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Reel Ear Personal Ear Trainer – Review by Eric Parsons
Reel Ear Personal Ear Trainer… What is music? There is obviously no one right answer to such a question. Some might spew out a rigid Webster’s definition while others may simply say “It’s my life” or “It’s what gets me through my day”. Music is amazing – it can be universally powerful; captivating and unify ing entire populations of people and yet it can also be painfully personal – who doesn’t have that one special song that evokes the ghosts of a lost love or some other treasured memory.
There are probalby as many opinions as to what music is as there are people. One point that we would all agree on is that music is something that we hear. The key point of this little discussion is that our ears are fundamental to our understanding and enjoyment of music – this fact can tend to get lost in the day-to-day life of the aspiring musician who is striving to learn music theory, harmony, phrasing, technique… the list is almost never ending. A trained musical ear provides a tremendous advantage, allowing a musician to easily tune their instrument, readily interact (jam) with other musicians, pick out melodies, chords and song structures by ear and become a fundamentally sound musician.
Overview
Reel Ear is a software progarm for musical ear training which was originally created for the Reel Space Music school in Valencia, Spain and is now being made available to the public.
Reel Ear was developed in an academic setting, and this lineage likely explains the spartan, yet practical, layout of the graphical interface. All of the parameters and settings can be accessed from the main page which makes Reel Ear a fairly easy program to navigate and learn. I used the qualifier “fairly” because there are some design features that were not readily apparent to me, thereby forcing me to read the provided manual before being comfortable with the operation of the program.
What sets Reel Ear apart from other ear training programs, of which there are many, is that Reel Ear uses a random melody and chord progression generator to train your ear. The thought behind this approach is that other programs often use prerecorded exercises which can be memorized by the user and thereby minimize the actual effectiveness of those training exercises. Reel Ear also has a large selection of user defined variables: pitch, key, scale, note duration, loop length, octave range, and chord structure to name a few.
Installation and Setup
Reel Ear was easily downloaded and installed on my system. It is designed to run on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 only. Reel Ear then requires the product to be licensed through the website for permanent installation. A manual is included as a separate document, and again, I strongly recommend that you take the time to read the manual first – it will clear up a lot of little questions. One example: there is no universally recognizable start or stop button in the software (like there is on a CD player) there is a button labelled “Paused” – this is actually the start button.
The main window in Reel Ear is divided into eight panels that contain the controls of all its functions.
Panel 1 : Basic settings
Panel 2: Pitches
Panel 3: Durations
Panel 4: Loops
Panel 5: Volume
Panel 6: Bends
Panel 7: Timer
Panel 8: Ostinato
In Use
For my initial trial, I selected an acoustic bass sound and hit play (I mean the paused button ) and… heard a pattern that sounded more like chimes than a bass. I glanced around and realized that the ” melody octave reset” default was set to ” 3″, I reset this to “1” which then gave me a nice sounding accoustic bass. After this, I was off and running. The program lets the user set tons of variables, such as key, scale, the start and stop note, duration of notes and rests, and loop length and number of repetitions.
In addition to interval and melody ear training, Reel Ear also has a section devoted to recognition and identification of various of chords. The user is again able to configure a number of variables: instrument sound, chord type, starting chord, ending chord, octave offset, etc.
In use, I find that Reel Ear is a very useful and effective tool for improving one’s musical ear. The variety of user definable variables really helps to keep the process both interesting and relevant to a users particular needs. The timer is a nice added touch, in that I would get so engrossed in the exercises that I didn’t realize how much time had passed!
Cost: $12.95
Website: reelear.com
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
www.derekfrank.com
www.instagram.com/derekfrankbass
www.youtube.com/derekfrankbass
www.facebook.com/derekfrankbass
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
