Ear Training & Music Industry Networking with Pat Ramm

LearnToPlayMusic.com presents Episode 11 of the Music Space webcast – the live Google Hangouts show. This episode’s special guest was South Australian guitarist, Pat Ramm. We discussed the importance of ear training, and how networking within a music community can lead to unexpected playing opportunities, career longevity, and a broadening of your skills base.

Networking in the Music Industry

Networking is one of the most important things in any professional musician’s career. The more people you know in the industry, the more opportunities you will have to play. Just being friendly, approaching other musicians you like and having a chat with other industry professionals can make you some great connections. Get yourself to as many networking opportunities as possible. Gigs, schools and friends can all provide you with some good connections.

When Should Your Child Start Learning to Play an Instrument?

Every child develops at different rates, before they start learning they should have developed some strength in their fingers as well as the ability to focus on something for 30 minutes. All of us with children know how spontaneous and distracted they can be! This doesn’t mean that you can’t foster a love of music in your young children. Giving your child a small or cheaper instrument, such as a ukulele, kids guitar or keyboard will allow them to play and make sounds before any formal lessons need to begin. Generally, seven is the age where more formal training can start to be of benefit.

Ear Training

What is Ear Training?

Ear training your hearing gives you the ability to listen to, and learn the songs you love without the need for tab or notation. Just playing tabs, or following scores can make your playing almost robotic. Essentially, you are just parroting. But by learning how to listen to a song, understanding what is being played, and working it out on the instrument yourself just by hearing it, gives you a greater knowledge of how the instrument works.

The Benefits of Ear Training

By understanding the different sounds of music, how they fit together, and how to recognize them, it allows you to fit in with whatever is playing on the spot. For example, if someone is jamming or playing and you want to join in – you’ll need to be able to recognize what key they are playing in and how you can play along with something that sounds good and fits. It also allows you to better understand when notes don’t work together, and clash. Good ear training is also very beneficial if you are doing an audition! If you’re auditioning to play in a band or musical project etc, it can be handy to know how to play on the spot when prior preparation hasn’t been available to you. It demonstrates a firm musical knowledge and ability to work well with others.

Ear Training Tips:

Get yourself familiar with the 3 main sounds of the guitar. The major sound, natural minor sound, and the blues sound. There’s a lot in-between, but by getting a good grip on these three main sounds through ear training it becomes easier to start identifying all the sounds. This will help develop your ability to listen, identify a key, and participate well in a jam.

About Pat Ramm

Pat Ramm has been playing the guitar since age 7, playing live and teaching from the age of 15, and has been making a living from music for the past 6 years. Music teaching has been a big part of his life, after studying under various teachers he gained a Certificate 4 in music and a Diploma in music, and continues to pass this knowledge on to 50+ students every week. He currently plays in several bands, including: The Lizards, The Bearded Clams, The Numbskulls, BB Steal and Beaver as well as 3 duos and a cover bands.

About Music Space

At LearnToPlayMusic.com, we know there’s more to learning music than can be found in a book – it’s also about people. That’s why we bring you Music Space – the weekly live videocast with international music guests performing live and discussing the hows and whys of their experiences in music and life. Each episode spotlights a new music topic relevant to the show’s guest, covering anything from techniques, career advice, performing and songwriting tips, and essential music theory. Viewers have the opportunity to interact with us during the live videocast by asking questions and posting comments. Episodes are available on the Learn To Play Music Blog, which expands on each topic, invites further discussion, and features more great articles to help you learn to play the music you love.

Keep up to date with Music Space using FacebookGoogle+ and Twitter, and interact with us and other viewers by using the #LTPMusicSpace hashtag.

Happy learning all,
The LTP Music Space Team

Presented by: +Learn To Play Music Inc.
Host: Gary Isaacs
Produced By: +Sarah Petrusma+Pat McNamara
Technical Director: Ben Dring

Who is LearnToPlayMusic.com

LearnToPlayMusic.com is the world’s leading music education innovator and publisher of print, eBooks, apps and online lessons. – Continue learning with Learn To Play Music at LearnToPlayMusic.com