Busy Bards Ear Training

Tony Morse
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Do you want to play music by ear, but find that life gives you no time to practice, leaving your expensive instruments to collect dust? Join Tony Morse each week for the easiest sing-along guided tour of applied music theory, intervals, melodies, harmonies, chords, rhythms, and more. Hop in the traffic jam of beginner and veteran musicians improvising the soundtrack to their daily grind.

  1. 13/12/2023

    An Ear Training Gondola Ride through the Canals of the Major Scale (Episode 12)

    In this Episode of Busy Bards Ear Training, we go on a nice gondola ride through the canals of the major scale.   We're only using notes 1, 7, and 5. When 1 is the tonic, or the home note, we will always feel the most comfortable when heading there. 7 always tends to point us back to home, because it’s so close. Note 5, when it’s BELOW note 1, also tends to direct us back home to note 1. We’ll cover why in a future lesson.   If you're new here, Welcome! At Busy Bards College we combine various musical systems to help busy guitarists master the most amount of theory with the least amount of memorization, so they can start making their own music even during their busiest workdays. To do this, we are doing: Call and Response Solfege Training, but with the movable numbers of a FIXED major Scale. 1 always starts the major scale. 6 always starts the minor scale. We adjust these numbers as needed. (For example, we can do a #5 to create the leading tone of the harmonic minor scale) We only use letter pitches (A - G#) when where to place the major scale to establish a key. (1 on G# = G# Major) Chords are named by their root, and are harmonzied by their triads. ("The 1 Chord" = notes 1, 3, 5 and 7, "The 5 Chord" = 5 7 and 2, etc...) Rhythm typically focuses on the START points of each hit, and I switch between a Takadimi system and a 1e+a system. All of this allows musicians of ALL backgrounds and levels to come together during their busy work days to further their ear and musical training starting RIGHT NOW. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future videos when they are made! ⁠Instagram:Click Here ⁠or follow @busybards on instagram for news, updates, visual content, improvisations, and more. ⁠Facebook: Click Here⁠ to follow busybards on facebook for the leftovers from instagram. The best way to reach me is to dm me on instagram or facebook. I a very tiny following right now so believe me, if you have questions I will be VERY excited to talk your ear off. If you'd like to purchase the mp3 of these ear training tracks, (and all of the unreleased ones) send me a DM on instagram or facebook. TimeStamps: (00:00:00) Introduction + Theme (00:00:30) How Busy Bards Works + News about the Upcoming Amazon Season (00:04:02) Directions for Ear Training + Example of Success (00:04:47) The First Round of Call and Response (00:07:30) The First Solo (00:07:56) Round 2 of Call and Response (00:11:38) The Second Solo (00:12:15) Upcoming News, Where to Reach Me, and Closing Theme Thank you so much for your time, and I hope you experience a moment of The Lord's peace today.

    14 min

  2. 01/12/2023

    Authentic Major Scale Ear Training: A Country Dance (Episode 11)

    In this Episode of Busy Bards Ear Training, we go on another tour of the Major Scale. We're only using notes 1 2 3 and 4. Notice how nice it sounds to travel from note to, to note 4. I haven't specifically taught tension and release yet, but you can really start to notice it once we bring note 4 into the equation. This song has a country-esque song to. AND, I also have a Youtube Video to Accompany it! I might not be able to do a video for every episode as I head into a busy season of work. But, I wanted to give you a basis for what do I visualize when we do this ear training. If you're new here, Welcome! At Busy Bards College we combine various musical systems to help busy guitarists master the most amount of theory with the least amount of memorization, so they can start making their own music evenduring their busiest workdays. To do this, we are doing: Call and Response Solfege Training, but with the movable numbers of a FIXED major Scale. 1 always starts the major scale. 6 always starts the minor scale. We adjust these numbers as needed. (For example, we can do a #5 to create the leading tone of the harmonic minor scale) We only use letter pitches (A - G#) when where to place the major scale to establish a key. (1 on G# = G# Major) Chords are named by their root, and are harmonzied by their triads. ("The 1 Chord" = notes 1, 3, 5 and 7, "The 5 Chord" = 5 7 and 2, etc...) Rhythm typically focuses on the START points of each hit, and I switch between a Takadimi system and a 1e+a system. All of this allows musicians of ALL backgrounds and levels to come together during their busy work days to further their ear and musical training starting RIGHT NOW. Click Here to View the Video of Today's Episode. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on future videos when they are made! Instagram: Click Here or follow @busybards on instagram for news, updates, visual content, improvisations, and more. Facebook: Click Here to follow busybards on facebook for the leftovers from instagram. The best way to reach me is to dm me on instagram or facebook. I a very tiny following right now so believe me, if you have questions I will be VERY excited to talk your ear off. If you'd like to purchase the mp3 of these ear training tracks, (and all of the unreleased ones) send me a DM on instagram or facebook. TimeStamps: (00:00:00) Introduction (00:35:00) The Breakdown of the Busy Bard Method (00:02:35) Directions for Ear Training + Example of Success (00:03:25) The First Round of Call and Response (00:07:00) The First Solo (00:07:50) Round 2 of Call and Response (00:11:00) The Second Solo Thank you so much for your time, and I hope you experience a moment of The Lord's Peace today.

