Interval Ear Trainer

Train your ear to recognise intervals in a musical context.

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How This Ear Trainer Works

This ear trainer plays two notes over a backing drone and asks you to identify the interval between them. The drone establishes a key — a home note that anchors everything you hear — so you're training your ear the way it actually needs to work: hearing how intervals function inside music.

There are two types of practice:

  1. Identification: you hear two notes played over a backing drone that establishes a key, and name the interval between them.
  2. Singing: you hear a tonic note and sing the target interval. The app uses pitch recognition to check your answer.

Why This Ear Trainer Is Different

The same interval sounds completely different depending on where it sits in the key. A major third from the tonic feels stable; the same interval from the 5th creates tension. Most ear trainers strip that context away, and research shows the skills don't transfer to real music. This trainer keeps the musical context in, with a backing drone that establishes a key, so you're training your ear the way it actually needs to work. If you want to know more, check out this article.

It also includes interval singing, not just recognition. Singing forces active recall, because you have to produce the sound, not just identify it. That's a much deeper skill, and it accelerates your ear development significantly.

Why I built this trainer

I spent years doing traditional interval ear training, hearing two notes in silence and naming the interval. I got better at the exercises, but it never really impacted my playing. I built this trainer to do interval ear training the way it actually works: with musical context (and with singing built in).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this free?

You can start practising right away for free, no account needed. Pick your intervals and go. A Game Pass unlocks all intervals and features.

Do I need to be able to sing?

Not at all. These exercises are not about sounding good, or even about sounding decent. The point is to train your ears and singing exercises are really helpful with that. You can hum as well if you prefer!

Does this work on my phone?

Yes. The trainer works on phones, tablets, and computers. You'll need your sound on (or headphones) since this is an ear training exercise.

Does the app record my singing?

No. The audio stays on your device and isn't recorded, saved or sent anywhere.