How do you train your ears?

Sitting up-front, first or second row, hearing the live performance without amplification is the standard I use. Listen intently then compare your audio system immediately after the concert using the same artist & recorded material if possible. When I heard a concert pianist live and heard almost identical results from my system I knew I was on the right track. At another concert I was able to use the recording engineers master-tapes to compare what I had just heard live with the audio reproduction on my system. That was the clincher. When the engineer heard his recording over my audio system his jaw dropped. It was as though the concert was live in my living room, something he had not expected, and this is from an engineer who makes his own tube equipment.

Commcat, you must have one heck of a listening room and gear, how about sharing with us? I've found the piano is the most difficult instrument to duplicate in the home listening environment.

>>How do you train your ears?<<

Use very simple one word commands your ears will understand.

Sit
Heel
Speak
Down

Enuciate clearly and speak firmly.

Good luck.

Larryken,
211 Tube Monoblocks, Tube Preamp, Dunlavy SC-V Speakers, Sony TC 880-2 Tape Deck, 4 Gauge Speaker Cables, Oracle Delphi TT, Dynavector Arm & Cartridge. Cal Audio Labs Alpha DAC, MicroMega Transport. Not such extraordinary equipment but the synergy is outstanding. The room is ordinary, 20' x 15', carpeted wooden floors, bookcases around both sides and back wall.

How do I train my ears?

I sit orchestra center, not as close as some others have indicated, but close enough...when I don't sit outside the performance I am usually in it. I had the opportunity to conduct a few times in college, and that would be the ultimate reference...if I could just have someone let me hold the baton again...

Recently I took my spl meter to a orchestra read of Il Trovatore, which took place in a rehearsal room. I was standing on a platform with the principal singers near the percussion section...here are some measurements...

Large cymbal crashes, 107db
Heavy percussion, upwards of 115db
Full brass, 110db (at 15ft.)
Full strings, 100db (at 20ft.)

Operatic Voice at 5-7ft, loud passages:

Dramatic soprano voice 92 db
Dramatic Mezzo voice 90db
Darmatic tenor 90db
Dramatic Baritone 87db

I am sure had I been on the other side of the orchestra...aka from the podium, the brass and the strings would have been a bit louder...

Mind you, these are peaks, the general range of the orchestra was around 80db for mf, with the singers riding their overtones...which is the art after all.