IFR blog > Practice tips > Developing your ear > Understanding any piece of music by ear
Studying chord progressions with the IFR Tonal Map

In this excerpt from the IFR video course "Introduction to Melodic Improvising", IFR coach Jelske demonstrates how to learn chord progressions using the IFR Tonal Map.

IFR video lesson: Chromatic inspiration

In this lesson Mireia Clua walks you through many great ideas and inspirations for practicing IFR Exercise 1: Landscape.

IFR E-book Package

I have heard a lot of good things about IFR. I want to begin practicing the method but I'm not sure where to start. Can you tell me what materials I need?

The universal musical mind

Bill Evans was a visionary artist who made an enormous personal contribution to our modern concept of jazz piano. And yet at the same time, he believed that ALL human beings have an innate understanding of music.

The four advantages of the tonal point of view

Learning to think relative to the key of the music is the most important thing you can do to accelerate your music learning. This article explains four immediate benefits to your music practice from adopting the tonal point of view.

What's the best approach to ear training?

I have tried many different methods of ear training. I have tried interval recognition apps, functional ear training and even a perfect pitch course. But I have yet to recognize a single note when listening to real music! Can you give me any guidance?

Modal improvisation jam with tenor sax and upright bass

Enjoy this great jam in the 5th harmonic environment recorded at the iconic jazz club Robadors 23 in Barcelona, Spain.

What makes IFR different?

Improvise for Real is now being used by both students and teachers in more than 20 countries. The method has been described as a totally different way to learn about music and improvisation. But what makes it so different?

Visualizing the tonal map on the trumpet

"I have been practicing IFR for half a year and it's great how I am progressing! One of my obstacles is that I still imagine notes on a music staff instead of the tonal numbers. Is there any way to switch from one image to the other?"

How to visualize musical intervals on the flute

I just purchased your book from Amazon and would like to clarify a point. When the exercise says to visualize all five notes at once on my flute, does this mean the sound or the letter name of the note?