Earstep

Thirds · Teacher pack

Tell a minor third from a major third.

beginner · 10 questions · 90 quarter-note BPM · Pack 710041

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Print on A4 or Letter paper. The answer key starts on a separate page. Use your print dialog’s page range to give learners only the student section.

Teacher instructions

Play each numbered question from this page. Use the same replay policy for all learners. Keep the answer section separate until the first response is recorded. For tapping tasks, record an observation on paper; use the online trainer for device-timed scoring.

Start with the labeled lesson examples. Play each question at the printed tempo, record the first response, then allow a correction. Use the online trainer for a separate new-question check.

Student practice sheet

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Choose the quality across varied roots and directions. Use the comparison after an error to isolate that one-semitone difference.

  1. Question 1

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  2. Question 2

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  3. Question 3

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  4. Question 4

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  5. Question 5

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  6. Question 6

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  7. Question 7

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  8. Question 8

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  9. Question 9

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

  10. Question 10

    Listen to the numbered example and select an answer.

    • □ Minor third
    • □ Major third
    First answer: __________________________________________________
    Correction after review: ________________________________________

After practice

One distinction I can explain: __________________________________

One skill to revisit: __________________________________________

Teacher answer key

Thirds · Pack 710041 · 90 quarter-note BPM. These answers match the numbered student sheet.

  1. Question 1

    Minor third

    D4 to F4: 3 semitones, ascending. Minor third.

    Sounding pitches: D4 · F4

  2. Question 2

    Major third

    C4 to E4: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: C4 · E4

  3. Question 3

    Minor third

    C#4 to E4: 3 semitones, ascending. Minor third.

    Sounding pitches: C#4 · E4

  4. Question 4

    Major third

    B4 to D#5: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: B4 · D#5

  5. Question 5

    Major third

    A4 to C#5: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: A4 · C#5

  6. Question 6

    Major third

    C4 to E4: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: C4 · E4

  7. Question 7

    Major third

    F#4 to A#4: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: F#4 · A#4

  8. Question 8

    Major third

    D#5 to G5: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: D#5 · G5

  9. Question 9

    Major third

    G4 to B4: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: G4 · B4

  10. Question 10

    Major third

    B4 to D#5: 4 semitones, ascending. Major third.

    Sounding pitches: B4 · D#5

Keep three observations separate

First independent responses: __________________________________

Corrections on the same questions: ____________________________

New-question check on a later set: _____________________________

Identify fresh thirds without using the root of the worked example as a clue.