Tips for Improving Chord Recognition: How Do You Train Your Ears?

[michaelarrington]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been practicing chord recognition with EarMaster, and while I’m starting to identify major and minor chords more confidently, I still struggle with more complex chords like diminished, augmented, or extended jazz chords. Sometimes they sound too similar, and I get stuck guessing instead of really hearing the difference.

My questions for the community:

• What exercises or routines helped you distinguish tricky chords more effectively?

• Do you recommend focusing on intervals first and then building up to full chords, or practicing chords directly?

• How do you incorporate EarMaster into your daily practice so that recognition becomes more natural and musical rather than just a test?

I’d love to hear your tips, personal stories, or even recommended resources. I think many learners (including me!) would benefit from hearing how others overcame this stage of ear training.

Looking forward to your advice and experiences!