Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory, Bk 1-3: Ear Training, 2 CDs

No you don't have to buy the CDs in order to do the ear training. If you buy the teacher's addition all of the musical examples are listed there for you to play yourself. And of course you can always make up your own examples- as long as you correct your students work accordingly. However, you will be missing some great expansion to your teaching without them. I love the fact that different instruments are used throughout. So your students get the benefit of an expanded pallet of sound. As a teacher I don't even own all the instruments used to be able to replicate that part. Secondly, the CD is well recorded, clear and very conscise. It is easy to follow and understand. All the tempos used are just right. There is very little room for misunderstanding. As a teacher I like the fact that it's one thing that I don't have to think about. I just push play and concern myself with the student(s). Not only that, taking myself out of the equation allows for complete consistancy between classes and students. I don't ever have the problem of a bad day or an off day or a mumbling unclear moment. Everything is set and perfectly on every time.

The CDs are pretty good. Some of the stuff is very basic, while I found other stuff very difficult. It plays about a line of music and you have to pick which notes are missing. Also when they do the intervals and you have guess which one was pretty good stuff to learn. I've played the piano for over 10 years, and took lessons for about 5 years. But I never had any ear training. Most if it was review, but I think it was worth it for the difficult stuff. Plus you can't really finish the theory book without the ear training CDs.

Purchased these CDs after having purchased the book alone, thinking I might not need them. Can easily step through each question for each of the reviews at the end of major sections in the book. If you haven't purchased the book yet, I'd recommend getting the book with the CDs. If you already have the book, but not the CDs, this has been helpful. Don't skip the "ear training" sections - it's literally a necessary part of any music.

Love the spiral binding. Easy to follow book and CD’s.

Great learning tool, for the beginner, excellent quality and i received this product in a timely fashion. Definitely will purchase more books from this seller.

The CD is great for listening to before attempting to play a piece. I just wish that I could hear piano versions of the music without the other instruments being played.

This is a good product, and you NEED these in order to use the text book, if you plan on using the listening exercises.

It is essential for ear training with the Alfred's music theory books.

Only received 1 cd after a long wait