Non-majors sing it by ear in music class

Instructor Adam Zahller  casually played a few chords on the piano to prompt the students before they suddenly came in with the melody.

“One, two, three, seven, five …” the students sang in harmony, never having heard the song before, as Zahller played the corresponding notes on the piano.

For the students in MUS 1511 Ear-Training and Sight-Singing I,  seeing a melody on paper and being able to sing without first hearing it is a daunting but common task.

In order for students to succeed in the University of Minnesota’s music program, they must first learn to ear train and sight-sing. It’s the main focus in MUS 1511.

Sight-singing — a vocal version of sight-reading — describes the act of singing the notes on paper without first hearing the melody. Ear training teaches students to write down the notes they hear.

“If I play a chord [on the piano] they have to identify what the chord is,” Zahller  said.

If that isn’t difficult enough, sight-singing throws even more elements into the mix. Students are required to sing the note in the correct pitch, keep the correct tempo and sing the number that corresponds to the note.

According to music minor Tyler Croat, it’s really complicated.

“Everything is silent and then you have to try and match these pitches. It can be really daunting,” Croat  said. “It’s kind of mind-blowing to me that some people are so good at it.”

Students who take MUS 1511 also take the music theory counterpart, MUS 1501 Theory and Analysis of Tonal Music I , which covers beginning concepts of music theory.

Afterward, students can progress onto more advanced levels of music theory as well as ear-training and sight-singing classes, depending on their area of focus.

Do’s, Re’s and Mi’s

For many students, these classes are a first step into music programs at the University.

“At this level, most students in my class are actually undeclared,” said Steven Crane , another instructor. “I’m sure most of them will become music majors.”

Students can go on to study performance, history, composition and even music therapy.

“This class is kind of where you sort out if you really want to study music or not.” Zahller said. “It kind of weeds a lot of people out and takes people out of their comfort zone because you have to sing in front of people.”

For Croat, however, singing in front of people wasn’t one of his concerns.

“I’m confident enough in my singing,” he said.

In fact, confidence seems to be one thing that some of the students in the class don’t struggle with.

“All you need to know about this class is that Michael Anthony Rangel, future famous tenor, is in this class and he’s an up and coming star,” joked senior Michael Rangel .

That passion for music is important for students who plan on continuing in this program.

“[MUS 1511] is of the most important courses that you have to go through,” Zahller said. “If people realize the importance of [the course] and work at it, they will probably do well as a student in music.”