Earmaster
Encyclopedia
EarMaster is a music software launched in 1996 by Danish editor Miditec, who changed its name to EarMaster ApS in 2005. The first prototype version of the software was DOS
-based, but since 1996, it has continuously evolved with the Microsoft Windows
OS
. In November 2008, EarMaster became multi-platform with the release of a version for Mac OS X
. The main focus of EarMaster is ear training
, even though EarMaster seems to tend towards a more general approach to music teaching since v. 4.0, covering a broader spectrum of music theory
and practice. Three editions of EarMaster exist: Earmaster Essential, EarMaster Pro (standard version), and EarMaster School (educational version).
Questions are answered with on-screen interfaces (staff, piano, guitar, bass, violin, cello, banjo and several other string instruments), a multiple choice option, a MIDI instrument, or through a microphone (voice, clapping or acoustic instruments).
Notes are named in EarMaster using either the Anglo-Saxon note naming system (A, B, C, etc), or Solfege
(Movable Do and Fixed Do, using the syllables: Do, Re, Mi, etc), which makes it compatible with the Kodály method
.
The results of each lesson are recorded and analyzed in a statistics window, and can be exported as a data file to the teacher by email, if used in an educational environment for example. The statistics are also used in the High Score board of the program.
The sound input options are MIDI and acoustic audio via the Sound2Midi technology, which converts audio signals into Midi messages. The Playback sounds are produced by the MIDI sound engine available in the computer running the EarMaster software, and are controlled according to the General Midi
(GM) charts.
The School version of EarMaster 5 is intended to be used in an educational environment. It can be installed in a network and includes functionalities needed by teachers to make assignments and track results for many users at the same time. It does also contain functionalities for remote teaching and result tracking making it e-learning
compatible.
version of EarMaster was EarMaster 1.0, released in 1996 by Miditec. It was distributed by Roland
in Scandinavia
and available in 5 languages. EarMaster 2.0 was launched in 1997 and was the first version to be commercialized online. In 1998, EarMaster develops the first educational version of its ear training software, EarMaster School 2.5, in collaboration with 29 music teachers. EarMaster Pro 4.0 and EarMaster School 4.0 follow in 2000, with a new interface and more options. The current version of EarMaster is EarMaster 5.0 in both Pro and School versions, released in 2005. The release of EarMaster 5.0 also marks a name change for the editing company from Miditec to EarMaster ApS.
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
-based, but since 1996, it has continuously evolved with the Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
OS
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
. In November 2008, EarMaster became multi-platform with the release of a version for Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
. The main focus of EarMaster is ear training
Ear training
Ear training or aural skills is a skill by which musicians learn to identify, solely by hearing, pitches, intervals, melody, chords, rhythms, and other basic elements of music. The application of this skill is analogous to taking dictation in written/spoken language. Ear training may be...
, even though EarMaster seems to tend towards a more general approach to music teaching since v. 4.0, covering a broader spectrum of music theory
Music theory
Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...
and practice. Three editions of EarMaster exist: Earmaster Essential, EarMaster Pro (standard version), and EarMaster School (educational version).
Content
EarMaster 5.0 is composed of 3 training modes: two sets of lessons called “tutors”, and a customization mode. While the first tutor (called “standard tutor”) is rather general and its lessons focus on most of the aspects of ear training, the second tutor is exclusively focusing on the particularities of Jazz music (e.g. jazz chords and swing rhythms). With the customization mode the user can define custom lessons i.e. the content of each exercise. The disciplines covered by EarMaster 5.0 are interval singing, interval comparison, interval identification, scale identification, chord identification, chord inversion identification, chord progression identification, rhythm dictation, rhythm reading (sight reading), rhythm imitation, rhythm correction and melodic dictation.Questions are answered with on-screen interfaces (staff, piano, guitar, bass, violin, cello, banjo and several other string instruments), a multiple choice option, a MIDI instrument, or through a microphone (voice, clapping or acoustic instruments).
Notes are named in EarMaster using either the Anglo-Saxon note naming system (A, B, C, etc), or Solfege
Solfege
In music, solfège is a pedagogical solmization technique for the teaching of sight-singing in which each note of the score is sung to a special syllable, called a solfège syllable...
(Movable Do and Fixed Do, using the syllables: Do, Re, Mi, etc), which makes it compatible with the Kodály method
Kodály Method
The Kodály Method, also referred to as the Kodály Concept, is an approach to music education developed in Hungary during the mid-twentieth century by Zoltán Kodály...
.
The results of each lesson are recorded and analyzed in a statistics window, and can be exported as a data file to the teacher by email, if used in an educational environment for example. The statistics are also used in the High Score board of the program.
Technical Features
EarMaster 5 is distributed as a cd-rom and the size of the program is between 12 and 14 MB, depending on the edition installed (Pro or School). The software is compatible with the Microsoft Windows OS (98, ME, 2000, XP and Vista), Mac OS X 10.4.11 or superior (powered by Intel or PowerPC processors) (since 11/27/08) and available in 16 languages.The sound input options are MIDI and acoustic audio via the Sound2Midi technology, which converts audio signals into Midi messages. The Playback sounds are produced by the MIDI sound engine available in the computer running the EarMaster software, and are controlled according to the General Midi
General MIDI
General MIDI or GM is a standardized specification for music synthesizers that respond to MIDI messages. GM was developed by the MIDI Manufacturers Association and the Japan MIDI Standards Committee and first published in 1991...
(GM) charts.
The School version of EarMaster 5 is intended to be used in an educational environment. It can be installed in a network and includes functionalities needed by teachers to make assignments and track results for many users at the same time. It does also contain functionalities for remote teaching and result tracking making it e-learning
E-learning
E-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...
compatible.
History
The prototype of EarMaster was a DOS-based software programmed in 1994 by Hans Jakobsen. The first proprietaryProprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
version of EarMaster was EarMaster 1.0, released in 1996 by Miditec. It was distributed by Roland
Roland Corporation
is a Japanese manufacturer of electronic musical instruments, electronic equipment and software. It was founded by Ikutaro Kakehashi in Osaka on April 18, 1972, with ¥33 million in capital. In 2005 Roland's headquarters relocated to Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture. Today it has factories in Japan,...
in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
and available in 5 languages. EarMaster 2.0 was launched in 1997 and was the first version to be commercialized online. In 1998, EarMaster develops the first educational version of its ear training software, EarMaster School 2.5, in collaboration with 29 music teachers. EarMaster Pro 4.0 and EarMaster School 4.0 follow in 2000, with a new interface and more options. The current version of EarMaster is EarMaster 5.0 in both Pro and School versions, released in 2005. The release of EarMaster 5.0 also marks a name change for the editing company from Miditec to EarMaster ApS.
Known Users
- University of Nevada, Reno (USA)
- University of Kansas (USA)
- ESMUC Escuela de Música de Cataluña (Spain)
- Conservatorio Profesional de Música "Joaquín Turina", Madrid (Spain)
- Heidelberg University (Germany)
- Music School of the US Navy (USA)
- ESMUC Escuela de Música de Cataluña (Spain)
- Conservatorio Superior Joaquín Turina de Madrid (Spain)
- Ecole de musique de la ville de Challans (France)
- CEGEP de Sherbrooke (Canada)
- CEGEP de Saint-Laurent (Canada)
- National Conservatory of Hanoi (Vietnam)
- Music Conservatory of Lisbon (Portugal)
- University of Leeds (UK)