Here are a few recent developments in the world of music and sound which might help inspire or guide you in your ear training!

Jump to:

• What the iPad 2 and GarageBand app mean for music
• The many benefits of music in schools
• A chance to support a new (truly modern!) opera
• How the brain improvises jazz and freestyle rap
• Help the BBC with a fun online experiment

Music and the iPad 2

Apple recently unveiled their next-generation tablet, the iPad 2 – here’s a short overview of what the iPad 2 means for mobile music creation.

They also had a huge announcement for all iPad-wielding musicians – GarageBand, the easy-yet-powerful multi-track music creation tool, has now been released for the iPad -both the original and the new version. (Summary and video of the announcement)

The iPad has already been used for a variety of exciting new music creativity and music education using apps. Check out some examples of the iPad in the talented hands of musicians, ranging from school kids to professionals:

We’ve previously covered how you can use the Mac version of GarageBand for practising interval ear training, and also how to do rhythm training with this powerful music tool. Click to read the rest…

Mix ear training with music production in Apple’s simple music software Garageband. Record fun music tracks, export them to iTunes, and load them onto your iPod to practice ear training skills like intervals, chords, note recognition, and rhythm.

One of the fundamental skills in ear training involves recognizing different music intervals. An interval essentially involves two notes in a scale played simultaneously. For example, in the C scale, playing the note C and the note E at the same time consists of an interval of a third (see image). You can explore basic music interval theory at Theory On The Web.

Practice interval training in Garageband in three easy steps: Click to read the rest…

Can’t remember the bass riff from your favorite tune or just want to write down a sweet drum beat playing in your head? Figure out complex rhythms in a snap with Apple’s Garageband. A user-friendly music software program included with every Mac, Garageband allows any music enthusiast to mix beats, record, and produce original music. You can use this simple software to work on basic ear training skills involving rhythm, pitch, melody, and harmony.

Garageband’s simple interface includes tracks for audio and MIDI, a score, basic playback controls, options for effects, a sound library, and even a virtual music keyboard you can toggle on and off again using key commands. Export music from Garageband directly into iTunes.

GarageBand User Interface

Follow these simple steps to develop your rhythm skills in GarageBand. Click to read the rest…