The Moons is a drone-based ear training app for exploring and internalizing chords, and chord progressions
The Moons is a drone-based ear training app for exploring and internalizing chords, and chord progressions. It presents the seven diatonic chords as an interactive moons diagram where you can tap individual chords in a key and hear them against a sustained vocal drone. In progressions mode you can design progressions to hear how they move and flow. To see how your ear training is coming along, the app includes a two fun and challenging test modes.
Features:
12 tonal centers (all keys)
7 modes: Major, Mixolydian, Lydian, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Dorian, Phrygian
7 diatonic chords with roles displayed visually
Two discovery modes: Chords & Chord Progressions
Two fun and challenging test modes: Chords & Progressions
Chord Progression Designer
MIDI Visualizer - see what you play displayed
Male and female choirs
Real Acoustic Cello
Adjustable drone/chord mix balance
Function and note name label modes
4 color schemes
Works offline — no internet required
How it works:
Chords Mode: Start the drone, then tap spheres of the moons to hear chords. Use the arrow selector to shift to the closest inversion either up or down. In male choir mode, the radio buttons above give melody tones. In female choir mode, the same buttons trigger a bass tone below.
Progressions Mode: Start the drone. Select a chord then press “Add” to add it to the progression. Repeat up to four times. Press play to hear the progression. The slider below the progression speeds up or slows down the tempo. Activate “Loop” to loop the progression.
Chords Test Mode: Start drone, choose levels, then begin. Listen to the chord played, click the corresponding moon to select, then press the checkmark to commit. Once you’ve commited, or when the timer runs out, you’ll receive feedback as to the accuracy of your selections.
3 levels in Chord Test Mode:
1) Root position chords
2) 1st Inversions
3) 2nd inversions.
Chord Progressions Test Mode: Start drone, choose levels, then begin. Listen to the chord progression played, click a series of 3 corresponding moons, first selecting then commiting each of the chords. Once you’ve commited, or when the timer runs out, you’ll receive feedback as to the accuracy of your selections.
4 levels in Chord Progression Mode:
1) Simple Cadences (starting at tonic chord)
2) Deceptive Cadences (starting at tonic chord)
3) Resolutions (beginning on non-tonic chords)
4) Unresolved Progressions
Level 3 of The Tonal Harmony Series:
L1 — The Fan & The Curtain (simple intervals)
L2 — The Tower (intervals, chords, and connections)
L3 — The Moons (chords and chord progressions)