Listen to every change, then choose the shape of the whole phrase: rising, falling, up then down, or down then up. The first and last note alone may hide a turn in the middle.
Rises throughout
Sounding pitches: E4 · F#4 · G#4 · B4
Follow every adjacent pair in the short melody. Draw its shape in the air as the notes unfold.
The melody rises throughout: E4 → F#4 → G#4 → B4. Listen for the direction of every step.
Falls throughout
Sounding pitches: B4 · G#4 · F#4 · E4
Compare complete contours: these melodies rise, fall, or turn. The first and last notes alone may miss the turn.
The melody falls throughout: B4 → G#4 → F#4 → E4. Listen for the direction of every step.
For aural examples, sounding pitch names are a listening reference. Written-note exercises preserve the displayed spelling.
Check the idea: A contour records direction across a sequence, independently of its absolute starting note.
Say “up,” “down,” or “same” after each change, then select the contour that matches all changes.
Identify the whole shape across different starting pitches. Replay when a middle note is lost from memory.
Trace a fresh melody from its first pitch. Verify the middle turning point rather than relying on the final register.
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 lesson90 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · With guidance
Rising melody, Falling melody, Rising then falling, Falling then rising
Practice this level95 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Rising melody, Falling melody, Rising then falling, Falling then rising
Practice this level100 quarter-note BPM · 4/4 · Fewer hints
Rising melody, Falling melody, Rising then falling, Falling then rising
Practice this levelThe 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.
Original synthesized audio · A4 = 440 Hz · mono, 48 kHz WAV.
These references explain the underlying definitions. The examples and practice sequences here are generated for Earstep.