It's time for this:
youtu.be/ne6tB2KiZuk?si=2CxKKal7gzit0yrI

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Originally posted by Earworm

Take your favorite random simple tune and sing it. Just say that it's Mary Had a Little Lamb, really anything. Then start with one pitch up and change the key, keeping the mode the same. Keep doing that. Then go down. And up. We used to do this for fun as kids, and I'm sure it was something my music-teacher mom got us started on. I'm pretty sure it helped with some basic ear training, and could help anybody, at least for a start.

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This is totally what I have done with many simple tunes. It stinks for those listening from a far but it's super helpful. I need to transpose many of them but I learned Deck the Halls, Star Spangled and Joy To The World. It's amazign when you're fingers start fallign where they are supposed to. 

Ha..Just thought if i told you...it wouldn't be self guided...

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Originally posted by AlleghenyFront

In my teaching I've found that many students have self imposed obstacles / ideas between their music and their ears. I ask them (in so many words) to

get rid of tape
get rid of electronic tuners
get rid of jargon learned from the internet or other teachers

and trust their own ears

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Many many thanks! While exploring the ToneScholar app, I came across an article discussing functional ear training. In your opinion, is this approach as effective as the one you recommended? You can read the article by following this link: https://tonescholar.com/blog/functional-ear-training-explained.

I think playing rhythm on a guitar or mandolin (preferably a guitar) works great for helping train a person to recognize chords. Generally speaking, fiddlers focus on melody. When practicing scales, I play along with recorded music for the scales. I am able to detect my mistakes. As time goes by, you start hearing fewer and fewer mistakes. One more thing. When you are practicing scales, and play a note, mentally identify which note you are playing. This will help familiarize you with the fingerboard. Learning basic chord construction theory and how chord inversions work will enable you to be more creative when playing backup.

That's all very helpful!

GNU Solfege  its free and very comprehensive.

Here's the Wikipedia   GNU Solfege

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Originally posted by Shawn Craver Fiddler

In my teaching I've found that many students have self imposed obstacles / ideas between their music and their ears. I ask them (in so many words) to...

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The "get rid of electronic tuners" might be good for playing by yourself. But often in a group of players without them it can sound pretty painful. "Get rid of tape" - I'm with that one.