Ear Training Class, Columbia University, April 29, 2024

Comments from this semester’s course evaluations:

“He encourages a kind of thinking that allows you to be comfortable in the undeniable uncertainty of music theory. I appreciate it beyond words. I have no notes or "improvements" for Arjomand's teaching style. In fact, he could do a better job making the course less amazing, as my other courses might look better in comparison!”

“Professor Arjomand was able to get every single student excited about our class work, regardless of major or past musical experience. Class time was both challenging and enjoyable. I really appreciated Professor Arjomand's intentionality and commitment.”

“Arjomand's approach to Ear Training—reliant on developing our tendency to notice musical particulars relative to what is beside those particulars as opposed to memorizing particular sounds out of thin air—is fantastic. This perspective, which he quotes as the "decoupling of what you read from what you hear" is paramount to a new age of music theory teaching that I believe will accelerate any student's musicianship beyond the level-by-level building of musical knowledge. I have become a significantly better textbook musician without a textbook at all; I have simply learned how to appreciate and enjoy music better. I have learned how to identify sounds and articulate their impact in a larger body of musical ideas. This is not what I was expecting from Ear Training II and precisely what I needed from Ear Training II.”
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“Arjomand encourages you to experience the relationship between musical ideas in the assignments beyond finding a 'correct answer'. He actually encourages this by foregoing grading according to accuracy. He grades for effort and submission—but do not be fooled! Little effort will be noticed. It will not be penalized, but you will most definitely feel inspired to interrogate your own unassisted mental interpretation of music. You will be encouraged to test yourself on how well you can interpret the assignment, as well as "why" you made a particular mistake. Arjomand loves mistakes. By the end of the course, you will too.”
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“I loved this class because of the way each day was structured in a way that allowed us to learn the techniques and observations on our own.”