Ear Training – Lesson 2
LESSON SUMMARY:
In this lesson, we zoom in on the first three solfège notes—Do, Re, and Mi—and explore how they move in patterns both upward and downward. Through singing, hand signs, and creative combinations, students train their ears and voices to recognize and perform these essential building blocks of melody.
Today we’re diving deep into Do, Re, and Mi, three notes that show up everywhere in music—from warmups to folk songs to lullabies. First, we practice the ascending pattern Do–Re–Mi, stepping upward with our voices and hand signs. Then we reverse it with Mi–Re–Do, which can feel trickier at first but helps us recognize descending melodies. We combine both directions, turning them into a mini musical staircase.
Key Takeaways:
- Do, Re, and Mi are essential building blocks for melody and appear in countless songs.
- Practicing both steps and skips (like Do–Mi) helps develop pitch awareness and vocal flexibility.
- Hand signs and song references strengthen memory and make solfège feel natural and familiar.
Next, we try patterns like Do–Mi–Re–Do, which mix skips and steps, helping us hear the space between the notes more clearly. When we alternate between Do–Re and Do–Mi, we learn to feel the difference between a small step and a bigger jump. We also look at real songs like Hot Cross Buns, which uses Mi–Re–Do right in its opening line. By the end of the lesson, we’re even creating our own mini melodies using just these three powerful notes!
Instructor: Meghan
Meghan McCall is an experienced singer-actor, who has been described by The Washington Post as having “bell-like clarity and fine control” and “a radiant full-bodied voice.”
She has performed all over the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and more. In addition, her film roles have been featured on major networks such as NBC, Discovery Channel, and Lifetime.
Throughout her performing career, Meghan has helped many clients find their voice – whether for public speaking, singing on stage, or just for recreation.