Learn to hear the changed note.

Melody ear training: follow four notes

Start with the sound check on the play page. It plays C4, E4, G4, and C5, one after another. The letters name pitches; the numbers identify octaves. C5 is an octave above C4. First notice that the melody climbs, then count the four positions as you listen.

In this comparison, position three changes from G4 to A4. The melody still climbs, so listening only for “up” or “down” will not find the answer. The leap into the third note becomes larger, and the leap from that note to the last becomes smaller. Compare the notes around the change as well as the changed note itself.

Try humming the original sequence, then the changed sequence. Keep the same count in both versions. If you hear a difference but lose its position, count “one, two, three, four” again before choosing an answer.

Use intervals to compare pitch

An interval is the distance between two pitches. A semitone is one step between neighboring notes in the chromatic scale; two semitones make a whole tone. In the example above, G4 moving to A4 is a whole-tone change.

You do not need to name each interval to play. Ask whether the second version makes a particular step sound wider or narrower. For example, C4 to E4 stays the same in both versions. That unchanged opening gives you an anchor before you compare the next step.

When practicing with an instrument, play a short four-note pattern, change just one pitch, and repeat it. Begin with a clear difference, then try a smaller change. Keeping the rhythm and the other notes fixed makes it easier to focus on pitch.

Chord ear training: listen to individual voices

A melody presents notes one at a time. A chord presents several pitches together. In Soundcheck’s chord rounds, compare four chord positions and find the one that changes. Rounds with a note grid also ask which voice within that chord moved.

Here, the bottom two pitches stay fixed and the highest pitch moves up. Listen to the top of the chord while using the lower notes as anchors. In the answer grid, columns represent positions in time and rows represent voices, from high to low.

Work in two passes: first locate the chord that sounds different, then narrow your attention to its highest, middle, or lowest voice. Avoid changing your answer just because the entire chord has a different color; the task is to find the changed pitch.

A short listening practice routine

1. Check your sound. Use a comfortable volume and make sure you can hear every note before starting.
2. Count the original. Follow four positions and notice the overall shape.
3. Compare the second version. Keep your count and listen for the step or voice that changes.
4. Review the answer. Soundcheck’s Review view shows both versions in sheet music. Look at the changed pitch and its direction.
5. Repeat at an appropriate difficulty. Use easy practice to learn the comparison, then try more voices and smaller changes.

Find the change daily gives you ten rounds, from single notes to chords, with no sign-in required. Its practice mode lets signed-in players choose a difficulty. Alternate with rhythm, memory, or timing games when you want to focus on patterns rather than pitch changes.

Find the change head-to-head starts with a five-second introduction. You can answer during playback or within ten seconds after it ends. Once both players answer, the five-second review starts immediately; otherwise it starts when time runs out. Correct answers decide the match, with total response time from the start of each round breaking a tie. See the head-to-head leaderboard for rankings.

Common questions about ear training

Do I need perfect pitch?

No. Soundcheck asks you to compare two versions, rather than identify a note without a reference. Listen for the difference and its position.

Do I need to read sheet music?

No. You can choose your answer by listening. The sheet-music review is an extra way to understand what changed after you answer.

Where should a beginner start?

Try the daily challenge or easy practice. Focus on keeping track of the four positions before worrying about note names or speed. If a chord feels difficult, listen to one voice at a time during your next practice session.