    14 min

  3. 17/10/2023

    Major Scale Ear Training #2: "Musings on A Major" (Episode 10)

    On this weeks episode of Busy Bards Ear Training, not only do we get our feet wet in a new Ear Training track, but we also explore a new segment called "Musings on a Mower". In this weeks ear training track, we explore the Major Scale, where 1 = A. Putting us in the key of A Major (not that we're terribly worried about that, yet) Since we're slowly learning our place in the major scale, we're only exploring notes 7, 1, 2, and 3. Also, I want to use this podcast as a chance for me to casually, but valuably, give you my two cents on musical concepts, questions, and problems, so you can start to find the path that's right for busy musicians such as your self. We talk about.... (00:00:00) Theme and Introduction (00:00:50) Musings on a Mower Back Story. Comma. You'll Love it. Period. (00:02:35) Let's talk about Visualization. Are you imagining the scales, pitches, and numbers the same way I am? Perhaps we have to work something out.... (00:04:30) How I thought i HAD to invent my own style of notation to be "original", yo. (00:05:30) The first things that guitarists and pianists do when they start to learn instrument. (00:06:30) Who really wants to go back to square one of learning sheet music, when you've been playing for years? (00:07:30) How sheet music doesn't put CREATION at the forefront, hence why you avoid it. (00:08:32) How professional pianists approach sheet music, and how guitarists get it wrong. (00:09:55) The most effective ways to practice music, AWAY from your instrument. (00:14:30) Setting up the Exercise in A Major (00:15:45) The Exercise begins! (00:18:45) My example of a Solo (00:20:00) The Exercise Continues (00:23:31) Your Solo! Be sure to follow @busybards on instagram for updates, videos, and more. Stay tuned for an eventual video podcast!

    26 min

  4. 10/10/2023

    Major Scale Ear Training 1: When I Say Major, you say....Major! (Episode 9)

    In this episode of Busy Bards Ear Training, we're going to explore our first major scale ear training track. (00:00:00) Theme and Welcome (00:00:55) Why it took so long between episodes. (00:02:30) I Finally explain why i'm a "former" teacher...hint hint...I got fired lol. (00:05:20) The Early History of Busy Bards, and where these ear training tracks come from. (00:07:05) Recap of the Major Scale from last episode, and why we use numbers. (00:09:40) Example of the call and response method. (00:12:00) Let the training.....BEGIN! (00:15:30) Example of what I mean when I want you to improvise...starting today. (00:18:00) Training, Part 2. My online home base will be my instagram at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/busybards⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow for updates, ear training quizzes, early music, memes, banter, and more. Please leave a review and rating on your podcast platform to help the show reach other busy bards like you!

    22 min

  5. 03/10/2023

    Meet the Major Scale (A Nuclear Survivor's Guide to Music Part 6)

    In this episode of A Nuclear Survivor's Guide to Music, our squad of survivors finally starts to create the sounds of music they recognize in their daily lives. But...just because you know the seven notes it takes to build a song...does it suddenly mean you have everything it takes to make music? Find out in this episode. Next week, we'll break character for a few weeks to really start working with these sounds, be sure to follow this podcast so you don't miss it. My online home base will be my instagram at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/busybards⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow for updates, ear training quizzes, early music, memes, banter, and more. Please leave a review and rating on your podcast platform to help the show reach other busy bards like you!

    24 min

  6. 27/06/2023

    You don't need the Musical Alphabet as much as you think. (A Nuclear Surivor's Guide to Music, Part 5)

    Do you truly need absolute pitches? That is, do you need to think of music in terms of A, A#, B, C, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, and G#? Well….Yes and No. Absolute pitches and the musical alphabet are very important for helping you pick an absolute, fixed pitch, to build your template of music (scale) off of. But once you have that established….is knowing the musical alphabet really the key to creating music? Well. Why don’t you go grab a piano and start making music right now! Harder than you thought? Exactly. There’s something else you need to make music. And luckily, our hero is going to introduce that concept to the village of fools in this weeks episode of “A Nuclear Survivor’s Guide to Music, Part 5! (00:00:00) You walk in on the villagers practicing rhythm….and wish you just stayed in your tent. (00:01:25) Should we learn the pitches A-G#? I suppose a little bit… (00:03:20) Learning what a half step is (00:05:41) The Octave: The Same note but at a higher or lower pitch (00:07:20) Moving up and down in half steps. (00:08:50) Naming the Absolute Pitches (00:11:30) The Group has many questions about absolute pitches. (00:13:25) How Musicians use absolute pitches to communicate to other musicians so they can play songs instantly. (00:14:00) Shouldnt you have everything you need to start making music? Not Quite…. (00:15:46) The Two Paths you could take when it comes to pitches…The easy one…and the in-depth one. (00:17:15) The Final Review: Everything you need to remember about absolute pitches for now. My online home base will be my instagram at: ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/busybards⁠⁠⁠ Follow for updates, ear training quizzes, early music, memes, banter, and more. Please leave a review and rating on your podcast platform to help the show reach other busy bards like you!

