A · Worked example
Lower
Sounding pitches: C#5 · B4
Hold the first pitch in mind until the second arrives. Follow whether the second sits above or below it.
C#5 to B4: 2 semitones, descending. Major second.
Listen, compare, then practise
The second note may move up, down, or stay the same. Listen for direction before naming the distance.
B · Compare the difference
Higher
Sounding pitches: G#4 · A#4
Compare opposite directions at the same volume. A higher note has a higher frequency; it need not be louder.
G#4 to A#4: 2 semitones, ascending. Major second.
For aural examples, sounding pitch names are a listening reference. Written-note exercises preserve the displayed spelling.
Check the idea: Direction compares the two notes within this question.
1 · Guided practice
Trace one upward or downward gesture with your hand before choosing Higher or Lower.
2 · Independent practice
Decide the direction of each pair before considering how far it moved. The challenge level also permits repeated pitch.
3 · New-question check
Track fresh pairs from their own first note. Reset your reference instead of comparing with the previous question.
Each session starts with two guided questions, then your chosen practice set, followed by two new questions at a different tempo. First answers, same-question retries, and the final check have separate results.
Begin this lessonChoose your practice
Beginner
90 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance
Down 5 semitones, Down 2 semitones, Up 2 semitones, Up 5 semitones
Practice this levelDeveloping
95 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Down 5 semitones, Down 2 semitones, Up 2 semitones, Up 5 semitones
Practice this levelChallenge
100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Down 5 semitones, Down 2 semitones, Up 2 semitones, Up 5 semitones, Same pitch
Practice this levelIf this feels difficult
- The previous question becomes the reference. Replay only the current pair and hum its first pitch. Higher or Lower
- A multi-note phrase reverses direction. Follow each adjacent pair in a short contour. Follow a Melody
Practice on paper or with a teacher
The teacher pack includes 10 fixed questions, replay controls, a student sheet, and a separate answer key. The printed key and downloaded JSON use the same questions.
Download an audio example
Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.
Related skills
Musical background
These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.