In this masterclass, Michael Palmisano delves into the essential skill of ear training for guitarists, emphasizing the importance of becoming an active listener. He introduces the concept of practical approaches to ear training, which goes beyond merely identifying intervals and chord qualities. Michael stresses the significance of understanding chord functions within a progression—identifying tonic, subdominant, and dominant chords—and how these relate to the narrative structure of music. By analyzing songs in terms of 'home', 'away', and 'going home', he encourages students to start thinking about music in a more structured and functional way.

Throughout the masterclass, Michael uses examples from the blues genre to illustrate his points, noting the blues' straightforward chord progressions as an ideal starting point for ear training. He explains how to listen for the resolution of musical tension (tonic), the creation of tension or movement away from resolution (subdominant), and the movement back towards resolution (dominant). Michael's approach encourages students to actively listen to music, categorizing chords and progressions by their function rather than their specific notes or qualities. This method aims to deepen the student's understanding of music's storytelling nature through its harmonic movement.

Michael provides practical exercises for the students, urging them to listen to music (specifically blues) and identify the functional roles of chords within songs. He emphasizes that this practice of active listening and functional analysis can enhance a musician's ability to anticipate chord changes and understand the underlying structure of music. The masterclass concludes with an open Q&A session, where Michael answers questions and offers further insights into applying these ear training techniques. This interactive session reinforces the masterclass's core message: developing a keen ear for chord functions is crucial for any musician looking to improve their playing and comprehension of music.