# OpenEar - Ear training

> Open source ear training app for musicians focused on tonal music patterns. (iPhone/iPad app by Shachar Har-Shuv.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openear-ear-training/id1616537214 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Shachar Har-Shuv](https://appshunter.io/developer/1598566691)
- Category: Music, Music, Education
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 106 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2022-03-30
- Data updated: 2026-06-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openear-ear-training/id1616537214/reviews.md

## What is OpenEar?

OpenEar is the open source ear training app for musicians. It's goal is to provide a flexible variety of exercises with emphasis on tonal music so musicians will be able to master recognizing any musical pattern that might help them become better musicians.
Currently includes the following exercises:

1. Scale Degree Identification
2. Chord Function Identification (identify chords in roman numeral analysis) - the only app in the world that allow this!
3. Common Progressions
4. Chord Types - including settings for root degrees per type so you can practice only common types in a tonal context
5. Scale Degrees with Chords - absolutely revolutionary exercise that help develop both scale degree and chord identification in tonal context. 
6. Triad inversions - identify a position of a closed voiced triad
7. Intervals - the classic atonal intervals exercise. Not recommended for beginners as research shows that apart from advance usecases, intervals are not effective in developing good aural skills in tonal music. 

Check out our GitHub page for contribution and feedback: https://github.com/ShacharHarshuv/open-ear

## Key features

- Scale Degree Identification
- Chord Function Identification
- Common Progressions
- Chord Types
- Scale Degrees with Chords
- Triad Inversions
- Intervals

## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openear-ear-training/id1616537214/reviews.md

### 1/5 — App doesn’t make any sound.   Useless.

*2025-12-15*

I’m assuming that since this is a “music” app, it should be playing notes or rhythms or some kind of sound but nope it’s dead silent.

### 1/5 — Unusable

*2025-05-02*

I love this app on Android but on IPhone the chord function mode is unusable. It doesn’t work at all.

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2024-10-30*

I love the auto play feature. I can now practice hands-free.

### 1/5 — does it even work?

*2023-08-25*

no luck getting it working as yet

### 5/5 — Get It!  But Two Requests

*2023-04-09*

If you want to learn (or resurrect in my case), essential Ear Training, start here! 

Clever app name too, BTW!

### 5/5 — Awesome!! Chord function training

*2023-03-24*

Awesome app I have been looking for an app to train for the chord function!! I found one for the keys within the context but not the chords. Thank you!

### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for!

*2023-01-21*

Has everything you need for basic ear training.

### 5/5 — Has everything you need

*2022-09-02*

Can you please add Major 2-5-1 to common chord progressions.

## Frequently asked questions about OpenEar

### What exercises does OpenEar offer?

OpenEar provides exercises such as Scale Degree Identification, Chord Function Identification, Common Progressions, Chord Types, Scale Degrees with Chords, Triad Inversions, and Intervals. It uniquely allows identification of chords in roman numeral analysis.

### Is OpenEar suitable for beginners?

While OpenEar offers a variety of exercises, the Interval exercise is not recommended for beginners as research suggests it's not effective for developing aural skills in tonal music, except for advanced uses.

### What makes OpenEar's Chord Function Identification unique?

OpenEar is the only app in the world that allows users to identify chords in roman numeral analysis, a key feature for understanding chord functions within tonal music.

### What is the focus of OpenEar's exercises?

The app emphasizes tonal music exercises, aiming to help musicians master recognizing musical patterns that contribute to becoming better musicians. This includes exercises that develop both scale degree and chord identification in a tonal context.

### Is OpenEar available on multiple devices?

Yes, OpenEar is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, making it accessible to a wide range of Apple device users.

### How often is OpenEar updated?

The latest version, 1.12.1, was released on September 2, 2025. The app was initially released on March 30, 2022, indicating ongoing development and updates.

### What is the user sentiment for OpenEar?

Users generally have a positive sentiment, reflected in its high rating of 4.6 stars from 10 ratings. This suggests users find the app effective for its intended purpose.

### Does OpenEar have ads?

No, OpenEar is ad-free. As an open-source application, it focuses on providing a clean and uninterrupted learning experience for musicians.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.12.1 — 2025-09-02

- New setting for "Modal Analysis" for "common chord progressions" to support do-minor/la-minor and re-dorian/la-dorian settings.
- Important bug fixes

### 1.11.0 — 2025-08-22

Limit intervals and randomize rhythm in "Scale Degrees" exercise.

### 1.10.1 — 2025-07-18

1.9: fix button layout
1.10: OpenEar will now collect anonymous data for research and improvements

### 1.10.0 — 2025-07-17

Fix bug where long press on buttons in settings wouldn't work

### 1.9.0 — 2025-02-12

New since version 1.5.12:
- Support more instrument sounds in all exercises
- Multiple chord types in Chord Functions exercise. Long press on a chord in the settings to see more options.
- Practice "Notes With Chords" with 7th chords
- Support Chord Inversions (aka Slash Chords) in Chord Functions. Note the special notation used in this app: "I/3" in C major is C/E (equivalent to I6 in classical analysis) while I6 in C major is C6 (equivalent to I65 in classical analysis). See exercise explanation for more details. To use it - long press a chord option in the setting, and then long press one of the extension options to see inversions options.
- In Chords in Real Songs, Mixolydian progressions will now be analyzed in the mixolydian tonic by default. This can be customized so every mode is analyzed in the relative major.
- Chord functions progressions will attempt to put chords in sensible musical context, when using un-diatonic notes or inversions.
- Nested answers in chord progression exercise have been significantly changed. To select inner answers, hold the main answer and slide outwards to the required answer.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-01.*