Why it's Unique

As ear-training software, TruEar is unique in that it presents the chords in their true context - in an actual song. The user can learn to identify the chords as they are used in a "real life" situation. But TruEar is more than just ear training. It produces automatic accompaniment in a variety of styles, with full control of keys, tempos, styles, and instruments, all easily selected by the student. The songs used are public domain hymns which have stood the test of time and range from simple 3-chord songs to more complex pieces.

How it Works - Ear Training

As the song is played with melody and accompaniment, the student identifies the appropriate chord from the "chord bank" using the mouse, or by playing it on a MIDI keyboard or guitar controller. Matches are indicated in green, while mismatches are shown in red. The song can be paused, or the tempo slowed down as needed. The beginner can chose to just identify the quality (ie, major, minor, etc) while the more advanced student will identify the entire chord.

Why use Real Songs?

While other ear-training software typically presents chords for identification either alone or in groups (cadences), TruEar presents the chords in their true context - in a real song, with full instrumental accompaniment. This is important because the chord progressions often step "outside the box" in "real" music. For example, in the key of C, the common diatonic chords would use a Dm, and lead to G, but the seventh chord (D7) is often used instead. With TruEar, the student can learn to identify these variations by ear as they appear. Some chord changes are quite unexpected according to the diatonic model, and would not appear in a typical ear training program, but are harmonically correct in the context of these melodies.

How it Works - Accompaniment

TruEar is more than just chord recognition exercise. It produces automatic accompaniment in a variety of styles, with full control of keys, tempos, and instruments. Note that drums are not used since they do not contribute notes to train the ear, but the rhythm is provided by a guitar strumming the chords. The patterns are clearly identified and are easy to select using the clean organized menus. Students who wish to practice the melody only (on flute or violin, for example) can use TruEar to provide background - this is much more satisfactory than playing with a metronome! Pianists and guitarists will be interested in the accompaniment itself.

These styles are designed to not only provide appropriate accompaniment but especially to teach playing techniques of chord patterns for piano or guitar. In addition, the student can audition a particular pattern in the context of a particular song or key before investing the time to learn it. This is very useful for guitarists when a particular song may be played different ways in the same key by using a capo.

Learn Guitar Picking Patterns

The guitar accompaniment uses notes in the actual shape of the guitar chord - for example, the D chord is a 4 note chord, while the G chord is a 6 note chord. The student can select pick patterns (plucking single or multiple notes) using the p,i,m,a notation in patterns of quarter notes, eight notes, or mixed rhythm. Strums can also be selected, and two guitars ("rhythm" and "lead") can be used. A fretboard with the current chord is shown on the screen.

Learn Piano L.H. Patterns and R.H. Block Chords

For the piano patterns, the student can select left hand patterns from simple root-third-fifth to more advanced patterns which include color tones like the 9th. The bass guitarist can apply these styles to be played on that instrument instead. The piano right hand can play along with chords with the melody on top, or in other styles using chords and fills.

Students are not confined to the chordal arrangements provided with each song. They can choose to add or delete chords as desired, and to generate accompaniments for those new arrangements. In the Gold edition, they can import melodies from MIDI files and arrange them also. All arrangements can be saved as standard MIDI files.