Ear Training 1

Build essential ear training skills through progressive practice in rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic dictation.

This four-week course is all about helping you become a better listener. You'll begin by learning to identify beat-level rhythms, simple melodic fragments, and stepwise intervals by ear. As you progress, you’ll work with division-level and syncopated rhythms, longer melodic phrases, and a full range of simple harmonic intervals, including seconds, thirds, sixths, sevenths, and the tritone. You’ll learn to notate short rhythmic patterns, basslines, melodic ideas, and full four-measure sentences with increasing fluency and confidence.

The course is carefully sequenced to support your growth and success, with guided exercises, helpful strategies, and a supportive structure designed to meet you where you are. As the course progresses, you’ll strengthen your skills with interactive listening exercises and weekly dictation assignments. You'll receive individual instructor feedback on your work, and each week includes an optional live class meeting to reinforce and support your learning.

Whether you’re preparing for advanced music study or simply want to deepen your connection to the music you love, ear training—also known as developing strong aural skills—is one of the most valuable investments you can make as a musician.

What you will learn:

✔	Discern the difference between short rhythmic patterns in simple meter
✔	Identify simple melodic and harmonic intervals by ear
✔	Dictate simple, 4-measure musical phrases
✔	Demonstrate increased listening accuracy and musical memory through structured dictation exercises

Next Session

October 26-November 22, 2026

Teen and adult sections

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Tuition

$399

Save $100:
Lock in current rates before tuition increases on Oct. 26.

Ages

Teens: Grades 6-12

Adult Learners: 18+

Expert guidance
Receive direct, personalized feedback from a professional artist.

Learn on your own schedule
Explore meaningful instruction in about five hours a week, over four weeks.

Collaborate
Work with your instructor and peers through messaging or optional real-time weekly classes.

Real growth
Develop artistic skills and projects that are important to you in 30 days.

Computer or mobile device with Internet and camera. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.

No, course sections are designed for their respective age groups, either for adults (students 18 and older) or young people (students under 18).

Yes, there are eight sessions of courses per year. View the academic calendar for more session dates.

Interlochen Online certificate This is one of three courses needed to complete the Musicianship Skills certificate program.

After successfully completing all three courses in a certificate program, you will receive a physical certificate and a shareable digital certificate.

Eligible students may also earn academic credit:

✔ Middle and high school students receive an official Interlochen transcript awarding 0.5 high school credit.

✔ Adults and high school students may request an official college transcript awarding 3 college credits.

High school credit is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), while college credit is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Credit may transfer to thousands of institutions nationwide.