The key thing is that you teach multiplication tables in a structured, incremental manner. Yes, it's just rote memorization, but the structure makes it way easier. You don't just dump all tables on the student at once and start quizzing them until they get it.

Imo not being able to select a subset of intervals to train heavily limits how useful this is.

This teaches intervals like Duolingo teaches language rules. You sort of pick them up because you need them to figure out the small melody it plays. But you don't get the concept of a 'fourth' or a 'fifth' and there's never a moment where the actual rules are explained.

That said, I think it's very useful for what it is and highlights that whatever your view on AI, there is a niche here that AI can fill that people otherwise would just not build either because they don't think it is interesting, or because no one would pay enough for it.

I addressed that. You should read a book to learn the definition of intervals. But in addition, there's no substitute for ear training. Grinding on interval identification is just as valid as this. Once you get to a level where you can identify intervals on the keyboard, the skills are pretty transferable. But there's just no way to learn what a fifth sounds like by reading a book. You need something like this. There is probably room to add a mode that says "this is a fifth" after you identify a fifth. Or to choose a named interval or chord quality based on hearing it. But I don't think any of that diminishes the utility of what's here.

FWIW I think it's probably more useful to play what you hear than it is to be able to name it. Although they're both good.

Right, and I addressed all that as well. I doubt we are in serious disagreement here and calls for me to “read a book” are frankly rude. I think you need to be more generous in the interpretation of others words because I actually disagree with the original poster for the most part, but you obviously have a different definition of “teach” than he. Flash cards don’t teach. They assist memorization or practice. Memorizing times tables doesn’t teach multiplication except trivially for the numbers you’ve memorized. It does assist in learning multiplication. Likewise this ear training can trivialize learning and identifying intervals later but is not itself “teaching intervals”.

I'm not asking you to read a book. Sorry for being unclear. The reading a book stuff all started from this in my original comment:

> You can read about music theory (and should) but the only way to [...]

My point is just that "you" (an abstract you) can learn music abstractly and in practice. Some things require book reading. Some things require practice and listening. Nothing intended about the cgriswald "you".

I know how to do long-hand multiplication and have memorized the 12x12 multiplication table. I'm not sure which one is more valuable, but I think they complement each other.

I'm not sure if we actually disagree about anything, except maybe the relative value of knowing what an interval sounds like vs what it's called.

Ah, apologies for my misunderstanding. Maybe I should be more generous in interpreting others words. I don’t think we disagree about that either. To me it isn’t about “What it’s called” but about the concept itself. Intervals are “hidden” in this ear training. You get them for free but you don’t necessarily learn that the pattern is there at all. I can agree that the doing ability is more important than the concept but it’s not just about the name. That’s just what we have to use to talk about it.

It's ear training, not theory training, right?

Yes, which is why it doesn’t teach intervals, but is still useful.