    20 min

  7. 22/06/2023

    Rhythm (EXTRA PRACTICE)

    In this episode, you’ll take a more frank, laid back tour of the 22 “Rhythm Bricks” or “building blocks” of rhythm. Rhythm, in it’s simplest state, is not much more than placing these 22 blocks at will on a canvas of beats (the measure). It’s worth taking some time to gain some concious experience with each one. This lesson is independent from the main plot of “A Nuclear Surivivor’s Guide to Music…” Because I want you to be able to always come back to this episode and refresh. Luckily, we will always be thinking of rhythm throughout this podcast. And lets be real…The majority of your practice with rhythm will happen naturally over time. The goal of ear training is to eventually NOT need to think in terms of rhythmic terms such as these. Sit back, do your job, and enjoy! Chapters (00:00:00) Introduction, and the Benefits of thinking of rhythm in terms of “blocks”. (00:01:58) Instructions on how this episode will work (call and response style) (00:03:00) Reviewing the essential bricks: Ta (00:03:45) Ta Di (00:04:38) (X) Di (00:05:31) Ta Ka Di Mi (00:06:15) Ta Ka Di (X) (00:06:38) Ta Ka (x) Mi (00:07:08) Ta (x) Di Mi (00:08:19) (x) Ka Di Mi (00:08:49) Ta Ka (x) (x) (00:09:08) (x) Ka Di (x) (00:09:38) (x) (x) Di Mi (00:10:05) Ta (x) (x) Mi (00:10:30) You’ve already done Ta Di (00:11:18) How to not lose your spot when doing the tougher rhythm bricks (00:12:31) (x) Ka (x) (x) (00:13:09) (x) (x) (x) Mi (00:13:54) Switching to Triplets: Ta Ki Da (00:14:30) (x) Ki Da (00:15:00) Ta (x) Da (00:15:31) Ta Ki (x) (00:16:07) (x) (x) Da (00:16:35) (x) Ki (x) (00:17:00) How to use Space and Rests to drive unique rhythms. The REAL driving force of making your own music. (00:22:48) Outro and Debrief. My online home base will be my instagram at: ⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/busybards⁠⁠⁠ Follow for updates, ear training quizzes, early music, memes, banter, and more. Please leave a review and rating on your podcast platform to help the show reach other busy bards like you!

    24 min

  8. 20/06/2023

    Rhythm: The Early Bird Gets the Beat (A Nuclear Survivor's Guide to Music Pt. 4)

    Now that the foundation of rhythm is established; The central beat, our teacher is able to take it to the next level. While listening to the bickering of the camp-mates, you decide to use the natural rhythm of the birds singing in the trees to introduce the essential building blocks of rhythm: The Quarter Note, the Eighth Note, The Sixteenth Note, and the Triplet. These core note values can be subdivided into the smaller “bricks” of rhythm that drive our entire music system. And, there’s only of them for you to learn (that’s next episode’s task, though.) Additionally, figure out why we prefer to think of rhythm in terms of starting points (WHEN does the rhythm start) instead of note values (How long does it last for?) With each exercise, we’ll also use the most rhythm for creating unique beats: Rests. (Aka, not playing at all.) Get ready to lay down the foundation for your rhythm ear training! Chapters: (00:00:00) Our meets up with the students to begin the lesson. (00:02:20) In This Episode…..+Theme (00:03:25) Focus on the ability to pick out an individual sound, among many. (00:04:40) Picking out the difference between rhythms and beats (00:05:30) Rhythm Counting Method 1: Counting along to rhythms using “1 2 3 and 4” (00:06:30) Rhythm Counting Method 2: The Ta Ka Di Mi (takadimi) style of rhythm, and why we’re going to use it. (00:07:50) Rhythm Counting Method 3: Not counting along at all and simply repeating it. (00:09:29) Beginning our rhythm exercises by finding the beat, and the measure count we want to use. (00:10:33) Rhythmic Brick 1: Quarter Notes (Ta) (00:11:30) Quarter Note and Rests Exercises (00:12:50) Eighth Notes and Exercises (Ta Di) (00:15:05) 16th Notes and Exercises (Ta Ka Di Mi) (00:17:10) Triplets (Ta Ki Da) and Exercises (00:19:55) Student wonders why I didn’t focus on traditional Note Values (00:21:20) Why we use the “starting point mentality” of rhythm. (00:22:15) Why you’re not missing out by NOT using traditional note values. My online home base will be my instagram at: ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/busybards⁠⁠ Follow for updates, ear training quizzes, early music, memes, banter, and more. Please leave a review and rating on your podcast platform to help the show reach other busy bards like you!

    24 min
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Do you want to play music by ear, but find that life gives you no time to practice, leaving your expensive instruments to collect dust? Join Tony Morse each week for the easiest sing-along guided tour of applied music theory, intervals, melodies, harmonies, chords, rhythms, and more. Hop in the traffic jam of beginner and veteran musicians improvising the soundtrack to their daily grind.

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