Lesson 9—Chordal Ear Training

Now it is time to start recognizing the chords and their positions by ear.

Below are some chords in different positions. First, name the chord, such as tonic, subdominant or dominant. Then name its position: first, second, or third.

Remember that the tonic chord is the chord in the key of C which is made up of the notes C, E, and G.

The sub-dominant chord is the chord in the key of C which uses the notes F, A, and C.

The dominant chord is the chord in the key of C, which uses the notes G, B, and D.

Remember also that first position has the first note of the chord in the soprano.

Second position has the second note of the chord in the soprano.

Third position of the chord has the third note of the chord in the soprano.

Play the following chords, listening to the different sound of each chord. It is best to have someone play the chords as you listen.

Circle the correct answers as you listen to the above chords being played. First try to answer only the chord columns. After you can hear the difference between the chords, then try naming the positions.

             Music Listening Note Pad

	Chord	Position			Chord	Position
Chord 1	T D S	1 2 3		Chord 6	T D S	1 2 3
Chord 2	T D S	1 2 3		Chord 7	T D S	1 2 3
Chord 3	T D S	1 2 3		Chord 8	T D S	1 2 3
Chord 4	T D S	1 2 3		Chord 9	T D S	1 2 3
Chord 5	T D S	1 2 3

T = Tonic    D = Dominant    S = Sub-Dominant