Ear Training class

[seskanda]

     
 
I'm thinking of taking an ear training class at my town's community college, but prefer to learn to train my ears by myself. The syllabus indicates that the instructor will use 'fixed-do' method, which i hear is an obsolete and bad way, and that 'movable-do'  is much better, right? Also, apparently half the class is devoted sightsinging. As a composer, does one really need this skill? I understand that sightsinging is intended primarily for singers/vocalists.

As for training my ear, I know there are scores of programs out there; I currently use EarMaster Pro 4, which is a pretty decent program, but the rhythm exercises are awkward (I have to bang on my spacebar all the time). It seems a tad too slow and gradual for me, and the interface is cluttered and confusing at times. I know of only two other better programs on the market: Practica Musica and Auralia, both are VERY expensive! Yet, i've been hearing raving reviews for there comprehensiveness and clarity. Anybody know if they're really worth all the hype?

I guess if i wanna go to the university i'll be needing an AA (associate's degree), and since that class is required for it, i might as well take it. Maybe ear training and sightsinging are integrated together as a whole, or something, i'll have to chat with the instructor about all this. I believe that as a composer i really should be able to dictate music that i hear inside my head. Is transcribing the best way to train your ear? If so, what would be some stuff that'll greatly help in this regard?