I've been reading up on ear training since it seems like something I should really start doing now that I'm getting the notes on the fretboard down.

For every musician out there seems to be a different approach :-(. Most methods emphasize the importance of learing to sing the notes and the intervals. Is this really necessary? I very much don't like to sing...probably because I don't like my voice. I have no plans on singing to accompany my guitar playing either :-).

Also, is practicing scale patterns a component and/or form of ear training? Since I've been practicing the major and pentatonic scales for many years, I can tell immediately if I've hit a bad note in it. Hand me a minor scale or one of the modes, and it's just a string of notes to me...

I'm trying to fit a plan together for myself with this and I'm not sure exactly where to begin...and where exactly I'm trying to go. I'm told that developing one's ear is key to well rounded and melodic improvisation.

Thanks!