Sound Contrast: /æ/ vs. /ə/

Listen to the difference between the vowel sounds (/æ/ vs. /ə/) in the following pairs of words.

• bad
  | bud
• bat
  | but
• cab
  | cub
• cap
  | cup
• crash
  | crush
• fan
  | fun
• flash
  | flush
• ham
  | hum
• lack
  | luck
• lag
  | lug
• last
  | lust
• ramp
  | rump

Depending on your native language distinguishing the difference can be very easy or very difficult.