I Stopped Using Ear Training Apps — Here's What Actually Worked

Learn old-school ear training by singing intervals first and checking on piano. Build real relative pitch across major, minor & modal scales. Most musicians practise ear training the wrong way — by playing along with the piano or guitar while singing. That's mimicking, not hearing. In this lesson, Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music shares the old-school approach: sing the note FIRST, then play your instrument only to check the answer. We begin by getting Sa wired into your system using a G drone or tanpura, then work through the full major scale using Indian swaras (Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni). You can also use movable-DO solfège or simple syllables like la-la or na-na — whatever keeps your brain untangled. From there we expand into Mixolydian, Dorian, natural minor, harmonic minor and melodic minor — each built by altering just a few intervals from the major scale. You'll practise singing close intervals first (Sa-Re-Sa), then widen the gap step by step (Sa-Ga-Sa, Sa-Ma-Sa, Sa-Pa-Sa) both above and below the tonic. This builds true relative pitch — the ability to hear how one note relates to another, the foundation of every melody. This isn't just an ear training drill. It's a 3D workout combining ear, theory and technique — because if you sing the right note but press the wrong key, you've still got work to do. Take breaks, stay hydrated, and try the exercise in different keys (find your preferred vocal key!). Once the order is comfortable, jumble the intervals to make it more musical and creative. If you'd like more singing-based ear training, sight singing or relative pitch lessons, drop a comment and let us know. Don't forget to subscribe and turn on the bell for new lessons every week. 🏫 Courses, Workshops or Private lessons ➡️ https://forms.gle/fsbhFKSgJbZ5xZEr8 ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses (Everything for Life Bundle) - https://learn-music.nathanielschool.com/ 🏡 Visit our Channel for more Tutorials & Performances - https://geni.us/NathanielYouTube ============================= ▶️ Related Videos & Playlists 🎬 21 Modes: Major, Melodic & Harmonic Minor - https://youtu.be/-H3Mog6KUdw 🎯 Relative & Parallel Minor Scales - https://youtu.be/tlq5Y00jbyg 🔑 Ear Training: Singing All Intervals - https://youtu.be/hz4HMAFATTU 💡 Major Scale & Intervals: Theory + Notation - https://youtu.be/hh0nb1FJ_A0 📂 Minor Scales - Theory, Exercises & Compositions - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT_8KkjOUBofqzyhbgGkROE- ============================= 🎓 Learn Music With Nathaniel School of Music & Jason Zac: https://nathanielschool.com 📚 All our YouTube lessons (1000+) categorised by skill level, topic & genre all in one place: https://free-music-lessons.nathanielschool.com ⏳ Chapter markers 00:00 - Performance 00:59 - Welcome & Lesson Overview 🎤 01:29 - Why Playing Along Isn’t Real Ear Training 01:39 - Can You Sing a Note Without Your Instrument? 01:51 - Old-School Ear Training Explained 03:16 - Step 1: Getting Sa Into Your System 03:25 - Setting Up the G Drone or Tanpura 03:41 - Singing the Major Scale 🎶 04:34 - Switching to Mixolydian Mode 05:00 - Natural Minor Scale Singing 05:11 - Harmonic Minor & the Augmented 2nd 05:29 - Melodic Minor (Jazz Version) 06:04 - Rules of the Workout 06:16 - Why It’s Theory + Ear + Technique 06:47 - Swaras vs Solfège vs La-La Method 07:54 - What to Do When You’re Stuck on a Note 08:15 - Step 2: Singing Closest Interval First 08:36 - Sa-Re-Sa: The 2nd 08:45 - Sa-Ga-Sa: The 3rd 08:49 - Sa-Ma-Sa: The 4th 09:01 - Sa-Pa-Sa: The 5th 09:06 - Sa-Dha-Sa: The 6th 09:18 - Sa-Ni-Sa: The 7th 09:23 - Sa-Sa: The Octave Jump 09:32 - Descending the Major Scale 10:11 - Step 3: Going Below the Tonic ⬇️ 11:47 - Step 4: Mixolydian Variations 12:35 - Minor Scale Interval Drills 13:06 - Dorian vs Natural Minor Comparison 13:33 - Harmonic Minor Drill 14:02 - Melodic Minor Drill 14:13 - Jumbling the Notes for Real Practice 14:34 - Building Musicality & Composition 14:54 - Tips for Vocalists 15:00 - Relative Pitch vs Perfect Pitch 15:18 - Practising in Different Keys 15:25 - Find Your Preferred Vocal Key 15:40 - Closing Thoughts & Cheers 🎵 💰 Donate on PayPal: https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 +917760456847 (Mobile & WhatsApp) 📧 Customised & Private Classes: music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music: https://riffs.jasonzacmusic.com/ #EarTraining #RelativePitch #SightSinging