Music History through Song