Learning Relative Pitch and Intervals
This chapter describes the ways in which Virtualoso Guitar teaches and tests you on relative pitch and intervals. For Relative Pitch, you are given a notation note, fret, and a sound, you are then given the sound of a second note and you must then enter the fret associated with this sound. In Relative Pitch mode, you are really learning intervals in terms of the fret jumps required to create them. For Interval testing, you are given one of the following pairs: names, notation notes, frets or sounds and must then determine the associated interval name. Both of these modes of operation drill you thoroughly on different aspects of intervals.
Relative pitch is the ability to perceive a note based on a reference note. Relative pitch is something that we believe all people can develop with training. Like learning perfect pitch, it can be intimidating at first. If you keep working on it, you will eventually be able to guess where a second note lies on the guitar based on some other note. Melodies can be played on the guitar by understanding the fret jumps needed to create the required intervals. You will also be able to name the intervals, and if you so desire, transpose the melody to a different key on demand, by thinking in terms of the intervals that the melody contains. See the last chapter for more information on how perfect pitch and relative pitch relate.
Learning relative pitch is accomplished via the "Relative Pitch" mode, under the "Mode" menu item. As described in the previous chapter we believe that relative pitch is extremely important to develop. In this mode, you select the position that you want to work on, the string combinations over which to test and the accidentals that you will be tested on. You enter your answers into the Virtualoso Guitar fretboard window.
Learning intervals is accomplished via the "Interval Names", "Interval Notation", "Interval Frets" and "Interval Ear Training" modes. You will be entering your answers using the "Specific Name" and "General Name" buttons on the right side of the mode window. You will click on the "Next" button in order to initiate the next query.
Getting Started
Select the "Replay" button to hear the sounds associated with the interval. This works ever for modes that do not originally sound the notes when you are queried. Select the "Progress Report..." menu item under the "File" menu to review your progress.
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