The study of both theory and ear training aim to make possible deeper musical connections in the student by feeling and experiencing music on a higher level. Music theory in Western music tradition has two parts: fundamentals (notation, keys, chords, rhythms) and analysis (manipulating fundamental concepts to interpret how music works). Ear training is learning how to hear fundamentals by training the mind-ear-voice connection and later to analyze by hearing. 

At the beginning, theory and ear training must be combined. At an intermediate level, the two split such that ear training uses the fundamentals to teach dictation (the writing down of something heard) for rhythms and melodies and production of sight reading rhythms and melodies. Intermediate theory continues into harmony. Advanced level students recombine theory and ear training to be able to improvise and create within a given style.