Ear Training Core
The ear training core, in combination with arranging, harmony, conducting, tonal harmony and counterpoint, and music technology courses, will provide you with a broad-based musical vocabulary, important skills for your major studies, and a well-rounded musical background. Every entering student is placed into arranging courses based on the proficiencies, skills, and knowledge demonstrated on the ear training section of the Entering Student Proficiency Assessment.
For more information, also see the Glossary of Terms Used and Recommended Reading List.
Once the core requirements have been completed, Berklee students can choose from a variety of ear training electives. Electives range from Performance Ear Training (for each instrument), Rhythmic Ear Training (advanced rhythmic concepts), Harmonic Ear Training (hearing chord progressions), Advanced Ear Training (atonal interval hearing), and Jazz Transcription.
Watch the video below for more on Berklee's ear training program:
Required of all students.
Upon completion of this program, students will:
- 1. Sight-sing accurately from notation, using movable-do solfege with a given reference pitch;
2. Transcribe and notate rhythms, melodies, and harmonies using standard musical symbols;
3. Develop accurate inner hearing (audiation) of pitch, rhythm, and harmony;
4. Express inner hearing (audiation) through singing, conducting, and dictation;
5. Connect reading, listening, singing, and playing in real time;
6. Recognize and analyze musical patterns and relationships;
7. Integrate aural perception, performance skills, improvisation, and composition with knowledge of music theory; and
8. Evaluate their own learning and practice processes, develop self-diagnosis skills, and implement strategies to foster continuous growth and lifelong musicianship.
Required of all:
Required of students majoring in composition, music education, or music therapy:
Required of all other majors:
OR
Students must enroll in the four required core ear training courses in consecutive semesters of attendance, starting with their first semester, until they have passed all four.
Preliminary ET level placement is determined by ESPA scores. Students may begin the sequence in ET-123: Ear Training 2 for Entering Students, ET-223: Ear Training 3 for Entering Students, or ET-224: Ear Training 4 for Entering Students. Advanced placement by ESPA score is subject to verification and adjustment by their assigned teacher or Department Chairs, during the first weeks of the semester. A few students per year test out of all four core classes and are encouraged to take one elective in Ear Training or Performance Ear Training (PFET) in their first semester, chosen in consultation with the Chair or Assistant Chair.