MacGAMUT contains a number of graded modules that focus on individual aspects of ear-training, as well as modules that combine these aspects. Students can practice skills in aural and written formats. Aural skills are taught by having students identify intervals, scales and chords by selecting the correct label for these after hearing them. Written skills are taught by having students input notes and rhythms onto a staff, which is then graded by the software. Each exercise is assigned a level, so that the student can see progress in moving from one level to the next, and all exercises are graded, so that the student knows what she needs to work on to improve. Instructors can also create their own exercises and assignments in MacGAMUT for their students to do.
Intervals, scales and chords are the building blocks of ear-training. MacGAMUT plays intervals, both ascending (from the lower pitch to the top pitch, one after another), descending (from the top pitch to the lower pitch) and concurrently (both pitches at the same time) and gives students a space to type in the name of the interval. Scales and chords are taught the same way. Students can repeat exercises as many times as they need to in order to learn the sounds of intervals, scales and chords.
As students advance, they can select to work with more complex and difficult materials, including rhythmic, harmonic and melodic dictation. In these exercises, students listen to several measures' worth of music and then enter it onto a staff, to test whether they have heard it correctly. The software then grades the exercise and suggests remedial or continuing exercises for the student. As the student progresses, these dictation exercises become harder, involving more voices (lines of music), a broader range of rhythms and harmonic elements and atonal melodies.
MacGAMUT can also be used on computers connected to MID keyboards, so that students can play back what they have heard. There is also an option for using a virtual keyboard that is part of the software. Using keyboards in studying ear-training helps students acquire a better command of the keyboard (if they are not already keyboard players) and allows instructors in group piano classes to incorporate ear-training exercises into classes and lessons.
MacGAMUT costs $40 for individual buyers (as of 2010). Schools using MacGAMUT in listening labs can buy the software in bulk, which comes with a volume discount. Students buying in groups can also benefit from a group discount of 20 percent if five copies or more are ordered at the same time. Sales tax is charged only for orders shipping to Ohio.